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HISTORY OF 

TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

WISCONSIN 



COMPILED BY 

FRANKLYN CURTISS -WEDGE 

r 
EDITED BY 

EBEN DOUGLAS PIERCE, M.D. 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO AND WINONA 

H. C. COOPER, Jr., & CO. 

1917 






■^^^3 



/ 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER I 

EARLY WISCONSIN, 1-16 

Topography, 1-2; Sovereignty, 2-4; Boundaries, 4-6; First Men In, 6-8; Coming of 
the White Men, 8-9; Missionaries and Traders, 9-12; French Fur Trade, 12-14; British 
Fur Trade, 14-16. 

CHAPTER II 

GEOLOGY, 17-25 

Rock Exposures, 17; Geologic Divisions, 17; Successive Stages of Formation, 19; 
the Trempealeau Bluffs, 23-24; Recapitulation, 24-25; Natural Resources, 25. 

CHAPTER III 

ARCHAEOLOGY, 26-35 

Distribution and Character of Antiquities, 26-27; Significance and Authorship, 
27-28; Platforms, 28-33; Antiquity of Man, 33-34; Recapitulation, 34-35. 



CHAPTER IV 

GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTION, 36-40 

Spain, France, England, United States, 36; Territories, States ^d Counties, 36-38; 
County Organized, 38-39. 

CHAPTER V 

REIGN OF THE INDIANS, 41-51 

Tribes, 41; Winnebago, 41-43; Dakota (Sioux), 43; Wabasha, 44; Decorah, 45-47; 
Black Hawk, Tradition of Capture, 48-49; Modern Encampments, 49. 

CHAPTER VI 

EXPLORERS AT TREMPEALEAU MOUNTAIN. 52-64 

Description of Mountain, C2; Hennepin, Accault, Auguel, 52-54; Duluth, 53-54; 
Perrot, 54-55; Le Sueur, 55; Linctot, 56; St. Pierre, 56; Marin, 57; Carver, 57-58; Pike, 
58-59; Long, 59-61; Leavenworth, Forsyth and Ft. Snelling, 60; Sawmill on Black River, 
60; Cass, Schoolcraft, Doty, 60-61; Sawmill on the Menomonee, 61; Long, Keating, 
Schoolcraft, 61; "Virginia," the First Steamboat, 61; Beltrami, 61-62; Featherston- 
haugh, Mather, Catlin, Kearney, Lea, 62. 

iii 



iv CONTENTS 

CHAPTER VII 

EARLY SETTLEMENT, 65-69 

Joseph and Augustine Rocque, Trappers, 65-66; Louis and Augustine Grignon, 
Traders, 66; Gavin, Missionary, 66; Stram, Farmer, 66; la Bathe, Trader, 66; Doville 
and Antoine Reed, 66-67; James A. Reed, 67; Reed's Followers, 67-68; L. H. and W. B. 
Bunnell, 68; Influx Begins, 68; Routes of Travel, 68. 

CHAPTER VIII 

LOCALITY SETTLEMENTS, 70-105 

Changes in Nature Wrought by Man, 70-72; Trempealeau, 72-78; Black River Val- 
ley, 78-79; Beaver Creek Valley, 79-83; Frenchville, 83; Ettrick, 83; Galesville, 83-86; 
Trempealeau Prairie, 86-87; Dodge, 87-88; Arcadia, 88-91; Bumside, Hale, Chimney 
Rock, 92; Lincoln, 92-93; Whitehall, 93-94; Pigeon, 94; Preston, 94; Albion, 94-96; Unity, 
96; Sumner, 97; Land Office Records, 97-102; Tax Records, 102-105. 

CHAPTER IX 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT, 106-128 

First County Board, 106; Pre-Bellum Boards and Their Doings, 106-109; Com- 
missioners and Their Doings, 109; Present System of Government Inaugurated, 112-114; 
County Seat, Courthouse and Jail, 114-116; Asylum, 116-117; Alms House (Attempted), 
116-117; Roads and Bridges, 117-118; County Officers, 118-120; County Supervisors 
Since 1872, 120-128 (Previous Boards Given Earlier in the General Text of the Chapter); 
Organization of Townships — Trempealeau (Montoville) by La Crosse County, Date 
Unknown, 106; Gale, 106; Preston, 107; Sumner, 107; Arcadia, 107; Caledonia, 107-108; 
Lincoln, 108; Chase, 108 (Vacated, 109); Ettrick, 110; Bumside, 111; Hale, 111; Albion, 
113; Dodge, 113-114; Pigeon, 113-114; Unity, 113-114; Chimney Rock, 113-114. 



CHAPTER X 

HISTORICAL PAPERS, 129-223 

Recollections of Antoine Grignon, 129-136; James Allen Reed, 136-143; Irish Set- 
tlers, 143-150; Polish and Bohemian Settlers, 150-152; Scandinavian Settlers, 152-159; 
The County in 1871, 159-162; Cruise of the Spray, 162-164; Early Trempealeau, 164-166; 
Trempealeau Prairie, 166-167; Beaver Creek Valley, 167-169; Lewis Valley, 169; New- 
comb Valley, 169-171; Holcomb Cooley, 171-172; American Valley, 172; Rainey Valley, 
172-173; Meyers Valley, 173-175; Trout Run Valley, 175-176; North Creek Valley, 176- 
177; Bill's Valley, 177; Korpal Valley, 177; The Banner Robbery, 177-178; Williams- 
burg, 178-181; McGilvray's Ferry, 181-184; A Wisconsin Pioneer, 184-196; Early Osseo, 
196-202; The Olson Lynching, 202-204; Winnebago Festivities, 204-205; Scotch Settlers 
of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, 205-207; Wessel Lowe's Experiences, 207; James N. 
Hunter's Reminiscences, 207-208; George H. Markham's Reminiscences, 208-211; A. D. 
Tracy, 211-212; Antoine Grignon and the Indians, 212-218; Remains of a Friench Post 
Near Trempealeau, 218-222; Organization Act of Trempealeau County, 222-223. 



CONTENTS V 

CHAPTER XI 

MODERN VILLAGES, 224-254 

Population with Dates of Platting and Incorporating, 224; Arcadia, 225-231; White- 
hall, 232-237; Galesville, 237-240; Independence, 240-245; Blair, 245-248; Eleva, 248- 
250; Osseo, 250-252; Strum, 252-253; Ettrick, 253; Dodge, 253; Pigeon Creek, 253; 
Trempealeau, 254. 



CHAPTER XII 

NEWSPAPERS, 255-260 

Trempealeau Times, 255; Trempealeau Banner, 255; Galesville Transcript, 255-256; 
Trempealeau County Record, 256; Galesville Journal, 256; Journal and Record, 256; 
Trempealeau County Messenger, 256; Whitehall Times, 256; Whitehall Times and Blair 
Banner, 256; Whitehall Tim.es-Banner, 256; Trempealeau Representative, 256; Trem- 
pealeau Coimty Republican, 256; Arcadia Leader, 256-257; Arcadia Republican and 
Leader, 256-257; Galesville Independent, 257; Trempealeau Free Press, 257; Trempea- 
leau County Democrat, 257; Galesville Republican, 257; Independence News- Wave, 258; 
Independence Weekly News, 258; Independence Wave, 258; Trempealeau Gazette, 258; 
Trempealeau Tribune, 258; Trempealeau Herald, 258-259; Arcadian, 259; Blair Press, 
259; Osseo Blade, 259; Osseo Recorder, 259; Osseo News, 259; Eleva Herald, 259; 
International Good Templar, 259; Wisconsin Good Templar, 259; Anzeiger, 259; Der 
Nord Staed, 260; Booster, 260. 



CHAPTER XIII 

RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES, 261-269 

Location of Railroads, 261-262; La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott, 262; Chicago 
& Northwestern, 263; Galesville Branch, 263-264; Green Bay & Western, 264-265; Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy, 265; Mondovi Line, 266; Ettrick & Northern, 266-267; 
Telephones, 267-269; Veitch-Luce Galesville Line, 267; The Utter Fiasco, 267; The 
Waumandee Lime, 267; Arcadia Telephone Co., 267; Trempealeau Valley Exchanges, 
268; Western Wisconsin Telephone Co., 268; Osseo Telephone Co., 268; Rural Lines, 269. 



CHAPTER XIV 

PLACE NAMES, 270-281 

Townships, 270-271; Incorporated Villages, 271-272; Platted Vilages, 272-273; 
Trading Centers, 273-274; Principal Streams, 274-276; Lakes, 276-277; Geographical 
Landmarks, 277-279; Valleys and Cooleys, 279-281. 



CHAPTER XV 

BIOGRAPHY, 282-801 

(For Index, see Biographical Index in Back of This Volume) 



vi CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XVI 

BANKS AND BANKING, 802-810 

First Banks, 802; Bank of Arcadia, 802-803; John O. Melby & Co. Bank of White- 
hall, 803-804; Bank of Galesville, 804-805; Home Bank of Blair, 805; State Bank of 
Osseo, 805; Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Galesville, 805-806; Bank of Ettrick, 
806; Citizens' State Bank of Trempealeau, 806-807; Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia, 
807; First State Bank of Dodge, 807; Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence, 
807-808; Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, 808; First State Bank of Strum, 808-809; 
Peoples' State Bank of Whitehall, 809; First National Bank of Blair, 809-810; State 
Bank of Independence, 810; Bank of Eleva, 810. 

CHAPTER XVII 

DAIRY INTERESTS, 811-816 

Story of the Growth of Dairying, 811-812; Statistics of the Individual Creameries, 
812-815; Statistics of the Cheese Factories, 815-816; Values, 816; Butter and Cheese 
Made on Farms, 816. 

CHAPTER XVIII 

NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES, 817-8.35 

The Norwegians, 817-818; Story of the Individual Congregations from Dr. O. M. 
Norlie's "Norsk Lutherske Menigheder I Amerika, 1843-1915," 818-828; French Creek, 
Tamarack, Hardie's Creek, Fagerness and South Beaver Creek Congregations by Rev. 
C. B. Bestul, 828-833; Whitehall and Pigeon Creek Congregations, by Rev. Einar B. 
Christophersen, 833-835. 

CHAPTER XIX 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TREMPEALEAU COUNTY. 836-851 

Catholics in American History, 836-838; Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' 838-839; 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 839-843; St. Bridget's, 843-845; St. Michael's 845-846; St. 
Peter's and St. Paul's, 846-848; St. Mary's, 848-849; St. Bartholomew's 849-850; St. 
Stanislaus', 850-851; Summary, 851. 



CHAPTER XX 

OTHER CHURCHES, 852-863 

German Evangelical Lutheran, 852; Swedish Lutheran, 852; Evangelical Associa- 
tion, 852-854; Congregational, 854-857; Presbyterian, 857-860; Methodist Episcopal, 
860-861; Baptist, 861-862; Episcopal, 862-863; Independent, 863; Union, 863. 



CHAPTER XXI 
BENCH AND BAR, 864-866 
Judges and Lawyers of Trempealeau County. 



CONTENTS vii 



CHAPTER XXII 

SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF PIGEON, 868-882 

Preliminary Observations, 868-871; Man-Made History, 871-876; Pigeon Falls, 877- 
880; Political History, 880; General Development, 881-882., 



CHAPTER XXIII 

MORE HISTORICAL PAPERS, 883-908 

Trempealeau Mountain Park, 883-884; Gale College, 884-888; Arcadia in 1876, 888- 
889; Pioneer Schools, 889-890; Galesville Fair, 890-891; Agricultural Development, 
891-893; Orchard and Its Advancement, 893-895; First Meeting in Sumner, 895; Trem- 
pealeau Municipal Improvements, 896; Independence Municipal Improvements, 896-898; 
Early Burnside Records, 898-900; Early Adventures, 900; Flood of 1876, 901; Borst Val- 
ley, 901-905; Green Bay & Western Railroad, 905-908; Risberg Accounting System, 908. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

SOURCES, 910-913 

Trempealeau County Historians: George H. Squier, 910; Benjamin F. Heuston, 910; 
George Gale, 910; H. A. Anderson, 910-911; Eben D. Pierce, 911; Stephen Richmond, 
911-912; F. Curtiss-Wedge, 912; Historical Staff on Present Work, 912-913. 



SOURCE MATERIAL 

(Chapters X and XIII) 

American Valley, 172. — Anderson, Margaret, Pioneer Schools, which see. — Ander- 
son, H. A., Letter from Olds, 164-166.— Arcadia in 1876, 888-889.— Banner Robbery, 
177-178. — Bishop, W. E., Agricultural Development, which see. — Beaver Creek Valley, 
167-169. — Bibby, Jemima, Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, which see. — 
Bill's Valley, 177.— Bohemian and Polish Settlers, 150-152.— Borst Valley, 901-905.— 
Borst Virgil, Borst Valley, which see. — Brovold, E. J., Scandinavian Settlers, which see. 
— Burnside, Settlement of, Markham's Reminiscences, 208-211; Early Records of, 898- 
900. — Cleveland, E. H., the Banner Robbery, which see. — Caledonia, Old's Reminis- 
cences, 164-166; also see McGilvray's Ferry. — Decorah Prairie, Scotch Settlers of, 205- 
207. — Dorwin, Flora Luce, Galesville University, Opening Days of, which see. — Flood 
of 1876, 901. — French Post near Trempealeau, 218-222. — Gale College (Galesville Uni- 
versity), Opening Days, 194-196; History of, 884-888.— Galesville Fair, 890-891.— 
Gaveney, John C, Irish Settlers, which s,ee. — Arcadia in 1876, which see. — Gimmestad, 
Rev. L. M., Gale College, which see. — Gibbs, A. A., Trempealeau Municipal Improve- 
ments, which see. — Glasgow, Scotch Settlers of, 205-207. — Green Bay & Western Rail- 
road, 905-908. — Grignon, Antoine, Recollections of Early Trempealeau, 129-136; Indian 
Impressions, 212-218. — Grover, John, The Orchard and Its Advancement, which see. — 
Hess, Mr. and Mrs. John, Reminiscences, 167-169. — Holcomb Cooley, 171. — Horticul- 
ture, 893-895.— Hunter, James N., Early Burnside Records, which see.— Hunter, James 
N., Reminiscences, 207-208.— Hyslop, E., Early Osseo, which see.— Independence, Mu- 
nicipal Improvements, 896-898; Settlement of, Markham Reminiscences, 208-211. — 



viii CONTENTS 

Indian Scare, Hunter Reminiscences, 207-208, Markham's Early Adventures, 900-901. — 
Irish Settlers, 143-150. — Jackson Jacob, Independence Municipal Improvements, which 
se,e. — Jones, Mrs. Nettie F., Reminiscences of A. D. Tracy, which see. — Johnson. Peter 
H., Scandinavian Settlers, which see. — Korpal Valley, 177. — Kulig, John F., Polish and 
Bohemian Settlers, which sfee. — Latsch, John A., donor of Trempealeau Mountain Park, 
which see. — Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Fred W., Reminiscences of Wessel Lowe, which see. — 
Lowe, Wessel, Reminiscences of, 207. — Lewis Valley, 169. — McGilvray's Ferry, Old's 
Reminiscences, 164-166; .Rankin McGilvray's Reminiscences, 181-184. — Markham, 
George H., Reminiscences, 208-211; Early Adventures, 900-901. — Markham, John A., 
Independence Municipal Improvements. — Montoville, see Trempealeau. — New City 
Brawl, Hunter's Reminiscences, 207-208. — Newcomb Valley, 169-171. — North Crleek 
Valley, 176-177.^01ds, J. D., Reminiscences, 164-166.— Olson, Hans J., Lynching of, 
202-204. — Orchard, The, and Its Advancement, 893-895. — Organization Act of County, 
222-223. — Osseo, Early, 196-202. — Perrot's Fort Near Trempealeau, Archaeological 
Sketches, 218-222. — Pierce, Eben D., Recollections of Antoine Grignon, Indian Impres- 
sions of Antoine Grignon, Life of James Allen Reed, Cruise of the Spray, Beaver Creek 
Valley, Williamsburg, McGilvray's F.erry, Winnebago Festivities, Remains of French 
Post Near Trempealeau, which see. — Pigeon Valley, Old's Reminiscences, 164-166. — 
Polish and Bohemian Settlers, 150-152. — Poultry Association, Trempealeau Valley, 891. 
— Rainey Valley, 172-175. — Rathbone, Albert R., A Wisconsin Pioneer, Story of, 184- 
194.— Reed, James A., Grignon's Recollections of, 129-136; Pierce's Life, of, 136-143.— 
Reed's Town, see Trempealeau. — Richmond, Stephen, Trempealeau County in 1871, 
Trempealeau Prairie, Lewis Valley, Newcomb Valley, Holcomb Cooley, Rainey Valley, 
Thompson Valley, Trout Run Valley, North Creek Valley, Bill's Valley, Korpal Valley, 
which see. — Risberg, P. K., Accounting System, 908-909. — Scandinavian Settlers, 152- 
159.— Schools, Pioneer, 889-890.— Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, 205- 
207. — Seymour, Frank B., The Green Bay & Western Railroad, which see. — Spray, 
Cruise of, 162-164. — Squier, Geo. H., French Post Near Trempealeau, which see. — 
Sumner, First Town Meeting in, 895. — Trempealeau, Grignon's Recollections of Early, 
129-136; Reed's Settlement at, 136-143. Municipal Improvements, 896. — Trempealeau 
County In 1871, 159-162; Organization Act of, 222-223.— Trempealeau Prairie, Trim's 
Reminiscences, 166-167. — Trempealeau Mountain Park, 883-884. — Trempealeau Val- 
ley, at Whitehall, Old's Reminiscences, 164-166; Above Independence, Markham's Remi- 
niscences, 208-211. — Trempealeau Valley Poultry Association, 891. — Thompson Valley, 
175. — Tracy, A. D., Settlement in Tracy Valley, 211-213. — Trim, William, Interview 
Regarding Trempealeau Prairie, 166-167. — Trout Run Valley, 175-176. — Webb, Jennie 
Rathbone, Reminiscences of Albert R. Rathbone, 184-194.— Williamsburg, 178-181.— 
Winnebago Festivities, 204-205. — Wood, David, Reminiscences, 209-210. 



INTRODUCTION 



The hills and valleys of Trempealeau 
County have made their striking appeal 
to the human mind since the far distant 
days of prehistoric man. The venerable 
heights have witnessed the coming and 
going of successive races and unnumbered 
generations. Its crags have watched the 
building of Indian mounds in the ages now 
dark with oblivion, and have heard the 
aboriginal legends told and retold — chang- 
ing as they drifted through the centuries, 
until they have died away and been for- 
gotten. They have looked down on the 
haunt of the Indians whose hunting-ground 
abounded with game, and whose canoes 
were the only vessels on the waters of the 
Mississippi. And they have seen the early 
French explorers, driven by the restless 
spirit of adventure and the love of con- 
quest, work their way through the wilder- 
ness into the remote regions of the un- 
explored country. They have beheld the 
self-sacrificing missionaries braving the 
perils of the savage-infested regions of 
the land, for the purpose of lifting the 
barbarous mind of the Indian to a re- 
ligious plane; and they have witnessed 
the fur trader with his hunters, trappers 
and voyageurs penetrating the remote 
parts of the county in quest of furs. And 
at last they saw the coming of the pio- 
neers, who clambered up their sides and 
broke the silence of the solitude by fell- 
ing the scattered and scanty trees for 
cabin homes. These tillers of the soil 
established permanent homes, and today, 
far and wide over the surface of the 
county, are rich farms; thus has the fa- 
vorite hunting-ground of the Indian been 
transformed by the march of our Western 
civilization. 

Trempealeau County is in the western 
part of Wisconsin, on the Mississippi 
River. It is bounded on the east by Jack- 
son County, on the north by Eau Claire 
County, on the west by Buffalo County, 
and on the south by La Crosse County, as 
well as by Winona County across the 
Mississippi River in Minnesota. 

The area of the county is 748 miles. 



Its greatest length from north to south 
is 42 miles; its average width is 18 miles. 
The northern part is a rectangle, four 
townships (townships 21, 22, 23 and 24) 
long, and three townships (ranges 7, 8 
and 9) wide. The southern part would 
be a rectangle three townships (townships 
18, 19 and 20, ranges 7, 8 and 9) were it 
not extended on the west by the course 
of the Trempealeau River, and cut off at 
the southwest by the course of the Mis- 
sissippi River, and at the southeast by 
the course of the Black River. 

The area belongs entirely to the Mis- 
sissippi system, and is separated into 
three distinct divisions, the Trempealeau 
Prairie Region, the Trempealeau Valley 
Region and the Beef River Region. The 
Mississippi bluffs are broken at Trempea- 
leau village, and this opening stretches 
back into a fertile prairie, reacKing from 
the Black River bluffs to the Mississippi 
River bluffs, the ancient bed of the Missis- 
sippi. This prairie opens at the northeast 
into the Beaver Creek Valley, which con- 
tains the Galesville and Ettrick country. 
At the northwest, the Trempealeau Prairie 
opens into valley of the Tamarack River, 
which flows south between high ridges and 
then west across the prairie into the 
Trempealeau River a few miles from its 
mouth. 

The valley of the Trempealeau River 
occupies the central part of the county. 
Entering from Jackson County on the 
east, the river describes a great bend to 
the north and then flows southwardly, 
forming for a part of its course the west- 
ern boundary of the county, dividing a few 
miles north of its mouth into two branches, 
and then spreading into marshes and 
sloughs on its way to the Mississippi. The 
Trempealeau River receives two important 
tributaries from the north. Elk Creek and 
Pigeon Creek, both of which have rich and 
fertile valleys. 

In the northern part the Beef River 
flows east and west. 

The three divisions of the county are 
separated by high ridges, and all the val- 



IX 



INTRODUCTION 



leys have tributary valleys and cooleys 
which in turn are likewise bordered by 
ridges. 

The physical geography of Trempealeau 
County has been the important feature 
in its settlement. Its pioneers came first 
to Trempealeau, scattered back on the 
prairie, and up the Tamarack and Beaver 
Creek Valleys. From the ridges of Buf- 
falo County to the west and from Jackson 
County to the east, they poured into the 
Trempealeau Valley, and from that valley 
into its tributaries. From the older coun- 
ties to the east and south they poured into 
the Beef River Valley. Geographical ex- 
pediency has also located the incorporated 
villages, all being at natural trading cen- 
ters near the mouths of important valleys, 
and all being the sites of natural water- 
powers. At or near the present sites of 
all the incorporated villages, there were 
stores before the railroads were built. 
Physical geography has also been an im- 
portant part in determining the political 
destinies of the county, political divisions 
having been made with a view to geo- 
graphical convenience, and only four of 
the townships following the lines of the 
government survey. 

The county was created Jan. 24, 1854. 
The supervisors of Montoville ToviTiship 
met as the supervisors of Trempealeau 
County, March 11, 1854. Gale Township 
was created at that meeting, and the first 
regular meeting of county supervisors con- 
sisting of the chairmen of Montoville 
(Trempealeau) and Gale Townships met 
May 1, 1854. The commissioner system, 
with a commissioner from each of three 
districts, went into effect Jan. 1, 1862, and 
the supervisor system was revived Jan. 1, 
1870. The courthouse was ready for occu- 
pancy at Galesville, July 23, 1856. In 1858 
a petition was presented to the legislature 
asking for the removal of the county seat 
of Trempealeau, and in 1868 the legisla- 
ture passed a bill authorizing a vote on the 
subject. Nov. 7, 1876, the vote was taken 
by the citizens of the county, removing 
the county seat to Arcadia. A year later 
the voters removed the county seat to 
Whitehall, where the supervisors held their 
first meeting Jan. 23, 1878. A proposition 
to remove it to Blair was rejected by the 
voters in 1878, and a proposition to return 
it to Arcadia rejected in 1882. In 1883 a 
petition asking for a vote on the removal 



to Independence was declared to have too 
few signatures. 

The courthouse at Whitehall was started 
in 1883 and completed early in 1884. The 
jail was built in 1886. Courthouse and jail 
were rebuilt in 1911. The County Insane 
Asylum at Arcadia was started in 1899 
and completed in 1900. Efforts to estab- 
lish a poor farm and alms house have thus 
far failed. 

The townships of the county are: Trem- 
pealeau, created as Montoville by the 
county supervisors of La Crosse County 
before Trempealeau County was organ- 
ized, the exact date not appearing in the 
LaCrosse records; Gale, created March 
11, 1854; Preston, created Nov. 21, 1855; 
Sumner, created Nov. 20, 1856; Arcadia, 
created Nov. 20, 1856; Caledonia, created 
Nov. 11, 1857; Lincoln, created Nov. 13, 
1860; Ettrick, Dec. 16, 1862; Bumside, 
Dec. 31, 1863; Hale, Feb. 16, 1864; Albion, 
Jan. 20, 1870; Dodge, Jan. 4, 1875; Pigeon, 
Jan. 4, 1875; Unity, Nov. 20, 1877; and 
Chimney Rock, Nov. 22, 1881. 

The metropolis is Arcadia with a pop- 
ulation of some 1,400. The other villages 
are Whitehall, Trempealeau, Galesville, 
Dodge, Independence, Blair, Ettrick, Pig- 
eon Falls, Osseo, Strum and Eleva. 

The population is 22,928. The Scandina- 
vian element largely predominates. The 
German and Polish element is next in 
numbers. In 1860 the population w^ 
2,560, largely from the eastern states. In 
1870, the population was 10,732, the ratio 
of the population elements being practi- 
cally as at present. In 1880 the popula- 
tion was 17,189; in 1890 it was 18,920; in 
1900 it was 23,114. The decrease to 22,928 
in 1910 was due to the young people mov- 
ing to the cities and to the West. 

The county is entirely an agricultural 
one, all of the villages depending upon the 
people of their immediate rural district for 
their support. 

The earliest explorers of the upper Mis- 
sissippi River found Trempealeau under 
the domain of the powerful Dakota In- 
dians, who from their headquarters in the 
Mille Lacs region of northern Minnesota, 
used the great river as their route of war 
and the chase. But pressed hard by the 
Chippewa, who had secured firearms from 
the whites, the Dakota abandoned their 
ancient northern villages, and the early 
fur traders found them ranging the Mis- 



INTRODUCTION 



XI 



sissippi from St. Paul southward to Prairie 
du Chien, and on the prairies to the west- 
ward. The Winnebago, who, like the Da- 
kota, or Sioux proper, were members of 
the Siouan family, had held ancient sway 
of the valleys of the Rock and Fox Rivers, 
and the territory around Lake Winnebago 
and Green Bay, were met at Green Bay 
by the first explorers, and in early fur 
trading days were ranging as far west- 
ward as the Mississippi. Tradition tells 
of many a murderous foray against the 
Dakota and the Winnebago in the vicinity, 
not only by their hereditary enemies, the 
Chippewas to the northward, but also by 
the combined Sauk and Foxes to the south- 
ward. 

Some time in the middle years of the 
first half of the nineteenth century. De- 
corah of the Winnebago had a village at 
what is now Decorah's Prairie, and Wa- 
basha of the , Dakotas had a village near 
Trempealeau Mountain, while Red Bird of 
the Winnebago had a village near the 
mouth of the Black River, from which he 
and his followers, as well as Winneshiek 
and his followers, ranged Trempealeau 
County. The Winnebago were allies of the 
Dakota, and the two mingled in friendly 
intercourse and even in marriage. Dakota 
dominion in Trempealeau County ended in 
1837, when the chiefs and head men signed 
a treaty relinquishing all their lands east 
of the Mississippi and the islands therein, 
and withdrew west of the river. The Win- 
nebago, however, in spite of many efforts 
at removal, persisted in staying in Trem- 
pealeau County, and some of their de- 
scendants are to be found straying here to 
this day. 

The shadowy Spanish sovereignty had 
no influence on Trempealeau County, 
where its vague substance nominally con- 
tinued until the approach of the French, 
or on the neighboring lands across the 
Mississippi River, where il continued until 
after the securing of the "Louisiana Pur- 
chase" by the United States. 

The French Period in Trempealeau 
County extended from the discovery of 
Wisconsin in 1634 until the fall of New 
France. The adventurous Father Louis 
Hennepin, in company with Accault and 
Auguel, passed the mountain with his sav- 
age captors in 1680, on that memorable 
trip which was to give to civilization its 
first knowledge of St. Anthony Falls, 



about which now centers the greatest mill- 
ing industry in the world. A few months 
later the rocks of Trempealeau heights 
beheld the historic rescue of that mission- 
ary by the gallant young Sieur du Luth. 

Nicholas Perrot was the first to actu- 
ally visit Trempealeau County. In the 
winter of 168.5-86 he built a Post and 
established his winter quarters about two 
miles above the present village of Trem- 
pealeau. Just when he abandoned this 
post is not known. At least he was in this 
region for several years thereafter. Line- 
tot reoccupied this same post in the fall 
of 1731. The site of the post is now defi- 
nitely fixed, as its ruins have been un- 
earthed and mapped. Linctot was suc- 
ceeded late in 1735 by St. Pierre, who re- 
moved the post higher up the river early 
the following spring. Other Frenchmen 
during the French period noted Trempea- 
leau Mountain, and some stopped here. 

The English period officially dawned 
with the signing of the treaties of 1762 
and 1763, but the last French garrison had 
left Wisconsin in 1760. During this period, 
Jonathan Carver, a Connecticut Yankee, 
viewed this region in 1766 and published 
the first description of Trempealeau Moun- 
tain. This description, which is fairly ac- 
curate, has been preserved in Carver's 
works to this day. British domain in real- 
ity continued from the arrival of the Eng- 
lish detachment at Green Bay in 1761 until 
the beginning of the American military oc- 
cupancy at Prairie du Chien and Green 
Bay in 1816. But in the meantime, Amer- 
ican sovereignty had been inaugurated by 
the Treaty of 1783; had been exercised by 
the passing of the Ordinance of 1787; had 
been confirmed by the Treaty of 1796; and 
had been interrupted by the British mili- 
tary occupancy during the war of 1812 and 
the hostility of the Indians immediately 
following that war. 

The dashing Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike, on 
his way up the river in 1805, camped near 
Trempealeau Mountain and spoke glow- 
ingly of the scenery. In 1817 came Major 
Stephen H. Long with his little band in a 
six-oared skiff. He climbed some of the 
hills in this region and advanced some in- 
teresting theories as to the original con- 
tour of Trempealeau Mountain and Prairie. 

With the establishment of Ft. Snelling 
at the confluence of the Minnesota and 
Mississippi rivers in 1819, Trempealeau 



INTKODUCTION 



County was placed within the pale of civ- 
ilization, and soldiers, traders and visitors 
were frequently passing. About the same 
time, a sawmill was built at the Falls of 
the Black River. Gen. Lewis Cass, James 
D. Doty and Henry R. Schoolcraft passed 
Trempealeau Mountain in 1820 and de- 
scribed its peculiar formation and position. 
A mill was built in 1822 on the Menomonee 
branch of the Chippewa. In 1823, Long, 
accompanied this time by the scholarly 
William H. Keating, again passed Trem- 
pealeau Mountain, and the same year the 
sleeping echoes were awakened with the 
puffing of the "Virginia," the first steam- 
boat to navigate the upper Mississippi. 
Among the distinguished people aboard 
was J. Constantine Beltrami, the famous 
Italian explorer. He wrote of Trempea- 
leau Mountain with his characteristic en- 
thusiasm. 

Trempealeau Bay continued to be the 
rendezvous of the traders. 

The first trapper and trader known to 
have actually built a cabin in Trempea- 
leaus County, after the early French ex- 
plorers of the seventeenth and eighteenth 
centuries, was Joseph Rocque, an early 
trader and guide. Winnebago tradition 
locates a cabin of his on Beaver Creek, in 
Trempealeau County near Galesville, 
where a branch of the stream is still 
known as French Creek. 

In 183.5 Featherstonhaugh visited the 
Trempealeau country and describes the 
view from the summit of Trempealeau 
Mountain. Catlin, as well as the Dragoons 
of the Albert Miller Lee Military Expedi- 
tion, came the same year. The following 
year Daniel Gavin, representing the Pro- 
testant Missionary Society of Basle, Swit- 
zerland, established a mission among the 
Sioux at Trempealeau Bay, and with the 
assistance of Louis Stram, a fellow coun- 
tryman, endeavored to teach the Indians 
agriculture; but Wabasha, their chief, did 
not take kindly either to the mission or 
the farming; and after the treaty of 1837, 
by which all the Sioux claim east of the 
Mississippi was ceded to the United States, 
Gavin abandoned the mission and pro- 
ceeded north to more favorable fields at 
Red Wing. Although the enterprise was 
temporary, it was the first made in the 
county in the nature of a permanent set- 
tlement, and was the first farming therein 
under the direction of a white man. 



The next attempt at settlement came 
about under the auspices of the fur trade. 
Francois la Bathe, a shrewd half-breed, 
and a near relative of Wabasha, induced 
John Doville and Antoine Reed to proceed 
to the present village of Trempealeau and 
cut cordwood on the island opposite for 
steamboats, and in so doing hold the Trem- 
pealeau River front as a landing and thus 
prevent any trade drifting away from Wa- 
basha's village, at the present city of 
Winona, the American Fur Company being 
the real factor back of this move. 

Then came the period of actual settle- 
ment, when James A. Reed brought his 
family from Prairie du Chien and located 
on the site of modern Trempealeau. Under 
his direction, Doville, his son-in-law, tilled 
the soil broken by Stram at the bay, and 
became the first Trempealeau County 
farmer, as he sowed grain and raised po- 
tatoes, while Stram had devoted himself 
to gardening only. 

During the next ten years a number of 
families moved into the new settlement 
which was known as Reed's Town, or 
Reed's Landing. These families were 
mostly of French origin, though some were 
mixed bloods, and they thrived largely by 
the fur trade, though nearly all raised 
good gardens, and those who were fortu- 
nate enough to have stock used the prairie 
as a common grazing ground. 

It was not, however, until after 1850 
that any large number of settlers came 
into Trempealeau County, and the real in- 
flux did not start until 18.5.5, but from that 
date until 1870 may be considered the real 
pioneer period in the county's history. 
Settlers poured into the new country, pene- 
trating its remotest valleys and taking up 
the choicest lands of the various sections, 
and the class of people that came to cast 
their lot in the undeveloped country were 
largely farmers of experience; and but 
few came unprepared to grapple with the 
wild forces of nature and subdue the hunt- 
ing ground of the Indian. 

However, conditions were entirely new. 
Little sawed lumber was available. Some 
of the pioneers lived in their wagons for 
a while; some built log cabins; some con- 
structed dugouts; some few went to far- 
off sawmills and obtained boards. The 
county was but little wooded, and mate- 
rial even for log cabins was scarce. Ex- 
cept on the prairies, it was not thought 



INTRODUCTION 



Xlll 



possible to sink wells, and water [for 
household and farming purposes had to 
be secured from the creeks. Horses were 
not suited to the inclement winters, the 
inferior protection of straw sheds, and the 
coarse fodder of marsh grass, and so oxen 
were the principal beasts of burden. Tools 
were few and hard to obtain. Market 
places were far distant. The people from 
the eastern states missed their convenient 
stores, the nearby schoolhouses, their vil- 
lage churches, and their cultural opportu- 
nities. The immigrants from the British 
Isles and from central Europe missed the 
day-by-day routine which their ancestors 
had for centuries followed, and were 
thrown as never before on their own re- 
sources. The Scandinavian, though in a 
more fertile land than one of which he had 
ever dreamed, missed the waterfalls and 
mountains of his native land, and was 
confronted with the necessity of entirely 
changing the methods of farming to which 
he was accustomed. These Europeans also 
missed their churches, their schools, and 
the neighborhood gatherings of childhood 
friends. 

In settling along the principal streams 
of the county, the pioneer followed a law 
that has been adhered to since the race 
began; in fact, the stream may be consid- 
ered the trail leading into the interior of 
the country. 

For the first few years the valleys were 
sparsely settled. Then came more pio- 
neers, and communities were formed and 
named as a usual thing after the first set- 
tler, though sometimes they took their 
names from some home country or from a 
class of people natives of a common coun- 
try. Thus there are Reed's town, Gales- 
ville, Scotch Prairie, Bishop's Settlement 
Caledonia, Williamsburg, as instances of 
the naming of a community. The same 
holds true of the valleys which were most 
generally named in honor of the first set- 
tler, as Lewis Valley, Newcomb Valley, 
Holcomb Cooley and Latsch Valley. 

Many of these first settlements became 
the present villages, and some of the vil- 
lages will become cities in the future. 
Reed's Town became the present Trem- 
pealeau; Judge Gale's village grew into 
modern Galesville; Bishop's Settlement de- 
veloped into Arcadia; Old Whitehall 
moved a mile became Whitehall; Fields' 
Colony became Osseo. But Skillins' Cor- 



ners, later called Williamsburg, Coral City 
and New City became reverse examples of 
the settlements growing into villages, and 
today their past glory is only a memory, 
recorded on a page of local history, for 
conditions were unfavorable for the 
growth of a town in those localities. 

During the pioneer days, the first draw- 
back was the hard winter of the deep snow 
in 1856-57; the next was the financial 
crisis of 1857. Then, just when prosperity 
was davsming, came the Civil War. How- 
ever, from an economic standpoint, the in- 
creased value of agricultural products rec- 
ompensed for the loss of labor caused by 
the absence of so many men, and the 
county received no severe setbacks. In 
fact, the population increased, for there 
was a large influx of settlers from the old 
country, men who were not liable to mili- 
tary service. The Scandinavians, who had 
begun to form colonies here in 1855, came 
in increasing numbers; the Germans, who 
had started to colonize here in 1857, also 
flocked in; and during the opening years 
of the war the Polish and Bohemian set- 
tlers began to arrive. The Minnesota 
Sioux massacre of 1862 caused much un- 
rest among the settlers of Trempealeau 
County as to the attitude of the neighbor- 
ing Winnebago camps, and was the occa- 
sion of many a fright, the incidents of 
which are now told with relish, but in 
reality was of great benefit to Trempea- 
leau County, as many pioneers who had 
intended to settle on the western Minne- 
sota prairies were deterred from continu- 
ing the journey, and thus cast their for- 
tunes here. 

During the pioneer period Trempealeau 
village was a steamboat center, the great 
grain shipping point of this and neighbor- 
ing counties. The Black River and the 
Mississippi River were filled with great 
rafts of logs from the Wisconsin forests, 
and even the shallow Trempealeau was 
used as a logging highway. 

The railroad period begins with the 
building of the Northwestern into Trem- 
pealeau in 1870 and the building of the 
Green Bay through the valley of the 
Trempealeau River in 1873. The exten- 
sion of the Northwestern to Galesville in 
1883, and the building of the Burlington 
through Trempealeau in 1886, the building 
of the Omaha through the northern part 
of the county in 1887-89, and the build- 



XIV 



INTKODUCTION 



ing of the Ettrick & Northern from Ett- 
rick to Blair in 1917 opened up new ave- 
nues of trade, but marked no particular 
epoch. 

From 1870 on, Trempealeau County his- 
tory becomes tinged more and more with 
modern methods and improvements. The 
railroad terminated Trempealeau's activi- 
ties as the main market town of the 
county and at the same time the steam- 
boat industry on the Mississippi received 
a most formidable rival. With the build- 
ing of the Green Bay, Whitehall, Arcadia 
and Blair became important points, Dodge 
became a trading center, and soon Inde- 
pendence was started. The county ad- 
vanced rapidly now, as the railroad made 
the markets of the world more accessible, 
and with the progress came the inevitable 
changes that have been the wonder of our 
western civilization. People quickly adapt- 
ed themselves to the new conditions and 
fell in with the trend of things. The 
farmer discarded his breaking-plow and 
rode across his fields with the modern 
sulky, while his oxen were fattened and 
sold to market to make way for well-bred 
horses. The mattock was flung into a 
comer of the tool shed to rust out its 
existence, while the stump-pulling ma- 
chine tooks its place and made grubbing 
a mechanical piece of labor rather than 
slow, plodding work. The cradle and flail 
were hung on the wall, and in their place 
came the reaper, binder and steam 
thresher. The old tallow candle that 
burned through the pioneer days was laid 
aside, and the kerosene and, still later, 
gasoline and even the electric light cast 
a glamor on the household and lighted the 
room so that grandmother could knit even 
better than she could before the old fire- 
place. 

The population increased rapidly, nearly 
7,000 by 1877. At the beginning of this 
period there were but two graded schools, 
one at Galesville and one at Whitehall, 
and but one district, that of Arcadia, 
where there were two school houses. With 
the creation of the new villages, graded 
schools became more general, and in a 
short time high school studies were intro- 
duced. New churches were established; 
old congregations built new edifices. 

But with all this prosperity, the ele- 
ments of disaster were present. The 
farmers were devoting their attention al- 



most exclusively to wheat raising. A few 
experiments were made with other crops, 
but wheat was the staple. The taking of 
rich crops off the same pieces of land year 
after year was depleting the soil. The 
cinch bugs were appearing in increasing 
numbers. Smooth-talking agents per- 
suaded farmers to purchase machinery on 
time payments. Better machinery soon 
made its appearance, and the unfortunate 
purchasers of the earlier machinery found 
themselves with inferior equipment and 
with heavy bills to pay. The price of 
wheat was going down. Many lost their 
property through inability to meet their 
notes. In 1878 came the wheat failure. 
About this time also came the rush to the 
prairies of western Minnesota and to the 
Dakotas. Many people deserted the 
county. 

But with the dawn of the eighties there 
came improved methods and increasing 
prosperity, though for ten years there was 
little increase in population. The farm- 
ers turned their attention to diversified 
crops, to stock, to swine and to sheep. 
In 1883 creameries were started at Ar- 
cadia and Galesville, and in 188.5 a co- 
operative creamery was started at Ettrick. 
Banks sprang up here and there. A small 
bank had been established in 1878 at 
Whitehall and moved to Arcadia, and be- 
fore 1890 flourishing banks were in opera- 
tion at Galesville, Whitehall, Independ- 
ence and Arcadia. Telephone connection 
was established with the outside world 
from Galesville in 1895, and soon Arcadia 
likewise secured outside connections, and 
in 1900-02 lines were built and exchanges 
opened in the Trempealeau and Beef River 
valleys. 

During the past ten years scientific agri- 
culture has occupied the minds of Trem- 
pealeau County farmers, stimulated 
largely by the agricultural department of 
the federal government and by the efforts 
of the agricultural department of the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, more particularly 
by the University Extension Division. As 
there are few new fields to subdue, the 
farmer must develop his old fields to a 
higher stage of efficiency. This he is 
doing, as the increasing acreage of alfalfa 
and the better quality of com and small 
grain show. Blooded herds and con- 
stantly developing graded herds are nu- 
merous. The automobile has come into 



INTRODUCTION 



wide use, and since 1907 an extensive 
system of road improvement has been con- 
ducted with state aid. The farmers from 
Illinois and Iowa have brought experience 
in tobacco raising, so that the tobacco 
industry is now an important one in the 
county. The schools have introduced the 
teaching of domestic science, agriculture 
and the manual arts. Beautiful farm 
homes with all modern improvements are 
to be seen on all sides. Silos dot the 
landscape like ancient castles, Trempea- 
leau County seed corn is widely known, 
the creameries not only add to the repu- 
tation of the county's products but give 
the farmer a goodly cash check each 
month. The present generation is reap- 
ing the fruits that have been made pos- 
sible by more than sixty years of toil by 
preceding generations. 

The year of 1917 has brought its war 
cloud. A company has been raised within 
the county, many have volunteered, the 
conscripts of the National Army have 
been called into service. The farmers 
have responded to the President's plea, 
and, though the early frost has almost 
destroyed the corn crop and the cucumber 
crop, there has been a greatly increased 
acreage and greatly increased yield of all 
other crops. 



The county having reached so great a 
prosperity, it now seems that this scien- 
tific age of agriculture should join forces 
with the electrical machinery now in the 
process of completion, and together make 
farming an ideal vocation — a vocation 
where the naturalist and scientist com- 
bine forces to vinrest from Mother Earth 
a harvest such as would satisfy the most 
sanguine dreamer. Then we shall see the 
lightning from the clouds harnessed, and 
plowing the fields, sowing the grain, and 
reaping it in harvest time, and in so doing 
it will simply be the application of natu- 
ral laws in which the human mind is the 
directing force. 

To the telling of this story of the county 
in more extended detail, the following 
pages are devoted. First is given the his- 
tory of the early days of the area that is 
now Wisconsin, and then is traced the his- 
tory of the county from its formation 
during the geologic ages, through the 
early settlement of the various localities. 
Then the county government is given, and 
the rest of the book is devoted to chap- 
ters on various topics of local interest, 
source material in the form of miscella- 
neous contributions, and biographies of the 
lives of those who have helped to make 
the county. 



E * U C L A ; R £ 




MAP 

TR£MFEAL£AU CO^ 



CHAPTER I 

EARLY. WISCONSIN' 

I. Physical and Political Geography 

1. Topography — In the beautiful new capital of the State of Wisconsin 
a noted artist has portrayed the commonwealth as a strong and beautiful 
woman, embraced and encircled by the guardian figures of the Mississippi 
River, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. Thus in symbolic form the 
painter has vividly portrayed the truth that Wisconsin's position at the 
head-waters of the two great valleys of North America — the St. 
Lawrence and the Mississippi — has been of supreme importance in the 
history of the State. To these advantages of position is due its early 
discovery, its thorough exploration and its value as a link in the penetration 
of the Old Northwest. The area of the present State is 56,066 square 
miles, somewhat larger than the whole of England. In extreme length 
from north to south it is 320 miles, with a maximum width almost as great. 
Its distance from the Atlantic coast is about a thousand miles — one-third 
of the entire distance across the continent. The eastern and northern 
portions of the State drain into the two upper Great Lakes by short streams 
with rapid courses. The larger portion of the area belongs to the 
Mississippi system, into which it drains by a series of large rivers; the 
largest and most important of these is the one from which the State takes 
its name. The Wisconsin River, rising on the northeastern boundary of the 
State, cuts across it to the southwest, making a great trough which at the 
elbow in south-central Wisconsin approaches within three-quarters of a 
mile of the eastward-flowing Fox River. The Fox, in its upper courses a 
sluggish stream, winding slowly through lakes and wide spreads of wild 
rice, after passing through Lake Winnebago, the largest lake wholly 
within the State, rushes with great force down a series of rapids into the 
upper end of Green Bay, the V-shaped western extremity of Lake Michigan. 
Thus a natural waterway crosses the State, uniting by means of a short 
portage the Atlantic waters with those of the Gulf of Mexico, and dividing 
the State into a northern and southern portion, which have had widely 
differing courses of development. 

The southeastern half of the State, with plentiful harbors on Lake 
Michigan and Green Bay, opens unobstructedly towards the south and east. 
It was therefore the first portion to be permanently settled, and has 
partaken of the civilization and progress of the Middle West. The northern 
and western part of the State faces toward the farther West, and its 
development was delayed by the tardy growth of population at the head 
of Lake Superior and along the headwaters of the Mississippi. Waterways 
connecting these two drainage systems pass through this part of Wisconsin, 
the earliest known of which was that via the Bois Brule of Lake Superior 

1 



2 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and the St. Croix of the Mississippi. Other streams connect with the 
headwaters of the Chippewa, the Black, and the Wisconsin. All these 
routes were explored during the early years of Wisconsin's history, but 
their rapid flow and difficult portages have made them impractical as 
commercial routes. 

The heavy forestation of the northern portion of the State has been 
until recent times the main fact in its history ; while as carriers of timber, 
and as sources of water power the rapid rivers of northwestern Wisconsin 
have played their part in the production of its wealth and prosperity. 

2. Sovereignty — Politically, Wisconsin has been included in more 
different units of government than any of its neighbors. It was first a 
part of the Spanish empire in North America, which claimed all the 
continent whose southern borders had been discovered and occupied by 
Spanish subjects. The Spanish sovereignty in Wisconsin was never more 
than a shadow, and so far as we know no one of that race ever placed foot 
upon Wisconsin soil until long after it was possessed by a rival power. 

The true history of Wisconsin begins with the coming of the French, 
who in 1634 sent their first representative to its shores. The period of 
French occupation was nominally about a century and a quarter ; in reality 
it lasted somewhat less than one hundred years, as more than twenty years 
elapsed before the first discoverer was followed by others. The real 
exercise of French sovereignty began in 1671 when St. Lusson at the 
Sault Ste. Marie took possession in the name of Louis XIV "of all other 
countries, rivers, lakes and tributaries, contiguous and adjacent thereunto 
(to the Sault and Lakes Huron and Superior), as well discovered as to be 
discovered, which are bounded on the one side by the Northern and Western 
Seas and on the other side by the South Sea including all its length and 
breadth." = 

The French domination of the area we now know as Wisconsin was 
exercised from the lower St. Lawrence Valley and was directed by the court 
at Versailles, where paternalism was the fashion, and where the smallest 
details of administration were decided by the highest powers of the 
kingdom. It may thus be said that Wisconsin during the French period 
was ruled directly by the French monarch. Every appointment of a petty 
officer of the Canadian army to command a log fort by one of Wisconsin's 
waterways had to be endorsed by the King ; every Uttle skirmish with the 
Indian tribesmen, every disagreement between soldiers and traders had 
to be reported by the Canadian authorities to the Royal Council, and await 
its dictum for settlement. Even the power of the governor of New France 
was frequently overruled by dictation from the Court of France, and orders 
for the governance of his subjects in Wisconsin were discussed in the 
presence of the greatest monarch of Europe. 

The French domination came to an abrupt end when in the course of 
the Seven Years' War, Montreal, including all the upper province of New 
France, surrendered to the arms of England. The last French garrison 
left Wisconsin in 1760 by the Fox-Wisconsin waterway, and the next year 
an English detachment took possession of Green Bay and made Wisconsin 
a constituent part of the British empire. Thus it remained until the close 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 3 

of the American Revolution. During the first years of the English 
possession, the Upper Country was ruled by the miUtary authorities at 
Fort Edward Augustus (Green Bay), and Mackinac, subject to the 
commander-in-chief of the American armies, and Superintendent of Indian 
Affairs for the Northern Department. After 1774 Wisconsin was a part 
of the Province of Quebec. 

British sovereignty in Wisconsin fell with the treaty of Paris in 1783, 
which transferred to the new American nation the land south of the Great 
Lakes and east of the Mississippi. The British government, however, 
claiming non-fulfillment of certain treaty provisions, but in reality acting 
in the interest of British fur traders, refused to deliver to the United States 
the northwestern posts. Thus the inhabitants of Wisconsin, while 
technically on American territory were practically ruled by English officers. 
In 1796 after Jay's treaty with England, the northwestern posts were 
delivered over to American garrisons, and Wisconsin became an unorganized 
portion of the Northwest Territory. On May 7, 1800, Indiana Territory 
was organized with Wisconsin a part of her vast domain. Upon the 
territorial division into counties Wisconsin became a part of St. Clair, whose 
limits extended from a line nearly opposite St. Louis to the northern 
boundary of the United States. In 1802 Gov. William Henry Harrison 
appointed two justices of the peace and three militia officers in St. Clair 
County of Indiana Territory to serve at the French-Canadian settlement 
near the mouth of Wisconsin River. The next year a third justice was 
appointed for Prairie du Chien, and another commissioned for the sister 
community at the mouth of Fox River on Green Bay. All these appointees 
were British subjects and prominent fur traders. Therefore while 
commissions were issued and writs ran in the name of the United States, 
British fur traders were in actual control of all government agencies in 
Wisconsin. 

In* 1808 the United States increased the number of its representatives 
by the appointment of an Indian agent at Prairie du Chien. This agent 
was a French-Canadian by birth, formerly a British subject, who had 
become a naturalized American by residence in the French settlements 
of Illinois. By race and interests he was allied with the Franco-British 
traders of Wisconsin. 

In 1809 Illinois Territory was set off from Indiana carrying with it 
St. Clair County, in which Wisconsin was included. So far as known the 
officials appointed by the governor of Indiana for Green Bay and Prairie 
du Chien continued to act under the commissions already received. 

The outbreak of the War of 1812 made a sharp division among 
Wisconsin's few governing officers. The Indian agent was the sole official 
who maintained his American allegiance. All the other appointees 
declared for Great Britain, and actively engaged in operations for her 
benefit. The Indian agent was driven down the Mississippi, and Wisconsin 
became again a part of the territory of the British empire, guarded by 
Canadian troops and administered by British officers. In 1814 the 
Americans made an attempt to repossess themselves of the region on the 
Mississippi. A force organized at St. Louis ascended the river and built 



4 HISTOUV OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

a post at Prairie du Chien. This American post had been held less than 
a month, however, when an overwhelming British force from Mackinac 
and Green Bay captured the new fort and expelled the American garrison. 

The Canadian authorities were eager to retain possession of Wisconsin, 
and during the negotiations for the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 made a 
determined effort to have the boundary lines redrawn so that Wisconsin 
should be made a buffer Indian region under British authority. This 
attempt failed, and in 1815 according to the terms of the Treaty of Ghent, 
the British garrisons were withdrawn from Wisconsin's soil. Nevertheless, 
so hostile were the Indian tribes to American reoccupation that not until 
eighteen months after the signing of the treaty was the American flag 
raised within the Kmits of Wisconsin. During this non-governmental 
period the British fur traders maintained, as they had done since 1761, 
an ascendancy over the tribesmen that preserved the few settlements from 
anarchy and destruction. While thus theoretically changing sovereignty 
several times from 1761 to 1816, Wisconsin was really during the entire 
period a French-Canadian settlement under British control. 

American military occupation began in 1816 when strong posts were 
built at Prairie du Chien and Gi-een Bay, the garrisons of which overawed 
the sullen tribesmen. Indian officials were appointed and American 
traders soon rivaled the operations of the French-Canadians. So bitterly 
did the latter resent the restrictions imposed upon them by American 
officers and officials that in 1818 they planned to remove in a body to some 
place under British jurisdiction, taking the Wisconsin Indians with them. 
Within a few years, however, the friction was adjusted, and the leading 
Wisconsin settlers became naturalized American citizens. 

In 1818 Illinois was admitted as a State into the Union, and Wisconsin 
was transferred to Michigan territory. The same year Wisconsin was 
organized into two counties, Brown and Crawford, justices of the peace 
were appointed and American sovereignty became operative with this 
region. In 1824 United States district courts were organized for that 
portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lake Michigan. In 1829 
Crawford County was divided, all south of the Wisconsin River becoming 
Iowa County. In 1834 Brown County was reduced by the organization 
of its southern portion into Milwaukee County. In 1836 Michigan was 
admitted into the Union, and the Territory of Wisconsin was organized 
out of that portion of its limits that lay west of Lake Michigan. 

Wisconsin Territory was maintained for twelve years. In 1846 there 
was a movement for Statehood, but the Constitution then drawn was 
rejected by the people, so that not until 1848 did Wisconsin become the 
thirtieth State in the American Union. 

3. Boundaries — The boundaries of Wisconsin were first laid down 
in the Ordinance of 1787, which decreed that the southern boundary of 
the fifth or northwestern State of the Northwest Territory should be an 
east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake 
Michigan ; that the western boundary should be the Mississippi to its source, 
thence by a straight line to the Lake of the Woods and the international 
boundary; that the northern boundary should coincide with the 



HISTORY OB' TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 5 

international boundary through Lake Superior; and that the eastern 
boundary should be the meridian due north of Vincennes to the international 
line. The area of Wisconsin as outlined by this ordinance was one and a 
half times as large as at the present time. By successive measures 
Wisconsin's boundaries have since been curtailed at the southern, 
northeastern, and northwestern sides. 

The southern boundary was changed when in 1818 Illinois was 
admitted to the Union. In order to secure for that State a harbor on 
Lake Michigan, Illinois' northern boundary was shifted from the line 
due west from the. southern point of Lake Michigan, to latitude 42" 30'. 
This added to Illinois a strip of territory sixty-one miles in width, containing 
8,500 square miles, and the site of Chicago. In 1818 there was no one in 
Wisconsin to protest against this change. In 1838, however, and during 
Wisconsin's later territorial period, attempts were made to repossess the 
northern portion of Illinois on the ground that the Ordinance of 1787 was a 
solemn compact, and as such inviolable without the consent of all parties 
concerned. The matter never came before the United States Supreme 
Court, but Wisconsin's territorial legislature passed several vigorous 
resolutions on the subject to which Congress paid no attention. Strange 
to say, many Illinois inhabitants dwelling in the disputed strip would 
have preferred Wisconsin's jurisdiction ; at one time an informal referendum 
on the question in several Illinois counties resulted overwhelmingly in favor 
of Wisconsin. No official action, however, resulted, and the enabling act 
for Wisconsin in 1846, fixed its southern line 42° 30'. The eastern boundary 
as outlined by the Ordinance of 1787 was obliterated when in 1818 
Wisconsin became part of Michigan Territory. When in 1834 it became 
evident that Michigan east of Lake Michigan would soon become a State, 
it was suggested that all west of Lake Michigan be organized into a new 
territory. This would have included in Wisconsin the upper peninsula 
of Michigan, and made our State a topographical unit. 

Michigan, however, became engaged in a boundary contest with Ohio 
concerning the harbor of Toledo. Congress decided this controversy in 
favor of Ohio, but compensated Michigan by adding to her area the lands 
east of the Montreal and Menominee River boundary. Wisconsin, then 
unorganized, had no means of protest. Her northeastern boundary was 
fixed by the erection of the Territory in 1836. 

Wisconsin Territory when organized included all that portion of the 
Louisiana Purchase lying north of Missouri, and east of the Missouri and 
White Earth rivers. This vast region' embracing Iowa, and the larger 
part of the Dakotas, and Minnesota was understood to be added to Wisconsin 
for administrative purposes only. In 1838 Iowa Territory was set off, and 
Wisconsin was hmited to the western boundary as outlined in the Ordinance 
of 1787. This included within Wisconsin Territory nearly one-third of 
the present area of Minnesota. At one time it was suggested that a sixth 
State should be formed of the territory east of the upper Mississippi and 
south of Lake Superior. Later the portion west of the St. Croix and the 
St. Louis River line actually became a part of a sixth State, Minnesota, 
which was organized as a Territory in 1849 and admitted as a State in 1858. 



6 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Wisconsin in 1848 became a State with boundaries as at present. 
Although short of her original allotment of territory, her present area 
makes her third in size of the five States of the Old Northwest.^ 

II. The Red Men and the Fur Trade 

1. First Men in Wisconsin — A large portion of the surface of 
Wisconsin is covered with small heaps of earth or mounds that are without 
doubt the work of man, and not of nature. The formation of these 
earthworks was formerly attributed to a pre-Indian race of men known 
collectively as the Mound Builders; modern archaeologists, however, have 
repudiated the theory of a prehistoric rSce, and now are certain that the 
true mound builders were none other than the Indians. A peculiar kind 
of mound occurs in southern and central Wisconsin and in the neighboring 
regions of northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southeastern Minfiesota, that 
is not found elsewhere in the United States. These are the effigy mounds, 
slight eminences that take the outline of deer, bears, panthers, turtles, 
various kinds of birds, and in one or two instances of man. The origin of 
these effigy mounds has been much discussed. It is now accepted by 
scientists that their makers were a tribe known to the first discoverers 
of the Northwest as the Puant or Winnebago Indians. 

The great number and extent of the mounds scattered over the surface 
of Wisconsin indicates the presence of a large Indian population in 
prehistoric times; but at what era in the world's history, or in what way 
the Winnebago reached Wisconsin we can only infer from a few scattered 
facts. The migration legends of the Siouan peoples, to which stock the 
Winnebago belong, indicate that they came from the region near the 
sources of the Ohio River. Pressed upon by neighboring Algonquian 
peoples they slowly progressed along the Ohio Valley, leaving great 
earthworks as they advanced. In the course of several centuries they 
reached the Ohio's mouth, and there divided, one large branch passing 
northward along the Mississippi River, gi-adually separating into many 
tribes that located chiefly west of the great river. Somewhere, possibly 
at the mouth of Rock River, one group of this vast horde, attracted by 
the abundant game of the pleasant valley, moved eastward and northward, 
and after occupying the valley of Rock River to its headwaters, spread 
along the Fox River and around the lake now called Winnebago, terminating 
their migration at the shores of Green Bay. From the size of the trees 
growing upon the artificial mounds, it is inferred that the settlement of 
the Winnebago in Wisconsin must have occurred some time before the 
discovery of America by Columbus. 

The Winnebago who peopled Wisconsin's valleys, and built their 
mounds along her streams and lakes were in what is known as the Stone 
Age of primitive culture. Contrary to the common belief, they were not 
a wandering, but a home-loving people, devotedly attached to the places 
of their birth, the homes of their fathers and the sites of their villages. 
These villages were so advantageously placed that the sites of most of 
Wisconsin's present cities were those once occupied by the Indians. The 
woods and streams supplied their simple needs of food, clothing, and 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 7 

shelter. From the skins of animals they fashioned their garments, by 
hunting and by harvesting wild rice they gained their food. Their lodges 
were built of slender trees covered with bark, and with mats formed of 
plaited reeds. Gradually they learned a rude form of agriculture, by 
cultivating the ground with hoes of bone and plows of wood, corn and 
pumpkins were added to their food supply. They had no domestic animals 
except dogs, which also served as an addition to their food supply. Their 
tools and implements of warfare and of chase were made of stone, flints 
chipped to a point tipped their arrows, axes and hatchets were of edged 
stone, war clubs swung a heavy stone head. The only metals known were 
lead and copper. The former mined in a crude fashion was mostly used 
for ornament. Copper, secured by intertribal trade from Lake Superior, was 
beaten by hand into ornamental shapes, and occasionally used to tip weapons 
and domestic implements. 

The change of seasons brought to Wisconsin Indians changed modes of 
living. During the winter season they left their permanent villages and 
in small groups scattered through the forests, subsisting as best they might 
on the products of the chase. They built temporary wigwams of pelts 
thrown over poles, within which fires were kindled that kept them from 
freezing. Upon the return of spring they sought their villages and corn 
fields. The summer was the time for religious rites, for council and for 
warfare. Raids upon neighboring enemy groups were a normal part of 
the Indian's life. In every village a council house was built where questions 
of war and alliance were discussed by the chiefs and elders. The religious 
rites clustered about a unit resembling a clan ; the effigy mounds were the 
symbols of the clan totems. Near to these totems burial mounds were 
placed. The sacred mysteries of the tribe and clan were there celebrated. 

Aside from warfare, intercourse was maintained with other tribes 
by means of trade. The extent and volume of intertribal trade was 
considerable. Sea shells found in Wisconsin mounds prove that they had 
passed from hand to hand among all the tribes between its inhabitants and 
the Atlantic coast. Shells, bits of metal, articles of dress and ornament, 
constituted the bulk of the exchange. Shells pierced and strung or wrought 
into belts were both the medium of exchange and the binding symbol of 
intertribal treaties and agreements. While the fate of captives taken in 
war was horrible, envoys were sacred, and treaties were observed inviolate. 

The red man's life was by no means idyllic as children of nature 
have been supposed to lead. Famine and disease stalked his footsteps ; war 
and wild animals carried away his young ; struggle and hardships made up 
his lot in life. None the less it is open to question whether the contact 
with the white man did not make the condition of the Indian worse. He 
soon became dependent upon the farmer's products for clothing, implements 
and weapons. He forgot the arts of his priniitive economy. Urged on 
by the gi-eed of traders he rapidly killed off the wild game or drove it farther 
into the wilderness, which he had to penetrate in order to secure the store 
of furs with which to purchase his necessities. Thus hunting became more 
and more important to his existence, and with increased efforts and superior 
weapons brought ever-diminishing returns. The red man became 



8 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

dependent upon the trader for the very means of life. After the French 
and Indian War when all traders of the French race were withdrawn from 
Wisconsin, the English traders who after a lapse of two years went to Lake 
Superior found naked, starving savages who in less than one hundred years 
had ceased to be self-sufficing, and could live only by means of relations 
with white men. Thus arose the fur trade, which was not only a commercial 
or an economic regime, but a system of government, a form of social life, a 
means of exploitation, and a stage in the development of the American 
frontier. 

2. The Coining of the White Man — For one hundred and forty years 
after the discovery of America by Columbus, Wisconsin's forests slept in 
quiet, unvexed by the presence of any but their red children. Then 
suddenly out of the east, and skirting the coasts of Green Bay in a bark 
canoe driven by strange red men, the first white man came, and " women 
and children fled at the sight of a man who carried thunder in both hands" 
— for thus they called the two pistols that he held. "He wore a grand 
robe of China damask, all strewn with flowers and birds of many colors." 
"They meet him ; they escort him, and carry all his baggage." They call 
him the Manitouriniou, the wonderful or godhke man. From all quarters 
they haste to see him until four or five thousand are assembled. "Each 
of the chief men made a feast for him, and at one of these banquets they 
served at least six score Beavers." ■• Then the mysterious stranger made 
a peace with them, under such forms and ceremonies as were customary 
in intertribal negotiations, and vanished into the east whence he had come. 

To the whites who had crossed the ocean to begin a small colony on 
the banks of the St. Lawrence, this first white stranger to visit Wisconsin 
was known as Jean Nicolet. He had come to the New World with the 
express purpose of dealing with the red men, learning their languages and 
customs, and opening a way into their country for trade and missions. 
Sent by Champlain, the founder of New France, to dwell among the forest 
inhabitants, Nicolet spent several years among the Algonquin Indians of 
the upper Ottawa River ; then he dwelt among the Huron in the peninsula 
between Lake Erie and Georgian Bay. There he heard of a far western 
tribe known as the "people of salt water," whom Nicolet supposed must 
dwell on the borders of the Western Sea and be akin to the tribes of Tartary. 
Hence the damask robe, and the hope of a new route to Cathay. Instead 
of Oriental potentates Nicolet found merely a new tribe of Indians whose 
name — the Winnebago — meant equally "people of the salt water" or "people 
of bad-smelling springs," and who were known henceforth to the French 
as the Puants or Stinkards. 

After Nicolet's advent to Wisconsin in 1634, no more of these 
mysterious white strangers disturbed the dwellers on Lake Michigan and 
Green Bay for over twenty years. Nevertheless in these far regions great 
changes were taking place, due to the widespread disturbances in Indian 
geography caused by the coming of the white man. Upon the peninsula 
of Ontario then occupied by the Huron tribesmen, the Jesuit missionaries 
some years before the voyage of Nicolet founded the largest and most 
successful of their missions. Throughout all the Huron villages they 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 9 

spread, and impelled by a desire to evangelize distant Indians, two of the 
fathers had in 1641 accompanied some of their neophytes to the shores 
of Lake Superior, and named the strait where the waters leap down from 
this mighty basin, the Sault de Ste. Marie. 

But the Huron were not long left to develop their new religion in 
peace. Suddenly from central New York appeared large bands of their 
hereditary enemies, the Iroquois; by one blow after another the Huron 
missions were destroyed, some of the Jesuits fell martyrs to their cause, 
others escaping sought refuge with the remnants of their mission children 
under the cliffs of Quebec. The remainder of the Huron fled westward, 
their alarm was communicated to the Algonquian peoples living beyond 
them, and for fear of the Iroquois whole tribes left their ancestral homes 
for shelter in the farther forests. It happened that shortly before this 
disturbance the Winnebago of southern and central Wisconsin had suffered 
a severe defeat at the hands of the Illinois tribes living to the south, wherein 
they were so reduced in numbers that but a small fragment of the former 
tribe was left in its Wisconsin home. Into this sparsely-settled land the 
fugitives from Ontario and Michigan poured both by southern and northern 
routes. They hid from the pursuing Iroquois in the swamps and marshes of 
our State, and the Winnebago being in no condition to resist, made alliances 
with the intruding tribes, and yielded to them new homes on the lakes 
and streams where their ancestors had dwelt. Thus came the Sauk and 
Foxes, the Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo. Thus, pressed down from 
the north and the islands of Lake Michigan, came the Menominee and 
Potawatomi to mingle with the Winnebago around Green Bay; while the 
Huron and Ottawa, impelled by a more dreadful fear, sought refuge on the 
southern shores of Lake Superior and about the headwaters of Black River. 
Thus in the middle of the seventeenth century Wisconsin became crowded 
with Indian villages, and was sustaining a larger number of red inhabitants 
than at any other time throughout her history. This aggregation of 
tribesmen conditioned her discovery and exploi'ation, and made her a 
region tempting both to the French fur trader and to the Fi-ench mis- 
sionary of the cross. 

3. Missionaries and Traders 

Before the dispersion of tribes incident to the Iroquois wars the 
Huron and their neighbors had learned the value of the white man's 
goods, and had ventured as far as Three Rivers and Montreal, there to 
exchange their skins and robes for the weapons, clothing and trinkets 
that the white men had taught them to covet. Immediately there sprang 
up an intertribal trade that extended so far westward that tribes which 
had never seen a white man became famihar with his wares. The Ottawa 
Indians were especially skillful in trade, and so long acted as middlemen 
for the western tribes that all the region of the Upper Lakes was called 
by the French the Ottawa Country. 

The Iroquois wars of the middle of the seventeenth century inter- 
rupted the northwest trade, and both the colony of New France and the 
interior tribes suffered from the break in the intercourse. Of the two 



10 HISTORY OF TREjVIPEALEAU COUNTY 

the French suffered the more, because the Indians had not yet forgotten 
their wilderness lore and were yet able to be self-sufficing. The lack of 
the annual harvest of furs from the Northwest had almost ruined the 
little French colony along the St. Lawrence, when suddenly it was 
gladdened by the arrival of a caravan of Indians at Three Rivers that 
came to exchange its hoarded treasure of peltry over northern streams 
and portages, uninfested by the dreaded Iroquois. Prosperity once more 
promised for Canada, the Indian visitors were royally treated, and when 
they embarked for their return voyage two young Canadians accompanied 
them and wandered for two years or more among the tribes of the 
Northwest, learning their customs and languages and teaching them the 
white man's arts. 

The explorations of Radisson and GrosseiUiers during the latter half 
of the sixth decade of the seventeenth century were not known to historians 
until the journals of Radisson were discovered late in the nineteenth 
century in the Bodleian library at Oxford. They were written in EngUsh 
by one unfamiliar with that language and their descriptions are so vague 
that it yet remains an open question where these explorers went and 
whether or not they were the first white men to view the Mississippi. 

Radisson and Grossilliers made a second voyage to the Ottawa Country 
two or three years after their first adventure. Upon this occasion they 
explored Lake Superior and the headwaters of the Mississippi and passed 
a desolate and famishing winter, probably on the Wisconsin shore of 
Chequamegon Bay. 

Meanwhile the first white missionary to Wisconsin had lost his life 
in her northern forests. Father Rene Menard in 1660 came to the North- 
west with a returning party of trading Indians. They abandoned him 
on the shore of Keweenaw Bay and after a wretched winter he started 
with one companion to visit the Huron fugitives, formerly members of 
the Ontario mission, then thought to be in hiding on the headwaters of 
Black River. While descending the Wisconsin in a tiny craft, the reverend 
father stepped aside at some one of its upper portages and was lost in 
the forest. Whether he was slain by beast or Indian or perished from 
starvation is not known ; no trace of his fate was ever found. 

In 1665 the colony of New France was re-enforced by a regiment of 
soldiers, the Iroquois enemies were punished and concluded a reluctant 
peace. Thereafter the wilderness waterways became safer and traders 
and missionaries sought the tribesmen in Wisconsin forests. 

Notable among the traders was Nicholas Perrot, who, in 1665, began 
a career of discovery and exploration in Wisconsin that lasted over thirty 
years. Among the missionaries Father Claude Allouez was a pioneer. 
His first mission in 1665 was on the shores of the Chequamegon Bay, 
where for two years he instructed large bands of Indians from all the 
Wisconsin region. Even the Illinois visited the good father in his northern 
home and listened for the first time to the gospel message. In 1669 
Allouez transferred his ministrations to the neighborhood of Green Bay 
where, among the Menominee, Potawatomi and Sauk of the bay shore, the 
Foxes on the Wolf, and the Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo of the upper 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 11 

Fox Valley, he founded missions and worked with unflagging zeal for the 
conversion of their souls. The first permanent mission in Wisconsin was 
the mission of St. Francis Xavier, established in 1671 at the De Pere 
rapids of Fox River by Allouez and his fellow workers. The following 
decade was the most flourishing in the Jesuit missionary history of 
Wisconsin. After 1682 their influence and success began to wane, and by 
the close of the century was almost extinct. 

In the meantime the King of France had, in 1671, staged a pageant 
on the far shore of Sault Ste. Marie, wherein his representative, Simon 
Francois Daumont Sieur de St. Lusson took possession of all the western 
country for the French sovereignty. Nicholas Perrot was sent in advance 
to notify the Wisconsin tribesmen and persuade them to send chiefs as 
representatives on this great occasion. With wondering awe the simple 
savages watched the impressive ceremony werein priests and warriors 
chanted the praise, both of God and of the great King Louis XIV and 
declared the latter's benevolence in annexing the Indians' country to his 
own domain. All unwillingly they assented to an acknowledgment that 
made them thenceforth subjects of a foreign monarch. Some years after- 
ward Perrot was sent as governor general of the new French territory west 
of Lake Michigan. He built therein a number of French posts, most of 
them upon the Mississippi. At Fort St. Antoine upon Lake Pepin in 
1689 Perrot took possession for France of the Sioux territory lying along 
the upper waters of America's greatest river. He likewise was the first 
white man to explore the lead mines of southern Wisconsin. So long as 
he ruled in the West the French trade and influence was supreme and 
the Indians of Wisconsin were his docile instruments. 

Wisconsin's great waterway to the Mississippi River was first 
traversed in 1673 by Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette. Seven 
years later Daniel Greysolon Duluth, who had previously threaded the 
upper portage from Lake Superior to the Mississippi, came eastward by 
the Fox-Wisconsin route from the Sioux country. By these two voyages 
connection was established between Wisconsin's portage route and both 
the lower and the upper Mississippi. 

Rapid changes in the Indian geography oC Wisconsin occurred during 
the last twenty years of the seventeenth century. The population that 
had massed along the Fox-Wisconsin waterway was pressing upon the 
food supply. Moreover, in 1680 Robert Cavelier de La Salle took possession 
of the Illinois River Valley and invited the Wisconsin Indians to remove 
thither for a permanent home. The Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo 
acceded to his request; the Potawatomi likewise moved south along the 
shore of Lake Michigan ; the Foxes ventured from Wolf River to the river 
now called by their name. The Menominee surrounded Green Bay, the 
Sauk and Foxes controlled the Fox-Wisconsin waterway, the Winnebago 
occupied the upper Rock River. The Huron and Ottawa left northern 
Wisconsin for homes on the straits of Mackinac, and all the southern shore 
of Lake Superior was abandoned to the Chippewa, who at intervals 
continued their hereditary wars upon the Sioux of the St. Croix and upper 
Mississippi valleys. 



.12 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

4. The French Fur Trade — Along with the shifting of tribal homes 
grew up changes in the method of handling the fur trade. The Indian 
hunters no longer made yearly pilgrimages to Montreal to exchange their 
gathered peltry for the white man's goods. Instead the white men came 
to them offering their wares, and with tribal consent built in their country 
at convenient places little log forts, where an officer and a few soldiers 
kept order over the motley crowd of traders and coureurs des bois that 
enriched themselves by the wilderness traffic. Most of the traders were 
licensed by the government and subjected to strict rules for the conduct 
of their trade. The illegal trader, however, flourished and followed his 
Indian customers into the depths of the forest, beyond the reach of the 
orders and regulations enforced by the commandants at the wayside posts. 
These unlicensed traders carried to the red man the alcohohc liquors the 
white man had taught him to love ; and in disregard of the regulations of 
the French government, the Indian grew more and more debauched and 
degraded by his association with the whites. Radisson, who had explored 
the western forests for the French, deserted to the English government, 
and in 1670 aided in forming the Hudson's Bay Company, that greatest of 
all fur-trade monopolies, which, after nearly 250 years, is still the greatest 
fur company in the world. 

Its traders early penetrated to the north shore of Lake Superior and 
drew away many Indians who had previously contributed to the wealth of 
Canada. The English also attempted to secure the northwest fur trade by 
the route of the Great Lakes. Utilizing the Iroquois as middlemen, the 
tribes of Wisconsin were tempted to carry their wares to white men who 
paid a larger price for furs and gave better goods in return than those of 
the French merchants. 

Thus through illegal traders and foreign rivals the French fur trade 
was, by the close of the seventeenth century, so demoralized that the 
Canadian authorities, spurred thereto by the missionaries, determined upon 
drastic measures. All hcenses for traders were revoked, and in 1696 a 
decree went forth that all the Northwest posts should be evacuated and 
that missionaries should be the only white men allowed in the Ottawa 
Country. It was thought that the old custom of yearly caravans would 
be revived, thus governmental control could be exercised over the trade 
and the aborigines protected. These measures were only partially 
successful. Coureurs de bois refused to obey the summons to return to 
New France and shamelessly brought in English goods; soldiers deserted 
from the garrisons before evacuation, married among the Indian tribes and 
introduced the white man's arts. Albany and Hudson Bay traders vigorously 
pressed their advantage, and the Canadian authorities feared that the 
whole of the Northwest trade would slip from their control. 

This danger of disintegration was checked by two events that occurred 
in the first year of the eighteenth century, by which the French recovered 
their morale and resumed operations in the Northwest. The first of these 
was the founding of Detroit, a post whose position barred the Enghsh from 
the upper lakes. The second was the peace with the Iroquois, which was 
signed at Montreal after a great ceremony, and an exchange of prisoners 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 13 

among all the warring tribes. The license for the fur trade was then 
restored, the coureur des bois called in by proclaiming pardons for past 
offenses, and the policy of control by posts and garrisons was re-established 
throughout the Northwest. 

The estabhshment of Detroit caused new changes in the Indian 
geography of Wisconsin. The Miami and Mascouten entirely withdrew from 
the state and moved eastward toward the new post. The Potawatomi 
progressed southward around the bend of Lake Michigan, while the Winne- 
bago filled in the vacant territory near Lake Winnebago and along the Rock 
River Valley. In 1706 a large portion of the Fox and Sauk tribes deserted 
Wisconsin and settled in the vicinity of Detroit, whither the Ottawa and 
Huron from the neighborhood of Mackinac had preceded them. This new 
accumulation of savage peoples did not long dwell in harmony. In 1712 
a fierce intertribal quarrel broke out in which the commandant of Detroit 
took sides against the Wisconsin tribesmen. Many of the Sauk, Foxes and 
Kickapoo were slain, the remainder fled back to their former homes in 
Wisconsin, where the remnant of these tribes waged barbaric warfares 
against the French for over thirty years. This hostility closed the Fox- 
Wisconsin waterway to French traders, rendered their lives insecure on 
all the western pathways and greatly diminished French influence in the 
far Northwest. 

In the course of these Fox wars the first military invasion of Wisconsin 
occurred when, in 1716, Sieur Louvigny led a considerable army of Canadian 
soldiers, accompanied by a miscellaneous host of traders, voyageui-s and 
Indians through Green Bay to the Fox fort at Little Butte des Morts. The 
Foxes withstood for a time a considerable siege, which ended in a compro- 
mise with the invading forces. The succeeding year a French post was 
built on the site of Fort Howard, that was maintained until the fall of the 
French sovereignty in the New World. In 1718, in order to develop the 
copper mines that were thought to exist on the shores of Lake Superior, 
an official post was built at Chequamegon. From 1727 to 1750, in order to 
exploit the fur trade among the Sioux French, posts were erected unon the 
Upper Mississippi. Chequamegon and the Mississippi posts were abandoned 
during the French and Indian war. In 1743 a French post was erected on 
the Mississippi near the lead mines, where a beginning was made in devel- 
oping this industry. Thus the French found copper, lead and furs in 
Wisconsin, the most valuable of which was peltry. 

After the Fox wars were over the fur trade grew with startling 
rapidity, and the only rivals to the Canadian traders were the French 
merchants from Louisiana, whose northern boundary lay between the Rock 
and Wisconsin rivers. In 1752 the Green Bay post was leased to a relative 
of the reigning governor, who exploited it so dishonestly that the Marquis of 
Montcalm declared, "Never have theft and license gone so far." The yearly 
harvest of Wisconsin furs amounted to 500 to 600 packs valued at a quarter 
of a million dollars. 

Peculation and dishonesty led to the downfall of New France. Unpro- 
tected by rapacious officials, the lilies of France fell before the cross of 
St. George and St. Andrew, and the British replaced the French not only 



14 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

on the St. Lawrence, but along the Great Lakes and in the eastern part of 
the Mississippi Valley. 

5. Development and Decline of the Fur Trade Under the British — 

The change from French to British sovereignty in Wisconsin was not 
accompanied by any marked upheaval in the little hamlets and among the 
Indian villages of the western wilderness. Most of the French traders 
transferred their allegiance to the new sovereign with only mild regrets. 
The earliest British officers were concihatory in attitude, and the Indians 
docilely exchanged their French medals and flags for those of England. 
The British traders employed the same voyageurs and coureurs des bois as 
had served the traffic under the French reg'ime. The language most in use 
in Wisconsin's forests continued to be French. Beyond the bounds of 
Wisconsin there was much discontent, which culminated in the revolt known 
as Pontiac's Conspiracy. In this uprising Wisconsin tribesmen, almost 
alone among those of the Northwest, refused to participate. Possibly the 
old grievances against the French, repressed since the Fox wars, still 
rankled, and made Wisconsin Indians more favorable to their new British 
masters. Be that as it may, the garrison at Green Bay was escorted by 
friendly and protecting tribesmen to Mackinac, and there aided in rescuing 
the captured British officers from the hands of the hostile Chippewa and 
Ottawa. When Sir William Johnson met the Indian chiefs at Niagara in 
1764 he signalized the loyalty of the Wisconsin Menominee by presenting to 
their chief a medal and a certificate." 

With the withdrawal in 1763 of the garrison from Green Bay, Wis- 
consin's British post was permanently abandoned. Thenceforward the 
metropolis of the fur trade was at Mackinac, where each summer a great 
mart was held. Traders brought from Canada an abundance of goods for 
forest traffic and exchanged them for the peltry that had been gathered 
during the previous winter and spring at dozens of small posts throughout 
the West. 

With the growth of the trade subsidiary marts were established, and 
the one in Wisconsin at Prairie du Chien became next in importance to that 
at Mackinac. 

The first years of the British trade in Wisconsin were years of unregu- 
lated and fierce competition between rival traders and rival companies. 
Slight restraints were imposed by the post officers, who in most cases 
participated in the profits of the traffic. Therefore, this unrestricted rivalry 
wrought great havoc, both among the fur-bearing animals and their red 
hunters. Liquor became the ordinary medium of exchange. The traders' 
outfits were largely composed of kegs of beverages, and so fierce were the 
drunken orgies of the Indians that it seemed that they would soon 
exterminate themselves. The traders in like manner grew demoralized and 
employed all kinds of subterfuges to secure the advantage. Even murder 
and robbery went unpunished, and the law of force and cunning ruled the 
forests. 

Excess of competition finally suggested its own remedy. In 1778 a 
representative group of Canadian merchants made at Mackinac a temporary 
combination to control the trade. Two years later the agreement was 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 15 

renewed, and became in 1783 the basis of the North West Fur Company, a 
powerful organization of Scotch merchants, who controlled the Canadian 
trade for the third of a century. About the same time the Mackinac 
Company was formed, whose operations lay farther south than those of the 
North West Company. In 1786 the Mackinac Company had a post opposite 
the mouth of the Missouri and was competing for the trade of Spanish 
Louisiana. 

Th6 Spanish strove unsuccessfully to bar the British traders from the 
trans-Mississippi. The lower Missouri trade they succeeded in possessing, 
but the waters of the upper Mississippi and the Minnesota (then called the 
St. Peter's) were practically in the hands of the Scotch from Canada, all 
supphed by means of the Fox-Wisconsin waterway. 

The headquarters of the North West Company lay on the northwest 
shore of Lake Superior; two subsidiary posts in Wisconsin — at Fond du 
Lac of the great lake, and at Madelaine Island — served the interior forts 
along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Around these posts small 
communities gradually grew up, composed chiefly of retired voyageurs and 
engagees no longer able to endure the hardships of forest wintering. These 
occupied themselves with a primitive type of agriculture and supplied the 
products to the active traders. The most important of these settlements 
was at Green Bay, where, before the close of the French regime, a few 
families had settled. Thither, after Pontiac's Conspiracy, the Langlades 
removed from Mackinac, and by their superior education and ability became 
the recognized leaders of the little community. Charles Langlade, called 
the "Father of Wisconsin," had been an officer in the French-Canadian 
army. Under the British he held a commission in the Indian Department, 
and his influence over both the white and red men of Wisconsin was 
unbounded. It was Langlade, who, during the American Revolution, rallied 
the Wisconsin Indians for participation in the defense of Canada and in 
the invation of Burgoyne. It was due to his loyalty to the British that 
George Rogers Clark's agents had so little success in detaching Wisconsin 
Indians for the American alliance. It was Langlade who was depended upon 
to protect the Wisconsin settlements against the dangers from the Spanish 
of Louisiana ; and upon his death in 1801 the French-Canadian settlements 
mourned a protector and a leader. His leadership fell into the hands of his 
descendants and relatives, the Grignons and Gautiers, who were allied to 
the better families of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. The patriarchal 
condition of society in Wisconsin lasted until the coming of the Americans, 
who, with their democracy and energy, broke down the class system founded 
on the fur trade hierarchy, and introduced the elements of modern life into 
the trading posts and settlements that grew up during the fur trade regime. 
In the fur trade the bourgeois or master trader was all-powerful, his will 
and the exigencies of the traffic were the sole source of authority. To make 
this more binding, each voyageur and engagee was obliged before leaving 
the main trading post, to sign a contract by which he bound himself in 
consideration of a small wage and certain supplies "to serve, obey, and 
faithfully execute all that the said Sieurs, his Bourgeois * * * shall 
lawfully and honestly order him to do ; without trading on his own account, 



16 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

nor absenting himself from, nor leaving the said service." ■ This consti- 
tuted a species of peonage, which, to the honor of the fur trading fraternity, 
was seldom abused. In truth, the tie that bound master and man was not 
purely economic; it was composed of personal elements of loyalty and 
attachment. It was compounded from two loyalties — the French system of 
subordination and responsibihty, and the Scotch Highlander's attachment 
to the head of his clan, and the clan leaders' obligations therefor. 

Many of the prominent traders of Wisconsin were Scotchmen, and 
in the War of 1812 they commanded retinues of voyageurs and Indians, who 
successively captured Mackinac and Prairie du Chien and drove every 
American from the vicinity. These traders fondly hoped and loudly boasted 
that new boundaries would be drawn and the territory now Wisconsin would 
become a fur-trading preserve. Disappointed in that hope, they planned to 
adjust the exigencies of the forest trade to the demands of the American 
system. The Mackinac Company was dissolved and in its stead was organ- 
ized the American Fur Company, many of whose operators were the Scotch- 
Canadians who had been partners in the British concern. For twenty years 
after the American occupation the new company conducted a flourishing 
trade along the old lines. From 1816 to 1824 the United States sought to 
better the Indians' condition by the so-called factory system, government 
posts operated not for profit, but for benevolence toward its Indian wards. 
The factory system failed because of the powerful opposition of the Amer- 
ican Fur Company, and because the factors were unacquainted with the 
conditions of Indian trade. 

Gradually the fur trade, which for two hundred years had ruled Wis- 
consin, declined. The local traders, deeply in debt to Astor's monopoly, 
the American Fur Company, mortgaged their lands and lost them. Of 
recent years a new commerce in furs has sprung up and grows increasingly 
valuable. But the fur trade as a regime passed from Wisconsin with the 
coming of the Americans and the development of modern industries. 

1 — This chapter is adapted by permission from a manseript history ptepared by the 
State Historical Society of Wisconsin. 
2— Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 27-28. 

3 — For the entire subject of Wisconsin Boundaries, see Ibid., 451-501. 
4— Id., XVI, 1-3. 
5— Id., XVIII, 206. 
6— Ibid., 268-269. 
7— Id., XIX, 343. 



r 



CHAPTER II 
GEOLOGY 

(By George H. Squier) 

The geology of Trempealeau County is the geology of a considerable 
tract in western Wisconsin, for, in a region of undisturbed and nearly 
horizontal rocks, an area so small as a county will rarely show in its 
geological features any great diversification, and the description of one 
would apply with slight changes to its neighboring counties. 

In entering upon the consideration of this subject it must be fully 
recognized that the features of the region as we now see them are but a 
passing phase. Changeless as our hills and valleys may seem to us, never- 
theless within the long periods of which geology takes cognizance, they 
are scarcely more so than are the most ephemeral of the works of man 
compared with his own span of life. Therefore, just as the historical 
portion of this work seeks to trace the changing phases which have attended 
the human occupancy of this region, in the same manner an adequate 
treatment of the geology of the county must seek to present an outline 
sketch of the history whose record is found in the rocks. 

All the rocks exposed within the limits of this county belong to the 
upper portion of the Cambrian, and the base of the Ordovician. To a 
geologist, a condensed statement of this nature conveys much information, 
but to the reader who is not a specialist in that study, it may have but 
little meaning, and a further elucidation is needed to place the subject at 
the command of the average reader. 

In order to understand the significance of the statement that our rocks 
belong near the top of the Cambrian and base of the Ordivician, it is 
necessary to have some knowledge of the geological time scale. The scale 
here given is the one commonly accepted as the standard : 

Pleistocene. 

Tertiary. 

Cretaceous. 

Jurassic. 

Triassic. 

Permian. 

Pennsylvanian. 

Mississippian. 

Devonian. 

Silurian. 



("Upper 

Ordovician ] Middle 

[ Lower 

[Upper 
Cambrian ■{ Middle 

I Lower 
Pre-Cambrian 

17 



Our local rocks 



18 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

All of the periods are subdivided into numerous "formations," but in 
this list only the subdivisions are indicated that apply to the Cambrian and 
Ordovician, and only the larger subdivisions even for these. The range 
of our local rocks is also duly indicated. Since the older rocks are at the 
bottom, it wiU be seen that the Potsdam Sandstone (Cambrian) and the 
Lower Magnesian Limestone (Ordovician) are very ancient. The Lower 
and Middle Cambrian are not present in this region, consequently the Upper 
Cambrian rests directly on the Pre-Cambrian. 

It is to be understood that the Pre-Cambrian is not a period comparable 
to the others in the table. It is, indeed, properly not a name at all, but 
merely a convenient designation for all of the immense series of rocks 
antedating the Cambrian, and includes a time, perhaps, as long as all 
succeeding time. The rocks have been so extensively folded and faulted 
and so generally metamorphosed and intruded by eruptives as to constitute 
a very complex problem, and while it is evident that the long series is 
capable of subdivision into periods comparable with those given above, the 
subdivisions proposed have not been accepted with the same approach to 
unanimity as these. 

Geological history is the record of successive changes wrought by two 
sets of forces. The one, operating within the body of the earth, causes 
changes of level of the land surface in its relation to the water level, some 
being carried below, and some above that level. The other, the various 
agencies of disintegration, acting upon those surfaces raised above water 
level, tend to wear them down. This erosion of the land results in two 
complementary sets of phenomena: (a) the planing down of the land 
surface until, if sufficient time be allowed, even a mountainous region may 
be reduced to a nearly level plain but little elevated above the sea level, 
a "base plane" ; and (b) the transference of the material thus eroded from 
the land surface, mainly by running water, but to some extent by wind, 
until it comes to rest in some body of water, or at least in some basin from 
which there is no outlet, were it accumulates and may come to form deposits 
thousands of feet thick. 

In the process of transformation the material becomes more or less 
assorted, and is deposited, under varying conditions as coarse fragments- 
conglomerate, sand, or mud. In addition to the material thus removed 
from the land, the growing deposits include the remains of the sucessive 
generations of living creatures which made their home in the water in 
which the beds are accumulating, and, since there was a continuous change 
in the forms of life, we thus have furnished us a means of the greatest value 
in determining what position a particular deposit occupies in the world's 
time scale. 

It will be realized that the geological time scale does not propose to 
place events with the same exactitude as when we speak of an event as 
having occurred in a certain year and century, A. D. or B. C. It corresponds 
more nearly to our custom of dividing human events into periods character- 
ized by some noteworthy set of conditions, as, for example, the time of the 
crusades or the period of the renaissance. Geologists have given much 
study to the problem of attaining approximate equality for their divisions. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 19 

Having thus considered the broad principles on which geological history 
is based, we may now address ourselves more specifically to the history 
of this particular region. 

As already indicated, our Potsdam Sandstones, which include some 
shales and impure limestones, and constitute a part, but probably not all, 
of the Upper Cambrian, rest directly on the Pre-Cambrian. 

While the area of the Pre-Cambrian had been more than once sub- 
merged, had received deposits of sediments of great thickness, and had also 
been intruded by enormous masses of eruptive rocks, its later nistory con- 
sisted, first, in the folding and faulting of the strata so that they formed 
mountain ranges comparable, perhaps, to the largest of our present moun- 
tains, and, second, a long period of erosion during which these were worn 
down until the region had become one of very slight relief, diversified only 
by hills of moderate elevation. 

When again the region became depressed so as to be covered by a 
shallow sea, the beds of the Upper Cambrian were deposited. These deposits 
were made not only over the region in which they are now found, but also 
over the entire state, including the areas of crystaline rocks to the north- 
ward. Not alone the Cambrian, but also Ordivician rocks (Lower Magnesian 
Limestone, St. Peter Sandstone, Trenton Limestone) overspread all, or a 
considerable portion of the region. Other beds of the Ordovician and 
Silurian which now outcrop successively further south and east, undoubtedly 
extended much further northward and westward than at present, but we 
have no means of determining how far. We may be fairly confident that 
the lower Magnesian Limestone (that forming the tops of the bluffs along 
the Mississippi) overspread the entire country. Nor is there much doubt 
that the St. Peter Limestone (not now found in the county) did so also. 
There is considerable ground for the belief that the Trenton Limestone, of 
which only a few remnants are now found north of the Wisconsin River, 
in Vernon County, also overspread at least the southern part of the county. 

While these processes were going on the region seems to have been 
affected by only shght changes of level, remaining quite near sea level 
throughout the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian and most of 
the Pennsylvanian. But toward the end of the Pennsylvanian, or in the 
Permian, there was a period of elevation. In the eastern part of the United 
States, mountains (the Appalachians) were the result. But in Wisconsin 
there was only a moderate elevation, not sufficient to warp or disarrange 
the strata. 

The necessary result followed. The region was brought under the 
influence of eroding agents. Streams began to cut their valleys. When 
they had cut as deep a they could at the then height of the land, they 
widened them, and as they had a long time in which to work — through the 
Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous — they cut away the entire 
surface, down to base level, leaving a great plain. Only a few hills — the 
Blue Mounds, Platte Mounds and others south of the Wisconsin River — 
which were composed of more than usually resistant rocks, remain to give 
us some idea as to the thickness of the rocks thus planed away.' 



20 HIBTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Some time during the Tertiary there was again an elevation, and the 
streams resumed their downcutting. Since the valleys which they then 
formed are those we now see, we are interested in knowing something of 
the plain as it was when they began to cut. 

If we could reconstruct the Tertiary base plain as it was before the 
streams had cut deeply into it, we should find that near the Mississippi, it 
coincided closely with the present tops of the higher bluffs — those capped 
by the Lower Magnesian Limestone — but that it rose gradually to the 
northward, so that the hills in the northern part do not reach to within 
three or four hundred feet of the old plain surface. Going northward 
beyond the county, the plain would be above the present surface of the 
crystaline rocks over the greater part of the area of the state. This plain, 
we must realize, then lay so that the surface was nowhere more than three 
or four hundred feet above the sea level. The elevation during the Tertiary 
was in the nature of a tilting, as though a board was raised at one end, 
the other remaining on the surface, the amount of elevation increasing to 
the northward. It is to be further observed that the old Pre-Cambrian 
surface on which the Cambrian rests, is in itself a tilted base plain, having 
such a slope that if it were fully exposed, streams running over it would 
have swift courses and great erosive power. 

We are to suppose the Tertiary base plain as floored with Cambrian 
or later rocks over the entire area of the state, except that included in 
Iron, Vilas, Oneida and adjoining counties, where it cut through to the 
Pre-Cambrian, also cutting some of that, making it an integral part of 
the plain and producing a surface which did not conform with the slopes 
of the surrounding Pre-Cambrian areas. The surface of these counties 
now has a nearly consistent level of about 1,600 feet, and as this surface 
was the level to which the Tertiary base plain was carried by its tilt, the 
amount of the tilt or elevation may thus be determined. 

The greater part of the present area of the state, floored by Pre- 
Cambrian, has been stripped of its Cambrian and later rock covering, since 
that time. If we attempt to visualize the Tertiary base plain and consider 
the amount of material that has been removed, we shall realize that the 
aspect of the valleys has undergone constant though slow change. 

It will be interesting here to picture the conditions just before the 
opening of the Pleistocene Period, when the valleys had reached their 
greatest depth. Of the various artesian wells from which we gain our 
knowledge of the position of the old rock bottom of the valleys, few, perhaps 
none, strike that bottom at the deepest part, but they indicate that the 
old channel of the Mississippi River was somewhere near two hundred feet 
below the present river level, or, say, three hundred feet below the present 
level of Trempealeau Prairie. That would indicate that our bluffs, which 
now rise about six hundred feet above the river, were then nearer eight 
hundred feet. The valleys were also considerably narrower and more 
canyon-like. Moreover, the thick deposits of clay that now mantle our lower 
hills and fill the coulies were then absent and only jagged ledges of rock, 
thinly covered with sandy soil, would meet the eye. The tributary valleys 
were also correspondingly deeper, and displayed the same characteristics 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 21- 

in a less degree. It was a region, no doubt, of much scenic attraction, but 
rather inhospitable. 

When, with the development of geological knowledge, scientists came 
to realize that the deposits which in the early days of geology were called 
diluvial, were really made by glaciers which had overspread great areas 
in many parts of the world, it was supposed that there had been but a 
single invasion, and it was called the Glacial Period. But as the phenomena 
were more carefully studied it became evident that there had been more 
than one invasion, several, indeed, separated by periods of relative warmth, 
seemingly even warmer than the present, and for this whole succession 
the term Pleistocene came to be applied. 

These various invasions did not cover the same area, and the older 
ones seem to have been more severe ; at least they extended much further 
south than the later. One, west of the Mississippi, advanced as far as 
northeastern Kansas, and east of that stream one reached southern Illinois. 
But there was an area, mostly in Wisconsin, and, broadly speaking, including 
the portion of the state lying between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, 
and northward so as to embrace the larger share of Trempealeau and 
Jackson counties, which appears never to have been overspread by a 
glacier. The last — Wisconsin — glacier did not indeed advance nearly so 
far south as the limits named. There is some little doubt as yet as to 
the extreme southerly limits reached by the oldest glacier. The greater 
share of the region shows none of that modification of topography which 
is a distinctive characteristic of glacial action. 

But though the glaciers did not overspread this region, they exercised 
a notable influence over the conditions within it. This was due (a) to 
the fact that some streams bearing glacial outwash traversed the region, 
(b) to the influence of the encircling glaciers on the climate, and (c) to 
the effect of the glaciers on the water level. 

(a) Those streams, some portions of whose drainage basins were 
invaded by glaciers, received large amounts of glacial outwash — sand 
pebbles — and all such material capable of being transported by stream 
action could be carried far beyond the region of glaciation. Within the 
boundaries of Trempealeau County the Mississippi and Black rivers were 
the principal carriers of such material. It has been supposed that the 
Trempealeau Valley lay outside the glaciated region entirely. The writer 
was first to call attention to the deposits near Taylor and Blair. The 
Mississippi must have been the carrier of glacial outwash during most, if 
not all, of the glacial periods ; but the Black only for some of the earlier. 

(b) The climate of the driftless area — as the region not covered with 
glaciers is called — would have been subject to the chilling effect of the 
near-by glaciers. There is also reason to believe that the glaciers acted 
something like a mountain range in draining the air of moisture, rendering 
the region rather dry. 

(c) There are two ways in which we may conceive of a glacier as 
affecting the water level. The first is by isostatic readjustment. This 
assumes that the crust of the earth has little stiffness and yields readily, 
either upward or downward in response to any change of weight near the 



22 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

surface. As some of the glaciers attained a thickness of several thousand 
feet, they represented a great increase of weight over the surface, and as 
a consequence there was a downward warping of the crust. If, however, 
as some believe, the crust is much more resistant to such influences than 
the theory of "isostosy" supposes, the accumulation of such great masses 
of ice would, by increasing the gravitative energy of portions of the earth's 
surface relative to others, produce such a shifting of the center of gravity 
as to cause readjustment of the water level to compensate. One or the 
other of these agencies (not both, at least to the extent that the first agency 
was effective, the second was excluded) must, I think, be assumed to 
have been operative during each of the glacial periods. But other agencies 
not necessarily depending on the presence of the glaciers may have modified, 
increased or diminished, the results. It will be obvious that if a glacier 
enters a vaUey at some point below its head, leaving the upper portion free 
of ice, the result will be a dam, and the impounded water will form a lake. 
This also might operate in combination with the others, modifying the 
results. It is not possible in the present stage of the investigation to assign 
to these several agencies their proportionate share in bringing about the 
submergencies which we know from ample evidence to have affected the 
region of the upper Mississippi. 

The stage of the submergence was quite variable; it stood, however, 
for a considerable time at a point between three and four hundred feet 
above the present river level, though there is much evidence of one actually 
overtopping the bluffs. The result of the submergence was the deposition 
of thick beds of lacustine material over the foothills and lower two-thirds 
of the bluffs. It is to this deposit that we owe the fact that the foothills 
furnish many of our finest farms. Without it they would be rocky ledges, 
or steep slopes, thinly covered with sandy soil. 

Studied in detail, these deposits form an extremely complex series 
which could not even be described without filling many pages and using 
much illustrative material. 

These periods of submergence did not, however, extend through the 
Pleistocene period; there were other long periods when the Mississippi 
Valley was occupied by a stream, either one comparable in size to the 
present stream, or one of vastly greater volume, carrying away the drainage 
from the glaciers and loaded with glacial outwash. These mostly flowed 
at a higher level than the present, a level marked by the deposits of Trem- 
pealeau Prairie. On the other hand, the warm interglacial periods were 
times of down cutting, during which the river often flowed at levels below 
the present. One such has been brought to our knowledge during the 
present summer (1917) through the sinking of the piers of the Burlington 
bridge at Trempealeau Bay, showing many feet of mud deposits loaded 
with shells and wood, also marginal peat bogs, and indicating river levels 
at from forty to sixty feet or more below the present. We can also trace 
lines of cliffs marking the shore lines for some of the river stages, though 
they have been partly obscured by more recent outwash from the bluffs. 
The interrelations of these various phases are still far from having been 
fully worked out. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 23 

It remains before bringing this article to a close, to notice that feature, 
which, because it is so conspicuous and distinctive, has attracted the atten- 
tion of all who have entered the region, Indians apparently as well as whites, 
the Trempealeau bluffs. 

It is, perhaps, generally recognized that these were at one time a 
part of the west (Minnesota) shore, but the process through which thej 
became separated is not well understood. 

In one of the recent publications of our State Geological Survey, Mr. 
Martin, who, I understood, had not personally studied the situation, gives 
an explanation which is quite incorrect — impossible, indeed.- His expla- 
nations and diagrams assume that the notch at Trempealeau Bay was the 
continuation of one of the valleys on the Minnesota side. But the valley 
in question is very much wider than the notch, and no explanation is offered 
of an adequate agency for the removal of the divide at the place where 
it is assumed to have been removed. 

To correctly understand the process, it must be remembered that when 
the streams were "young," they were flowing in narrow, gorge-Uke valleys. 
and that in the case of the Mississippi, this was probably much nearer thp 
Wisconsin than the Minnesota side of the present valley. On the Minnesota 
side several of the small streams united in one which partly paralleled the 
Mississippi, but which, in its meandering, approached it more closely for 
a stretch of its upper course than it did below. As the streams, having 
cut down to grade, proceeded to widen their valleys, the narrow divide 
between this parallel stream and the Mississippi was gradually cut away. 

It must be borne in mind that so long as the streams were running 
on the rock bottoms, this divide might be wholly removed for some distance 
above our present Trempealeau bluffs without causing the diversion of 
the Mississippi into the smaller body, because, not only would the steeper 
grade of the smaller valley have carried its bottom above that of the larger 
stream, but the greater depth of the channel required by the larger stream 
would be sufficient to control its flow even though their surfaces had been 
at the same level. When, however, the conditions had changed so that the 
Mississippi did not keep its channel cleared out, but instead became 
gradually filled, its newer course was left unobstructed. Some other 
attendant circumstances, also, would have made that its most easy and 
natural course. 

Naturally, when the large stream invaded the valley of the small one, 
there began a rapid process of erosion whereby the salient points and 
minor flexures were reduced into an adjustment to its own requirements. 
The accompanying diagramatic map is supposed to show the conditions 
while the valleys were still narrower; the consequences of the widening 
of the valleys will be readily apparent. 

The point where the Trempealeau chain of bluffs connected with the 
Minnesota shore is a matter of some interest. The projecting headland on 
the Minnesota shore which may be supposed to have marked the point of 
junction has, of course, been worn away, but it is believed that the 
long line of cliff's near Homer has resulted from such rapid wearing back 



24 HISTORY OF TREHIPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the shore line and marks the probable line of junction, as it is also the 
point toward which the present trend of the Trempealeau bluffs points. 

The conspicuous isolation and insular position of Trempealeau Moun- 
tain proper may call for a few remarks. 

It is obvious that not only the larger streams, but the smaller ones, and 
the torrent courses were everywhere dissecting the region. Small valleys 
similar to those now extending into our bluffs would also have existed in 
the portions now wholly removed. One who is familiar with the present 
condition of our bluffs will reahze how little erosion along their north 
side would serve to remove the low connecting ridges and leave, 
instead of a connected chain, three or four disconnected hills. The little 
valley between Trempealeau Mountain and Brady's Bluff had been cut so 
low that the flooded Mississippi was able to pass through and further rapid 
deepening was the result. 

In reviewing briefly the facts of the preparation of Trempealeau County 
for the occupancy of man, a summary of the foregoing facts may prove 
of interest. At the end of the Pre-Cambrian period, Trempealeau County 
presented a sloping surface of bare rock, comparatively level, but containing 
some hills of moderate elevation. In the Cambrian period the region was 
depressed and covered with a shallow sea. During this and succeeding 
periods various layers of sandstone (pulverized rock) and limestone 
(pulverized shells) were deposited in the bed of this shallow sea. Just 
which of these layers were laid down in Trempealeau County is somewhat 
uncertain. The Pottsdam sandstone and the Lower Magnesian limestone 
still remains, the latter being seen in the tops of the Mississippi bluffs. 
The region remained submerged during the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, 
Mississippian and most of the Pennsylvanian period. But toward the close 
of the Pennsylvanian, or in the Permian period, the region was elevated 
above the sea level. -Streams began to cut valleys. When they had cut as 
deep as they could they began to widen these valleys. This process continued 
during the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods until the 
region was again a great sloping level plain. This plain was surfaced with 
the Lower Magnesian limestone and coincided with the present tops of the 
Mississippi bluffs. But it rose rapidly in elevation to the northward so 
that the present hiUs in the northern part of the country are three or 
four hundred feet below what was then the surface of the plain. In the 
Tertiary period streams began cutting through this plain. A vast amount 
of material was removed and the present valleys were formed. At the 
opening of the Pleistocene Period the rock foundation of Trempealeau 
County lay practically in its present form. The valleys, however, were 
much narrower and deeper and the sides much steeper. Except for thin 
deposits of sandy soil, all the county was a region of bare and jagged rocks. 
Then came the Pleistocene Period with its glacial periods, when glaciers 
formed and were melted again several times. A larger part of Trempealeau 
County is in what is called the Driftless Area, and was probably never 
covered with a glacier. But it was to the glaciers that we owe the present 
condition of the county. During the time of the glaciers the county received 
in the Mississippi, Black and, to some extent, the Trempealeau Valley, 



HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY 25 

sandy pebbles carried by the streams flowing away from the glaciers, and 
■during the several times that the county was submerged during this era, 
the bare valleys and foothills, lying in the bed of the muddy lakes, formed 
by the melting glaciers, received the deposits which now constitute the 
foundation of our soil. At times during the Glacial Periods the Mississippi 
bed was higher than at present and at times lower. The original bed of 
the Mississippi was probably over the Trempealeau Prairie, and the Trem- 
pealeau Bluffs are probably reaUy an extension of the Minnesota Bluffs, the 
belief being that in this region the Mississippi is now flowing in what was 
the bed of a nearly parallel tributary. In the rich deposits left by the 
glacial lakes vegetation began to grow, and the decomposing vegetation 
mingling with the deposits formed the soil as it was found by the early 
settlers. 

There is little to be said as to the mineral resources of the county. 
Its wealth lies in its agricultural resources. It is among the possibihties ■ 
of the future that iron may be found in the underlying Pre-Cambrian rocks. 
And while it would be difficult, under present conditions, to mine it 
profitably, it would be possible that improved mining methods and the 
exhaustion of the more easily-mined "deposits would sometimes make it 
possible. 

Waterpowers have been developed at various points in the county, and 
the resulting mills have been an important factor in the economic develop- 
ment of the county. 

The watercourses and many of the ridges are heavily wooded, thus 
furnishing the farmers with plenty of fuel and building material. Contrary 
to usual conditions where the coming of the white men has resulted in 
the denuding of the forests, there was little timber here when the settlers 
came but has been allowed to grow up in the past sixty years. 

1 — It is not to be understood that the history was quite as simple as the sketch indicates. 
Even a relatively stable portion of the earth's crust is rarely wholly so for prolonged periods. 
To record the minor oscillations, even if they were always determinable, would be quite 
unpractical in an article of this character. 

2 — Martin, Physical Geography of Wisconsin, 136-197. 



CHAPTER III 
ARCHAEOLOGY. 

(By George H. Squier) 

It is so rarely the case that our present poUtical divisions correspond 
closely with the outlines of any of the older tribal domains, or habitats, 
that when such happens to be the case, it is not only a matter of interest, 
but it furnishes a peculiarly satisfactory theme for the writer. 

The lack of correspondence between political divisions and archaelogical 
provinces is due to the fact that the latter were determined far more by 
topographic conditions than are the former, and the fact that Trempealeau 
County furnishes an exception is due to the circumstance that the Trem- 
pealeau Prairie constitutes the major portion (the adjoining portions of 
La Crosse County making up the rest) of a peculiarly compact and sharply 
defined area which we may judge to have been very attractive to the Indians. 

There are several reasons why it should have been so. It is a region 
of unusual beauty and charm. This was due not alone to the bluffs, for 
the prairie with its rolling grassy hills, free from woods or brush ; the 
park-like aspect of the "oak openings," and the picturesque outlook, all 
tended to impress themselves on the senses and enthral the imagination of 
those who came under their spell. 

There was an abundance of productive and easily cultivated soil. The 
bordering streams and lakes yielded ample supplies of fish and water fowl, 
and the back country the larger game. For them it might well have been 
a veritable "Garden of Eden," such as one of our local writers has pictured. 

Distribution and Character of the Antiquities 

Broadly speaking, the earthworks, which may be taken as indicating 
approximately the locations of the village sites, were disposed in a curving 
• band running from Marshland along the margin of the river terraces to 
Trempealeau Bay, then from Trempealeau Village along the terrace fronting 
the Mississippi to Black River, ending with a number of groups on the 
Black River below and above the mouth of Beaver Creek, and a couple 
of groups further up the latter stream near Galesville. 

These several groups have suffered from cultivation and other agencies 
of destruction in varying degrees, those along the Mississippi front, perhaps 
the most ; it is doubtful if more than one in ten of those once existing is 
now in recognizable condition. 

Those on the Black, south of Beaver Creek, have also suffered severely. 
The larger ones are still recognizable as artificial, but the forms cannot be 
determined. The best preserved are the groups along the Chicago and 
Northwestern Railroad, at what is known as Pine Creek siding, and at 
Trempealeau Bay, and the one on Black River near Decorah's Peak. The 

26 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 27 

largest single mound still preserved intact (aside from the platforms which 

will be separately described) is that on- the farm of William Nicholls 

the largest of a group of large mounds. Distinguished as to form, the 
mounds may be classed as (a) conical, mounds having a circular or approxi- 
mately circular base. They may be of all sizes from a few feet in diameter 
and a few inches high to those a hundred feet in diameter and a dozen 
feet high. They may also vary widely in the degree of convexity. 

(b) Elongate — those that are notably longer in one direction than 
the other — two or three times as long. These also vary much in size. 

(c) True linear — those several to many times as long as wide. While 
the length of these may vary greatly from less than a hundred up to 
several hundred feet, their height and width varies but little. They are 
always as straight as the topography will permit. They are often in series, 
end to end, the intervals seeming to be often little more than passageways. 

(d) Taper Hnear — these, as the name indicates, are straight, elongate 
mounds, usually varying from a hundred to near three hundred feet in 
length, which show a regular taper from the large end to the vanishing 
point. The rate of taper is approximately the same in different examples. 
i. e., the base subtends nearly equal angles. It follows that in the larger 
examples the large end is broaded and higher than in the smaller. 

(e) Effigies — mounds made to represent various birds and animals. 
Wisconsin probably contains more of this type than all the rest of America. 
A great number of forms have been described, those most common in 
this vicinity being birds — apparently two or three species are shown — bear, 
deer, and a form rather doubtfully referred to the panther type of the 
eastern part of the state. 

Significance and Authorship 

The simple "conical" mounds have from the first been recognized as 
having been mortuary monuments, but their authorship was ascribed to 
an unknown race, while both the purpose and authorship of the more 
complex mounds were among the unsolved puzzles of a haK century ago; 
the unknown race which was assumed to have built them being conven- 
iently called "Mound Builders." The studies of the past thirty or forty 
years have, however, wrought a pretty thorough revolution in our knowledge 
of the subject. It is now definitely established, though once the contrary 
was held, that many of our Indian tribes were in the habit of building 
mounds. Articles of European manufacture have been found in some 
mounds, and even the building of mounds witnessed by whites. 

Having settled the more general question of authorship, we were 
placed in a fair way to settle the more specific ones, as to the particular 
tribes concerned, and the purpose. It has also been long recognized that 
in the effigies, linear and taper linear, Wisconsin possessed a peculiar assem- 
blage of forms but little developed elsewhere. We have also learned that 
even in Wisconsin this type was confined to a somewhat sharply defined area 
extending through the south central part of the state. When the whites 
first entered the region the area was claimed by, and in part occupied by, 
the Winnebago tribe, the members of which appear to understand the 



28 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

significance of the effigies. They are simply visible representations of the 
clan or gens totem. The gens, 'perhaps even more than the tribe, was 
the social unit which most profoundly influenced the life, not only of 
American Indians, but of barbarous races throughout the world, and the 
object, natural or imaginary, which was assumed as the guardian patron 
of the gens, was its totem. But few of the tribes made visible represen- 
tations of it. Those which our Alaskan tribes carve from wood offer 
another example. The purpose of the linears and taper linears is not as 
well determined as of the effigies. It is conjectured that the taper linears 
were conventionalized effigies, and that the linears served in some way in 
the games and rituals of the tribe. No very direct evidence seems as yet 
to be available. 

These three forms, effigies, linears, and taper Unears, are so closely 
associated that we must regard them as the work of the same tribe, and 
their distribution furnishes us a good criterion for determining the actual 
limits of the territory held by that tribe. What we may regard as the 
state south of Green Bay, exending as a narrow band down the Wisconsin, 
main body is that taking up the greater share of the eastern part of the 
but showing only slight evidences along the Mississippi until we reach the 
rich development of the Trempealeau Prairie, above which it ceased 
entirely. Both the conical and elongate mounds were built by other tribes 
besides the Winnebago, so that their distribution is far more general. 
Outside of Trempealeau Prairie, as above outhned, mounds are not 
numerous. A group once existed between Arcadia and Independence, and 
two mounds still exist at Independence. So far as I have been able to learn 
none have existed above that. But, while earthworks are lacking, artifacts, 
in the shape of arrow and spear points, also celts, have been found in 
all parts of the country, Mr. Risinger of Winona having a particularly 
fine collection, nearly all made from the county. 

The Platforms 

It might seem that in selecting these for special notice I was giving 
them undue prominence, but, when it is realized that they are by far the 
most massive earthworks in the county, and exceeded by few, if any, in 
the state, or in the Northwest ; that they embody novel features, being in 
this respect practically "sui generis" ; that neither their purpose nor author- 
ship is determined, it will, I think, be conceded that such prominence is 
not unwarranted. 

They are easily chief among the features of historic and prehistoric 
interest, of which Trempealeau is the center, although it would not be far 
wrong to say that the attention they have received from the archae- 
ologists of the country has been rather in inverse proportion to their real 
importance. Description: The group (see Fig. 1) consists of three plat- 
forms ranged along the crest of the hill, which jutting out toward the 
village, has its foot on Main street. One platform is on the extreme point, 
being partly produced by digging off a portion of the crest of the hill 
but mainly by filling. There is an interval of about seventy-five feet between 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 29 

this and the next, which is a level place produced by filling sufficiently to 
bring it to the level of the crest. The next and principal platform imme- 
diately adjoins this and is built up to a level seven feet higher than the 
crest of the hill. Owing to a certain amount of settling and wash around 
the sides, the level surface was somewhat greater than at present, appar- 
ently about sixty-five by eighty feet. The gi-eatest length is transverse 
to the direction of the hill crest, a circumstance which added very materially 
to the amount of fill required, the west base being about eighteen feet 
below the produced surface. The material of which they were constructed 
was obviously obtained, in the main, from the large holes closely adjoining 
to the northward ; however, an excavation carried down to the base revealed 
the interesting fact that at least some material had been carried up the 
hill, the nearest source of that kind of material being somewhere in the 
vicinity of Woodmen's Hall. Gravel also occurs on the corner of the 
middle platform, brought from somewhere below, either with studied design 
or else incidentally. 

I have also made numerous measurements, transverse, longitudinal and 
diagonal, and from these have calculated the cubic contents: Large plat- 
form, 93,000 feet; middle, 2,000 cubic feet; on point, 18,000 cubic feet; 
total, 113,000 cubic feet. The massive character of the construction may 
be best brought out by some comparisons. The Nicholls mound, the largest 
conical mound remaining, and at least one of the largest at any time in this 
vicinity, contains about 38,000 cubic feet. A mound of medium size, say 
40 feet in diameter and four feet high, contains some 1,800 cubic feet. One 
of the pure linear mounds may be taken as having a cross section approxi- 
mating 18 square feet. The material in the platforms would be sufficient to 
build a linear of that cross section over 6,000 feet long. These figures will, 
I think, bear out my assertion as to the pre-eminence of the platforms in 
the matter of mere size. 

Peculiarities: In the emplacement and the apparent careful co-ordi- 
nation of the platforms, they are without a known parallel in the North- 
west ; indeed, nothing quite parallel has been reported from any part of 
the country; but platforms are of somewhat frequent occurrence in the 
South and Southwest, and two occur in Wisconsin. These are both in the 
same locality, in Jefferson County, and within what appears to have been 
an enclosure, on the banks of the Crawfish River. (Two other enclosures 
with platforms on a smaller scale occur in the near vicinity.) They are 
now nearly obliterated by cultivation, but in 1850 I. A. Lapham surveyed 
them, and his plate is reproduced by G. A. West in an article in the 
Wisconsin Archaeologist (Vol. 6, No. 4, 1907, facing page 242). Of the 
two platforms one is given as sixty by sixty-five feet on the level top, the 
other supposed to be fifty-three feet. The height, unfortunately, is 
not given. The smaller platform is said to be the highest point in the 
enclosure and to averlook the wall. The wall is said to be from one to 
five feet high. The other we may pei-haps assume not to have been higher 
than the wall. I have calculated the contents on the assumption that one 
was five and the other six feet high, giving about 23,000 and 25,000 cubic 
feet respectively. These calculations have, of course, little value, but seem 



30 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to indicate that they are considerably less massive than those at 
Trempealeau. 

Purpose and Authorship — That a construction of such size and built 
at the expenditure of so much labor was intended to serve a public function 
is so self-evident that attempted proof would be superfluous ; but, whether 
this function were civil or religious, and who were the builders, are questions 
in regard to which there is a divergence of opinion. 

My own opinion, based on apparent adaptation, is that the purpose 
was religious, that of sun worship. If this view is correct it involves certain 
corollaries as to authorship. The other view, held by many who have not 
made a personal study of the remains, would assign to them a civil purpose 
and a different authorship. In any line of investigation, when other sources 
of information are lacking, apparent adaptation is regarded as important 
evidence. In the study of palaeontology, for example, it is relied on to 
determine habits of animals long since extinct, and, as is believed, with 
a good approximation to accuracy. It would seem to be equally applicable 
in the domain of archaeology. 

It may be stated as a broad generalization that it is in their religious 
constructions chiefly that the idealism, mysticism and mythology of a people 
find expression, and when we find a variety of adjustments having no 
apparent explanation from the purely utilitarian standpoint, there is justi- 
fication for the belief that they were made in conformity to some religious 
idea. When in addition we find that all the features combine to render 
the construction peculiarly suited to a certain form of religious observance, 
the presumption is greatly strengthened. Both of these suppositions find 
exemplification in the Trempealeau platforms. There are several adjust- 
ments which give evidence of careful planning and appear as though 
designed for the accommodation of a rather complicated ceremonial. If 
designed for sun worship the location was surpassingly fine, and the evident 
orientation (toward the position of the sun at the summer solstice, not 
toward due east), evidenced in the placing of the longer axis of the platform 
transverse to the hill crest, and in other features, would find its explana- 
tion. As the site of a council house, or of a chief's house, the only alternative 
function that can be suggested, they would have been isolated from the 
body of the tribe, inconvenient of access, remote from supplies, and open 
to attack. We may conceive of tribes whose government had become so 
centralized and separated from the people, that such isolation would be 
desirable, but this is not true, according to our best knowledge of any of 
the tribes found in the region when the whites first entered it. So far, 
therefore, as we may judge from adaptation, the evidence strongly indicates 
religious use and contraindicates a secular one. 

The opposition to this view rests on the belief that it conflicts with 
certain archaeological generalizations, a belief which, in my opinion, is 
based on misconceptions. I have already alluded to the fact that archae- 
ological opinion has undergone a great change in the last half century. 
The ascription of our American antiquities to an unknown, and long 
vanished race, having been quite displaced by that which ascribes them 
to tribes identical with, or at least of the same general stock, as those that 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 31 

we know. Coupled with this earher beUef were numerous rather fanciful 
hypotheses, based on careless observations which, in the light of more 
careful recent study, seem almost childish. This whole matter is treated 
at considerable length and much ability by G. A. West in an article entitled 
"Indian Authorship of American Antiquities" (Wis. Arch., Vol. 6, No. 4, 
1907). It is well worth reading by those interested in the subject. But 
in discussing the Aztalan (Wis.) remains (pp. 217-232) he reaches some 
conclusions which I do not think quite in accord with the evidence. That 
the remains at Aztalan and the other two smaller groups of similar char- 
acter near by are notable departures from the types seen elsewhere 
throughout the State is indisputable. However, Mr. West is disposed to 
place such an interpretation on them as to minimize the unlikeness. In 
doing so he very justly exposes certain inaccuracies of observation, and 
extravagances of interpretation current for a time, such as the use of brick 
in the construction of the enclosing wall, the evidences of human sacrifices, 
and the ascription of the remains to the Aztecs. Prescot's "Conquest of 
Mexico" had taken a firm hold on people's imaginations, and served to bring 
the Aztecs into many situations where they had no place. 

The two features of Aztalan which are peculiar are the encircling wall 
and the platforms. Their peculiarity is seen in the fact that while there 
are scores of mound groups showing the characteristic assemblage of 
Winnebago forms, efligies, linears, and taper linears, nothing at all similar 
to the enclosures is found outside the Aztalan region (a few small inclosures 
are reported, but they are so obviously different in aU essential respects 
that they cannot justly be placed in the same class) and nothing similar 
to the platforms save there and at Trempealeau. We are obliged to assume 
in explanation, either that there was some special reason, the seat of a 
centralized government, for example, why the tribe used a type of con- 
struction there which they deemed needless elsewhere ; that some small 
subdivision of the tribe developed a type of construction markedly different 
from the others; or that it was built by some quite distinct tribe having 
very different ideas and building requirements. 

Mr. West finds in the linear groups of mounds common in certain 
topographic situations a parallel to the enclosing wall assuming that the 
separate mounds of such a group are connected. But such connection is 
rare, so rare as to be negligible, and even if it were otherwise would fall 
short of a full explanation. He assigns to the platforms a secular function 
— the site of the chief's house, or or the council house, and cites as examples 
some described in the account of De Soto's expedition, but those which he 
encountered were certainly not used by the Winnebago, nor by any other 
tribe of the same stock, and there is some reason to believe that one in 
northern Georgia belonged to a tribe kindred to the Natchez, with whom 
the chief was both the civil and rehgious head of the tribe, and where in 
consequence the platform combined both a civil and religious function. 
Some of those noted were probably in Florida, a region where, as has been 
said, "they have hard work to keep their feet out of the water," and where 
a platform had a decidedly utilitarian purpose. 

There are a few effigies and linears at Aztalan, both within and without 



32 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the inclosure, which are, no doubt, of Winnebago authorship. The artifacts 
found in the vicinity are also said to be of the type common in the State, 
though some of a better quahty are hinted at. Because they are indistin- 
guishably commingled all are assumed to be of the same authorship. There 
is, however, no necessity for such an assumption. If a region has been 
occupied by different races, a commingling of their artifacts and construc- 
tion must almost inevitably happen. Mingling of white and Indian 
remains is not unusual. 

However, I have been able to show that at Trempealeau a tji^e of 
pottery, almost identical with a type common south of St. Louis, but very 
rare north of that place, occurs quite unmixed with the common type 
of the region. We may say, therefore, that both the platforms and the 
pottery find their nearest counterparts in what we may broadly speak of 
as the Arkansas region. 

This fact offers at least a suggestion as to probable authorship. Mr. 
West remarks in referring to that conjecture that a colony of Mexicans 
(Aztecs) had built the inclosure and platforms, "Such conclusions are no 
longer permissible. No such colony ever penetrated to within a thousand 
miles of Wisconsin." In this assertion he is no doubt correct. There 
is to my mind nothing to suggest Aztec influence, and I have never for a 
moment entertained such an opinion. But he ignores the fact that the 
valley of the Mississippi has been entered, and for a long time occupied 
by another race, which, on the basis both of language, and their own 
traditions, has been referred to the Maya stock of Central America. These 
were the Natchez, and cognate tribes. Their wanderings had carried them 
considerably more than a thousand miles from their original seat, and to 
considerably less than a thousand miles from Wisconsin. 

There is considerable ground for the belief also that they were in their 
decadence when they first became known to the whites, and that the area 
occupied by them had become greatly restricted from what it had once 
been. That, during their expanding and aggressive stage, offshoots from 
them should have passed still further up the great river, is more in accord 
with inherent probability than that they did not. It should be noted m 
this connection that the Arkansan (from whom the state took its name), 
a tribe of the same stock as the Winnebago, is, on the basis of Indian 
tradition, assigned a rather late entry into the region, apparently about 
the last of that stock to pass into the trans-Mississippi region, and the 
curtailment of the Natchez territory might in part have been the result 
of that invasion. Among the Natchez the chief was held as a superior 
being, a child of the sun, the religious as well as the civil head of the tribe. 
The sun was the object of worship, the worship involving a complicated 
ceremonial on the platform, on which a perpetual fire was kept burning. 
The chief, as a sacred being, also had his residence on the platform. 

While we should not suppose that all the tribes had identical customs, 
we should look for strong family resemblances, and such family resem- 
blances would seem to be indicated by the remains at Trempealeau and 
Aztalan. 

The whole argument, of course, falls short of demonstration, which is 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 33 

perhaps not to be hoped for. It, however, offers a solution of the problem 
which violates no inherent probabihty or well determined fact ; is, on the 
contrary, rather probable and in accord with such facts as we know. 

Synopsis of the Argument Regarding the Platforms — 1. Their size, 
and the thought and labor bestowed on them, clearly indicated a public 
purpose. 2. That purpose, judging from adaptation, was religious — sun 
worship. 3. They do not belong to the recognized type of Winnebago 
constructions — are indeed so unhke other constructions of the Northwest 
as to constitute a type in themselves. 4. The nearest parallels are found 
in the "Aztalan" groups. 5. These groups are also rather notable depar- 
tures from the typical Winnebago type. 6. The arguments whereby it is 
sought to bring them into harmony with Winnebago types are pertinent 
as showing their Indian authorship, but not as showing their Winnebago 
authorship. 7. Disproof of their Aztec authorship was uncalled for, since 
I have never believed in such authorship. 8. A group of tribes 
of Central American origin were living on the lower Mississippi when 
whites first entered the region. Their civil and rehgious beliefs and 
customs offer a rather striking parallel to what, on the basis of adaptation, 
we should judge to have been those of the builders of the plaftorms. 9. 
The pottery found at Trempealeau is almost identical with that they are 
known to have made. 10. It is inherently rather probable that offshoots 
from these tribes should have ascended the Mississippi. 

The Antiquity of Man 

A find made at Trempealeau Bay during the past season — 1917 — 
renders it desirable that something be said on the subject. The find 
consists of a flat stone, a trifle over three inches long, somewhat under 
two wide and about one-half inch thick. It is of moderately hard sand- 
stone, unworn, save that at each end there is a carefully-made notch, as 
though to permit a cord to be fastened about it. The symmetrical position, 
and the care used in making them, places their formation by any other 
than human agency quite out of the question. It was taken out of the 
mud in which it was closely embedded. The mud had been taken from 
under the west pier of the bridge at a depth somewhere betweeen fifty-four 
and sixty feet. The mud in which it was embedded was part of an unbroken 
deposit of similar material containing an abundance of shells and vegetable 
material, and extending from fifty-four feet to the bottom at sixty-eight 
feet. From fifty-four feet upward to forty feet the mud alternated to some 
exent with sand. The deposit gives every evidence of being interglacial. 
Obviously this would indicate the existence of man anterior at least to the 
last glacial period. Yet, while the evidence seems clear, and difficult to 
invalidate, it is best to receive it with caution. 

It must be borne in mind that the antiquity of man as a denizen of 
the world is quite a distinct question from that of the date of his arrival 
on this continent. In Europe, and adjoining portions of Asia and Africa, 
evidences have been found indicating his existence practicafly throughout 
the Pleistocene period. But in America the evidences are much more 



34 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

scanty and less decisive, and there has come to be a rather sharp division 
of opinion as to the validity of such evidence as is available. 

A few examples will serve to show the nature and limitations of the 
evidence. Some half century ago a human skull was found in the auriferous 
gravels of California under a lava bed. This seemed to carry man back 
into the tertiary, but the opinion finally prevailed that the lava bed was a 
displaced mass which had slidden to its present position. Some years ago 
human remains were found along the Missouri River nearly a hundred 
feet down. But Professor Chamberlin showed that the bed of that stream 
is extremely unstable, being rapidly cut away and refilled to great depths, 
with obvious consequences. For a number of years archaeologists have 
been finding flint chips in the glacial gravels at various places, notably 
near Trenton, New Jersey, and near Washington. But it is claimed that 
these might have been produced by natural agencies, and Professor Cham- 
berlin gives cuts of two groups, one from the above sources, the other from 
a source where human agency is not presumed. I think that no one could 
pick out, with confidence, the natural from the supposed artificial group. 
More recently human remains have been discovered in Florida associated 
with the remains of extinct animals of the Pleistocene. But it appears 
that they occur in a Uttle valley which had been partly refilled with wash 
derived from the surrounding Pleistocene, whereby objects not really con- 
temporaneous are brought into apparent relationship. It will be seen, 
therefore, that the evidence thus far obtained lacks considerable of being 
conclusive. 

In the case of Trempealeau, Professor Chamberlin, in response to my 
first letter, was disposed to apply the same explanation as in the case on 
the Missouri, scour and fill ; but, the conditions here are such as to definitely 
exclude that explanation. It may be said that the weak point in the 
evidence is that the object was not seen in its actual position in the bed. 
Still, considering that from fifty-four feet downward the material retained 
substantially the same character, and quite evidently had not been subject 
to scour and fill, the lack does not seem to seriously invaMdate the evidence. 

It is best, however, to be a little conservative in such matters, and 
reserve one's opinion until the evidence has been studied from all angles. 

1— In calculating the volume of conical mounds, I have assumed them to be cones of the 
given diameter and height, making the diameter equal to the furthest limit to which artificial 
fill can be traced. It is, of course, not strictly accurate, but gives a reasonably close approxi- 
mation. 

jfote. Charles F. Brown, in the Wisconsin ArcluFologist, Vol. 5, Nos. 3-4, April to 

October, 1906, pp. 392-393, gives the following resume of the Archaelogical remains in Trem- 
pealeau County: 

Trempealeau Township.— (a) Mounds and earthwork near the Mississippi, opposite 
Homer. Reported by L. H. Bunnell, Smithsonian Seport, 1871, p. 430. Large group of mounda 
on the Gladsten property, south of Pine Creek, near Pine Creek Station. 

(b) Mound west of Mr. Booher's residence at Trempealeau. Several mounds in close 
proximity to the Baptist church at Trempealeau. (G. H. Squier says there was but one.) 

(c) Other mounds on the ridges of the bluffs not far from Trempealeau. Human bones 
and vessels found in them. Mentioned by L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Environs (Winona, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 35 

1S07), pp. 84, 37 and 89. Oval mound on Wm. Nicholls' place at Trempealeau. Tabular mound 
on the south side of Third street at Trempealeau. (Identical with third item.) Series of three 
platforms on the crest of a hill at Trempealeau. Mounds and fireplaces near the former loca- 
tion of Fort Perrot. Scattered bones found in some of the mounds. 

(d) Group of conical mounds near the southeast corner of Mt. Trempealeau. Also single 
mounds nearby. Described and mentioned by 6. H. Squier, Wisconsin Archceologist, Vol. 4, 
No. 2 (1905), pp. 25-34. The tabular mound briefly described by L. Kessinger, History 
Buffalo County, pp. 75-76. "Pictograph" rock bearing Indian carvings, on an exposed sand- 
stone ledge on Trempealeau river, 2Vi miles northwest of Trempealeau. Described by T. H. 
Lewis, American Naturalist, September, 1889; mentioned by C. E. Brown, ll'isconsin Archeeo- 
logist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (1905). 

Gale Township. — (d) Effigy mounds at Galesville and vicinity. Mentioned by (Jeorge 
Gale, Th-e Upper Mississippi (1867), p. 14; and by L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Environs 
(1897), p. 87, also in Galesville Transcript, Nov. 25, 1860. (e) Rock shelter at Galesville, the 
sides of which are covered with carvings representing snakes, birds, mammals and men. Re- 
ported by T. H. Lewis, August, 1905; mentioned by C. E. Brown, Wisconsin Arclueologist, Vol. 
5, No. 1 (1905), p. 218. 

Caledonia Township. — (f) Group of effigy mounds on the west side of Black river, N. % 
Sec. 10, T. 18 N., E. 8 W. 

Briefly described by T. H. Lewis, Science, Vol. 13, p. 188 ; also in Tracts for Archaeology, 
Vol. 1 (1880), and figure. 



Tlie list as given is a correct bibliography of the subject as far as I am aware. I have 
indicated above such as are duplications or were based on incomplete knowledge. (G. H. S.) 

(a; 1 have made repeated inquiries as to this group, Init can learn of nothing save the 
Pine Ci-eek group, which is nearly opposite Homer. 

(b) This was originally a large conical mound like the Nicholls mound. The top was 
scraped away some time in the late fifties or early sixties, by Richard Towner, now dead. 

This, that near the Baptist church, and others of which 1 have seen traces, made up a 
considerable group once occupying the site of Trempealeau. 

(c) Although not numerous, there are mounds in several localities on the bluffs. On 
Trempealeau Mountain, Brady 's Bluff, on hill Viack of Fort Perrot, on the main bluff, and on 
a lower space of Liberty Peak. These were so scattering that they could not well be plotted, 
as was done for the Pine Creek group, those at tlie bay and others. 

(d) The mounds about Galesville have been so completely obliterated that scarcely any- 
thing can now be recognized. 

(e) Unless the one in the park from which the spring issues is intended, I do not know 
to what he refers. That Indians may have used it for shelter and left markings in it is not 
improbable, but even in the late sixties when I first visited it, these had been largely sup- 
planted by the work of the whites. 

(f) There are, or were, several groups along the west side of Black river containing 
effigies. It is not clear to which he refers. 

Judge Gale's work approached nearer to a systematic study of the archeology of the 
county than any of the others. His acquaintance was very wide. It is unfortunate that he 
left so few notes to aid in locating the features he mentions. Mr. Bunnell was a keen observer, 
but his work was only incidental. Mr. Lewis spent a few days in the vicinity, giving consider- 
able attention to the archseology. 



CHAPTER IV 
GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTION 

Jurisdiction over Trempealeau County has been claimed by four nations, 
Spain, France, England and the United States ; by the French and English 
colonial authorities ; by the territorial officials of the Northwest Territory 
and of the Territories of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin ; and by 
the officers of the counties of Crawford, La Crosse, Chippewa, Jackson and 
Buffalo. 

Spain, by virtue of the discoveries of Columbus and others, confirmed 
to her by Papal grant (that of Alexander VI, May 4, 1493), may be said 
to have been the first European owner of the entire valley of the Mississippi 
river, but she never used this claim as a ground for taking actual possession 
of this part of her domains other than was incidentally involved in De Soto's 
doings. The name of Florida was first applied to the greater part of the 
eastern half of North America, commencing at the Gulf of Mexico, and 
proceeding northward indefinitely. 

England, basing her claims on the explorations made by her subjects 
along the Atlantic coast, issued to various individuals and "companies," 
charters to vast tracts of land extending from the Atlantic westward. 

Practically, however, the upper Mississippi Valley may be considered 
as having been in the first place Canadian soil, for it was Frenchmen from 
Canada, who first visited it and traded with its natives. The names of 
Canada and New France were used interchangeably to apply to the vast 
French possessions of the American continent. The name, Louisiana, was 
invented by La Salle and appUed by him to the entire Mississippi VaUey. 
But generally speaking, the Canada or New France of the eighteenth cen- 
tury took in the upper Mississippi Valley, while the name Louisiana was 
used for the lower valley. . 

At the close of the great European conflict which found its echo in 
the so-caUed French and Indian War in America, the area that is now 
Wisconsin, became by the Treaty of Paris, signed February 10, 1763 (a 
preliminary treaty having been signed at Fontainebleau, November 3, 1762) , 

a part of the British empire.^ . .u rp ^ . 

The success of the American Revolution, resulting m the Treaty ot 
Paris = September 3, 1783, revived the claims of the coast States; but finally 
these' claims were ceded to the Federal government, in order to form a 
national domain from which to create new States and Territories.^ The 
land having been acquired by the Federal authority, many P ^ns were pro- 
posed for its government. Thomas Jefferson suggested that the tern ory 
be divided into ten States, of which the State of Michigania was to include 

'^'"^The NOTthw^st^Territory was erected by the Congress of the Confed- 

36 



ii 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 37 

eration (the Constitution of the United States not being adopted until 
September 17, 1787) by the "Northwest Ordinance," passed July 13, 1787.'' 
Eventually there were formed from the Northwest Territory, in addition 
to Ohio," the Territories of Indiana' (May 7, 1800), Michigan* (January 
11, 1805), Illinois" (February 3, 1809) and Wisconsin'" (April 20, 1836). 
Wisconsin was a part of the Northwest Territory from July 13, 1787 to 
May 7, 1800 ; of Indiana Territory from May 7, 1800, to February 3, 1809 ; 
of Illinois Territry" from February 3, 1809, to April 18, 1818; and of 
Michigan Territory from April 18, 1818, to April 20, 1836, when the 
Territory of Wisconsin was created. 

Crawford County, erected by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor 
of Michigan Territory, October 26, 1818, included what is now Trempealeau 
County.'- When the Territory of Wisconsin was organized, Crawford 
County still contained in its vast area the present Umits of Trempealeau 
County. The same relation continued in early Statehood days. In 1845 
the part of what is now Trempealeau County north of the Buffalo River, 
became a part of Chippewa County.'^' La Crosse County was created in 
1851, and the same year was made to include what is now Trempealeau 
County south of the Buffalo River." 

Jackson County, when created May 11, 1853, included all of what is 
now Trempealeau County south of the Buffalo River and north of the line 
between Townships 18 and 19, the tract south of that line remaining in 
La Crosse County.^* 

Buffalo County, as created July 6, 1853, included all of what is now 
Trempealeau County, west of the line between Ranges 7 and 8, south of the 
Buffalo River and north of the line between Townships 18 and 19.'" 

In 1854 Buffalo County was enlarged. Its northern boundary was 
the line between Townships 24 and 25. Its western boundary was the 
Chippewa River. Its southern boundary was the Mississippi and the line 
between Townships 18 and 19. Its western boundary was the line between 
Townships 18 and 19.'' 

Trempealeau County, then called Trempe a I'eau, was created by Act 
approved January 24, 1854. It had practically its present boundaries, with 
the exception that the southern boundary, east of where the Black River 
touches the southwest corner of Town 19, Range 7, ran due east on the 
line between Townships 18 and 19, to the line between Ranges 6 and 7, 
instead of following the Black River to the line between Ranges 6 and 7, 
as at present.'* 

In 1857 the boundaries of Trempealeau and La Crosse were defined 
with reference to the channel of the Black River, which was made the 
boundary between the two counties from the line between Townships 17 
and 18, to the line between Ranges 6 and 7.'" A few days earlier, the 
boundaries of Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties had been defined in refer- 
ence to the channel and islands of the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers.-" 

The story of the creation of two counties instead of one along the banks 
of the Mississippi River between La Crosse County and the Chippewa River, 
is typical of the days of townsite speculation. In the summer of 1853 
there was a flourishing settlement at what is now Trempealeau, extending 



38 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to some extent up and down the Mississippi, and spreading out across the 
Trempealeau Prairie. Settlers had reached Beaver Creek Valley and Judge 
George Gale that year bought land on which to plat the Village of Galesville. 
There was a thriving settlement at Holmes' Landing, now Fountain City, 
and a smaller one at Twelve-Mile Bluff, now Alma. 

Marvin Pierce, who was something of a politician, lived at Montoville, 
now Trempealeau. With him were his two brothers, Wesley and James M. 
John Buehler was a citizen of Holmes' Landing. It is said that on a trip 
to his former home in Grant County, he stopped at Montoville, and inter- 
ested Marvin Pierce in the proposition of estabhshing a new county. 
According to the story told by Buehler later in life, Marvin Pierce went 
up to Holmes' Landing and secured the funds with which to lobby the 
required bill through the legislature.^' The Act was passed July 6, 1853, 
one of its provisions being the location of the county seat of the newly- 
formed Buffalo County at Sand Prairie, Lot 1, Section 1, Township ly, 
Range 12, which James M. Pierce had entered at the United States Land 
Office a few weeks previous, on June 1. 

The people of Holmes' Landing believed that their hopes of developing 
an important metropolis were about to be realized. Montoville was left 
in La Crosse County, and could never expect to rival La Crosse for county 
seat honors. The site of Judge Gale's proposed village was on the extreme 
edge of the newly-created Buffalo County, and could have no hope of 
securing county seat advantages. It is true that the people of Holmes' 
Landing were indignant that the Pierces had taken advantage of the 
situation and had secured the location of the county seat on a neighboring 
sand bar instead of actually at their village, nevertheless it was felt that 
the matter of persuading the supervisors to meet at the village instead of 
on what was practically a near-by Mississippi island, was a simple one. 
This feeling was fully justified, for the very first recorded gathering of 
the county board was held at Fountain City, and at that meeting the home 
of Henry Goerke, on Lot 6, Section 8, Township 19, was designated as the 
courthouse. 

There seemed absolutely no possibility for the creation of another 
county between Holmes' Landing and La Crosse, for a constitutional provi- 
sion prevented the division of any county having an area of 900 acres, 
without a vote of the people." 

Judge Gale, however, was a man of considerable inventiveness and 
influence. He did not propose to see his village site shelved to the edge 
of a county. He quietly interviewed his friends who were to serve in the 
legislature, and secured their support for an ingenious plan that he had 
conceived. In pursuance with this plan the legislature first passed an Act 
enlarging Buffalo County, extending it to its present western and northern 
boundaries. Buffalo County thus containing over 900 acres, it was subject 
to division by the legislature, and immediately a second Act was passed, 
taking a tract containing Trempealeau from La Crosse County, a tier of 
townships from Jackson County, and two tiers of townships from Buffalo 
County, and naming the new county Trempealeau. The county seat was 
located on the northwest quarter of Section 33, Township 19, Range 8, on 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 39 

Beaver Creek at Galesville. An election was to be held the first Monday 
in September, 1854, to designate a county judge who was to serve three 
years from January 1, 1855. A general election was to be held in Novem- 
ber, 1854, to elect all county officers, whose term was to commence January 
1, 1855. The board of supervisors of Montoville was to act as a board of 
supervisors of the county until other towns were organized and elections 
held.^« 

For story of French, Spanish and English domain in this region, see : Moses M. Strong, 
Civil Government from 1512 to 1831, History of the Territory of Wisconsin (Madison, 1885), 
151-165. 

For story of the territories of which Trempealeau County has been a part, see: F. Cur- 
tiss-Wedge, History of Winon-a County (Chicago, 1913), 50-58. See also: Reuben Gold 
Thwaites, Boundaries of Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 451-501. 

For story of the counties of which Trempealeau County has been a part, see: Louise 
Phelps Kellogg, Organization, Boundaries and Names of Wisconsin Counties, Wis. Hist. See., 
Proceedings, 1910, 18-4 et seq. 

1 — For preliminary treaty of Nov. 3, 1762 (printed from Gentleman 's Magazine, XXXIII, 
477-479), and the Quebec Act (reprinted from British Statutes at Large — iondon, 1776. XJI, 
184-187), see: Thwaites, ed.. Important Western State Papers, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 36-60. 
The Proclamation of King George established four separate governments in the acquired terri- 
tory, but none included Wisconsin. The Quebec Act extended the jurisdiction of Quebec to a 
tract of land embracing Wisconsin. But Virginia, in October, 1778, after the opening of 
the Revolution, claimed authority over land northwest of the Ohio, by establishing the county 
of Illinois, embracing a vast tract which included Wisconsin (Strong, History of the Territory 
of Wisconsin — Madison, 1885, 154-155). Virginia's claim was based on the King's grant in 
1609 to the London Company, which concluded with the words "and all that Space and Circuit 
of Land Lying from the Sea-coast of the Precinct aforesaid up into the land throughout, from 
Sea to Sea, West and Northwest" — Carrie J. Smith, MaVing of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1908), 
167. 

2— For provisional articles of Nov. 30, 1782 (309-312), definite treaty of Sept. 3, 1783 
(314-318), Jay's treaty of Nov. 19, 1794 (318-335), see: Treaties and Conventions Concluded 
Between the United States of America and other Powers (Wash., 1873). 

3 — For acts of relinquishment see: Lyman J. Nash and Arthur F. Belitz, revisers, 
Wisconsin Annotations (Madison, 1914), 1776-1787. For map of conflicting claims, see: 
Smith, MaUng of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1908), 168. 

4 — For map, see: Ibid., 170. 

5 — For text, see: Federal and State Constitutions (Washington, 1877), I, 429-432, or 
Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1788-1791. 

6 — When Indiana was created a territory. May 7, 1800, the eastern part of the old 
Northwest Territory still retained its original name. This eastern division, with a change of 
boundary, adopted a constitution and created a state government under the name of the State 
of Ohio, Nov. 29, 1802. Feb. 19, 1803, Congress declared that Ohio had become one of the 
states of the Union. For enabling act, see: Z United Stales Statutes at Large, 173, or Wis- 
consin Annotations, 1914, 1796-1797. For recognition act see: S United States Statutes at 
Large, 201, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1798. 

7 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 58, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1795 ; the enabling act 
was passed April 19, 1816 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 289, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 
1801-1802) ; the admission act was passed Dec. 11, 1816 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 299, or 
Wi.iGonsin Annotations, 1914, 1803. 

8 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 309, or W-isconsin Annotations, 1914, 1799. 

9 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 514, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1800; the enabling 
act was passed April 18, 1818 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 428, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 
1804-1805) ; the admission act was passed Dec. 3, 1818 (,? U. S. Statutes at Large, 536, or 
Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1806). The enabling act (Section 7) attached Wisconsin to 
Michigan territory. 



40 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

10 — 5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 10, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1807-1810; the en- 
abling act was passed Aug. 6, 1846 (S U. S. Statutes at Large, 56, or Wisconsin Annotations, 
1914, 1811-1812) ; the admission act was passed May 29, 1848 (9 V. S. Statutes at Large, 178, 
or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1813-1814. 

11 — Except a part of Kewaunee and Dorr counties. 

12 — Territorial Laws of Michigan Territory, I, 327. 

13 — Laws of Wisconsin Territory, 1845, 88. 

14 — Chapters 131 and 132, Laws of 1851. 

15 — Chapter 8, General Laws of 1853. 

16 — Chapter 100, General Laws of 1853. 

17 — Chapter 1, General Laws of 1854. 

18 — Chapter 2, General Laws of 1854. 

19 — Chapter 42, General Laws of 1857. 

20— Chapter 16, General Laws of 1857. 

21 — L. Kissinger, History of Buffalo County (Alma, 1888), 277, et Beq. 

22 — Constitution of Wisconsin, See. 7, Art. 13. 

23 — B. F. Heuston (probable author), Trempealeau County, History of Northern Wis- 
consin (Chicago, 1881), 1035. 



CHAPTER V 
REIGN OF THE INDIANS 

From the days of the early fur traders, Trempealeau County seems to 
have been occupied more or less in common, by two branches of the Siouan 
family of North American Indians, the Dakota or Sioux proper, and the 
Winnebago.' The Fox, Sauk and Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indians of the 
Algonquian family, also appear to have made frequent raids here, and 
various other tribes made their rendezvous at Trempealeau Bay in fur- 
trading days. 

The Winnebago were an outlying tribe of the Siouan family, believed 
by some writers to be an older branch than the Dakota themselves. They 
were visited at Green Bay by Jean Nicolet- as early as 1634.^ He knew 
them as the Men of the Sea or the Men of the Salt Water, from the aborig- 
inal name, Ouinipegou, which appears in the modern name of Winnebago. 
Literally the word ouinipeg meant "ill-smelling or dirty water," and the early 
French called the Winnebago Puants, or "Stinkards."^ In early fur-trading- 
days Winnebago were ranging as far westward as the Mississippi River.' 

For some two centuries thereafter central Wisconsin continued to be 
their home. The treaty of Prairie du Chien, signed August 19, 1825, by 
the Chippewa, Sauk and Fox, Menominee, Iowa, Sioux, Winnebago, and a 
portion of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi living on the Illinois, 
fixed various boundaries." The eastern line of the Sioux territory was to 
commence on the Mississippi opposite the mouth of the "loway" River, run 
back two or three miles to the bluffs, and follow the tops of the bluffs to 
the mouth of Black River, and thence to a point a short distance southwest 
of Eau Claire on the Chippewa River, "half a day's journey below the falls."'^ 

The Winnebago territory lay east of the Sioux. In defining a part of 
their western territory, the Winnebagoes claimed from the mouth of the 
Black River, up that stream to a point due west of the source of the left 
fork of the Wisconsin. Thus a part of Trempealeau County was neutral 
territory between the Winnebago and Sioux. 

By the Treaties of Butta des Morts on Fox River, August 11, 1827 ; 
of Green Bay, August 25, 1828, and of Prairie du Chien, August 1, 1829, 
the boundaries of the Winnebago were gradually curtailed, and on Septem- 
ber 15, 1832, at Ft. Armstrong, Rock Island, Illinois, they agreed to relin- 
quish their claim to all land south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, 
and to remove to the "neuti-al ground" a tract lying west of the Mississippi 
in northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. By the treaty of Wash- 
ington, D. C, November 1, 1837, they rehnquished all their land east of the 
Mississippi,. Subsequently, by treaty of October 13, 1846, they agreed to 
cede the tract assigned them in 1832, and to accept in return a tract north 
of the Minnesota and west of the Mississippi. The larger part of the tribe 

41 



42 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

was removed to Long Prairie, in the central part of Minnesota, in 1848, 
and small bands were moved from time to time in the years immediately 
following.' In 1855 the Winnebago agency was transferred, under the 
terms of the treaty signed February 27, and proclaimed March 23, to Blue 
Earth County, near Mankato, Minnesota, but the Sioux Massacre caused 
the whites to be apprehensive of the peaceful Winnebago, so (under an 
Act of Congress approved February 21, 1863) they were removed to Crow 
Creek, on the Missouri River, in North Dakota. In 1865 they agreed to 
move to a tract in Nebraska purchased from the Omaha Indians. The 
removal of the Winnebago to this Nebraska tract, known as the Black Bird 
Reservation, was accomplished in 1866. There a part of the tribe is still 
located. 

But the Winnebago have never been satisfied with any territory but 
the lands of central Wisconsin. Only a portion moved to the Turkey River 
country, in northeastern Iowa, under the agreement of 1832. The removal 
to Long Prairie, in Minnesota, in 1848 was accomplished under duress 
and with the aid of soldiers. In fact, upon reaching Winona, the Winnebago 
expressed their determination to go no further, and bloodshed was narrowly 
avoided. Before the trouble was ended many had slipped away and found 
their way back to their homes in Wisconsin. Others went to southeastern 
Nebraska and joined the Ottawa. The Indians who were taken to Long 
Prairie soon drifted southward in Minnesota or back to Wisconsin. Later 
others came back to Wisconsin from Blue Earth and from North Dakota. 
During the Minnesota Massacre of 1862 it was difficult for the citizens and 
volunteer soldiers to distinguish between a Dakota and a Winnebago Indian, 
so that many Winnebago who were absolutely innocent were shot without 
mercy. The Winnebago were, therefore, in danger from both the whites 
and the Dakota Indians, and many turned their faces toward the peaceful 
land of Wisconsin, and soon joined their friends on the old camping grounds. 

No sooner was the removal to the Black Bird Reservation accomplished 
in 1866, than others of the Winnebago took the trail that led to the old 
familiar haunts among the pine forests. Within two years, a large part of 
the tribe was back again in Wisconsin. 

Soon a new movement was on foot to compel them to return to 
Nebraska, and by a display of military force, hundreds were again removed 
to that region in the winter of 1873-74. During the troubles attending 
the forced removal, no less than 56 Indians were arrested in Trempealeau 
County." 

Taken to far-away Nebraska, the people of the unfortunate race still 
longed for their native woods and streams, and their thoughts wandered 
over the old hunting grounds and berry fields of Wisconsin. In the pine 
woods were the graves of their dead, which made the soil more sacred in 
their minds, and there were the camping grounds where all of their festiv- 
ities were held, and they hungered for the scenes and associations of the 
olden days. 

The homeward trail was soon thronged with the returning stragglers, 
and within a year, half of the tribe were back. This time Fate was kinder 
to them, for in 1875 the government gave them the homestead right, which 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 43 

enabled them to gain a home of their own by building houses and doing a 
certain amount of improving on their land. The larger part of the Winne- 
bago are now scattered through a territory in the Black River Valley and 
to the westward. 

The land they live on will probably never be of any particular benefit 
to them ; it is sandy, poor soil, among the scrub oaks and jack pines. Some 
little corn is raised, as well as potatoes, and a few of the Indians raise 
chickens. 

During the blueberry season the Indians pick berries and sell them, and 
during the cranberry season they find employment, and go in bands to the 
marshes, where they camp until the crop is gathered. 

Thus live the descendants of a race which once had at its command 
the unmeasured sweeps of nature, and the boundless wealth of forest and 
plain, lake and river. 

The Dakota, proper, who shared Trempealeau County with the Winne- 
bago, were the principal division of the Siouan family, and are more 
commonly called by their family name of Sioux, rather than by their indi- 
vidual name of Dakota. The Siouan family consisted not only of the 
Dakota, proper, but also of the Winnebago, the Assiniboin, the Minnetare 
group, and the Osage and southern kindred tribes.^" 

The word Sioux, now applied to the whole linguistic family, is a cor- 
ruption of the word Nadouessi or Nadouescioux, meaning "the snake-like 
ones," or "the enemies," the name by which the Chippewa and other Algon- 
quin Indians called the Dakotas. Dakota, variously spelled, was applied 
by this branch of the Siouan family to themselves, and means "joined 
together in friendly compact." An important division of the Dakotas was 
the M'dewakanton (commonly rendered Medawakanton) tribe. At one 
time the Medewakanton had their headquarters about the Mille Lacs region 
in northern Minnesota, hence their name, which means "The People of 
the Spirit Lake." Evidently driven out by the Chippewa, who had obtained 
arms from the whites, they established themselves in seven villages along 
the Mississippi and Minnesota.'' 

The Medawakanton relinquished their claim to all lands east of the 
Mississippi and all the islands in that river by the treaty signed at Wash- 
ington, D. C, September 29, 1837.'= Thus in 1837, Trempealeau passed 
from the dominion of both the Winnebago and the Dakota, and into the 
possession of the whites. By a treaty signed in 1851 and proclaimed in 
1853, the Medawakanton relinquished their vast possessions in Minnesota, 
and afterward were removed to a reservation on the upper Minnesota River, 
in the western part of the State of Minnesota. They took part in the 
Massacre of 1862, and fled or were removed from Minnesota. A larger 
part of Indians of that blood are now at the Santee Reservation, in 
Nebraska.'' Others are at Flandreau, South Dakota, or scattered through 
Minnesota. 

Aside from the wandering Indian bands which pitched their camp in 
Trempealeau County from the days of Perrot, three bands seem to have 
made their home in the locality at various times before the coming of the 
settlers, the Winnebago bands of Red Bird and Decorah, and the Medawa- 



44 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

kanton Dakota band of Wabasha. Since the coming of the settlers there 
have been scattering encampments. 

The chiefs of the Wabasha dynasty early became familiar with Trem- 
pealeau Mountain and Trempealeau Prairie, and Wabasha II maintained 
the home of the tribe here for several years. Wabasha I was probably born 
about 1720.^* His name is variously rendered — Ouabashas, Wapasha, 
Wapahasha and Wah-pah-hah-sha — and means red leaf, red cap, or red 
war banner. He was of mixed Sioux and Algonquian blood, his father 
having been a Dakota chief and his mother a Chippewa princess." He 
was head chief of all the Medawakanton Dakota, his own immediate band 
probably embodying the ancient Mantanton. The band was known to the 
Dakota themselves as the Ona-pe-ton or Falling Leaf Band. He appears 
to have moved his village from the Mille Lacs region in Minnesota, first to 
the lower valley of the Rum River and subsequently to the mouth of the 
Minnesota, both in the same State. Later he established himself and his 
band at the present site of Winona.'" At Winona (Ke-ox-ah) the head- 
quarters of the band seem to have been maintained until the treaty of 1851, 
though for many decades, apparently until after the time of Pike in 1805, 
the band had a village on the Upper Iowa River. Wabasha I was greatly 
honored by the British, made a number of trips to Montreal, received the 
confirmation of the authorities to his title as head chief of all the Medawa- 
kanton, was a general in the British army in the Revolutionary War, and 
led his troops in the British campaign against the Americans at St. Louis, 
St. Genevieve, Missouri, and elsewhere. In his old age he was exiled by 
jealous relatives from his chieftainship and from the Winona village, and 
probably died in Houston County, Minnesota, about 1806. Wabasha II 
succeeded him as chief, and reigned until his death in 1836. He is the 
La Feuille, The Leaf, who came in contact with all the early American 
explorers beginning with Pike in 1805. He sided with the British in the 
War of 1812. When Long came up the river in 1817, Wabasha was firmly 
established at Winona. But a short time before the Black Hawk War, 
the village was moved to Trempealeau Prairie as a precaution against the 
raids made by the Sauk of Iowa.'" The band continued, however, to hold 
its celebrations and dances at Ke-ox-ah (Winona). Wabasha II took part 
in the Black Hawk War of 1832, and assisted in exterminating many of the 
Sauk and Foxes as they were fleeing across the Mississippi River into Iowa 
after their defeat at the mouth of Bad Axe River. He died of smallpox at 
the age of about 63, in 1836. The scourge had swept his band, and the whole 
village was reduced to a few teepes. Wabasha II was highly praised by 
all the whites with whom he came in contact. In person he was of low 
stature, and his face was disfigured by having lost one eye. In character 
he was wise, prudent and brave, a friend of the whites, and what was 
unusual in those days, absolutely abstemious in his habits, and an earnest 
advocate of temperance. 

He was succeeded by Wabasha III, who after the treaty of 1837 main- 
tained his home and his tribe in Winona until the settlers arrived in 1851.^* 
Then he moved across the river into Wisconsin, and spent some time in this 
vicinity before locating in the western part of Minnesota. Wabasha III 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 45 

led his warriors in the Dakota outbreak of 1862, although he was opposed 
to it, and was one of the first to make proposals of peace to the whites, even 
while his nation was still in arms. After the Massacre he was removed 
to Missouri and finally to Santee, Nebraska, where he died April 23, 1876, 
a solitary, broken man, who had inherited the chieftainship of an empire, 
and had watched his people dwindle before the onrushing wave of a race 
that had defrauded him of his possessions. 

Red Bird, a famous Winnebago chief, is believed to have had a village 
on the Black River.'" Red Bird was born in 1788 and died in 1827. Various 
stories are told of the origin of his name, one being that he wore on each 
shoulder the plumage of a red bird, in imitation of the epaulettes which he 
had seen worn by American officers.-" He is described as being perfect 
in form, face and gesture. In height he was about six feet, straight and 
without restraint. His proportions from his head to his feet were those 
of the most exact symmetry, and even his fingers were models of beauty. 
His face was full of all the ennobling, and, at the same time, winning 
expressions ; it appeared to be a compound of grace and dignity, of firmness 
and decision, all tempered with mildness and meixy. Until the Red Bird 
outbreak he had the confidence of the whites to the extent that his presence 
at Prairie du Chien was looked upon as an assurance of protection from 
any Indian troubles. But after learning of what he believed to be the 
basest treachery and cruelty to some of his people by the officers at Fort 
Snelling, he sought the most terrible revenge. With two companions, 
We-kau and Chic-hon-sic, he went to the home of Rijeste Gagnier, two 
miles southeast from Prairie du Chien, killed Gagnier, scalped and wounded 
an infant, who afterward recovered, and killed a boarder, Solomon Lipcap. 
The same day Red Bird and his band attacked two boats on the Mississippi, 
killing a number of whites. Later Red Bird and his two companions gave 
themselves up to the authorities. Red Bird died in prison at Prairie du 
Chien, February 16, 1828. His two companions were pardoned by President 
John Quincy Adams.^^ 

The Winnebago, under One-Eyed Decorah, had a village at one time 
about a mile and a half from Decorah's Peak, on the Black River, and when 
the first white settlers arrived on the prairie the small elevations on the 
ground where the Indians had cultivated their corn fields were still to be 
seen. 

Both the Prairie and Decorah's Peak were named after this one-eyed 
chief, and Winnebago tradition is concerned with a battle fought on the 
Prairie between the Winnebago and Chippewa. Decorah is said to have 
watched this battle from the peak that bears his name, and when he saw 
his followers were being defeated, fled from the scene of conflict and found 
shelter in a near-by cave, where he remained in hiding until night 
approached, when he made his way to his brother's camp on the La Crosse 
River. 

There are other versions of this tradition — one giving the Dakota as 
participating in the battle instead of the Chippewa. But as the Dakota 
and Winnebago were friendly alhed tribes of the Siouan family, and the 
Chippewa were the Winnebago's most dreaded enemy, it is altogether 



46 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

probable that the Chippewa were the ones that defeated Decorah and his 
followers. 

Traditions are bound to vary, but they point to their origin in a funda- 
mental fact, and although we get them clothed in garments that have been 
added by the passing generations, we can still find the original framework 
intact. 

Antoine Grignon,- - who has heard the tribesmen repeat the tradition 
of the battle of Decorah's Peak, says that the battle must have been fought 
shortly after the war of 1812, and was a bloody encounter, raging furiously 
all of one day and well into the evening, when the defeated warriors of 
Decorah fled from the darkening scent of conflict, leaving their dead strewn 
upon the field. 

After the removal of the Winnebago to Long Prairie, in central Minne- 
sota, Decorah found his way back to Wisconsin again. In 1855 he went 
with the other Winnebago to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, but when they 
were removed to North Dakota, he once more started, with his followers, 
toward Wisconsin. When the Indians, in their canoes, reached the Black 
River, they paddled up its waters until a suitable camping place was found, 
when they landed and erected their teepes once more among their native 
forests. 

Decorah and his small band of followers were camped in the little Tam- 
arack in the summer of 1863, and it was there that Grignon visited him 
for the last time. "He was an old man then," said Grignon, "his long hair 
was thin and streaked with gray, and he was nearly blind. But his body 
was well preserved, and his well-developed muscular form showed what a 
powerful man he had been. In height he was a little taller than the average 
Indian, but he was stocky and solid in build. He was discouraged with the 
outlook for his people, and said that he had not been dealt with fairly by 
the government. About a year after my visit to his camp old Decorah 
died at Tunnel City, Wisconsin, in August, 1864." 

In the dingy, smoky wigwam, among a few of his loyal band, the old 
chief departed for the "happy hunting ground," leaving behind the cringing 
form of poverty that had cursed his old age, and dimmed the glory of his 
sunset. He, who once held sway over his flourishing Village, and counted 
a territory as his domain, larger than Trempealeau County, fell asleep, the 
feeble ruler of a single tepee, its very dirt and rags not his own. 

There are still lineal descendants of the old chief Uving among the 
Winnebago in this State, and over at Galesville on a point of land near the 
Arctic Springs his granddaughter, Princess Marie Nounka, is buried. 

When the first settler arrived in this county .Decorah's Peak had virtually 
been named, but not the Prairie, which was first called Scotch Prairie during 
the early fifties on account of its Scotch settlement. 

The Indians told the tradition of Decorah's Peak to the early traders, 
and the story repeated from time to time fastened the name of the Winne- 
bago chief to this prominent landmark. 

The Decorah family, which embraces in its numbers not only several 
notable Indian chiefs, but also some of the most distinguished white families 
in Wisconsin, was founded by Sabrevior De Carrie, a French officer of gentle 



HISTORY OF TREMPBALEATT COUNTY 47 

blood, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Quebec, April 28, 1760. 
This gallant adventurer married in 1729 a famous Winnebago queen, called 
Hopokoekaw, the Glory of the Moi'ning, sister of the head chief." Their 
descendants are variously called Decorah, De Carrie, DeKauray, Dakorah, 
Day Korah, and De Corrah. One of the sons was called Cha-post-kaw-kaw, 
or The Buzzard. The Buzzard established a village on La Crosse Prairie 
about 1787. He was killed in a drunken brawl by one of his sons, Mau- 
wah-re-gah. One-Eyed Decorah (Le Borgne) was another son of The 
Buzzard, and was born near the Portage on the Wisconsin River about 1772, 
receiving the name of Watch-hut-ta-kah ( Wadge-hutta-kaw) or Big Canoe.-^ 
He lived in the vicinity of La Crosse for many years and was noted for the 
part he took in the capture of Black Hawk at the close of the Black Hawk 
War. He aided in the capture of Mackenaw in 1812, was out in 1813 when 
the British attacked Fort Stephenson, and took part in Colonel William 
McKay's expedition against Prairie du Chien in 1814. He was a signer of 
the Prairie du Chien treaty in 1825. 

He possibly had his village at Gale's Landing (Ferry) on the Black 
River from before 1826 until 1842.=' It is certain that in 1832 the Winne- 
bago under Old Decorah (Schachip-ka-ka) was chief of a village on the 
La Crosse River and ranged the Mississippi in this vicinity.^" One-Eyed 
Decorah that summer was encamped at the entrance to the lower mouth 
of the Black River, while Winneshiek and Wau-mar-nar-sar hunted up the 
La Crosse and Black Rivers.^' In 1843, One-Eyed Decorah had a camp 
on Broken Gun Slough, a branch of the Black River.-** 

Black Hawk, leader of the Fox and Sauk Uprising in 1832, was captured 
near Arcadia, in Trempealeau County, according to Indian tradition. Offi- 
cial reports, however, declare that Black Hawk and his followers retreated 
to the Dalles of the Wisconsin River, and were there captured about two 
miles above Kilbourn City, by the One-Eyed Decorah and Cha-e-tar, who 
took them to Prairie du Chien, August 27, 1832, and delivered them to 
General Joseph D. Street, the Indian Agent.^" 

The tradition of the capture near Arcadia was related through Antoine 
Grignon, to Dr. E. D. Pierce, by 0-kick-chum-hak (Looking Glass), a 
medicine man, nearly eighty-five years old, and though it has no foundation 
in history, it is here given as one of the tales of the Indian lore of Trempea- 
leau County, oft repeated around the vanishing campfires of a dying race. 

"After the battle of Bad Axe, where so many of the followers of Black 
Hawk were cruelly slaughtered, the old chief and two followers fled north- 
ward, following the course of the Mississippi River, and carefully avoiding 
any trading post or trapper's cabin, until they reached the Trempealeau 
River, known by the Winnebago as the Nee-chum-ne-chum-u-kah, or 
flooding river, on account of its overflowing its banks during the spring 
season and when heavy rains occurred. The Hawk now turned his steps 
to follow the course of "The Flooding River," but he was weary with the 
effects of the hard campaign, and broken in spirits with its disastrous 
results, so he made his way but slowly through the tangled underbrush, 
and along the hills of a strange land. His sad-hearted companions, too, 
were wont to lag, and though game was plentiful, they were unable to 



48 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

secure enough to satisfy their craving appetites, which had been made 
keen by long, hard marching for many months where at one time the flesh 
of half-starved horses kept them from perishing with hunger. 

"But the Sac chief and his faithful companions struggled along up the 
river, and succeeded in reaching a well-hidden thicket along its banks, 
opposite Barn Bluff, and near the present village of Arcadia, where they 
went into camp, as it was toward evening, and they were in sore need of 
food and rest. 

"In the meantime four Winnebago braves, Ne-no-hump-e-kah, or one 
who clears the water, Ra-koo-a-e-kah, Chosh-chum-hut-ta-kah, meaning Big 
Wave, and Wa-kow-oha-pin-kar (Good Thunder), were in hot pursuit of 
Black Hawk, and since the battle of Bad Axe had been following the trail of 
the noted Sac. They traveled up the Trempealeau Valley, keeping close 
watch for any signs of the fleeing Indians, and were rewarded by finding 
fresh traces of the trail, which they pursued with savage interest. One 
day they lost the trail, and seeing a high barn-shaped bluff in the distance 
resolved to climb it, and take a look at the surrounding country in the 
hope of catching a glimpse of the hunted fugitives. It was near sunset 
when they reached the summit of Barn Bluff, on the same day that Black 
Hawk and his men went into camp in the thicket on the banks of. the 
Trempealeau River. 

"The Winnebago braves looked down on the wild country with its rough 
hills stretching away in every direction, while the river gleaming with a 
touch of the sinking sun, threaded its way silently through the valley and 
was lost from sight in the misty thicket far down below. The Indians 
scanned the horizon that seemed to touch a continuous range of hills formed 
into an immense circle. They looked up the river, and down the river, and 
then away down among the thickets one discovei'ed a thin smoke arising, 
and caught the glimpse of a campfire. 

"A council was quickly held to determine what course to pursue, in 
endeavoring to capture Black Hawk, should it prove to be his camp. It 
was decided to steal continuously down in the dusk of the evening and 
surround the camp, and when its inmates were busy eating to slip up and 
capture them, for they wanted to take Black Hawk alive. Accordingly 
as arranged, they made their way downward, guided by the light of the fire, 
and surrounded the Indians, who were peacefully eating their evening meal. 
After watching the care-worn men a short time a signal was given, at which 
the four braves rushed forward to the capture. No force was needed, how- 
ever, as Black Hawk quietly gave himself up. He was taken to the trading 
post at La Crosse and turned over to One-Eyed Decorah and Wa-kon-ah-kah 
(Snake Skin), two noted Winnebago chiefs, and they sent him a prisoner 
down the river to Prairie du Chien." 

After his capture he was sent from Prairie du Chien to Jefferson 
Barracks, Missouri, in charge of Jefferson Davis, then an officer in the 
United States army, later President of the Confederate States of America. 
In April, 1833, he was taken east, was confined for a while at Fortress 
Monroe, was taken on a tour through the cities of the East, was afterward 
released, settled on the Des Moines River, and died October 3, 1838.2" 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 49 

A Winnebago Indian village under the chief Ni-No-Humpt-Pinter, occu- 
pied considerable territory in Dodge Township when the early settlers 
arrived. The village began north of what is now Dodge Village, where 
there was a large Indian field, and extended out into Buffalo County as far 
as the Engelhart Doeille farm, where there was another large corn field. 
These Indians had substantial huts and pony stables. The huts were built 
of limbs of trees protected by bundles of grass on sides and roof, and were 
banked to a height of four feet or more with soil. The pony stables were 
constructed in much the same manner. Fences protected the growing corn 
from the ponies. These fences were of curious structure. First, crotched 
sticks were driven into the ground. These supported a single Une of rails. 
At regular intervals crossed stakes were driven, meeting just above the 
single rail, and on the crotch thus formed was laid another rail. This made 
a double-rail fence, supported by perpendicular crotched sticks, and vertical 
crossed stakes. 

The Indians were peaceable and friendly, visiting at the homes of the 
settlers at all hours of day and night. They often begged for food, but were 
generous with their own, and were not given to theft or crime of any kind. 

The men had guns and hunted and fished most of the time. Deer were 
plentiful, but the Indians did not hunt for sport, and seldom killed more 
than was needed for immediate use, and though plenty of game was to be 
obtained, the Indians never wantonly slaughtered the wild animals and 
birds, and were never wasteful. In hot weather, the squaws would dress 
and skin the deer carcass, cut it into strips, and hang it up to dry. 

These Indians reared many children, who were expert swimmers and 
canoeists, at a time when the current in the river was much swifter than 
it is now. These youngsters were good-natured, but shy, and were never 
troublesome. Their parents seemed to feel for them a deep affection, and 
their lives seemed to be a happy one. They appeared to be healthy and 
robust, and they and their elders often helped on the settlers' farms, espe- 
cially in harvest time. 

In their social life, they kept largely to themselves. The only inter- 
marriage with the whites was that of Ma-Sho-Pe-We-Ka, a sister of Black 
Hawk, with Volney Kingsley, a union to which four children were born. 

The early settlers also found other encampments in various parts of 
the county, and to this day, temporary camps may be found along the waste 
lands of the river courses. 

1 — Frederick Webb Hodge, Enndbook of American Indians, Bulletin 30, Bureau of 
Ethnology (Washington, 1907), I, 376-382, for the Dakota; I, 95S-961, for the Winnebago. 
Also consult indexes of the published "Collections" of the Wisconsin and Minnesota Historical 
Societies. 

2 — Reuben Gold Thwaitca, ed. French Regeme in Wisconsin (Extract from Jesuit Rela- 
tions, Cleveland issue, XXXIII, 275-279), Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 1-2. Also see: Ihid, 4 
(Extract from La Potherie's Eistoire de I'Amerique, printed at Paris in 1722 and again in 
1753). Also: Consul W. Butterfield, ffisiori/ of the Discovery of the Northwest by Jeam 
Nicniet (Cincinnati, 1881). Also: Henrie Juan, Jean Nicolet (Translated from the French hj 
Grace Clark), Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 1-22. For bibliography see: Butterfield, Jbid., 23-25. 
An excellent summary of the subject, together with the extract from the Jesuit Selations, 



50 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

XXXIII, 275-279, just mentioned, is found: L. P. Kellogg, Early Narratives of the North- 
west (New York, 1917), 11-16. 

3 — Thwaites, editorial note, Jouan, Nicolet, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 1-2. 

4 — Juan, Nicolet, Ibid., 13, note. 

5 — Thwaites, The French E^g^me in Wisconsin, Part 2, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 207. 

6 — ^Richard Peters, ed., Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes, U. S. 
Statutes at Large (Boston, 1861), VII, 272. See same volume for all Indian treaties from 
1778 to 1842. 

7 — Chas. C. Royce, Indian Land Cessions, ISth Anvual Report, Bureau of Ethnology 
(Washington, 1899), II, 710-712. See same volume for all Indian Land Cessions. 

8 — Return I. Holcombe, Minnesota in Three Centuries (New York, 1908), II, 207-218. 
Also: L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs (Winona, 1897), 337-341. Also: Maj. J. E. 
Fletcher, Report, Ex. Doc, No. 1, Second Session, Thirtieth Congress. Also: Eben D. Pierce, 
Recollections of Antoine Grignon, Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1913, 118-119. 

9 — Thwaites, The Wisconsin Winnebago, Wis. Hist. CoUs., XII, 414. (The entire arti- 
cle, — 399-433, — is a most excellent history of the Winnebagoes in Wisconsin since 1828.) 

10 — J. W. Powell, Indian Linguistic Families, 7th Annual Report, Bureau of Ethnology 
(Washington, 1891), 111-112. 

11 — N. H. Winehell, ed.. Aborigines of Minnesota (St. Paul, 1911), 541 et seq. 

12 — Peters, ed.. Treaties, U. S. Statutes at Large, VII, 538. Royce, Indian Land Cessions, 
18th Annual Report, Bureau of Ethnology, II, 766. 

13 — Holcombe, Minnesota in Three Centuries, II, 108-109. 

14 — For the story of the Wabasha dynasty, see: Winehell, Aborigines of Minnesota, 
540-558. Also: F. Curtiss- Wedge, History of Winona Cmmty (Cliicago, 1913), I, 18-31. 
Also: Bunnell, Winona and lis Environs, 151-154. Also: Hodge, Handbook of American 
Indians, II, 911. 

15 — Henry R. Schoolcraft, The American Indian, History, Conditions and Prospects 
(Rochester, 1851), 137. 

16 — For Indian myth concerning the removal of the band to this region, see: Bunnell, 
Winona and Its Environs, 111117. 

17— Ibid., 209. 

18— Curtiss-Wedge, History of Winona County, 117, 123-124, 127-128. 

19— Edward D. Neill, History of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 4th ed., 1882), 394-395. Also: 
Wm. J. Snelling (supposed author), Winnebago Outbreak of 1827, Wis. Hist. Colls., V, 143. 

20 — Hodge, Handbook of American Indians, II, 358. 

21 — For story of Red Bird troubles, see: Snelling (supposed author), Winnebago 
Outbreak of 1827, Wis. Hist. Colls., V, 143-154. Also: Moses M. Strong, Indian Wars of 
Wisconsin, Id., VIII, 254-265. Also: Col. Thos. L. McKenny, Winnebago War, Id., V, 
178-204. Also: James H. Loekwood, Early Times and Events in Wisconsin, Id., II, 156-168. 
Also: Ebenezer Childs, Recollections, Id., IV, 172-174. 

22 — In an interview with Eben D. Pierce, M. D. 

23— Jonathan Carver, Travels (Philadelphia, 1796), 20. Also: Geo. Gale, Upper Mis- 
sissippi (Chicago and New York, 1867), 81, 82, 189. Also: Mrs. John H. Kinzie, Wau Bun, 
1856), 89, 486. Also: Loctwood, Early Times and Events in Wisconsin, Wi.i. Hist. Colls., 
II, 178. Also: Lyman C. Draper's note to: Daniel Steele Durrie, Jonathan Carver and 
Carver's Grant, Id., VI, 224. Also: John T. De La Ronde, Narrative, Id., VII, 347, 
Also: Augusten Grignon, Recollections, Id., Ill, 286-289. Also: Andrew Jackson Turner, 
History of Fort Winnebago, Id., 86, note. 

24 — Lyman C. Draper 's note to : Black Hawk War, Id., V, 297. 

25 — Gale, Letter in Galesville Transcript (Galesville, Feb. 1, 1861), I, No. 46, 2. But 
Walking Ooud, Thwaites, ed.. Wis. Hist. Colls., XIII, 465, says that One Eyed Decorah was 
not a chief untU after the Bla>ck Hawk War — that it was not until after that war that Decorah 
settled on the Black River. And Burnett, in a letter to General William Clark, June 29, 1831, 
speaks of a rumor that a few days previous One Eyed Decorah had left his village at Prairie 
La Crosse, and gone down to the Sacs and Foxes (Alfred Brunson, Memoire of Thomas P. 
Burnett, Id., II, 253). 

26 — Brunson, Memoire of Burnett, Id., II, 257, 259-260. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 51 

27— Ibid. 261. Also: Thwaites, The Wisconsin Winnebagoes, Id., XII, 430-431. 

28 — Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 227. 

29 — Spoon Decorah, a cousin of One Eyed Decorah, tells still another Indian tradition 
and locates the capture near the headquarters of the La Crosse River. (Thwaites, ed., Narrative 
of Spoon Decorah, Wis. Hist. Colls., XIII, 454-455.) Thwaites in a note to Walking Cloud's 
Narrative, Ibid., 465, refutes the various Indian traditions and discusses the unreliability of 
Indian tradition in general. Draper, in a note to Satterlee Clark 's Early Times at Ft. Winne- 
bago, Id., VIII, 316, mentions the various traditions of the capture aud refutes them by a 
quotation from the official report locating the capture near the Dalles of the Wisconsin. For 
various accounts of the capture see: Dc La Eonde, Narrative, Id., VII, 351. Also: John 
T. Kingston, Early Wisconsin Days, Ibid., 332. Also: Thwaites, The Black Hawk War, 
Id., XII, 261, text and note. Also: Strong, Indian Wars of Wisconsin, Id., VIII, 285. 
Also: David McBride, Capture of Black Hawk, Id., V, 293-297. 

30 — Willard Barrows, Death of Black Hawk, Id., V, 305. Also: Thwaites, The Black 
Hawk War, Id., XII, 262. 



CHAPTER VI 

EXPLORERS AT TREMPEALEAU MOUNTAIN 

The scenery in the vicinity of Trempealeau Mountain is perhaps as 
beautiful as any in the great Mississippi Valley. The bluffs along the river 
extend about three miles above the village, from Liberty Peak to Trempea- 
leau Mountain, and present many varieties of shape and form, from a low, 
graceful mound to a towering, rugged cUff. The highest elevation is 
Brady's Peak, which rises to a height of over five hundred feet above the 
river, and from its summit a broad view may be had of the surrounding 
country. 

Looking up the river from this peak, Trempealeau Mountain appears 
far beneath, with its wooded sides sloping towards its crest of evergreens, 
and its base washed by the waters of the bay that separates it from the 
mainland. Extending from the bay is a chain of lakes ; farther up, is Trem- 
pealeau River, winding among the woods and tall grasses; and in every 
direction from the river gleam the waters of sloughs where the wild rice 
bends above the haunts of the wild duck. Far below, gliding in solemn 
majesty, is the tawny Mississippi, bounded by ragged bluffs and dotted 
with islands of innumerable shape and size, that rest on the glassy surface 
like huge wooded rafts. Across the river rise the Minnesota bluffs, holding 
in their embrace numerous cozy valleys. The hills seem to roll like great 
green waves, breaking the land into a succession of valleys ; and reposing 
among them are many sequestered homes. 

Indian tradition early associated itself with one peculiarly situated 
mountain among the Trempealeau range. This, they believed, had been 
carried off by supernatural force from the neighborhood of a Sioux village 
on the site of modern Red Wing. When warriors of this tribe found it at 
its present location they are said to have called it Pah-hah-dah (The moved 
mountain) ; while the neighboring Winnebago gave it the appellation of 
Hay-nee-ah-chah (Soaking Mountain).' The French voyageurs translated 
these terms into La Montague qui trempe a I'eau (The mountain that is 
steeped in the water) . 

The first civilizecl men - to gaze upon the towering crags of Trempea- 
leau Mountain were probably Father Louis Hennepin, a priest of the Order 
of Recollects of St. Francis, and his two companions, Antoine du Gay 
Auguel, known from his birthplace as "le Picard," and Michel Accault.^ 
They were sent out by Robert Cavelier de La Salle from Fort Crevecoeur, 
near Lake Peoria, IlUnois, February 28, 1680. They were on their way up 
the Mississippi when they were captured by a band of Sioux warriors on 
the warpath against the Illinois and Miami nations. These Sioux took 
the white men to the Mille Lacs region, in northern Minnesota. Hennepin 
does not mention Trempealeau Mountain. He speaks of the Black River 

52 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 53 

(R. Noire) and declares that the Sioux called the stream Cha-be-de-ba or 
Cha-ba-ou-de-ba. He is believed to have spent a night at what is now the 
site of Winona. He mentions the Buffalo River (R. de Beeuf s) , which he 
said was full of turtles. It is probable that by Buffalo River he meant the 
Chippewa River, which he possibly entered through Beef Slough.^ He 
also speaks of Lake Pepin, which he calls the Lake of Tears (Lac des 
Pleurs). After spending a while in the Mille Lacs region, Hennepin and 
Auguel leaving Accault as a hostage, were taken down the Mississippi by 
the Indians looking for supplies which La Salle was to have sent to the 
mouth of the Wisconsin. On their way down the river, guarded by a chief 
Ouasicoude (Wacoota) and a company of Indians, Hennepin and Auguel 
came to St. Anthony Falls (near Minneapolis) which Hennepin named. 
They continued down the river, and again passed Trempealeau Mountain. 
July 11, 1680, while hunting for the mouth of the Wisconsin River, the 
party was overtaken by more Indians, headed by Aquipaguetin, a Sioux 
chief who had taken Hennepin into his family as an adopted son. Some 
time was spent in hunting in the region between the Chippewa River and 
the Wisconsin River. The squaws hid meat at the mouth of the Chippewa 
and on various islands. Then the party descended the river and hunted 
over the prairies further south. July 25, 1680, while again ascending the 
river, the party encountered Du Luth and a bodyguard of French soldiers. ■ 
Daniel Greysolon, better known as the Sieur Du Luth (variously rendered), 
had started out from Montreal on September 1, 1678, explored the Lake 
Superior region and the territory westward, met the Sioux in the Mille 
Lacs region, and on July 2, 1779, set up the standard of New France at 
their village. He returned to Lake Superior from that lake the next 
summer, ascended the Brule River, made the portage to the St. Croix and 
was on his way down the Mississippi when he learned that Hennepin and 
his two companions were in slavery among the Sioux." Hastening to the 
rescue, Duluth journeyed down the Mississippi with an Indian and two 
Frenchmen, and after a canoe trip of two days and two nights, overtook 
Hennepin and about 1,000 Indians. This meeting probably took place near 
Trempealeau Mountain or possibly somewhat further south. Du Luth 
fearlessly took Hennepin in his own canoe and started up the river to the 
Mille Lacs region, which they reached August 14, 1680. There, at a council 
he upbraided the Indians in scathing terms. He told them that Hennepin 
was his brother; he denounced them for making Hennepin and the two 
companions slaves and taking away Hennepin's priestly robes ; he taunted 
them that after receiving his peace offerings and being associated with 
Frenchmen for a year, they should have kidnaped other Frenchmen on 
their way to make them a friendly visit. As a climax, Du Luth returned 
the peace calumets which the Indians gave him. The savages began to 
make excuses, but this did not deter Du Luth from his resolution to take 
Hennepin away. Hennepin himself was rebuked by Du Luth for suffering 
insult without resentment, as such conduct lowered the prestige of the 
French. Toward the end of September, Du Luth, Hennepin, and their 
party once more descended the Mississippi River and reached Canada by 
way of the Wisconsin River, the Portage, the Fox River and Green Bay. 



54 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Thus, in the fall of 1680, Hennepin and Du Luth and their companions 
beheld for the last time the picturesque surroundings of Trempealeau 
Mountain. 

Hennepin's account of his adventures contains many interesting 
descriptions of life on this portion of the Mississippi in that far-distant 
time. One day the Indians in the party captured and killed a deer while 
it was swimming across the Mississippi. But the weather was so hot the 
flesh spoiled in a few hours. Thus left without food, the Indians caught a 
few turtles, but the capture was difficult, Hennepin says, because the turtles 
would plunge into the water and evade capture. They caught but four 
fish and were very thankful whenever they could secure a Buffalo fish 
dropped by an eagle. Hennepin was particularly interested in the peculiar 
appearance of the Shovelnose Sturgeon. He saw one which an otter caught, 
and Auguel declared that it reminded him of a devil in the paws of an 
animal. But after frightening the otter away, they ate the fish and 
found it very good. 

The first white man to maintain a habitation beneath the shadows of 
Trempealeau Mountain was Nicolas Perrot, who for some twenty years 
was a trader and interpreter in the Northwest for the French." Perrot 
arrived at Green Bay, where he was already well known, in the late summer 
of the year 1685. He found the Indians restless and inclined to intertribal 
warfare, so that some time was spent in their pacification. It was later 
than he had planned, therefore, when he set out for the country of the 
Sioux, where he hoped to secure a great harvest of valuable furs. After 
crossing the Wisconsin portage, and proceeding down that river to its 
mouth, he turned his little fleet of canoes boldly upstream ; bur as the 
weather was growing cold and traveling difficult, they "found a place where 
there was timber, which served them for building a fort, and they took 
up their quarters at the foot of a mountain, behind which was a great 
prairie abounding in wild beasts."** To one familiar with the topography 
of this section, the description of the site of Perrot's wintering quarters 
in 1685-86 is very clearly that of the Trempealeau bluffs, because these are 
the only bluffs near the river having a large prairie in their rear, and 
Trempealeau Mountain, moreover, is a well-known landmark on the upper 
Mississippi. 

In addition to this, ruins have been discovered which clearly prove the 
existence of a post at this point at an early period.-' To connect these ruins 
with Perrot's post, there is the well-known map of Jean Baptiste Louis 
Franquelin, published in 1688, and based undoubtedly on information 
obtained from Perrot himself."' Franquelin, an engineer of repute and 
royal hydrographer, visited New France in 1683 and remained several 
years. His famous map of Louisiana in 1684, drawn to display La Salle's 
discoveries, has but few indications of upper Mississippi sites. That of 
1688, however, records with much accuracy the upper Mississippi region, 
and since we know Perrot to have been in Quebec in the autumn of 1687, 
there is every reason to suppose that he furnished Franquelin with the 
data appearing thereon. Not far above the mouth of Riviere Noire — tne 
Black River of today — there is written La Butte d' Hyvernement (the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 55 

hill of the wintering place), which seems to be intended for Trempealeau 
Mountain, near where the commandant and his party wintered. Fort St. 
Nicolas, at the mouth of the Wisconsin, and Fort St. Antoine, above the 
Chippewa, both founded by Perrot, are likewise indicated. 

Just when Perrot left his wintering place on the Mississippi and built 
Fort St. Antoine higher up the river is not certain, but it was probably 
during the summer of 1686. He was continuously in the upper Mississippi 
region until the spring of 1687, when he was ordered to proceed eastward 
with allies and join the French in a war against certain Indians of New 
York State. In the meantime he had amassed a stock of furs worth 40,000 
livres. In his absence on the warpath these were left at the mission house 
at Green Bay, which was burned by hostile Indians, with the loss of all 
his peltry." 

In the autumn of 1687 he set out once more for the Northwest to 
retrieve his ruined fortunes. After the ice had begun to form on the 
Fox River he passed down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi and ascended 
the Mississippi to this region.'- Whether he then occupied the old 
wintering place at Trempealeau or Fort St. Antoine further up the river 
on the lake is not clear.'' At Fort St. Antoine, on May 8, 1689, he took 
possession of the Sioux country in the name of the King of France, 
annexing the Minnesota and St. Croix River districts and all headwaters 
of the Mississippi.'* 

One of the witnesses to this document was Pierre Charles le Sueur, 
an explorer and trader, whose work added to the knowledge given to the 
world by Perrot. In 1695 Le Sueur built a fort on Pelee Island ( a short 
distance above Red Wing) , which was maintained about four years, during 
his own absence in France. He later returned and conducted an expedition 
in search of copper in the Blue Earth country, Minnesota. In ascending 
the Mississippi from its mouth, he found that the remains of Fort St. 
Antoine, on Lake Pepin, and his own island fort above Red Wing, were 
plainly to be seen.'"' He passed Trempealeau Mountain on his upward 
journey between September 10 and September 14, 1700. The Red (Black) 
River, the River Paquitanettes (possibly the Buffalo), the River Bon 
Secours (Chippewa) and Lake Bon Secours (Pepin) are mentioned in the 
account of the voyage, as are the prairies extending back from the bluffs."' 
In Trempealeau County one of the party killed a deer. 

More than one-fourth of the eighteenth century passed away before 
another attempt was made to build a post on the upper Mississippi. The 
Fox Indian wars had made the Fox-Wisconsin waterway untenable, and 
any approach to the Sioux had to take the difficult route from the end of 
Lake Superior through the tangled marshes and ponds at the head of the 
Mississippi. 

In 1727, however, the French government determined to establish a 
post among the Sioux. In September of the same year the new fort was 
erected near what is now Frontenac, on the Minnesota side of Lake Pepin, 
and dedicated amid imposing ceremonies as Fort Beauharnois. The failure 
of the expedition against the Foxes the following year made this post 
untenable, however, and it was hastily abandoned by the alarmed garrison.'' 



56 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

In writing from Fort Beauharnois, May 29, 1727, Father Michel 
Guignas describes the bluffs, islands and scenery in this vicinity, but makes 
no particular mention of Trempealeau Mountain.'* 

In 1731 the Foxes, being temporarly subdued, another expedition to 
build a Sioux post was placed in charge of Rene Godefroy, sieur de Linctot. 
With him went his son, Louis Rene, Augustin Langlade, and his brother, 
Joseph Jolliet, grandson of the explorer; one Campeau, a skilled blacksmith, 
brother of the one at Detroit, and Father Michel Guignas, chaplain of the 
expedition. 

They arrived on the Mississippi in the autumn of 1731, and, according 
to the official report, built "a fort On the Mississippy at a Place called the 
Mountain * * * (a Montagne qui trempe dans I'Eau) * * *"'^ 
The winter did not pass without events. During the deep snows food became 
so scarce that Linctot was obliged to send his voyageurs and traders to 
winter in the camps of the Indians. One of the voyageurs, named Dorval, 
had a thrilling experience with refugee Foxes, fleeing from an attack of 
mission Iroquois and Detroit Huron. Later some of the same fugitives 
came to Linctot to beg for their lives. The Sioux began coming in large 
numbers when they learned of Linctot's presence, and a camp of Winnebago 
wintered near by. 

The succeeding years were replete with danger and difficulty for the 
officers and traders of the little Sioux post. Although the Foxes had been 
defeated and large numbers of them had been destroyed, desperate 
remnants remained scattered over the western country, and attacking 
parties of mission Indians and others allied with the French made frequent 
excursions to harass the wretched fugitives. The Sioux promised protec- 
tion to the French, but their situation among the fierce belligerents was 
almost that of prisoners. In April, 1735, one of the Jesuits wrote from 
Quebec: "We are Much afraid that father Guignas has h^pn taken and 
burned by a tribe of savages called the renards."=" The anxiety in Canada 
over his fate was allayed, however, the same summer, when Linctot finally 
arrived in the colony, bringing an immense quantity of beaver skins and 
other peltry.-' He reported that he had left Father Guignas with but six 
men at the little fort in the Sioux country, and asked for himself that he 
be relieved from command.- 

To succeed Linctot in the post of the Sioux the governor-general of 
New France chose Jacques le Gardeur, sieur de St. Pierre, sending him 
with a party of twenty-two men to make their way to the upper Mississippi. 
This small convoy reached its destination late in 1735, and early the 
following spring St. Pierre determined to remove the post twenty-five 
leagues (about sixty miles) higher up the Mississippi.^^ There for a year 
they held a hostile tribe at bay, employing every device of strategy and 
dissimulation and finally, on May 30, 1737, abandoned the post with all 
its goods and belongings in order to save their lives.=* 

The records would seem to indicate that the post near Trempealeau 
occupied by Linctot in the autumn of 1731, was maintained until the removal 
to the fort on Lake Pepin in the spring of 1736.== 

Thirteen years later, in 1750, the French government established 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 57 

anothei' Sioux post under the leadership of Captain Pierre Paul Marin, a 
well-known Wisconsin commandant.-" He was recalled two years later 
to serve on the Allegheny frontier, and his son Joseph succeeded to the 
command. The latter maintained his post for three years, but during 
the French and Indian War was obliged to withdraw the garrison and 
destroy the post — the last under French occupation upon the upper 
Mississippi.-' 

While of these French commanders, from 1685 to 1755, Perrot, Linctot 
and St. Pierre were probably the only ones who located in Trempealeau 
County, it is apparent that this region was familiar to all the French 
voyageurs of the upper Mississippi throughout this period of French 
dominion. 

French rule in the upper Mississippi Valley ended with the treaty of 
February 10, 1763, when the Mississippi, nearly to its mouth, became the 
boundary hne between the possessions of England and Spain.-'' Three 
years later, in 1766, Jonathan Carver, a native of Connecticut, set out to 
explore the new British domains in the Northwest.^" Starting from Boston 
in June, 1766, Carver traveled to the Strait of Mackinaw and Green Bay, 
and thence, by the canoe route of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to the 
Mississippi. Then he ascended the Mississippi, accompanied by a French- 
Canadian and a Mohawk Indian. He spent the winter of 1766-67 among 
the Sioux of the Northwest. In the spring of 1767 he descended the Missis- 
sippi to the present location of Prairie du Chien in the hope of securing 
goods. Disappointed there, he ascended the Mississippi to the Chippewa 
River and reached Lake Superior by way of that stream and the upper 
tributaries of the St. Croix. It was afterward claimed that he had made 
a treaty with the Sioux, granting him a tract of land about a hundred miles 
wide along the east bank of the Mississippi, from the Falls of St. Anthony 
(at Minneapolis) to the southeastern end of Lake Pepin.^" It included 
the north half of Trempealeau County, the south line running east and 
west somewhat north of Whitehall. On the strength of this alleged treaty 
many claims were from time to time presented to the United States Govern- 
ment, but Congress has always refused to recognize the claim of Carver's 
heirs and successors. . 

Carver passed Trempealeau Mountain three times. In speaking of 
the locality he says : 

"On the first of November I arrived at Lake Pepin, which is rather 
an extended part of the River Mississippi, that the French have thus 
denominated, about two hundred miles from the Ouisconsin. The Missis- 
sippi below this lake flows with a gentle current, but the breadth of it is 
very uncertain, in some places it being upwards of a mile, in others not 
more than a quarter. This river has a range of mountains on each side 
throughout the whole of the way ; which in particular parts approach near 
to it, in others he at a greater distance. The land betwixt the mountains, 
and on their sides, is generally covered with grass, with a few groves of 
trees interspersed, near which large droves of deer and elk are frequently 
seen feeding. In many places pyramids of rocks appeared, resembhng old 
ruinous towers ; at others amazing precipices ; and what is very remarkable. 



58 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

whilst this scene presented itself on one side, the opposite side of the same 
mountain was covered with the finest herbage, which gradually ascended 
to its summit. From thence the most beautiful and extensive prospect 
that imagination can form opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful 
meadows, numerous islands, and all these abounding with a variety of trees 
that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation, such as 
the nut-tree, the maple which produces sugar, vines loaded with rich grapes 
and plum-trees bending under their blooming burdens, but above all, the 
fine river flowing gently beneath and reaching as far as the eye can extend, 
by turns attract your admiration and exci-te your wonder. 

"The lake is about twenty miles long and near six in breadth ; in some 
places it is very deep and abounds with various kinds of fish. Great numbers 
of fowl frequent also this lake and rivers adjacent, such as storks, swans, 
geese, brants, and ducks ; and in the groves are found great plenty of turkeys 
and partridges. On the plains are the largest buffaloes of any in America. 
Here I observed the ruins of a French factory, where it was said Captain 
St. Pierre resided, and carried on a very great trade with the Naudowessies. 
before the reduction of Canada. 

"About sixty miles below this lake^' is a mountain remarkably 
situated ; for it stands by itself exactly in the middle of the river, and looks 
as if it had slidden from the adjacent shore into the stream. It cannot 
be termed an island, as it rises immediately from the brink of the water 
to a considerably height. Both the Indians and the French call it the 
Mountain in the River."^- 

At the close of the Revolutionary War, the land east of the Mississippi 
became a part of the new United States by the treaty of September 3, 1783.^' 
Spain continued in possession of the land west of the Mississippi from 
1762 to October 1, 1800,'* when the tract was receded to France, which 
nation, however, did not take possession until 1804,^= at which time a formal 
transfer was made from Spain to France, in order that France might 
formally transfer the tract to the United States under the treaty of April 
30, 1803.="' 

Two years later the Government determined to send an expedition into 
the Northwest, in charge of Zebulon M. Pike. He .was given orders to 
negotiate treaties with the Indians, to secure a conformity with the laws 
of the United States by the Northwest Company and others engaged in 
the fur trade, to secure the site for a fort near the head of Mississippi 
River navigation, and to extend geographical exploration. He started from 
St. Louis August 9, 1805, with twenty soldiers, spent the winter in northern 
Minnesota, started down the river April 7, 1806, and again reached St. 
Louis the latter part of that month. On his way up the river Pike slept 
near the foot of Trempealeau Mountain, on the night of September 13. He 
speaks of the mountain as le Montaigne qui Trompe a I'Eau.^*' He reached 
the mountain in a drizzling rain and left the next morning in a dense fog. 
On April 16, 1806, he again passed Trempealeau Mountain on his way 
down the river. 

In his geographical notes Pike says : "La Montaigne qui Trompe dans 
I'Eau stands in the Mississippi near the east shore, about fifty miles below 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 59 

the Sauteauz (Chippewa) River, and is about two miles in circumference, 
with an elevation of 200 feet, covered with timber. There is a small river 
which empties into the Mississippi in the rear of the mountain, which I 
conceive once bounded the mountain on the lower side and the Mississippi 
on the upper, when the mountain was joined to the main land by a neck 
of low prairie ground, which in time was worn away by the spring freshets 
of the Mississippi, and thus formed an island of this celebrated mountain.^"* 

Major Stephen H. Long led an expedition up the Mississippi in 1817. 
The voyage was made in a six-oared skiff. The party camped near Trem- 
pealeau on the night of Friday, July 11. In his entry for July 10 Long 
says, "Passed the Black River on our right, coming in from the northeast. 
It is navigable for pirogues somewhat more than 100 miles, to where 
the navigation is obstructed by rapids. On this river is an abundance of 
pine timber of an excellent quality. Much of the pine timber used at St. 
Louis is cut here. This river has three mouths, by which it discharges 
itself into the Mississippi, the lowermost of which is passable and communi- 
cates with the Mississippi twelve or fourteen miles below the junction of 
the valleys of the two rivers. The bluffs along the river today were 
unusually interesting. They were of an exceedingly wild and romantic 
character, being divided into numerous detached fragments, some of them 
of mountain size, while others in slender conical peaks seemed to tower 
aloft till their elevation rendered them invisible. Here might the poet or 
bard indulge his fancy in the wildest extravagance, while the philosopher 
would find a rich repast in examining the numerous phenomena here pre- 
sented to his view, and in tracing the wonderful operations of nature that 
have taken place since the first formation of the world. A little above the 
mouth of the Black River, both shores of the Mississippi may be seen at 
the same time, which is the only instance of the kind we have met with 
on our way from Prairie du Chien to this place. One mile further ahead 
the bluffs on both sides approach within 800 yards of each other, and the 
river, in consequence, is narrower here than at any other place this side 
of Prairie du Chien. Notwithstanding this contraction of its channel, the 
river here imbosoms an island of considerable size. Encamped at sunset 
on a small island. 

"Saturday, July 12. Within a few yards of the island where we 
camped is another, considerably smaller, which, for the sake of bi-evity, 
I called the Bluff Island, as its former name is very long and difficult to 
pronounce. It has been accounted a great curiosity by travelers. It is 
remarkable for being the third island in the Mississippi from the Gulf of 
Mexico to this place that has a rocky formation similar to that of the 
neighboring bluffs, and nearly the same altitude. Pike, in his account of it. 
states the height of it to be about 200 feet. We lay by this morning for 
the purpose of ascertaining its altitude, which we found by a trigometrical 
calculation, which my instruments would not enable me to make with much 
accuracy, to be a Httle more than 500 feet. It is a very handsome conical 
hill, but not sufficiently large to deserve the appellation of mountain, 
although it is called by the name of the Montaigne qui trompe de I'eau, or 
the mountain that is soaked in the water."'" 



60 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Long also describes in glowing terms the scenery from Trempealeau 
to Winona. 

The party again landed at Trempealeau on the journey down the river, 
Sunday, July 20. At their former camping place they found their axe 
which they had lost there. They ascended Trempealeau Mountain and 
from there viewed the Indian village at Winona.^" As befoi'e. Long waxed 
enthusiastic over the wonderful scenery. He discovered that the bluffs 
which he had previously supposed to be the main river bluffs were in fact 
a broken range of high bluff hills, separated from the main bluffs by the 
wide expanse of Trempealeau prairie. He advances the theory that the 
Trempealeau bluffs are in reality the eastern point of a promontory orig- 
inally extending from the Minnesota bluffs, and that the natural course 
of the river was originally between the Trempealeau bluffs and the main 
Wisconsin bluffs, Trempealeau prairie being the river's natural bed. While 
on the top of Trempealeau Mountain, Long and his companion were sum- 
moned by three Indians, one of whom had been bitten in the leg by a i-attle- 
snake. The Indians at once cut out a piece of flesh containing the wounded 
part and applied bandages above it. They refused, however, to allow Long 
to wash the wound. A short time later Long ascended Queen Bluff near 
Richmond. His observations there led him to believe that the Mississippi 
was originally a vast lake filling all the valley, to a height of many hundred 
feet above the present water level. 

With the establishment in 1819 of Fort Snelling, Trempealeau County 
was placed within the pale of civilization, and thereafter soldiers, traders 
and visitors were frequently passing. The expedition which estabhshed 
the fort, headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Leavenworth and accom- 
panied by Major Thomas Forsyth, the Indian agent, reached Trempealeau 
and continued its course up the river in August, 1819. In his journal Major 
Forsyth mentions that on the night of August 12 he camped five miles 
below La Montaigne qui trempe a I'eau.^' 

That same year, on November 2, a sawmill was established on the 
falls of the Black River, "not much inferior to any in the United States." 
Seven chiefs of the Sioux nation granted the original permission to do this, 
and later Lefei (Wabasha), the head chief, made the permission perma- 
nent.''- The mill was soon destroyed by the Winnebago. 

General Lewis Cass, with his party, including Henry Rowe Schoolcraft 
and James D. Doty, passed Trempealeau Mountain in 1820. They reached 
the upper Mississippi by way of Lake Superior, and after leaving the region 
of their explorations came down the Mississippi. On this trip down the 
river, Cass and Schoolcraft and their men landed at the present site of 
Winona and camped for the night on the Minnesota bank of the Mississippi, 
some five miles west of Trempealeau Mountain. Schoolcraft, in his notes, 
gave the following description of Trempealeau Mountain: 

"A few miles below Wabasha's village an isolated mountain of singular 
appearance rises out of the center of the river to a height of four or five 
hundred feet, where it terminates in crumbling peaks of naked rock, whose 
lines of stratification and massy walls impress forcibly upon the mind the 
image of some gigantic battlement of former generations. Around its 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 61 

lower extremity the alluvion of the river has collected, forming a large 
island, covered with a heavy forest, whose deep green foliage forms a 
pleasing contrast with the barren grandeur of the impending rocks, which 
project their gothic pinnacles into the clouds and cast a sombre shadow 
over the broad and glittering bosom of the Mississippi. This singular 
feature in the topography of the country has long attracted the admiration 
and the wonder of the voyageurs of the Mississippi, who have bestowed 
upon it the appellation of The Mountain that sinks in the Water (La Mon- 
taigne qui Trompe dans I'Eau), an opinion being prevalent among them 
that it annually sinks a few feet. This island-mountain is four or five 
miles in circumference, with a mean width of half a mile, and by dividing 
the channel of the river into two equal halves, gives an immense width to 
the river, and thus increases the grandeur of the prosiJcct. It is further 
remarkable as being the only fast, or rocky island, in the whole course of 
this river, from the Falls of Peckagama, to the Mexican Gulf."*' 

A mill was built in 1822 on the Menomonee branch of the Chippewa, by 
permission of Lawrence Taliaferro, the Indian agent at Fort Snelling, and 
with the consent of the Sioux. Joseph Rolette and Judge James Lockwood, 
both of Prairie du Chien, were the financial backers of the proposition, and 
Wabasha's band of Sioux were also interested in it.''* 

On his expedition to Lake Winnipeg in 1823 Long again passed Trem- 
pealeau Mountain, accompanied by a part of his followers. From Prairie 
du Chien to Fort Snelling, a part of the expedition, under James F. Calhoun, 
made the trip on horseback along the west bank of the Mississippi. William 
H. Keating, who was with the expedition, mentions Trempealeau Mountain. 
Keating corrects many of Schoolcraft's statements and confirms some of 
Pike's observations. After giving the French term for the place as Mon- 
tagne qui trempe dans I'eau, which he declares to be but a translation of 
the Indian name for it, "the mountain which soaks in the water" — he 
states that the island mountain is only about a mile in circumference, and 
instead of dividing the river into two equal halves, is very near the east 
bank. He admits, however, that seen from a distance, it has the delusive 
appearance of standing in the middle of the river.'"* 

The first steamboat to ascend the upper Mississippi, the "Virginia," 
passed Trempealeau Mountain in May, 1823, and arrived at Fort Snelling, 
near the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. May 10. A 
number of prominent people were aboard. Steamboat traffic thus being 
opened, Trempealeau Mountain, a landmark and a point of interest to all 
travelers, became widely known. J. Constantine Beltrami, who explored 
the Red River of the North and the sources of the Mississippi River, was 
one of the passengers aboard the "Virginia" when it made its first trip 
to Fort Snelling. Of Trempealeau he says : 

"From this spot (118 miles from Prairie du Chien) a chain of moun- 
tains, whose romantic character reminds one of the valley of the Rhine, 
between Bingen and Coblentz, leads to the Mountain which dips into the 
water. This place would exhaust all my powers of expression if I had 
not seen Longue Vue. Amid a number of delightful little islands, encircled 
by the river, rises a mountain of a conical form equally isolated. You 



62 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

climb amid cedars and cypresses, strikingly contrasted with the rocks which 
intersect them, and from the summit you command a view of valleys, 
prairies, and distances in whicTi the eye loses itself. From this point I 
saw both the last and the first rays of a splendid sun gild the lovely picture. 
The western bank presents another illusion to the eye. Mountains, ruggedly 
broken into abrupt rocks, which appear cut perpendicularly into towers, 
steeples, cottages, &c., appear precisely like towns and villages."^" 

The period of exploration really ends in 1835, when this region was 
visited by George William Featherstonhaugh and William Williams Mather, 
by George Catlin, and by a military expedition under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stephen W. Kearney, the topographer of the expedition being Albert 
Miller Lea. 

Featherstonhaugh, in his reconnaissance, mentions Trempealeau 
Mountain, and while narrating the geological history of the landmark, 
describes the view from its summit. Wabasha's brother related to him that 
"the Indians called it Minnay Chonkaha, or bluff in the water, and that 
they resorted to it at the beginning of the wild-geese season, to make 
offerings to Wakon, or the deity, for success in hunting."^' 

The mihtary expedition reached Winona overland from Iowa, entering 
the state southwest from what is now the city of Albert Lea. In July, 
1835. the soldiers camped on the west bank of the Mississippi, within sight 
of what Lea called La Montaigne qui trempe a Teau.^*" 

Catlin, the famous Indian painter, was forced to winter his boat near 
Richmond,^-' not far from Trempealeau Mountain, by reason of obstructing 
ice, late in 1835. On Catlin's Rocks, in Richmond Township, Winona 
County, he painted his name in great red letters, and the marks were to 
be plainly seen for many years thereafter. ■" 

Thus Trempealeau Mountain, which had watched the first white man 
penetrate these solitudes, was now known to the world, and the activities 
of civilization were soon to be throbbing at its feet. Frenchmen, Enghsh- 
men and Americans had examined her wonderful formations, the whistle 
and chug of the steamboat had become familiar, the rich land over which 
for so many centuries it had stood guard awaited the axe of the pioneer, 
the plow of the husbandman. 

1— L. H. Bunnell, Winan<i and Its Envirmis (Winona, 1897), 112-114, 187. 

2 — Dr. Warren Upham is of the opinion that Radisson and Grosseilliers made their head- 
quarters at Prairie Island, above Red Wing, from April or May, 1655, to June, 1656. But this 
opinion is not generally accepted. As Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg says: "The difficulty of 
interpreting Radisson 's text, written in a language unfamiliar to himself, and several years 
after the completion of his journeys, adds to the differences of opinion with regard to the 
route and the locations described." For Upham's conclusions see: TIpham, Grosseilliers and 
Radisson, Minnesota in Three Centuries (New York, 1908), I, 127-204. Also: Same author 
and title, Minn. Eist. Colls., X, Part 2, 449-594. Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites has reprinted 
portions of the accounts of the third and fourth voyages of these two adventurers, with copious 
notes in: Wis. Eist. Colls., XI, 64-69. Dr. Kellogg has reprinted the account of the third 
voyage, with an introduction, in: Early Narratives of tlie Northwest (New York, 1917), 
29-65. Several writers are of the opinion that Father Menard ascended the Black River on 
his way to his tragic death in 1661, and quote Perrot in supporting their contentions. See: 
Nicholas Perrot, Memoire (Memoire nur Irs viopurs, coustumes, et relligion des sauvages de 
I'Amerique Sepientrionale) , reprinted in the original French with notes and translation by 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 63 

Bev. Father Jules Tailhan (Paris, 1864), this in turn being reprinted in: Minn. Hist. Colls., 
II, Part 3, 24-30 (original edition). A reprint of the Memoire (Tailhan 's edition, 84-93), 
regarding the Flight of the Ottawa, whic-h Pcrrot says Menard followed, may be found: 
Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 1, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 14-21. But Menard's 
route is still an open qucftion. For Menard's last letter see: Edward D. Neill, Explorers and 
Pioneers of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 1882), 3-4. For extract from Menard's letter (Jemdt 
Eelaiions, XLVI, 11-13, 127-145) and Menard's labors and death (Id., XLVIII, 12, 115-143) 
see: Thwaites, ed., French Eegime in Wisconsin, Part I, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 21-25. For 
life and labors of Menard see also: H. C. Campbell, Pere Rene Menard, Parkman Club Pub- 
lications, No. 11 (Milwaukee, 1897). Also see: Kellogg, Early Narratives of the North- 
west, 25, note. 

3 — Thwaites, ed., Hennepin's New Discovery (Chicago, 1903). Or John G. Shea, ed., 
A Description of Louisiana, by Father Louis Hennepin (New York, 1880). 

4 — For a discussion of the identity of Hennepin's R. de.Beeuf 's with Chippewa River, 
see: Elliott Cones, ed.. Expeditions of Zcbulon M. Pike (New York, 1895), I, 58, 65, notes. 
Also: Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 52-54. 

5 — Kellogg, Early Narratives of the Northwest, 325-334. Also: Shea, ed., A Descrip- 
tion of Louisiana, 374-377. 

6 — The vanity of Hennepin did not allow him to admit that he was a captive and a 
slave, the cruel sport of the Indians. He represented that he accompanied Duluth because of 
the latter 's pleasure in his society and his desire for his companionship. Se^: Thwaites, ed., 
Hennepin 's Neio Discovery, 293-305. 

7 — Kellogg, Early Narratives of the Northwest, 69-92. 

8 — E. H. Blair, Indian Tribes of the Upper Mississippi (Cleveland, 1911), I, 367. 

9 — See : Eben D. Pierce, George H. Squier and Louise Phelps Kellogg, Remains of a 
French Post Near Trempealeau, Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1915, 111-123. - 

10 — For a reproduction of Franqiielin 's great map of 1688, see: Kellogg, Early Narra- 
tives of the Northwest, 342; also read J. Franklin Jameson's note (p. xiv) in the same volume. 
Also see account of Franquelin 's maps in: Parkman, LaSalle and the Discovery of the North- 
west (Boston, 1891), 455-458. A partial reproduction of the map may be found: Neih, 
History of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 4th edition, 1882), frontispiece. 

11 — Blair, Indian Tribes of the Upper Mississippi, II, 25. 

12 — Neill (Wis. Hist. Colls., X, 299-300) says that Perrot returning from the New York 
raid reoccupied the post where he had spent the winter of 1685-86. After writing the article, 
however, Dr. NeUl discovered that he had confused Ft. St. Antoine with Perrot 's post at 
Trempealeau (Ibid., 371). 

13 — See: Draper, Early French Forts, Ibid., 358-371. 

14 — Thwaites, ed., Important Western Papers, Perrot 's Minutes of Taking Possession, 
Id., XI, 35-36 (reprinted from the New York Colonial Documents, IX, 418). 

15 — Pierre Margry, Decouvertes et ^abl^scmtnts des Frani,-ais dans L'Am^riqnc (Paris, 
1882), V, 413. 

16 — Penicault in his Journal of Le Sueur's Expedition as reported in: Neill, Explorers 
and Pioneers of Minnesota, 41. Also: Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 1, 
Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 183. See Ibid., 177, note, concerning Le Sueur's Journal, La Harpe's 
and Penicault 's versions, and Shea's and Thwaites' translations. 

17— Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 2, Id., XVII, 10-15, 22-28, 56-59, 
77-80. 

18— Letter from Father Michel Guignas from the Brevort Manuscripts, printed in Shea's 
Early French Voyatics, and reprinted in Neill 's Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, 52; also 
in Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 22-28. 

19— /6td!., 151, 168, 169. 

20— Thwaites, Jesuit Selations (aeveland, 1900), LXVIII, 255. 

21— ITis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 230. 

22— Thwaites, Jesuit delations, LXVII, 281; Margry, Decouv. et Etabl., VI, 572, 573; 
Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 274, note. 

23— Id., XVII, 269, 270. 

24 — Ibid., 269-274. 



64 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

25— Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1915, 122. 

26 — Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 315, note. 

27 — Neill, Macalester College Contributions (St. Paul, 1890), First Series, 214, 218. 
Also : Same author. Early 'Wiseonsin Explorations, Forts and Trading Posts, Wis. Hist. Colls., 
%, 304. 

28 — For preliminary treaty "of Nov. 3, 1762 (reprinted from Gentleman's Magazine, 
XXXII, 569-573), and definite treaty of peace of Feb. 10, 1763 (reprinted from Id., XXXIII, 
121-126), see: Thwaites, ed., Important Western State Papers, Wis. Hist. CoUs., XI., 36-46. 

29 — For Carver Bibliography, see: John Thomas Lee, Wis. Hist. Soc., Proceedings, 
1909, 143-183. Also see: Same author and subject. Additional Data, Id., 1912, 87-123. 

30 — For text of the Carver deed and its history, see: Carver Centenary, Minn. Hist. 
Colls., II, Part 4, 17, 19-21, original edition. Also see: Daniel Steele Durrie, Jonathan Carver 
and Carver 's Grant, Wis. Hist. Colls., VI, 221-270. 

31 — Possibly the word "Lake" was inserted in Carver's manuscript by an editor. In 
the preceding paragraph he mentions the St. Pierre ruins, on the east side of Lake Pepin, and 
he may have intended to locate Trempealeau as 60 miles below this (the ruin) rather than 60 
miles below Lake Pepin. 

32 — Jonathan Carver, Travels in North America (London, 1778), 54-56. 

33 — Treaties and Conventions Concluded Between the United States of America and 
Other Powers (Washington, 1873), 314-318. 

34 — Among the many excellent works on the subject may be mentioned: Jamse K. 
Hosmer, Tlie Louisiana Purchase (New York, 1904). 

35 — See: Walter B. Douglas, Spanish Domain of Upper Louisiana, Wis. Hist. Soc., 
Proceedings, 1913, 74-90. 

36 — Annals of Congress, 1802-1803, pp. 1006-1008. 

37— Coues, ed.. Expeditions of Zchu^on M. Pile (New York, 1895), I, 52, 53. 

38— 76 id., 307. 

39 — Stephen H. Long, Voyage in a Six Oar Skiff to the Falls of St. Anthony in 1817, 
Minn. Hist. Colls., II, Part 1, 15-17, original edition. 

40— Ibid., 47-50. 

41 — Major Thomas Forsj'th, Journal of a Voyage to the Falls of St. Anthony in 1819, 
Wis. Hist. Colls., VII, 202. 

42 — Durrie, Jonathan Carver and Carver's Grant, Id., VI, 252, 266. Also: American 
State Papers, Public Lands, IV, 22. Also: James H. Lockwood, Early Times and Events in 
Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., II, 118, text and note. Also: Col. John Shaw, Narrative, Ibid., 
230. 

43— H. R. Schoolcraft, Narrative Journal of Travels (Albany, 1821), 334-335. Also: 
Same author and title (Philadelphia, 1855), 165. 

44 — Lockwood, Early Times and Events in Wiseonsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., II, 132-141. 

45 — W. H. Keating, Narrative of Long's Expedition (Philadelphia, 1824), 271-272. 

46 — J. C. Beltrami, A Pilgrimage in Europe and America Leading to the Discovery of 
the Sources of the Mississippi and Bluodi/ Eivcr (London, 1S2S), II, 17S-179. 

47 — 6. W. Featherstonhaugh, Geological Ecconnaissance (Washington, 1836), 130. 

48 — Letter written from Corsieana, Texas, July 7, 1890, by Albert Miller Lee to H. W. 
Lathrop, librarian of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and published (October, 1890) 
under the title of Early Exploration in Iowa, Iowa Historical Hecord, vi. No. 4, 548. 

49 — Richmond was originally called Catlin in honor of the painter. Later the name was 
changed to Forest City and still lat^r to Richmond. It is situated a little below Trempealeau 
on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi. 

50 — Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 1S3. 



Portions of the introductory paragraphs have been copied from: Eben Douglas Pierce, 
Early Days of Trempealeau, Wis. Hist. Society, Proceedings, 1906, 246-255. 

The original sources from which Dr. Thwaites obtained his material for Vol. XVII of the 
Wis. Hist. Collections, appear with the various documents therein printed, and no attempt has 
been made to repeat them here. By consulting that volume tlie inquiring student will find 
citations of tlie original sources. 



CHAPTER VII 
EARLY SETTLEMENT 

Trempealeau County, touching, as it does, on its southwestern border 
the Mississippi River, was easily accessible for the early explorers, travelers, 
traders, and later for the pioneer settlers. 

The boundary rivers and some of the streams of the interior of the 
county afforded waterways for the canoe, and many of our valleys, such 
as the Beaver Creek and Elk Creek, were explored by hunters who canoed 
up the principal streams flowing out of these respective regions. 

Trempealeau Bay, lying about half a mile above the site of Perrot's 
post, afforded an excellent stopping place for traders and travelers during 
the fur trading regime on account of the abundance of wood and water in 
that locality and also for the protection from rough weather which the 
rugged bluffs furnished. During the sharp rivalry between the different 
fur companies the trader kept an anxious eye on the bay for the return of 
the bands of trappers from up the Trempealeau River. 

The first trapper to whom tradition ascribes a fur trading camp in 
Trempealeau County, after the early French explorers of the seventeenth 
and eighteenth centuries, was Joseph Roque,' a prominent interpreter and 
officer of the Indian department in the days when the British ruled over 
Mackinac and its western dependencies. Roque was much trusted by the 
British officers, and accompanied (1780) Wabasha on his raid against St. 
Louis and the forces of George Rogers Clark in Ilhnois. He ranked as 
lieutenant in the Indian service, and at the close of the Revolution remained 
in the pay of the British government, being likewise prominent in the fur 
trade. During the War of 1812-15 he was employed by the English authori- 
ties and accompanied Colonel William McKay as lieutenant and interpreter 
on his Prairie du Chien expedition in 1814. According to Winnebago tradi- 
tion, he had a wintering ground on a branch of Beaver Creek, not far 
from Galesville, and the occupancy of this region by him and a companion 
gave to this branch its name of French Creek. 

Joseph's half-breed son, Augustin, was likewise an interpreter in the 
service of the British. With his father he accompanied McKay's Prairie 
du Chien expedition of 1814 with the rank of lieutenant. At the conclusion 
of the war Augustin took up his home with Wabasha's Indians and estab- 
lished several trading posts on the upper Mississippi. The same Winnebago 
tradition that ascribes a camp in Trempealeau County to the father, Joseph, 
also ascribes a post on Beaver Creek to the son, Augustin. The Indian name 
of Beaver Creek, Seen-tah-ro-cah, is from St. Roque, the original French 
family name of this hunter. The valley was rich in beaver and elk, and 
■hunting and trapping in this region were productive of rich results. 

In 1823 Augustin Roque accompanied Major Stephen H. Long's expe- 
dition, but his services were unsatisfactory. Some time before 1826 he 

65 



66 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

seems to have had a trading post at the mouth of the Buffalo River. In 
1826 he moved to the present site of Wabasha. Featherstonhaugh men- 
tions this trading house on Lake Pepin in 1835 and gives his Indian name 
as Wahjustahchay, or Strawberry.^ 

The occupancy of this region by the trappers is also attested by docu- 
mentary evidence. As early as 1820 Louis Grignon had a fur trading camp 
at Trempealeau Mountain,^ and the following year Augustin Grignon had 
a camp near the mouth of Black River, to which point he moved from a 
camp four miles below the Zumbro, which had been burned by the Wabasha 
Indians at the instigation of Joseph Rolette, who worked for a British firm.-* 
In 1824 Trempealeau Mountain was recommended to the superintendent 
of Indian affairs as a suitable place for the location of an Indian agent. 
It was described as being desirable because there was plenty of firewood 
and because it was convenient to Wabasha's band of Dakota, as well as 
the place where all the Winnebago and Menominee stopped in ascending 
and descending the Mississippi.'^ 

Trempealeau Bay thus became a prominent rendezvous for trappers 
and traders, and favorite stopping place for river voyagers. 

The story of the settlement of Trempealeau County dates from 1836, 
when an attempt was made to establish a mission station at this point. 
A Protestant missionary society of Basle, Switzerland, desirous of sending 
the gospel to the North American Indians, commissioned two young Swiss 
for the work. They decided upon the field among the Dakota as the most 
promising, and proceeded to Prairie du Chien, where they spent a short 
time studying the language and learning the location of the tribes. Rev. 
Daniel Gavin concluded to settle near Wabasha's band, while his comrade, 
Samuel Denton, went on to Red Wing. 

At Prairie du Chien Gavin secured the services as interpreter and 
man of all work of a Swiss emigrant, Louis Stram. Together they proceeded 
to Trempealeau and built a loghouse east of Mountain Lake, at the site of 
a clear spring." Stram opened a farm and endeavored to teach the Indians 
agriculture, but Wabasha, their chief, did not take kindly either to the 
mission or the farming, and after the treaty of 1837, by which all the Sioux 
claim east of the Mississippi was ceded to the United States, Gavin aban- 
doned the mission and joined his confrere in Red Wing.' Although the 
enterprise was temporary, it was the first attempt made in the county in 
the nature of a permanent settlement and was the first farming therein 
under the dii-ection of a white man." 

The permanent settlement of Trempealeau County finally came about 
under the auspices of the fur trade. Francois la Bathe, a shrewd half-breed 
and a near relative of Wabasha, was confidential agent of Hercules L. 
Dousman, representative of the American Fur Company at Prairie du 
Chien. Even before the cession of 1837, La Bathe had tried to secure a 
steamboat landing site at the modern La Crosse, and as soon as the treaty 
was concluded he made similar arrangements for Trempealeau by inducing 
John Doville and Antoine Reed to proceed thither and cut cordwood for 
steamboats, while holding a stretch of river front as a landing. His 
object in this was to prevent any trade drifting away from Wabasha's 



HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 67 

village, at the present City of Winona." A wood yard was established at 
the head of the island opposite Trempealeau, and La Bathe vouched for 
the sale of all wood the men might cut. Doville remained at Trempealeau 
and became its first permanent settler. He cultivated the land that the 
Swiss missionaries had cleared and broke some of his own in the upper 
part of the present village. He raised stock upon a small scale and devoted 
his time to farming and cutting cordwood for steamboats. 

James A. Reed, in his journeys up and down the Mississippi in the 
interest of the fur trade, had noticed the Trempealeau Bluffs and resolved 
to stop and look the country over with a view of settling later if the place 
came up to his expectation. He climbed Liberty Peak and looked down on 
the new land and was charmed with its wild grandeur, its lavish wealth 
still undeveloped, its inviting valleys and wooded slopes. It was a delectable 
land, steeped in an alluring solitude — untouched as yet by the white settler. 
Reed decided to locate in the new country. Circumstances delayed him 
and gave to his son-in-law, Doville, the credit of being the first settler. 
In 1840, however, his plans were perfected and, bringing his family by boat 
from Prairie du Chien, he built a log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi 
River on the site of modern Trempealeau. Not long afterward his wife 
died, and he later married the widow of Amable Grignon, of Prairie du 
Chien, who was a sister of Francois La Bathe and a relative of Wabasha. 

The locality soon became known as Reed's Town. Outside of the time 
that he devoted to his duties as government farmer to Wabasha's band 
of Indians at Winona (from 1842 to 1848) Reed occupied his energies in 
tending his stock and in hunting and trapping. The Trempealeau bluffs 
and adjoining prairie offered an excellent stock range for Reed's horses, 
swine and cattle, which he brought from Prairie du Chien; and the swine 
proved to be good rattlesnake hunters, killing and eating many of the 
Winnebagoes' sacred serpents. Reed used his large log home, for a while, 
as a tavern, and many a weary traveler and homeseeker found a hospitable 
welcome at his fireside. For a while it was known as Reed's Place ; after- 
ward he sold out and it became the Washington Hotel. 

The next settlers after the family and relatives of Reed arrived at 
Trempealeau in June, 1842. The party consisted of Willard B. Bunnell and 
wife, and his brother, Lafayette H. Bunnell. They were from Detroit, and, 
seeking a location upon the upper Mississippi, had been induced at Prairie 
du Chien to settle at Trempealeau. To the younger of these two pioneers 
much of the early history of the region is due. Gifted with a good memory 
and a taste for historical studies, he has preserved many incidents of pioneer 
life that would otherwise be lost. Upon the arrival of this party at Trem- 
pealeau Reed went back from the village a few rods and shortly came in 
with a red deer to supply the family with provisions. Buffalo had disap- 
peared soon after the Black Hawk War, but elk abounded upon Trempealeau 
River, and beaver were plenty enough to give their name to one of the 
inland streams." 

A number of French families, mostly from Prairie du Chien, came up 
the river and joined Reed, but they were mostly connected with the fur 
trade and made little progress toward developing the country from an agri- 



68 HISTORY OF TREMPExVLEAU COUNTY 

cultural standpoint. Some of them lived at Reed's home and some built 
houses near by. Peter Rosseau, who helped Reed build his house, remained 
for a while. Charles H. Perkins, Joseph Borette, Michael Goulet and Paul 
and Antoine Grignon were among the early members of the household. 

The Bunnells lived at Trempealeau for several years, but spent the 
first two winters at what is now Fountain City. L. H. Bunnell left Trem- 
pealeau in 1847 and enlisted in the Mexican War. W. B. Bunnell and his 
wife left in 1849 and settled at Homer, in Minnesota. Soon after the arrival 
of the Bunnells, Alexander Chenevert joined the Reed settlement. In 1844 
a Frenchman named Assalin came. He was a carpenter by trade and made 
the woodwork for the first wagon in the county. He also made sleds and 
French trains. Antoine La Terreur came the same year. He was a cabinet 
maker and made much of the early furniture used in the pioneer homes of 
Trempealeau. Michael Bebault arrived in 1845 and hired out as a wood- 
chopper on the island. In 1848 Leander Bebault and John La Vigne arrived 
with their families, and about the same time Edward Winkleman settled 
here. 

It was after 1850 that the settlement of the interior of the county 
took place, and for a period of fifteen years settlers poured into the valleys 
of Trempealeau County, principally from southern and eastern Wisconsin. 
Many were from New York State originally, with a goodly number from 
the New England States. They came in all manner of ways, but steamboat, 
by stage, afoot, on horseback, with ox teams and covered wagons, with 
wagons drawn by horses, and often driving behind their caravan a herd of 
cattle, while tied to the rear of the wagon in a well-constructed box was the 
vociferous porker, proclaiming his presence at every stop. 

The routes they selected depended on the section from whence they 
hailed. Many came by way of La Crosse and thence over the rough road 
to Gordon's or McGilvray's Ferry and crossed these ferries into the county. 
Others arrived by steamboat and outfitted in La Crosse for their journey 
into the new country. Some came to Trempealeau by steamboat and then 
went by stage into the interior. Still others went to Fountain City and 
took the trail across the bluffs, over the Glencoe Ridge, and through the 
Glencoe Valley to the Trempealeau River. Some came down the Trem- 
pealeau valley from Jackson County. The northern part of the county was 
settled largely by people who drifted into the county from Black River 
Falls and vicinity. A few of the pioneers poled up Black River in flat boats 
to the falls and then took the overland trail back to Trempealeau County. 
Other settlers came across the Mississippi River from Minnesota, where 
they had settled in Pickwick or some other of the valleys that reach back 
from the river. The later settlers came into the Trempealeau County by 
the railroad, but it was not until 1870 that a railroad was built into the 
county. 

Aside from those who followed the main routes of travel, there were 
many settlers who sifted into the county from adjoining territory following 
whatever route was most convenient and striking out across the prairies 
or up the ravines to find, removed from the settled haunts of man, a plot 
of land where they might establish themselves and build their future homes. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 69 

The best sources of authority regarding the early settlement of Trempealeau County 
previous to 1850 are Antoine Grignon and L. H. Bunnell, both of whom arrived here in the 
forties. E. D. Pierce, from stories heard from pioneers, as a boy, from interviews with Antoine 
Grignon, and conversations with descendants of early settlers, gathered the information for 
three articles on the subject, all published in the Proceedings of the Wis. Hist. Society as 
follows: Early Days of Trempealeau, 1906, 246-255; Recollections of Antoine Grignon, 1913, 
110-136; James Allen Eeed, 1914, 107-117. Dr. Bunnell's vivid recollections are found in: 
Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs (Winona, 1877), 183 et seq. 

1 — Eoque (variously spelled) is mentioned as interpreter for the Sioux, Wis. Sist. Colls., 
Ill, 229; VII, 167; XI, 134-135, 142, 156; XII, 61, 63, 81; and XII, 94, apparently fixes this 
interpreter as Joseph Eoque. Whether Joseph or Augustin is meant in XII, 125, and XIII, 
67, is uncertain. Id., IX, 264, presents a confusing problem. Among the lieutenants at Ft. 
McKay (Prairie du Chien) are given Joseph Eock, Sr., and Augustin Eock, Jr. Whether this 
is the Joseph of the earlier days is not apparent. The use of ' ' Jr. ' ' and ' ' Sr. ' ' would indi- 
cate that these two men were not father and son, that Augustin indeed was not the son of 
Joseph but of an Augustin, Sr. It is possible, however, that the use of the "Sr. " and "Jr." 
was a clerical error arising from the fact that one may have been called Eoque, Sr., and the 
other Eoque, Jr., without regard to their first names. Augustin is mentioned as an inter- 
preter. Id., IX, 254, 256, and an employe of the American Fur Co., Id., XII, 162. For a mention 
of the early activities of the Eoques in the region, see: L. H. Bunnell, Winoria and Its 
Envirmis (Winona, 1897), 69, 147, 371. "Joe" Eoque, known to the early settlers, was the 
son of Augustin and grandson of Joseph. 

2 — 6. W. Featherstonhaugh, Geological Reconnaissance (Wash., 1836), 130. 

3— Eeuben Gold Thwaites, ed., Fur Trade in Wisconsin, 1812-1825, Wis. Hist. Colls., XX, 
160-162, 241-242, 258-259. 

4— Ibid., 236. 

5— Ibid., 365. 

6 — Nearly three miles northwest of the village of Trempealeau on the Trowbridge farm. 
The cellar and stones from the chimney could be seen in 1888. The excavation can stUl be 
seen, 1917.— E. D. P. 

7 — Lyman C. Draper, Early French Forts in Western Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. CoUs., X, 
367; also note to same article, 506-507. See also: Minn. Hist. Colls., VI, 134. An official 
report in 1838 (U. S. Executive Vocwments, 1, 494) says: "Mr. D. Gavin removes this year 
from the 'Mountain in the Waters, East,' to the west with Wabasha's band of Sioux." 

8 — The land broken by Stram was afterward used by pioneer settlers, who burned the log 
house in 1842 to deprive the troublesome Indians of a shelter for themselves and stolen horses, 
Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 71. 

9 — Ibid., 209. Bunnell and others give the name as James Douville. His descendants 
say it was John Doville. His divorce proceedings (First Minute Book, District Court of 
Trempealeau County, 21) give his name as John Do Ville. 



CHAPTER VIII 
LOCALITY SETTLEMENTS 

When the first white man gazed upon the Trempealeau country he 
beheld a vastly different land physically than we live in today. It was 
dressed in its primitive clothes, so to speak. The bluffs, save for the 
work of the mound builder, had not been defaced by man. The contour of 
the hills and valleys was influenced only by the alluvium and the wash of 
storms, for scarcely any land was cultivated, in the modern sense of the 
word, by the Indians. 

Here and there in secluded places along the hills were forests, but 
generally the country was untimbered and covered with brush and wild 
grass, which was burned over each year by the Indians. 

The Indians, no doubt, had some particular reason for doing this, 
though it is difficult to conjecture why they deemed it necessary to burn 
over the land annually. No doubt they could travel through a burned-over 
country much easier than over one obstructed with a tangle of grass and 
brush, and traveling more swiftly mean more game. New grass grew 
better also in the burned-over places, and thus the ponies of the Indians 
had better grazing on account of this primitive method of land clearing. 

Indian trails took the place of our modern roads, and no guide board 
pointed its inartistic hand to direct the inquiring traveler. Along these 
indistinct trails many of the early settlers made their way with difficulty 
and along the wooded streams were obliged to pick their way by blazed 
trees. 

There were many small lakes or sloughs in the county when the pioneer 
came that have since gone dry. On Trempealeau Prairie were a number v 
of these tiny lakes where James Reed trapped muskrat, but today we see 
no sign of the former outline of these bodies of water. Arcadia was built 
in a marshy slough which has since been filled with dirt hauled from a 
range of hillocks in the rear of the village. On the other hand, we have 
a number of lakes in our county that were not here in the early day. These 
artificial bodies of water represent our waterpower and are usually desig- 
nated by the undignified name of mill ponds. One would hardly dare apply 
that name to beautiful Lake Marinuka of Galesville, reposing in the valley 
of Beaver Creek, and possessing all the charm and reflecting qualities of 
a natural lake. 

But perhaps even greater changes have taken place in the flora and 
fauna of our county since the early day than in the physical features. In 
order to appreciate more fully these changes, let us picture the early settler 
and his wild environment ; his log cabin in the clearing of one of our secluded 
valleys, nestling at the foot of a hill where a spring trickles into a dugout 
water trough a few feet from the cabin door. Standing against the log 

70 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 71 

barn is the yoke for the oxen, and near-by is the upturned breaking plow, 
while the mattock and ax repose on a half cut log near the woodpile. At 
the side of the cabin is the rude wash bench made from a slab of wood 
and four wooden pegs for legs. We may also see the grindstone in the 
back yard, and hanging under the rafters of the barn is the scythe, the 
cradle and the flail. And we must not overlook the lye-leach and soap 
kettle, nor the half -sled and stone-boat. 

Herds of deer can be seen grazing on the hillside, and in the spring 
and autumn days the honking of wild geese fills the air. The boom and 
hoot of prairie chickens can be heard in the early spring days, and, during 
the summer, from across the hot green fields, comes the plaintive note of 
the plover and the whistle of the gopher. The sound of the drumming 
partridge comes from the thicket near the clearing, and the whistling quail 
proclaims his presence by his far-carrying "Bob White." 

The bark and chatter of the grey and red squirrel can be heard in the 
woodlands, while at night the hoot of the owl mingles at times with the 
howl of the wolf or barking fox. 

During the spring and summer the woods ring with the songs of a 
variety of birds. From early dawn until dark the tireless songsters fill 
the air with music, and in season the whip-poor-will lashes the silence of 
the night with his rhythmic strain. 

Wild flowers grow in profusion, and many a sloping hillside blushes 
scarlet with painted cups in the May days, and in June time the wild roses 
light with a pink glow the wilderness where the pioneer came to build his 
cabin home. 

Along the hills grow blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, while 
wild plum and cherry thickets offer their fruits in many of the valleys 
and by the streams in the bottom lands. 

In June the odor of wild strawberries comes floating from some hidden 
patch — a breath of perfume that has the aroma of shortcake, and what 
a pleasant adventure to hunt out the hidden patch and gather the luscious 
berries in ruddy clusters. 

But time and change have wiped the picture out. Cultivation and 
pasturing has removed the wild touch — the rustic element — and obliterated 
many of our wild flowers, while the hunter has killed oi driven away ali 
of our big game. 

The buffalo disappeared from this region before the coming of the 
white settler, but elk were found here as late as 1865, and wild deer were 
seen in our county as late or even later than 1890. The wild pigeons disap- 
peared about forty years ago, and our decreasing wild ducks will soon be 
of the past. The beaver, the otter, the martin, lynx, the bear and panther, 
have long since disappeared from our county, and of all the larger native 
wild animals we have the woK fox and bobcat, still to be found in the wild 
recesses of the county today. 

The process of extermination is taking place among our wild flowers, 
and many of the rare varieties will soon become extinct unless some means 
is taken to preserve them. The white lady-slipper is becoming a very rare 
flower, and even the yellow lady-slipper is growing alarmingly scarce, as 



72 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

is also our painted cup that grew in such abundance in the early days ; still 
rarer is the showy orchid and other species of the orchid family. 

There seems to be an increasing demand to preserve our noble forests 
and to keep in a wild state our most beautiful mountain districts. The 
government has seen fit to establish a large number of forest reserves, 
besides maintaining its national parks. We all appreciate this, though we 
cannot all visit these national wonders of beauty, and that is the reason 
why it seems to us that each county should have its wild playground. 

In order to appreciate sweet sounds there must be silent places, and 
in order to appreciate our tame and subdued surroundings we need the 
wild touch to recuperate our blunted senses, to rest our minds and restore 
our mental poise. The natural park, with its native forests, its wild flowers 
and unsubdued grandeur offers the only relief to these conditions, and it 
also offers a solution to the problem of keeping our native flora from 
extermination. 

Trempealeau — Reed's Town in the forties consisted of about half a 
dozen log cabins scattered along the river front near James Reed's large 
log house, and occupied by French families, most of whom had moved 
into the new settlement from Prairie du Chien. Beside these there were 
a few French-Canadians, and after 1846 a few American families joined 
the community. 

The fur trade and the Indian trade furnished the principal industries, 
though some farming was done on a small scale, and the inhabitants kept 
their stock (cattle, hogs, and horses) on a common range which extended 
across Trempealeau Prairie and included the Trempealeau Bluffs. 

Life in the Fi'ench settlement was filled with adventures of the back- 
woods type, and the hunter and trapper matched his skill of woodcraft 
with the Indian. With an abundance of fish and game and wild berrier 
and plums, and with the vast expanse of wild grass lands for grazing, there 
was little need of food shortage. 

John Doville, who maintained a wood camp on the island opposite 
Reedstown, had the first farm in Trempealeau. He sowed oats, wheat, 
flaxseed, potatoes and beans. 

Stram broke the first land in the county, but he used the ground for 
garden purposes only, while Doville extended his agricultural pursuits to 
grain raising, and has the honor of being the first Trempealeau County 
farmer. Though Doville worked on the island and had a temporary camp 
there, at the woodyard, he found it necessary, on account of high water, 
to erect a permanent cabin on the main land near the river and not far 
from the lower end of the present main street. He afterwards built a 
house on the site, used later for Melchoir's brewery. 

In 1842 James Reed found employment in the Government Indian 
service at Winona, where he was engaged as farmer and storekeeper for 
Wabasha's band of Sioux. A few years later he was joined by John Doville 
and Charles H. Perkins, who likewise entered the Indian service. They 
still kept in touch with Reed's Settlement, however, and when their contract 
with the Government expired returned to their Trempealeau homes and 
became permanent settlers in the county. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 73 

Intermarriage between these early inhabitants of Trempealeau and 
the Indians took place as in other frontier settlements, with a resultant 
mixed blood offspring, whose descendants can be traced down to the present 
generation. 

But few family records of this period remain, though one has been 
preserved of the Willard B. Bunnell family, which discloses the fact that 
his son, David Porter Bunnell, who was boi-n in November, 1843, was the 
first white child born in the territory of Trempealeau County. His daughter, 
Louise, born in 1848, was also the first white girl born in this locality. 
Bunnell located on land about a mile above the present village of Trem- 
pealeau, which later became the Jack McCarty farm. 

The Americanization of Reed's Town came about rather slowly, and 
it was not until after 1850 that the influx of Americans began. 

Travelers and traders journeying up and down the Mississippi often 
stopped at Reed's hospitable log tavern, and on their departure carried to 
the outer world rather glowing accounts of the new country, but the town- 
site speculator had not' visited as yet the locality, and little thought was 
given by the frontiersmen to the future possibilities of the place, and they 
looked with aversion on the increasing settlers as a hindrance to their wild, 
free life of hunting and trapping. 

In the fall of 1851 there arrived at Reed's Town a man who grasped 
at once the possibihties of the location for a town site. This was Benjamm 
F. Heuston, and it did not take him long to interest Ira Hammond and 
James Reed in a project to found a village. In partnership with Mr. 
Hammond, he began the erection of a warehouse on the river front, which 
was completed the following summer. 

Others who came in the fall of 1851 were A. A. Angell, Charles 
Cameron, N. B. Grover, Horace E. Owen and Elizur Smith. 

On April 5, 1852, William Hood, as surveyor, made a plat of Reed's 
Landing, with B. F. Heuston, Ira Hammond and James Reed as proprietors. 
The new village was formally named Montoville, but almost before the 
ink on the plat became dry another survey was completed under the direc- 
tion of Timothy Burns, F. M. Rublee and Benjamin B. Healy, and the 
name Trempealeau, the terminal of the sentence which the French 
voyageurs gave to Trempealeau Mountain, was adopted for the doubly 
named village. 

Montoville-Trempealeau thrived for a few weeks, and though over- 
burdened with new names, it was still known as Reed's Town or Settlement 
by the inhabitants, and as Reed's Landing by the rivermen. 

On May 9, 1852, according to the i-ecords of the Post Office Department 
at Washington, a post office was estabUshed at Trempealeau, with B. F. 
Heuston as postmaster. On January 15, 1853, the name of the office was 
changed to Montville, but on July 17, 1856, the name of the office was again 
changed to Trempealeau. 

For a period of fifteen years Trempealeau remained the only settlement 
in the territory comprising Trempealeau County. The first ten years of 
this period was devoted almost entirely to the fur trade. Then came the 
land seeker, tradesman, speculator and adventurer, and with the rapid influx 



74 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of settlers from 1854 to 1856, new portions of the county were opened for 
settlement, and Trempealeau history thereby became limited to one section 
of the county. 

When B. F. Heuston came here he secured a residence by purchasing 
the house of John Doville, a small story and a half building, standing on 
Front street, below what is now the Burlington station. Thus possessed 
of a permanent location, he prepared to erect a warehouse designed as a 
steamboat shipping point for the agricultural produce which the promoters 
believed would result from the rapid influx of settlers and the consequent 
development of the rich valleys and prairies adjacent to the proposed village. 
Before winter set in he had completed the stone foundations. In the mean- 
time he procured lumber at Black River Falls, floated it down the stream 
to the mouth of Beaver Creek, carted it over to the building site, and in 
the spring completed a warehouse, 24 by 50 feet, two stories high, located 
on Front street, two or three rods east of what was afterward the site of 
the Utter House. In the fall James A. Reed, as justice of the peace, married 
his daughter, Madeline, to his stepson, Paul Grignon. 

Early in February, 1852, N. B. Grover, who had previously traded 
here, came up from La Crosse and opened a shoe shop opposite the later 
site of the Utter Hotel. In this store he sold notions and a few dry goods, 
thus establishing the first store in the county. In May of this year George 
Batchelder and his wife made their appearance and put up a house below 
the Hammond & Heuston warehouse. Later they opened a hotel, but not 
before the wife of Charles Cameron had arrived and established a boarding 
house in the residence which Mr. Heuston had purchased from John Doville. 
Thomas Marshall came in that spring and put up a house above the Big 
Spring. Israel Noyes came about the same time. He boarded with the 
Camerons until October, when he was joined by his wife, and went to live 
in the second story of the Hammond & Heuston warehouse, where shortly 
afterward a child was born to them. Marvin and James Pierce came and 
built a small house on the north side of Front street, above what afterward 
became the site of Melchoir's brewery. Ira E. Moore and Alvin Carter 
built a residence near the present location of Hoberton's blacksmith shop. 
About the same time Alexander McMillan came up from La Crosse and 
put up a blacksmith shop, the first in the village. These, with Alexander 
McGilvray, C. S. Seymour, B. B. Healy, Robert Farrington, William Cram, 
Charles Holmes, Mary .Huff, Catherine Davidson, A. M. Brandenburg, Rev. 
Mr. Watts, and possibly a few others, constituted the list of arrivals in 1852. 

There were two interesting social events this year. One was the 
opening of the Trempealeau House, at which was served a banquet which 
was long remembered by the old settlers, Mrs. Batchelder, the landlady, 
having secured many dainties from points further down the river. The 
Fourth of July celebration was another important event. It was held in 
the upper story of the Hammond & Heuston building. Mr. Heuston read 
the Declaration, and talks were made by several citizens. 

"In 1852," says Mary Brandenburg, "when the Brandenburgs landed 
in Trempealeau, then called Montoville, they found among other settlers 
James Reed in a log house on the river bank at about the Barney McGraw 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 75 

place. Other settlers were George Batchelder, the first merchant, first 
school teacher, first store keeper and first hotel keeper; Isaac Noyes, the 
first postmaster, and Alexander McGilvray, who afterward ran the first 
ferry boat, and N. B. Grover, an Indian trader, and his brother, Archelaus, 
both single men, and B. B. Healy. These were most of the early settlers." 

In 1853, 1854 and 1855 the arrivals were not numerous. La Crosse 
was a thriving village and attracted those who desired to grow up with 
a future metropolis, while the Black River country, with its timber, its 
springs, and its open meadows, attracted those who were seeking farm 
lands and rural homesteads. Among the arrivals of these years were J. D. 
Olds, who had selected a claim in 1851 ; A. P. Webb, Patrick Drugan, Thomas 
Drugan, Aaron Houghton, Joseph Gale, Patrick Lowry, Gilbert Gibbs, Oscar 
Beardsley, Lewis Huttenhow, William Olds, Frank Feeney, Hiram Brown, 
and others. Some settled in the village, others scattered back on the 
prairie. 

The real influx of population began in 1856. In this year the pioneer 
mill of the county was erected. That spring, the Messrs. Bredenthal and 
King,- with the determination of establishing a mill in the Black River 
country, shipped some machinery to the mouth of that river, and made 
inquiries at La Crosse as to a suitable location. Meeting J. M. Barrett, 
they persuaded him to join them in their venture, and the three called on 
S. D. Hastings, who was the La Crosse representative of the townsite 
proprietors of Trempealeau. Mr. Hastings, in the name of his employers, 
offered a free site for the new mill south of the village. At that time the 
river was unusually high, and the location seemed a most suitable one. But 
while it was in the progress of construction, the water subsided, and the 
owners of the mill began to realize that their venture was not likely to prove 
profitable. When they began to operate, these apprehensions were fully 
verified. Access to the mill was diflScult, and the expense of hauling was 
great. After a while the venture was abandoned, the mill was sold and 
moved elsewhere, and of the proprietors, only Mr. Barrett remained in 
Trempealeau. 

But the mill was the cause of a rapid growth for the village. Property 
advanced in value and importance. Many eastern people were at that 
time seeking in the West opportunities for investment which they believed 
would bring them large returns. The village was filled with new settlers, 
houses, cabins and shanties were put up, and the incomers began to buy 
land in all directions. 

This demand created the utmost excitement, and the price of lots 
appreciated so rapidly that no one was able to predict a possible value in 
advance. In the spring, the most desirable lots could have been purchased 
for from $40 to $50. In May, when the building of the mill was arranged 
for, double this price was demanded, and when the mill was completed, as 
high as $1,000 was refused for the same pieces of property that could not 
have found a purchaser a year previous. As an instance, it may be stated 
that while this scale of prices was maintained, $2,100 was offered for lots 
on the river bank opposite what was afterward the Melchior Brewery, and 
it was declined. They could not now be sold at anything like that figure. 



76 HISTORY OF TREMPE.\LEAU COUNTY 

Among the prominent arrivals for 1856, were 0. S. Bates, S. D. 
Hastings and family, Noah Payne and family, W. T. Booker, J. H. Crossen, 
J. P. Israel and family, S. F. Harris and family, Thomas Van Zant, William 
Held, A. W. Hickox, C. W. Thomas, John Smith, Dennis Smith, D. W. Gil- 
fillan, D. B. Phelps, C. C. Crane, and many others. The improvements 
consisted in part of the mill and a large house adjoining for the accommo- 
dation of hands employed therein ; the Congregational Church put up under 
a contract with C. C. Crane, and numerous private buildings for residence 
and commercial purposes. Gilfillan built a hotel. Hastings erected a resi- 
dence opposite the public square. Robert Jones, a brick residence on Third 
street, the first brick house in the village, and the Rev. Mr. Hayes put up a 
frame house on the hill. In addition to Gilfillan's tavern, C. S. Seymour 
was proprietor of the Trempealeau House, built in 1852, by A. A. Angell, 
and Frederick Harth occupied the old log house of James Reed, as the 
Washington Hotel. Jasper Kingsley maintained the only saloon in the 
village, and the commercial and river interests were divided between J. P. 
Israel, W. T. Booker, Mills & Van Zant and N. B. Grover. 

J. A. Parker came in this year. He was the first lawyer in the village. 
Dr. Alson Atwood also came in and built a house, and is claimed by some 
as the first physician to settle in Trempealeau, though it is contended by 
others that this honor legitimately belongs to Dr. E. R. Utter. Lafayette H. 
Bunnell, who settled here in the forties, was not a physician until later in 
life. Money was plenty, it is said, and times unprecedentedly prosperous. 
Almost every steamer bore hither, as passengers, people who were out 
prospecting, ready to avail themselves of any opportunity that presented 
itself for purchase. The Fourth of July was celebrated with unusual 
pomp, the Baptist Society was organized, and a terrible cyclone passed over 
the village in August, doing great damage. 

A pioneer, John H. Crosen, arriving in Trempealeau on November 13, 
1856, has this to say of the village in those days : "There were three stores 
on Front street, and a few frame residences, with here and there a log house. 
Further back on Second and Third streets were other residences, perhaps 
thirty all told, very much scattered. People were coming and going con- 
stantly. Each boat brought a new crowd of prospective settlers, and took 
away some that had looked the country over and gotten their fill, so to 
speak, and had made up their minds to look elsewhere for locations. And 
so it went, coming and going, hei-e today and gone tomorrow, although, of 
course, some remained and became permanent settlers in the village. 

"But the steamboat was not the only means of bringing people to 
Trempealeau. Many came overland in covered wagons. During 1856-57 
a number of caravans of settlers passed through here and were ferried 
across the river to Minnesota, where they took the road leading up thi 
Pickwick Valley onto the Minnesota prairie. I have seen the old ferry 
owned by Wilson Johnson busy a week steady ferrying teams across the 
river. This ferry was a horse tread power, and it carried many a prairie 
schooner over the river. 

"These long strings of covered wagons made a picturesque sight 
winding along the road with their white tops showing against the greei 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 77 

landscape, always reaching towards the west— the land of the setting sun— 
and many of the occupants of these prairie schooners became the sturdy 
pioneers of Minnesota. 

"During the wheat times, Trempealeau was surely a lively place. I 
have seen wagons loaded with wheat reaching from the loading dock down 
Front street and part way up the hill, waiting for their turn to be unloaded 
—a procession half a mile long, composed mostly of ox-teams, with a few 
teams of horses. At night you would see fires out on Trempealeau Prairie 
where the wheat haulers were camped for the night. Every idle man in 
Trempealeau could find employment there loading wheat on the steam- 
boats, and I have seen two and three boats loading at a time, and steamboat 
men scouring the town for more help. The flush wheat times lasted until 
a few years after the Civil War." 

With the opening of the river in 1857, the hopes of the villagers ran 
high. Every steamboat was bringing new arrivals, new buildings were 
being erected, the prairie was being settled, the county was growing. But 
In the midst of this busy activity came the financial crash, nation-wide in 
its scope. Provisions became scarce and rapidly rose in price. Flour 
jumped to $12 a barrel, pork to $10 a hundred pounds, and other commodi- 
ties in proportion. Wild game became an important article of food, and 
kept many of the settlers from starvation. Elk and deer, which even 
at this late date were to be found herded in the brush of the bluffs, supplied 
the absence of meat. 

However, great faith was still maintained in the future of Trempealeau, 
and many strangers attempted to take advantage of the situation to secure 
land at a low price. But the people of Trempealeau, with dogged perse- 
verance, stuck to the high prices that had been maintained during the 
"boom" years. The result was that many desirable citizens who would 
have located here and helped to build a metropolis, secured cheaper land in 
La Crosse, Winona, Red Wing, St. Paul and other places, and the advantage 
of their money and enthusiasm was lost to the little village in the shadow 
of the mountain. This short-sighted pohcy, together with the money 
stringency, retarded the growth of Trempealeau, and though with returning 
prosperity, the village was an important shipping point until the coming 
of the railroad, those who had demanded such high prices for their land 
never saw their hopes realized, and values of village property gradually 
declined. 

Among those who settled here in 1857 were W. P. Heuston, R. W. 
Russell, N. W. Allen, Harvey Bowles, F. A. Utter and others, including 
Wilson Johnston, who established the first ferry from Trempealeau Village 
to the Minnesota shore. 

A good crop of wheat was raised in 1858, and much of it was purchased 
at Trempealeau for shipment to various points down the river. Fully 1,000 
bushels of wheat were shipped this year, and prosperity was revived. The 
absence of railroads in the interior, and the fact that Trempealeau was the 
most accessible point for the farmers of this region to merchant their 
produce, brought the pioneer agriculturists here in such numbers that the 



78 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

streets lining the river were often packed for hours with teamsters waitinp 
for a chance to unload. 

A later settler (Stephen Richmond) arriving September 8, 1870, a year 
before the opening of the railroad, has said of the village : 

"Its one main street extending along the river from Melchior's hotel 
and brewery and Octave Batchelor's hotel, running east with the then 
numerous warehouses and business places crowding close together, and 
its neat homes nestling in sunshine on the hillsides and down to the foot of 
the Trempealeau Bluffs which appeared as mountains of moderate elevation 
— the town itself facing the Mississippi River, its streets filled with farmers 
and lined with farm teams of one hundred or more, a majority of the teams 
being oxen with wagons loaded with grain for the market, or with goods 
and supplies for the farmers' homes ; and the most disconcerting and puz- 
zling condition to me was the language spoken by many of the people — 
languages with which I was not then familiar, many persons speaking the 
German, the Polish, the Bohemian and Scandinavian, this talk being 
coupled with the oddity of the dress of many and the general inter-social 
manner of the people and their truly democratic manners and customs, no 
notice appeared to be taken of dilTerence in nationality. Even the half- 
breed and the Indian were kindly recognized. I counted 98 teams along 
Main street loaded with grain, waiting for a turn to unload at the ware- 
houses, then under the management of Solomon Becker, Christ Reimin- 
schneider, and Paul Kribs." 

The village trade increased in volume until the completion of the 
railroad in August, 1871. Farmers came here with their wheat not only 
from this county, but also from adjoining counties, and during the last few 
years before 1871 it is said that the shipments sometimes averaged 5,000 
bushels a day fi-om the opening of the harvest season until the closing of 
the river in the early winter. A vast amount of money was thus put into 
circulation. 

The village, however, did not grow materially. A few stores were 
put up, a few business houses opened, and a few residences constructed, 
but the men who would have contributed so materially to its prosperity 
had been frightened away by the high values at which the village proprie- 
tors held their property. When the railroad from the east was completed 
to La Crosse, Trempealeau's importance as a shipping point was increased, 
and La Crosse grew rapidly. It was therefore felt that with the building 
of the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad, Trempealeau would 
retain its standing as a steamboat point, and grow to great importance as 
a railroad point. But when the railroad was put in operation it tapped 
many points that had hitherto been tributary to Trempealeau, and the hopes 
of the promoters were blasted forever. 

In recent years, however, a group of active young business men of 
another generation are making the village a busy and important little center 
and the recent creation of Trempealeau Mountain as a State park has 
revived its former importance. 

The Black River Valley in Trempealeau County embraces the eastern 
part of Caledonia Township, and Decorah Prairie in Gale Township. Tradi- 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY , 79 

tion ascribes Indian village sites to Decorah and Red Bird, Winnebago chiefs, 
in this immediate region. The first white settlers were sturdy Scotchmen. 

Caledonia early received settlers in that portion lying along the Missis- 
sippi adjacent to Trempealeau. James D. Olds was the first to take a claim 
in that portion lying properly in the Black River Valley. He came to 
Trempealeau on May 6, 1851, and walking out on Caledonia Prairie, selected 
a claim in Section 7, in what is now Caledonia Township. He cut logs, 
rolled them up for the body of a cabin, and marked out a claim, cutting the 
name and date on the log. 

The first man actually to settle in the locality was William Cram, who 
started building a cabin south of the Olds claim, in May, 1852. 

In 1853 came Joshua Rhodes, accompanied by William Hanson, who 
lived with him for a while. During the same year came Rufus Comstock, 
who settled on the claim of James D. Olds. The same year William Olds 
came in and purchased William Cram's place. Alexander McGilvray, who 
had reached Trempealeau in 1852, moved his family to the banks of the 
Black River. 

Bostwick Beardsley led the vanguard in 1854 by settling on Section 28. 
There were numerous other arrivals about the same time. He found in 
the neighborhood, John, Richard and William NichoUs, Charles Holmes, 
B. B. Healy and Alexander McGilvray. 

This year marked the opening of McGilvray ferry. The ferry was 
started by Alexander McGilvray. In the summer of 1854, J. D. Olds pur- 
chased property at the ford, and built a store and blacksmith shop, and 
opened a farm. 

From this settlement, the pioneers spread onto Decorah Prairie further 
up the river, where a flourishing Scotch settlement was founded. 

Beaver Creek Valley. According to Winnebago tradition, Joseph 
Roque, a famous Indian guide and trapper, erected a cabin on Beaver Creek 
near the present village of Galesville, possibly soon after the War of 1812. 
His son, Augustin, likewise a guide and trapper, is said to have built a cabin 
and spent a winter hunting in the same locality about 1820. 

But to Americans Beaver Creek Valley was not opened for settlement 
until after the purchase of the Indian rights to all this territory, in 1837, 
and even then it was several years before an actual settlement took place. 

James A. Reed, the first permanent settler in Trempealeau County, 
hunted and trapped along Beaver Creek as far back as 1840, and in 1843, in 
company with Willard Bunnell and Antoine Grignon, explored the head- 
waters of the valley. 

While the fur trade played an important role in the opening of Trempea- 
leau County for settlement, but few of the trappers remained to till the soil 
after the fur had been gathered, but pushed on westward to the unsubdued 
wilderness. 

The agriculturist who came to find a permanent home in the fertile 
valleys of Trempealeau County was the natural successor of the fur trader, 
for here there was no pinery to bring the lumberman, as in other portions 

of the State. 

The autumn of 1851 saw the first Beaver Creek settler arrive in the 



80 HISTORY OF tre:\ipealeau county 

person of Abram Trepena, who came up from Racine County to look for a 
Homestead. Mr. Trepena came from Oswego, New York, to Racine in 1848, 
and had resided in the southern part of the State since that time. 

There was a vast amount of unoccupied land in this section in that 
early day, and the homeseeker could take his choice of locations. After 
looking over the country thoroughly Mr. Trepena finally selected a quarter- 
section of land in the Beaver Creek Valley about a mile and a half southwest 
of the present village of Galesville. He then returned to Racine and in the 
fall of 1852 in company with his family and John Hess came north. They 
drove two yoke of oxen and carried all of their household goods in two immi- 
grant wagons. On the night of October 11 they arrived at their destination 
and went into camp, but before they had hardly settled for the night a snow 
storm of unusual severity came up and continued with unabated fury until 
morning, and when the new settlers awoke they found the ground covered to 
a depth of ten inches with freshly-fallen snow. This was indeed a wintry 
greeting for the pioneers, but with dauntless courage they went to work and 
arranged their camp for the winter; protecting it with wagon boxes, and 
making as comfortable a home as a tent could afford. 

In the spring the men began the construction of a log house which 
was completed and occupied by the first of May. They also cleared and 
broke eight acres of land, and the crop raised during the season indicated 
the fertility of the Beaver Creek soil. 

In 1853 Judge George Gale of La Crosse purchased about two thousand 
acres of land, including the present location of Galesville, with the water 
power on Beaver Creek ; and, in January, 1854, he procured from the state 
legislature, the organization of the new county of Trempealeau, with the 
location of the county seat at Galesville, and at the same time obtained a 
charter for a university, to be located at that place. In June of the same 
year the village plot of Galvesville was laid out, and subsequently the flour 
mills were erected. A. H. Armstrong was the first man to put up a building 
in the new village and Ryland Parker opened the first grocery store, keeping 
it in conjunction with a hotel. 

One of the first to settle in the township of Gale after Galesville was 
conceived was B. F. Heuston, who had settled in Trempealeau in 1851. 
During the winter of 1853 he moved into a house which he had built about 
half a mile south of what afterward became the site of the county court- 
house at Gale. In the fall of 1853, or early in 1854, Peter and George Uhle 
settled in Crystal Valley, three miles from Galesville. John Dettinger also 
settled near-by in that year. 

Galesville grew rapidly, and in a short time new settlers were turning 
their eyes to the upper Beaver Creek region. The land seekers were looking 
for a farming section, and it is not strange that the rolling lands of this 
fertile valley attracted their attention. 

As early as May, 1855, John Cance settled in what is now the town 
of Ettrick. Cance came from Glasgow, Scotland, to America in 1854, and 
remained in Jersey City, N. J., a short time, when he decided to move west 
to Freeport, 111. He remained in Freeport all winter, and in the spring 
of 1855 he started for Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and on May 25 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 81 

arrived at Beaver Creek. His brother-in-law, Andrew C. Purvis came with 
him, and the two men took up land and selected suitable building place 
within a few days of their arrival. 

In 1856 Charley White and Mike Cullity settled in the valley, and in 
1857-58 Robert Cance and Alexander Cance arrived and located land adjoin- 
ing their brother's farm. During the next few years Dan Kennedy, Thomas 
Wall, John Mahony, Darby Whalen, John Lynch and James Corcoran joined 
the Beaver Creek settlers. 

The first settlers in what is now known as North Beaver Creek were 
Iver Orianson (Torblaa) and Iver Knutson (Syse), who came in 1857. 

In 1858 K. K. Hallanger, Amund Olsen, R. Richelson, Thomas and 
Nels Herreid, Ole Skaar, Simon Nelson, T. R. Thompson, N. B. Henderson, 
Lars Hanson, Ole Ellingson, Orians Torblaa, Ole Dale, Erick Tronsen and 
Nels Oakland came. Anve Olsen, Arne Arneson, Torkel Gunderson and 
Torkel Halderson came in 1859, and Knudt Hagestad in 1860. 

The first settlers in the French Creek district were Peter A. Hogden, 
John A. Hogden and Andrew A. Hogen, who came in 1859. Ole Gilbertson 
came in 1860, and the same year Gilbert Nelson and Hans Johnson moved 
into the South Beaver Creek region. 

When a postoffice was established in the new settlement and John 
Cance received the appointment of postmaster, he turned to his native land 
for an appropriate name for the office. He was a great admirer of Scott's 
works, and in Marmion introduction to canto second appears the following 
couplet : 

"The scenes are desert now and bare. 
Where flourished once a forest fair," 

and again, further along in the same canto, mention is made of "pathless 
Ettrick." According to a foot note in Marmion, Ettrick Forest was a 
mountainous region anciently reserved for the pleasure of the royal chase. 
The game preserve was known far and wide throughout Scotland as Ettrick 
Forest or Ettrick. And so John Cance chose this ancient Scotch name for 
the new postoffice, and when the town was organized at the first town 
meeting held in Cance's residence April 17, 1863, the name Ettrick was 
again chosen. 

Settlers poured into the valley rapidly during the next ten years, and 
though markets were distant, the slow, but sure, ox team hauled the farm 
produce that brought a harvest of gold to the hardy pioneers. 

L. L. Grinde of Galesville many years afterward recalled many inci- 
dents of pioneer life in upper Beaver Creek, where he settled in the fall 
of 1860. Speaking of that period, he said, "Many of the early settlers lived 
in dug-outs — just holes burrowed in the side of a hill or bank, and they 
remained in these cave dwellings until they were able to buikt log houses. 
Often two families would work together on a log structure and when it 
was completed would occupy it jointly until circumstances were such that 
another log cabin could be built. Markets at that time were La Crosse, 
Sparta and Trempealeau, and it took sevei'al days to make the round trip. 
What was called speculator land could be bought in the valley then for five 



82 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

dollars an acre, and there was still considerable government land which 
could be taken by pre-emption." 

Cornelius Lynch of Ettrick told of his first visit to Beaver Creek in 
1859. "A number of settlers were living here then," said Lynch, "in their 
log houses, but a comparatively small amount of land was being cultivated. 
There was an abundance of game here at that time, such as deer, wolves 
and bear and the prairie chickens, pigeons, native pheasants and quail." 

Nora Cullity, who was born in Galesville September 22, 1855, and 
reputed to be the first child born in Beaver Creek Valley related experiences 
of the early settlers. Our nearest neighbors, she said, were John Cance and 
Dan Kennedy, and neighbors were appreciated in the sparsely settled 
country, for it was sometimes necessary for a family to borrow flour suflfi- 
cient to last until they could get to the distant market. It was customary to 
change work in the pioneer day, and people turned out to help at a house 
or barn raising or in threshing time the men generally helped each other 
and the women were as eager to lend a hand at the quilting bee. 

"I have often heard mother tell of watching the wolves on the hills 
through the chinks in the log house as she sat knitting by the fireside, and 
their howl often broke the white silence of a wintry night with a startling 
suddenness." 

What changes have taken place in this valley in the last sixty years, 
The dugout was soon obliterated and the log house that took its place, 
though it stood for years, has long since faded into oblivion and made way 
for the frame house, which in turn has been succeeded by the modern 
pressed brick residence. There are some of the old-time frame houses left 
in the valley, but no log cabin remains to mark the pioneer epoch — np log 
school house lingers by the way. No savage war cry has echoed from 
these hills since the days of Decorah, but of a summer evening one can 
hear the farmer boy calling the cattle home, and the wildest sound in all 
the broad valley is the bay of the watch dog. 

The large valley, whose length is approximately thirty-five miles, has 
some of the most progressive farmers in the state. One may find plenty 
of farms with registered stock, and with modern dwelling houses that would 
grace the residence section of any city, and then the splendid barns and 
other farm buildings are in accord with the dwellings. And one will be 
surprised with the equipment, which is the best that money can obtain, and 
consists of electric lights, water works, sanitary feeding stalls, the silo and 
all of the very best and latest farm machinery. 

What early settler ever dreamed of all these modern improvements? 
They had not even the shadow of a dream that approached the reality. 

Looking over the names in this locahty one is struck with varied human 
activities, remote and present, which they suggest : The trappers' paradise, 
Beaver Creek, so named on account of abundance of beaver in its waters 
in former times ; French Creek and Frenchville, names that point back to 
the days of Rocque, the trapper and trader, who built a cabin near the 
present Galesville in 1820 ; Iduna, a name taken from one of the characters 
in Norse mythology; Ettrick, the ancient Scotch name, and Hegg, which 
brings to mind the fame of our state in the Civil War ; Galesville, which 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 83 

suggests the sturdy character of that man whose brain felt into the future ; 
the sentinel peak, Decorah, named from an Indian chief with a corrupted 
French name. 

Over a century ago the Winnebago and Dakotas divided hunting ground 
in the Beaver Creek territory. A century has fled since Decorah stood on 
his famous peak and watched his braves battle with the Chippewa, and 
sixty-one years have passed since John Cance came into the valley and 
built his log cabin, thatching the roof with wild grass so that it resembled 
the low thatched cottages of far away Scotland. 

In the years to come no period of American history will be filled with 
more romance and hardy adventure than the heroic pioneer age, nor fraught 
with greater interest, for on this rough hewn foundation our national 
character has been developed. 

Frenchville had its first store in 1867, when Iver Federson and Ole 
Scow came from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, and opened a general 
mercantile establishment. In 1870 Mr. Federson sold out to Mrs. Ole Scow 
and moved to Ettrick. 

Ettrick had its first store in 1870, when Iver Federson came here from 
Frenchville. Seven years later he laid out the village plot of Ettrick, and 
thenceforth this Beaver Creek settlement took its place among the progres- 
sive Trempealeau County villages. Mr. Federson's enterprise and business 
capacity were soon revealed in the growth of the new village. As new 
methods were advanced he adopted them, and before many years had 
elapsed his business eye saw the need of a flour mill in Ettrick. With 
characteristic energy, he turned his attention to this new industry, and 
in 1884 completed a flouring mill having a capacity of seventy-five barrels 
per day. He was also instrumental in establishing the woolen mills and 
creamery at Ettrick and was one of the promoters of the Ettrick Bank, of 
which institution he was president. 

Ettrick and the upper Beaver Creek country, though somewhat distant 
from a railway, has made its disadvantage its opportunity, and instead of 
hauling large quantities of grain to market, the dairy feature of farming 
was developed to a high degree, and produce from this source proved to 
be not only more profitable, but much more conveniently handled than bulky 
grain, potatoes and hay. 

Galesville was founded by Judge George Gale, jurist, educator and 
author. Unable to enthuse the people of La Crosse with the idea of securing 
for that place an institution of higher learning, he determined to establish 
somewhere in the vicinity a university city. After looking about for a 
while, he selected a beautiful spot in the Beaver Creek most admirably 
suited to his purpose. Here, amid a picturesque stretch of hill and dale, 
lay two tables or plateaus, separated by a wide depression or flat, and 
watered by the meandering course of the creek, whose gorge-like bed seemed 
especially designed for the building of a dam and the creation of an artificial 
lake. The land was unsettled and cheap, and Judge Gale had no difficulty 
in securing 2,000 acres in the vicinity of his chosen site. 

His duties at La Crosse prevented his moving at once to his new 
possessions, so in 1854 he sent Augustus H. Armstrong to start operations 



84 HISTORY OF TREiVIPEALEAU COUNTY 

in inaugurating the future village. Mr. Armstrong erected a residence on 
what is now known as the lower or courthouse table, and as soon as the 
weather of the late spring permitted, superintended the construction of a 
mill and dam, the stone and the timber being obtained from the gorge itself. 

Dr. William M. Young, a brother of Mrs. Gale, arrived a short time 
later, followed by Michael Cullity, who erected a shanty on the lower table 
on the south side of what is now Allen street, between Ridge and Main 
streets. An interesting example of conditions in those days is seen in the 
fact that Dr. Young and Mr. Cullity started out at sunrise to obtain the 
material for this shanty, and before night had it ready for occupancy by 
the Cullity family. Ryland Parker opened a small store east of the south- 
east corner of the public square on the present site of the Bank of Galesville. 
He started a hotel on the corner of Main and Allen streets, lot 2, block 3, 
original plat. Captain Finch started a home northeast of the northeast 
corner of the public square, but later sold out to Captain Alexander A. 
Arnold. Work on the mill progressed slowly. The dam proved inadequate 
and the harnessed waters soon broke their bonds. Judge Gale therefore 
secured the services of William 0. Clark as builder and Ebenezer Batchelder 
as millwright, and under their auspices the dam was repaired and sawing 
started. The grist mill, obtaining power from the same dam, was not 
put into operation until later. 

While the lower table, now the business district, was thus the scene 
of pioneer activity in 1854, the upper table, now the residence district, 
was receiving its first settlers. Isaac Clark established his home near the 
west end of what is now the north side of Clark street, and John French 
located on the west side of what is now French street. A Mr. Crawford 
came in about the same time, accompanied by his sister, and lived here a 
while in their pioneer wagon. The sister was a strong-minded woman, a 
follower of Lucy Stone, and wore a bloomer suit instead of the conven- 
tional feminine attire, thus provoking much satirical and sometimes cruel 
comment on the part of the other settlers. A. R. Wyman ei'ected a house 
on the upper table, but later moved onto a farm, leaving his original home 
to be used for many years as a boarding house for university students. 
The village was platted on both tables April 22, 1854. 

The population of both tables probably did not number thirty people 
on New Year's Day, 1855. A few settlers arrived during that year. Early 
in 1856 J. W. Armstrong, then registrar of deeds, occupied a house on 
Ridge street ; Ryland Parker was a merchant on the corner of Allen street 
and the square; Daniel McKeith had a primitive home; WiUiam P. Clark 
was engaged with Judge George Gale and Ebenezer Batchelder in building 
a grist mill and operating a sawmill ; Franklin Gilbert resided down on the 
flats upon what afterward became Mill street; A. R. W^mian resided on 
Ridge street ; Isaac Clark on Clark street, and J. C. French on French street. 
The hotel, of which Ellsworth was landlord, corner of Allen and Main streets. 
was finished, and in the full flush of success. The improvements completed 
included among others the courthouse and a schoolhouse. The schoolhouse 
was on the site of the present high school. The courthouse was still standing 
as a west part of the building north of the west corner of the public square. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEx\LEAU COUNTY 85 

Later in the year the village saw a considerable growth. J. W. Canter- 
bury opened the first blacksmith shop. C. E. Perkins, afterward a promi- 
nent county officer, erected a residence on Free street ; W. H. Wyman on 
Elizabeth street ; George W. Swift on Clark street ; R. B. Cooper on Ridge 
street, and G. H. Burnham on Allen street. C. C. Averill, Nathaniel Stearns, 
who had been to Gales.ville in 1855, and George W. Stearns located here, and 
the latter two moved into the Armstrong house on Allen street. The Rev. 
D. D. Van Slyke, organizer of the Methodist church in the village, also 
built a house. Captain Bartlet completed a house in which the postoffice 
was this year opened, with Dr. William M. Young as postmaster. Several 
of the pioneer shanties were replaced with frame houses. 

With this beginning, the village experienced a quick growth, enjoying 
a heyday of prosperity until the close of the Civil War. The panic of 1857 
apparently did not retard the progress. In 1859 an attempt was made to 
transfer some of the business from the lower to the upper table. J. M. 
Dodge built a store on Ridge street and soon sold to R. A. Odell, who con- 
ducted it for several years. This was the only store ever started on the 
upper table. 

Work on Gale College, on the upper table, was started in 1858, the 
preparatory department opened in the courthouse in the summer of 1859 
and the collegiate department opened in the fall of 1861. The first county 
fair was held in the fall of 1859. The Galesville Transcript was established 
in 1860. 

During this period of prosperity many houses were erected, several 
church societies perfected their organizations, and the Rev. John Frothing- 
ham, first Presbyterian minister to be settled in the county, took charge 
of his work. 

. On June 2, 1866, the dam went out, and destruction and desolation 
marked the rush of waters. The hotel on the flat, put up in 1857 ; the saw 
and grist mills and other improvements were swept away in an hour, 
entailing a loss of not less than $10,000. The next spring Webster Davis 
purchased the water power privileges and the debris left by the flood, and 
began the construction of a new dam and mill on the present site several 
rods above the old location. 

Of Galesville, in the fall of 1870, Stephen Richmond has said: 

"It was a beautiful, thriving and famed little city, nestling in the 
shade of the mighty cliff, which then as now, forms the east bank of Beaver 
Creek, under the shadow of which towered the granite walls of the Davis 
Flouring Mill, the whir and busy trundle of which bespoke an active 
industry. Galesville University stood near the western boundary or out- 
skirts of the village after the fashion of southern colleges and was then 
a flourishing school under the presidency of Professor Gilliland and a corps 
of strong, active teachers. The public square in the center of the business 
part of the village on the lower table was also a reminder of southern cities 
and villages, on the north side of which stood the courthouse, the remainder 
of the square being built about by business places, all active with bustle 
and an air of successful local commerce, presenting a scene and fixing in 
my memory a very pleasant remembrance of that day, then bespeaking 



86 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the intelligence, business ability and financial foresight of a community of 
people able to cope successfully with all municipal problems. It was a sight 
not to be in all the years since effaced from my memory. 

"On the day of which I try to sketch my mental picture, the public 
square, the streets, and along the bank of the creek were many teams 
from the country, and many of the active, hardy, intelligent fai'mers, their 
wives and children, who were tributary to Galesville, as their market place, 
were present. Good order was manifest everywhere, and the democracy 
of which so many have spoken and written was surely there. Away to 
the north spread in a sheen of golden ripple lay the Davis mill pond looking 
in all respects like a lake formed by the handiwork of Providence, whil 
to the southwest could be seen the mighty bluffs and rugged hills in Minne- 
sota ranged along the western side of the Mississippi River. Every line 
of local municipal activity now present in, and the boast of modern days, 
appeared to be actively and intelligently represented. The ragged edge of 
the frontier town and the far-western outpost were absent, and there was 
an air of permanency, tradition and stability usually lacking in new towns." 

Trempealeau Prairie lies in the southern part of Trempealeau County, 
about fifteen miles long and from three to five miles wide. Over this 
prairie all the early settlers of the county hauled their grain to market. 
There were three main routes from the Trempealeau Valley after the ridge 
was crossed. The Beaver Creek Valley and the Tamarack Valley route 
joins at Centerville, then called Martin's Corners. The Pine Creek route 
reached the prairie at Wright's Corners. After the hills, sloughs and log 
ways were passed, the early settlers were assured of a safe, steady passage 
to Trempealeau, situated on the south edge of the prairie on the Mississippi 
River, then the great highway of commerce. 

Settlers began to locate on the prairie surrounding Trempealeau at 
an early date. Their story has been told in connection with the history 
of the village. Not long afterward a populous settlement sprang up a+ 
what is known as West Prairie. The first permanent settler on West Prairie 
was HoUister Wright, who located in 1853 at what was afterward known 
as Wright's Corners. He bought out an earlier claimant who had selected 
a location and planted potatoes. It is said that Wright was walking over 
the prairie, met a man digging potatoes, and bought him out after a five- 
minute conversation. In 1854 came W. A. Cram, D. A. Segar, 0. Whitcomb 
and William Lee. These four, with Wright, all had their crops harvested 
when D. 0. Van Slyke arrived in November of that year. 

About 1855 settlers came in large numbers, mostly i/i wagon trains 
drawn by oxen. They crossed Black River at McGilvray's Ferry on a flat 
boat propelled by poles and held in place by a rope stretched from one bank 
to the other. The oxen were often the cause of a great deal of trouble, 
for, after being turned loose on the prairie at night to feed, it often took 
all the forenoon to round them up ready to move on. 

On the east bank of the Trempealeau settled Isaac Nash, who, with 
his large family, were well adapted to a new country, because they were 
versed in the use of the natural resources of the land. From the woods 
they secured logs for a house and fuel for their stove, while the river 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 87 

abounded in fish and the land in small game. With the family came Jacob 
Holbrook, also a man of resource. With an ax and auger he could fashion 
a bob-sled or an ax-yoke. He operated the first miU and made sorgum syrup. 

Among the first settlers were Avery Wellington (he was called "Duke," 
and the street on which he lived bears that name), William Burns, Seba 
Atwood and Amos Whiting, educator and leader in pubhc affairs. One 
of the interesting characters of the time was Dow Ladd, a down-east 
Yankee, who served as justice of the peace. He was full of whims, and a 
bitter feud existed between him and the boys of the neighborhood, who 
often raided his melon patch and annoyed him in other ways. 

John Gillies and family, Alex Stevens and family, and John and George 
Brewin arrived in June, 1855, and settled on South Prairie. No lumber 
could be obtained at Trempealeau, and John GiUies and Alex McGilvray 
went to Douglass Mill, near Melrose, and rafted timber down to McGilvray's 
Ferry, whence it was carted to the prairie. 

Many others came this year and the years immediately following, and 
the prairie was soon thickly settled. 

The early settlers were for the most part New Englanders, and, coming 
from a hilly and rocky country, were attracted by the easy turning of the 
soil and its quick production. 

Often on Sunday evenings the people gathered at some home for kindly 
greeting and mutual comfort. By common impulse their thoughts turned 
to far-off New England, with its religious atmosphere, and as their 
memories lingered on the familiar scenes and places of the past, there floated 
out on the evening air the hymns and songs of other days — to the boys 
and girls evenings never to be forgotten. 

The first schoolhouse on what is known as West Prairie was built east 
of the present brick structure as the result of the work of Amos Whiting. 
The building was later replaced on the present site by a large building 
which more recently gave place to the brick structure. A Union Sunday 
school has been held there almost continuously since 1858. 

In 1863 a cemetery was laid out on the corner of the farm of I. D. 
Carhart, under the direction of Amos Whiting, whose daughter was the 
first to be buried there. The land was given by Mr. Carhart. The cemetery 
in charge of an association, has been several times enlarged and is now 
permanently fenced. An artistic pagoda has been erected and a permanent 
fund provided for its maintenance. 

From Trempealeau Prairie the settlers gradually penetrated the Little 
and Big Tamarack, and slowly working up that valley, settled in Holcomb 
Cooley, Thompson Valley, Norway Cooley, and in numerous other branching 
cooleys and valleys. 

Dodge was settled in the middle fifties from Trempealeau, Trempealeau 
Prairie and the Tamarack Valley. The poi'tion first settled was that lying 
tributary to Tamarack Valley and that lying in the Trempealeau River 
flats and small cooleys adjacent to West Prairie. In 1855 Martin Whistler 
crossed Whistler Pass and settled in the Pine Creek Valley, and within 
a year Ichabod Wood had settled in section 14. Other early English and 
American settlers in the vicinity of Whistler Pass were John L. Sanderson, 



88 HISTORY OF TKEjMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Almon A. Johnson, Joseph Utter and Charles Keith. The first Polish settler 
in Dodge was Michael Chisin, of Winona, who, in the spring of 1862, settled 
on the abandoned claim of John Banner. 

It was probably about 1862 when the PoUsh people began to settle in 
Pine Creek. They were induced to locate here by John Schmangle, a man 
who spoke English, German and Polish. The first six families were those 
of Paul Libera, Paul Leishman, Paul Rudnick, Joseph Zabrinsky, Anton 
Zabrinsky and Felix Kamarowski. These Polish families were living in 
the valley when Mathias Brom, a native of Bohemia, settled there in 1863. 

In 1863 there were no improved roads into Pine Creek. The market 
points were Trempealeau Village and Fountain City all the year around, 
and Winona when the river was frozen. With no improved road over the 
ridge communication with Arcadia was most difficult. 

A mill was built on Pine Creek in the sixties. It was washed out by 
a flood in 1872 and was not rebuilt. 

The fii'st German settler in the Trempealeau Valley in Dodge township 
was George F. Staflin, who settled in section 11, east of the present village, 
on March 10, 1857. About the same time came Casper Walwand, the first 
settler in the immediate vicinity of the present village. 

Above Dodge one of the first settlers was John Latsch, afterward a 
prominent wholesale grocer of Winona. He came here in 1856 and settled 
near a creek at the mouth of the valley that now bears his name. In 1865 
Frank Pellowski settled in the same valley, and in the next five years there 
arrived so many settlers from Hungary that the valley came to be called 
Hungary Valley. The name of Latsch Valley is being gradually resumed, 
especially for that part of the valley near its mouth." 

Arcadia, the first settlement in the Trempealeau Valley above Trem- 
pealeau Prairie, had its beginning in 1855. Soon after the Indians relin- 
quished their rights to this region, in 1837, James Reed, the first perma- 
nent settler of Trempealeau County, made several journeys up the Ti-em- 
pealeau River in search of furs. The Bunnells, Willard B. and Lafayette 
H., came to Trempealeau in 1842. Willard B. Bunnell hunted and trapped 
on some of the tributaries of the Trempealeau in the autumn of the same 
year, naming Elk and Pigeon creeks because of his successful hunts there- 
upon. In the autumn of 1843 the two brothers Bunnell, in company with 
Thomas A. Holmes and William Smothers, ascended the Trempealeau as 
far as the present village of Independence, where the party camped and 
spent several days hunting elk in the surrounding country. 

The valley had been a favorite hunting ground of the Indians long 
before the coming of white hunters, and tradition concerns itself with some 
of the principal landmarks, such as Barn Bluff ; but the occasional hunters 
and trappers who penetrated into the interior, enjoying their wild life of 
adventure, had no purpose to settle the country, and little dreamed the 
low marshy grounds along the Trempealeau River would ever afford a site 
for a village such as Arcadia is at the present day. 

When the first settlers arrived at Arcadia they found a defense of 
breastworks, proving that some time soldiers had visited the place. The 
apparent age of the excavations at that time indicated they had been built 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 89 

several years before. Julius Hensel, a veteran of the War of Secession 
and an early settler in Ai-cadia, reports that the Indians claimed that a 
company of soldiers came up the valley shortly after the Black Hawk War, 
and near the present village of Arcadia met a band of Indians. No hostilities 
occurred, but the soldiers deemed it prudent to be prepared in case any 
evidence of enmity on the part of the tribesmen should be shown, and 
therefore erected breastworks. Where the soldiers were going or what their 
mission may have been has never been ascertained, and any effort to gain 
more information concerning their movements has thus far been futile. 

The first permanent settlement of Arcadia came about in the autumn 
of 1855, when four men came up from southern Wisconsin by way of La 
Crosse, with a drove of cattle. They crossed the Black River at McGilvray's 
Ferry and made their way across country to Fountain City. The few people 
they met had much to say of the Trempealeau Valley, a region as yet little 
frequented except by hunters and trappers. 

These men were Colhns Bishop, George Dewey, George Shelley and 
James Broughton. Having reached Fountain City and disposed of their 
stock, they started out one bright autumn morning to see for themselves 
whether the Trempealeau Valley was a suitable location for their future 
homes, for they were actuated by no other motive than home-building. 

They had lived for several years previous to this time in Dodge County, 
where the stone was so numerous in the fields that the only sales of land 
were made when the snow was deep. They spent so much time in looking 
over the country as they came along that they only got as far as George 
Cowie's that day, where they stayed all night, and the next morning resumed 
their journey to the river. Arriving there, they drew cuts to see who 
should cross and find a suitable fording place. This was soon found, and 
they crossed the river near the site of the present bridge. For several years 
all the travel to Fountain City was through this ford. 

After passing through the river they followed an Indian trail east to 
the table land over nearly the same ground now occupied by Main street. 
Upon reaching the hill they looked around for some mark to indicate a 
section corner, and about a half mile due east from there saw two burr oak 
trees standing close together. 

These trees were at that time about six inches in diameter at their 
base, and proved to be witness trees, or, as the pioneers sometimes called 
them, "bearing trees," so the settlers had no difficulty in establishing 
section lines with these for a starting point. They located four homesteads, 
now owned by W. E. Bishop, George Schmidt, J. I. Dewey and M. N. 
Lehnerts, respectively. 

The settlers returned to Mr. Cowie's for the night, and the next day 
came back and completed their preparations for entering the land, and 
picked out building spots. They were well satisfied with the appearance 
of the soil, and while the distant hillsides were covered with brush through 
which a team could make its way anywhere, they did not doubt that when 
prairie fires were no longer allowed to run, there would be a sufl[icient growth 
of timber for all their needs. The manner of choosing those homesteads 
was so unique that a brief mention may be of interest. 



90 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

They agreed to draw cuts for choice of quarter-sections, and the man 
A'ho had first choice paid $100 into a common fund, the second paid $90, the 
third $75, and the fourth $60, and then the whole amount was divided 
equally between them. 

They returned to Fountain City, and late the same autumn Collins 
Bishop hired James Broughton and a Mr. Davis to build a house on his land. 
They erected this near the bearing trees, using logs mostly, and boards 
for the roof. This was the first house built in Arcadia, and some of the 
boards are still doing service in a barn on the place, built a few years later. 

One of the trees was used for firewood the following winter when the 
snow fell to the depth of four feet on the level, but the other still stands, 
having now a circumference of twelve feet at its base, and is a fitting emblem 
of the lives and character of the pioneers who first reposed beneath its 
branches. 

The next spring Collins Bishop took possession of his new home and 
broke several acres of land, which he planted to corn and potatoes. 

In 1856 the settlers petitioned the county board that Preston township 
be divided and a new town formed. Then it became necessary to decide 
upon a name. Hitherto the neighborhood had been known either as Bishop's 
Settlement, in honor of its founder, or as Barntown, on account of the 
number of barns erected by the early settlers. The petition regarding the 
formation of a new town was granted, and so, one winter day, the pioneer 
neighbors met at Bishop's cabin to name the town. The families repre- 
sented were those of James Broughton, George Shelly, David Bishop, Collins 
Bishop, Mrs. Annie B. Bishop, Jessie Penny and Noah D. Comstock. To 
the women was accorded the privilege of selecting the name. Mi's. David 
Bishop, afterward Mrs. Chai'les Mercer, offei-ed the name of Arcadia, which 
had been suggested by Noah D. Comstock. 

Mr. Comstock was a man of varied experience and possessed a broad 
and practical mind. He had crossed the continent in quest of gold in the 
excitement of the days of "Forty-Nine," but he saw in the quiet valleys 
of Arcadia a richer promise of gold than in the mountain regions of Cali- 
fornia. As he gazed on the numerous ranges of hills and the nestling 
valleys, he was thrilled with the grandeur of the scene. Its pastoral beauty 
appealed to him, and he saw the agi'icultural possibilities of the rough land 
and thought of the rugged mountain region in faraway Greece, the old home 
of the Arcadian peasants, who led a life of simple contentment amidst their 
wild surroundings. From Mr. Bishop's window the pioneers looked out 
on the New Arcadia, and on their way homeward admired with a new 
pleasure the scenes of their daily life. Rising above the low range of hills 
that skii-t the western horizon was "Barn Bluff," its clear-cut sides white 
with snow and with the little round peak contrasting sharply with the 
smooth contour of the distant hills. Toward the southeast rose "Noah's 
Bluff," and in every direction were ranges of hills encircling the lower 
basin, where stood the new-born town. And in among those hills were 
valleys, indented nooks and cooleys, with here and there a flat table land. 
Winding along among the low bushy bottom lands was the Trempealeau 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 91 

Eiver, draining the broad fertile valley that as yet was scarcely disturbed 
by the hand of man. 

Until this time it had been known as Bishop's Settlement. In 1857 
Daniel C. Dewey and Dr. I. A. Briggs moved to Arcadia. The good doctor 
not only attended to his medical practice, but found time to cultivate more 
or less land, and one summer, a few years later, it was noised around that 
he had a fine watermelon patch. They were not all old settlers in Arcadia 
by this time, and some of the young settlers started out one pleasant after- 
noon to investigate the truth of the report, supposing the doctor to be far 
away. They had no difficulty in finding the melons, but, unless all signs 
failed, there were no ripe ones. Just at the moment when they were 
busiest thumping on the melons and hunting for one that might do, they 
were startled by a slight sound from the fence alongside the patch. They 
looked up to see the doctor's blue eyes beaming on them in kindly humor as 
he said, "Well, well, boys, better wait till they are a little riper." 

In the spring of 1857 George Shelley began keeping store at his home 
on the present site of the George Schmidt residence. The first town meeting 
was held this spring, and Collins Bishop was elected chairman. The school 
system of Arcadia dates back to 1857 when District No. 1 of the town 
of Arcadia was established and Sarah MacMaster installed as teacher. 
The schoolhouse, which afterwards occupied three or four different sites 
and was used in turn as courthouse, printing office, feed mill and dwelling 
house, was originally located just across the street from John Danuser's 
residence in East Arcadia. It was built by James Warren, with lumber 
rafted down the river to Fountain City and hauled from there with ox 
teams. But such lumber can scarcely be found today. 

Two-by-fours were two inches by four inches, and generally a little 
more, and the builders had the privilege of throwing out any board found 
having a knot in it. The next year Albro C. Matterson started a blacksmith 
shop, and near it stood a frame for shoeing oxen. 

In 1860 Dr. Briggs and David Massuere undertook to build a flouring 
mill, but on account of the Civil War breaking out, were unable to complete 
it until five years later. In the meantime it was used as a residence until 
1865, when the machinery was installed, and the settlers were no longer 
obliged to make the long trips to Trempealeau or Pickwick for flour. The 
same year Gay T. Storm erected a store with lumber hauled from Trem- 
pealeau, and two or three years later built a brick store building, which 
still stands. That fall D. C. Dewey, with Dr. Isaac Briggs, opened a store 
at Dewey's Corners, now called Old Arcadia. 

Up to the outbreak of the war the arrivals, while not by any means 
unusually large, were fairly numerous and were composed of a superior 
class. With the advent of that calamity immigration entirely ceased. From 
1860 to 1867 times were dull and little improvement of anj^ kind was under- 
taken. During the war the Federal Congress passed a Homestead Bill that 
attracted a large foreign element which was distributed over the country 
tributory to the village, and furnished the means of developing the agri- 
cultural resources of the vicinity to a wonderful extent. From 1867 times 
began to improve, and considerable progress was made in all lines, increasing 



92 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

with each year and culminating in 1873 with the completion of the Green 
Bay & Minnesota Railroad. The lower town was built up at once, and many 
buildings from the upper town or "Old Arcadia" were removed to the new 
location. 

In looking over the Arcadia of today, we see the dreams of the pioneers 
more than realized. Since the day they waded the river and looked for 
the first time on the Trempealeau Valley, Arcadia has changed from a 
favorite hunting ground of the Indian to a productive agricultural land; 
from the home of wild fowl to a populous community, where instead of 
hills and valleys in a wild state of nature, we have all the evidences of an 
advanced civilization which is doing its part to "make two blades of grass 
grow where one grew before." 

Bishop's Settlement became the center for travelers looking for land, 
and in time the valleys leading into Trempealeau Valley received their first 
settlers. 

Burnside was first settled in 1856. Located as it was at the mouth 
of Elk Creek (Pleasant) Valley, it was a natural center, and its bottom 
lands near the junction of Elk Creek and Trempealeau River presented an 
attractive site. The first settlers were members of the Markham family. 
The story is told in full elsewhere. 

Hale. The first settler in Pleasant valley above Burnside was George 
Hale, the pioneer of the township that now bears his name. He came in 
1858 and settled nine miles up Elk Creek. Other early families in Hale 
were: Allen, Barry, Bruce, Christianson, Donley, ElUs, Heath, Mallery, 
Maloney, Lockman, Michaels, McFarlin, Olson, Scott, Spaulding, Lally, 
Smith, Stewart, Tull, Teller, Tallman, Van Tassel and Weeks. 

Chimney Rock Township, owing to the nature of its surface was not 
settled until after the other townships in the county. The first permanent 
settler was Daniel Borst, who brought his family here in 1865. About the 
same time Hans Herbjornson settled in Bennett Valley. He was followjid 
by Austin Gunderson, Halvor Austinson, Aslak Torgerson and Gudmund 
Knudson, all of whom settled in the same valley. A few years later there 
came an influx of Scandinavian settlers, until the township is now almost 
entirely peopled by that nationahty. 

Lincoln Township was settled in 1856 by men who came down the 
Trempealeau Valley from older parts of the state, men for the most part 
of English or New England birth. The first were Deacon Alvah Wood, 
Moses Ingalls and his two sons, Moses D. and Francis W., and Hiram and 
Albert Stratton. 

The Galesville Transcript of September 28, 1860, describes a visit to 
these pioneers. The first house encountered in the valley after coming up 
over the ridge from French Creek was that of Henry Lake, the pioneer 
of Lake Cooley. Lake had arrived from Walworth County New York, in 
1855 with 100 head of cattle. In 1860 he already had a large farm, with 
130 acres of small grain, 80 acres of clover and 14 acres of peas. He had 
adopted the plan of sowing timothy with his small grain and thus had 
pasturage for his stock just at the time the prairie grass failed in the 
fall. In section 7, Preston, was S. S. Rice, who likewise had a fine farm. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 93 

Then came the farms of James Hopkins and Wessel Lowe, in sections 6 
and 7, Preston. Wilham Van Sickle was near-by in section 31, Preston. 
D. W. Wade was in section 36, Lincoln Township. Next down the Trem- 
pealeau Valley, in section 25, Lincoln, was Deacon Alvah Wood, upon 
whose farm was one of the first pieces of land cultivated in this region. 
A few farms had been opened between the Deacon Wood farm and the 
home of A. L. Sherwood, in section 21. Mr. Sherwood, whose home was 
on the bank of the Trempealeau, had beautified his place with a fine lawn 
shaded with many native trees. Not far away was Hiram Stratton, in 
section 15, and E. F. Wade, in section 28. Near-by, too, was the home of 
Frank W. and Moses D. Ingalls and their venerable father. Rev. Moses 
Ingalls. On the farm was a good field of sorghum, a good acreage of potatoes, 
a field of large onions, and many roses and other flowers. The people of 
the valley were doing their trading at Sparta, owing to the fact that there 
was no good wagon road to Galesville, Trempealeau, La Crosse or Fountain 
City. A little later, when the roads were improved, Trempealeau became 
the shipping and trading point for these pioneers. 

Whitehall was started in 1860 or 1861 in the locality now known as 
Old Whitehall, about a mile from the present village, by Ole Knudtson. His 
biography in the custody of the Trempealeau County Historical Society 
states that he was born in Norway in 1819, came to Chicago in 1844, located 
at Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, four months later, and in 1859 
settled at Mineral Springs in Jackson County. He came to Whitehall June 
25, 1860, and opened a hotel and blacksmith shop. 

The proprietors of the town site were Benjamin Wing and 

Georges. The plat was recorded May 23, 1862. 

Soon after the village was started some 200 Indians camped along the 
flats in the vicinity, and Georges did a flourishing business selling them 
whiskey. To prevent this, Mr. Knudtson bought him out, on condition 
that he leave the region. 

Of the origin of Whitehall, the Galesville Transcript of September 13, 
1861, says: 

"The people of Trempealeau Valley in the vicinity of Pigeon Valley 
have long felt the need of a market for their wheat and a business center 
in their midst. To this end they are now engaged in erecting a new village 
and making the waters of the Trempealeau River serviceable in carrying 
off their produce to the Mississippi. Last week a meeting was called by 
the citizens to enquire into the practicability of making use of the river for 
flatboats, and the opinion was confidently expressed by those acquainted 
with the stream that by laying out $1,000 in removing obsti'uctions, boats 
carrying from 15 to 30 tons could be made to run the river. A committee 
of three was appointed to examine the river and report. If their report 
is favoi'able, it is proposed to organize a company, obtain a charter, and 
raise funds for clearing the channel. 

"The site of the new town (which has received the name of Whitehall) 
is on the bank of Pigeon Creek, one half mile from its confluence with the 
Trempealeau. As respects its situation for building a town, it cannot be 



94 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

surpassed. It contains within its limits an excellent waterpower. Arrange- 
ments are to be made for the erection of a gi-ist mill early next season. 

"Mr. Knudtson has nearly completed his new dwelling — the first in 
the place. He is a blacksmith by trade, and is now situated to look after 
the wants of the people in this line. Messrs. Wing and Georges, proprietors 
of the town site, are building a store. It will be completed and filled with 
goods before winter. They have the assurance that several families will 
come to settle in the place next spring. They are selling lots on very reason- 
able terms to those who intend to build on them." 

Pigeon Township lies largely in Pigeon Valley, branching from the 
Trempealeau Valley near Whitehall. It was first settled about 1860 or 
1861 by Edwin Cummings, who located in section 19. Joshua D. South- 
worth was the second. In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who opened the mill 
at Coral City. At this point a flourishing village sprang up. 

The vanguard of the sturdy Scandinavian element which now peoples 
the valley arrived in 1864 in the persons of Ole Anderson Aga and Hans 
Ole Nielson, who came with ox teams from Dane County. 

Preston Township was settled in 1855. There were two distinct groups, 
one group consisting of men of some means from the Eastern States, and 
the other group consisting of a Scandinavian colony from older Wisconsin 
counties. Among the Americans were Ebenezer Thurston, Robert Thomp- 
son, E. M. Reynolds, John B. Dunning, Simon S. Rice, John Hopkins and 
others. Richard Porter, by some believed to have been the first settler in 
the township, died a few weeks after his arrival, before his cabin was 
erected, as a result, it is said, of an encounter with a band of wolves. In 
the Scandinavian colony were GuUick Olson, Sivert Johnson, Lars Olson, 
Bjorgo Olson, Sigbjurne EUickson, Peder Pederson, Gullick A. Storlee, Bengt 
Danielson, Nels Halverson, Jacob Tenneson and others. Family traditions 
and family Bibles differ considerably as to the date of the arrival of these 
pioneers. Some place Gullick Olson's arrival the year previous, and give 
him the credit of being the first settler. Others declare that Sivert Johnson 
and not Gullick Olson was the one who arrived in 1854. 

Albion, lying in the Beef River Valley, was settled in 1856, in which 
year William Moon, Burden Cross, David Chase and A. U. Gibson arrived 
with their families. Moon, Cross and Chase settled in the eastern part of 
the township, south of the Beef River, in the vicinity of what afterward 
was known as Hamlin. Gibson settled some three miles back from the river 
in the western part of the township adjoining what afterward became the 
village of Norden. Preparations were at once made for the coming winter. 
On July 3 Moon broke the virgin soil, put in potatoes the following day, 
and in the fall gathered a fair quantity, the first crop in the township. 

The experience of the Gibsons is a typical one. The family arrived 
October 7, 1856, from Argyle, Lafayette County, where Mr. Gibson had 
settled in 1839, and where he had gained a thorough knowledge of coping 
with the difficulties of pioneer life. Upon coming to Albion with their yoke 
of oxen, their goods and their stock, the family set to work erecting a home. 
It was made of tamarack logs, chinked on the inside with moss from near-by 
swamps and sodded over from the ground up. There was no floor and no 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 9i> 

windows, and only one room. A little wild grass was cut for hay, but 
after being dried proved inadequate for feeding purposes. While planning 
their life here the Gibsons had shipped a great quantity of flour, pork, beans 
and other provisions from Galena to Fountain City. But before these provi- 
sions could be moved to the cabin home the winter came on, a winter more 
severe than has since been experienced. Snow started to fall on November 
7, 1856, and continued for three days and three nights. When the calm 
came at last the snow lay seven feet deep on the level and was heaped in 
great drifts against the hillsides and in the valleys. 

The Gibsons, thus shut off from the rest of the world, were miles from 
their neighbors. To the north, five miles in Eau Claire County, was the 
Gunn family. To the west, in Buff'alo County, Mondovi was seven miles 
away, and the family of George Rosman was the only one to be found on 
the trail. Sam Cook, of Dover, ten miles away, was the nearest neighbor 
to the south. Five miles to the east were the three families at Hamhn. 

The Gibson family nearly starved, and all of their stock except the 
oxen died. The family was kept alive by purchasing a few bushels of seed 
wheat from the Moon family at Hamlin, carting it five miles over the crust 
on a hand-sled, and grinding it in a coffee-mill to make coarse flour for 
bread. A little hay was secured from the same source and transported in 
the same way. In March, 1857, a child was born to the Moon family. In 
order to be in attendance, Mrs. Gibson had her two sons take her over 
the snow five miles on the hand sled, which on the return trip was utilized 
for carrying a load of hay for the oxen. 

An interesting story is told of De Lorma Gibson, a fourteen-year-old 
boy, and William Morton, a member of the Gibson household. In March, 
1857, the man and the boy were hunting, when they came across some bear 
tracks. Following the dog along the trail, they encountered an unusually 
large black bear. The man lost his courage, but the plucky Ijoy took the 
gun, and with one shot broke the bear's neck and cut his throat. With 
the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. John Gibson, who were summoned, the 
bear was taken home, where he furnished food for many days to come. 

When spring came, Moon, discouraged at the privations of the winter, 
determined to leave the county. He accordingly traded his 400-acre claim 
at Hamlin for an 80-acre tract in Dane County, on which a mortgage of $500 
had been placed. Russell Bowers, with whom he traded, arrived in Albion 
toward the end of June, 1857. His sons are still in the township. At the 
Bowers home the Hamlin postofRce was established. 

Cross, after remaining a few years, became discouraged, and returned 
to Dane County, from whence he came. Chase enlisted in the Civil War 
and was killed. Gibson spent the remainder of his life in this vicinity. 
He lives in history as the one who gave the township its name, Albion, the 
ancient title of Britain, a word for which he had a great fondness. 

M. B. Gibson, a son of A. U., is now the sole authority on early Albion 
history. He arrived June 9, 1857, bringing the remainder of the family 
belongings, together with some cattle and a pig. The trip of 200 miles 
was made with a team of horses, the first horses owned in the township. 
A stray pig, also the first of his kind in the township, followed the team 



96 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

all the way, arrived in good condition, and furnished the family with pork 
the following winter. A flag which Mr. Gibson brought with him was 
hoisted near Norden July 4, 1857, probably the first time that the stars 
and stripes had been flung to the breeze in Beef River Valley. 

Soon after the arrival of M. B. Gibson a trip was made to Fountain City 
for the provisions which had reached there the previous autumn. This 
food did not last to harvest, so later another trip to Fountain City was made. 
There corn was obtained. But no milling facilities, so a long trip had to 
be made to Eau Claire, to have the corn ground into meal. On this meal, 
with such wild game as deer, elk, bear and rabbit, the family subsisted. 
Tea, coffee and sugar were almost unknown luxuries. A beverage which 
was used as a substitute for coffee was made from parched corn and toasted 
bread crusts. After a few years sugar and syrup were obtained by tapping 
the trees on the Chippewa River, a considerable distance away. 

In 1857 the crops were good, though only a small acreage was planted, 
and the agricultural equipment was meager. Owing to the lateness of the 
arrival of the Bowers, the Gibson family rented the 20 acres which Moore 
had broken, and in the fall the first corn grown in the township was har- 
vested from this tract. The first wheat was raised this year by Barden 
Cross. The method of threshing was most primitive. A wide circle of 
ground was cleared, several shocks of wheat laid thereon, and the oxen 
driven back and forth over it until the grain was all threshed out. The first 
threshing machine in the neighborhood was a two-horse tread-power owned 
by George Cole, near Augusta. 

An interesting feature of pioneer life was the presence of the Indians 
in 1857. A band of Sioux and Winnebago camped a short distance below 
Norden. One day they killed three elk on Beef River. Bear, wolf, deer 
and elk were then plentiful, and an elk was killed by Russell Bowers as late 
at 1865. In the fall of 1857 the Indians, about 100 in number, moved to a 
site just below the present village of Eleva. From there they had trails 
all over the country, through the most accessible, and over the most con- 
venient crossings of the rivers and creeks. These trails remained for 
many years thereafter. 

The Indians were peaceable and friendly and often called at the Gibson 
home, where they were never turned away unfed. 

Unity Township was not settled until after the two townships on either 
side. A number of claims were taken in 1856, but so far as is known, none 
of the claimants were living here at that time. Nearly all the first settlers 
have moved away. Probably the first two settlers were Dennis Lawler, who 
settled south of the Buffalo River in the eastern part of the township, and 
P. B. Williams, who settled in the central part of the township and had land 
on both sides of the river. These settlers came about 1859. It was not 
until 1870 that the real influx of settlement came to this township. Among 
the pioneers may be mentioned Esten Johnson, Ole E. Johnson, Engebret 
Pederson, Anders Larson, Even Evenson, Martin E. Rognlien, Simon Rise, 
John Rise, Ole Svendson, Simon Olson, Peder Inislund, Ole Dahl, Paul 
Christopherson, Nels Kleven, Peder H. Bjornstad, Ole Thomasgaard, John 
Christianson, Hans Paulson, Martin Olson and Andrew Call. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 97 

Sumner was settled in 1856 in the vicinity of the present village of 
Osseo. The first settlers were E. M. Sexton and W. A. Woodward. A year 
later a postoffice was established at Beef River Station, a mile from the 
present village, and George Silkworth appointed postmaster. The present 
village had its beginning in 1858, when W. H. and C. G. Thomas built and 
operated the first store. Excellent articles on the subject are found else- 
where in this volume. 

Land Office Records. The land office records are of but little value in 
determining the names of the early settlers. Many people filed on land 
which they had never seen and which they never occupied, others who were 
early settlers filed on land a year or more before their arrival, while on the 
other hand there were those who did not file until they had occupied their 
land for a considerable period. The list is, however, here appended, as it 
gives the names of the first land claimants, resident and otherwise, of the 
various townships in Trempealeau County. 

Township 18, range 7. 1852— Feb. 21, Charles F. Legate, 5. 1853— 
Dec. 29, Charles G. Hanscome, 6, 5. 1854 — Aug. 10, Richard Grant, 4. 

Township 19, range 7. 1852— June 28, Henry A. Wiltse, 26, 25. 1853 
—Dec. 13, John Irvine, 30; Dec. 23, William B. Hanscome, 31, 32; July 22, 
William W. Patrick, Jr., 31. 1854— Oct. 25, Dan Kennedy, Jr., 7 ; Oct. 25, 
Michael Cullity, 7; June 16, Frederick Hearth, 19, 30; March 7, Richard 
Bibby, 27 ; July 22, Christian Niemeier, 28 ; Aug. 7, JuUus Edwards, 29 ; July 
17, Jacob Pass, 30, 31 ; July 22, David Grant, 31, 32, 34 ; Feb. 23, William 
Patrick, Jr., 31 ; July 29, Charles V. Spiegel, 32 ; July 29, John Stellpflug, 33. 

Township 20, range 7. 1855 — Aug. 6, Robert Thompson, 6; July 18, 
Richard Porter, 6 ; Nov. 22, Edward W. Estabrook, 10, 15 ; July 19, Mary W. 
Woodward, 14 ; Aug. 11, George Gale, 14 ; Sept. 4, Charles Pike, 17, 20, 29 ; 
June 14, George B. Newell, 17, 20 ; June 14, Thomas Wall, 19, 20, 29, 30 ; Oct. 
10, Nathaniel Stearns, 30; July 19, William G. Bliss, 30; Nov. 1, Thomas H. 
Judd, 31 ; May 10, Albert J. Gary, 31 ; May 18, Franz Hoeppner, 32. 1856— 
June 4, George Gale, 11, 13, 14, 15 ; April 3, Mary N. Woodward, 13 ; May 26, 
William H. Wyman, 30; Jan. 2, Theo. Simonds, 31; Dec. 25, Thomas E, 
Woods, 1 ; Aug. 8, Franz Hoeppner, 32. 

Township 21, range 7. 1854— Oct. 30, Bircher Olson. 13. 1855— June 
29, Lars Olsen, 1 ; June 19, Syver Johnson, 1, 12 ; Nov. 14, Peder Pederson, 
1, 12 ; Aug. 17, Henry H. Steinburg, 7 ; June 27, Simon S. Rice, 7 ; June 21, 
George Coburn, 7; June 21, John J. Scrafford, 7, 8; July 19, Mary A. 
Woodward, 7, 18; Dec. 17, Albe Upham, 7, 15, 31; Sept. 14, Ebenezer 
Thurston, 8, 9, 17, 31 ; June 14, Sam A. Beckman, 11, 12 ; Aug. 3, Robert 
Thompson, 11, 15; June 11, Juhus Edwards, 12; April 14, Gullick Olson 
Storlee, 13 ; May 23, Birchard Olsen, 13 ; Nov. 14, Bert Danielson, 13 ; Oct. 
29, Ninian E. Primm, 13 ; Sept. 19, William H. Conger, 14, 20, 21, 23, 28, 29 ; 
April 14, Niels Halverson, 14; April 14, Jacob Tennerson, 14, 23; Oct. 30, 
Hiram Walker, 14, 15, 23, 24; Aug. 18, John Fitch, 14; July 2, Richard 
Porter, 15, 22; Aug. 24, Ann Porter, 15; June 27, Chester Beswick, 17; 
Sept. 17, Lysander P. Armstrong, 17, 20, 28, 31, 32 ; Aug. 13, Frederick A. 
Moore, 17; Aug. 8, Robert A. Lake, 18, 19, 21, 22, 28, 30; Nov. 15, Edwin 
M. Jones, 18 ; Oct. 1, George W. Mallory, 20, 21 ; June 27, Susan H. Reynolds, 



98 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

21, 32; Sept. 18, Daniel Webster, 22; Nov. 7, Alex L. Collins, 24; April 16, 
Romanzo Bunn, 28. 

Township 22, range 7. 1855 — April 5, Fred Boardman, 10; July 12, 
Julius Edwards, 13 ; Aug. 8, Dougald 0. Cameron, 18 ; Nov. 13, Bent Peder- 
son, 23; May 18, Gunder Anderson, 23, 25; May 23, Niels Halverson, 24; 
June 19, Lars Olson, 24; Feb. 6, Cornelius Griswold, 29; Nov. 13, Ransom 
Steel, 30 ; June 26, Dan Williams, 36. 1856— May 30, William B. Winston, 
3 ; June 3, George Gale, 3 ; May 20, William H. Bailey, 3 ; May 30, Stephen 
T. Owen, 4, 9; April 23, Sam D. Hastings, 8, 9; May 2, John Larson, 8; 
May 31, William C. Butts, 9; April 19, Thomas Williams, 17, 18, 19; April 
26, Richard C. Washburn, 18; May 20, Francis W. Newland, 18; June 3, 
George Gale, 19; April 3, Mary N. Woodward, 29; May 30, Leander G. 
Merrill, 30, 31 ; April 10, Cyrus H. Hine, 31 ; May 27, William H. H. Bailey, 
36 ; May 18, Allen Overbaugh, 36. 

Township 23, range 7. 1855— Dec. 12, Ezra L. Northup, 1 ; Dec. 12, 
George W. Parker, 1. 1856— May 31, Stephen T. Owen, 25; May 30, W. E. 
Fales, 25, 26, 34, 36; May 29, George Gale, 34, 35; May 30, William B. 
Winston, 34, 35. 1858 — April 6, Chester Stoddard, 8 ; April 5, George Moyer, 
20 ; April 5, William Moyer, 20 ; April 5, John M. Jones, 20 ; April 9, Lucius 
M. Sheldon, 22, 36 ; April 5, Ruth Hamilton, 26 ; April 5, Celinda A. Bliss, 
26 ; April 5, Loren L. Knox, 26 ; April 16, Henry D. Aglesworth, 28. 

Township 24, range 7. 1855 — April 15, Charles W. McCormick and 
J. Rily, 1; Nov. 15, Charles McCormick, 1; Dec. 12, Ezra Northup, 1, 2; 
Dec. 5, Hiram Hill, 1 ; Dec. 12, Garwood Green, 2 ; Dec. 12, William Starr, 
2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11; Nov. 20, Mortimer C. Caskey, 3, 10; Dec. 12, George W. 
Parker, 14, 15. 1856 — Jan. 8, Andrew McCorkle, 1, 9, 10; Jan. 8, Ebenezer 
M. Saxton, 1, 2, 21 ; Jan. 23, Charles W. McCormick, 1 ; Jan. 8, Nathaniel 
W. Dean, 1, 4, 7, 9; Jan. 15, William E. Keafer, 2, 8; Jan. 19, Garwood 
Green, 2 ; Feb. 22, Andrew Billings, 2 ; April 26, Levi C. Fay and Prosper 
Merrill, 3, 10, 11; Jan. 11, Robert B. Griswold, 3; April 11, Jeremiah D. 
Jones, 3; May 24, William H. Chapman, 7; June 4, M. L. Strickland, 7; 
June 4, Harvey Cooney, 8; June 4, John Dunning, 8, 10, 15; Jan. 8, Linda 
Linsdale, 10; April 21, Charles F. Taggart, 10; April 15, Lorenzo and 
Jackson McCauley, 12 ; April 23, Thomas A. Tomlinson, 13, 14 ; April 23, 
Cyrus Woodman, 13 ; June 3, Edward L. Pierce, 14 ; April 9, Ezra L. Northup, 
15; May 8, David Lewis, 17; May 8, Rowland Rice, 17, 20; June 2, Seth 
Baker, 20 ; May 7, William Morgan, 20. 

Township 18, range 8. 1851— Nov. 10, Charlotte Vose, 1. 1852— 
Dec. 10, WiUiam J. Barney, 5 ; March 9, Stephen Hopkinson, 5, 6 ; March 9, 
Benning Hooper, 5, 6 ; March 9, Jacob Meyers, 6 ; Nov. 30, Thomas Smith, 
7 ; June 26, Barnabus Snow, 7 ; Dec. 30, Parley Eaton, 7 ; Dec. 1, John M. 
Levey, 7 ; Feb. 20, William Wakefield, 7 ; March 31, Salmon Moore, 8 ; March 
31, John Warner, 9; March 31, Richard Hall, 9; March 31, Francis Stone, 
9 ; Jan. 31, Lewis Washburn, 18 ; March 31, Cornell Howland, 29 ; March 6, 
Abraham C. Meyers, 30; March 2, William Knox, 31; March 2, William 
H. Brooks, 31 ; March 31, William B. Murray, 31 ; May 10, Jacob T. Holmes, 
31. 1853 — Oct. 26, Absolom Gary, 1; Dec. 13, William B. Hanscome, 1; 
Nov. 12, George Gale, 5, 6, 10; March 24, Ira M. Moore, 7; Oct. 18, John 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 99 

Morris, 7 ; Oct. 12, Albert M. Olds, 8 ; June 24, William A. Cram, 8 ; July 
9, Warren Adams, 8; Oct. 31, Theo. B. Edwards, 8; Jan. 15, Eli B. Richard- 
son, 17; June 6, Jacob T. Holmes, 30; Oct. 21, William Gray, 32; Oct. 9, 
Benjamin B. Healey, 32. 

Township 19, range 8. 1852— Oct. 16, Parley Eaton, 7; May 3, 
Bartholomew C. Smith, 19 ; Jan. 1, Henry P. George, 29, 33 ; May 3, Preston 
Dugbe, 29; May 3, David French, 29; May 3, David Breed, 32; Feb. 27, 
Henry Stillson, 32 ; June 22, Elihu B. Washburn, 33 ; June 1, James Babcock, 
35; Sept. 29, Charles T. Janson, 35; May 3, John Hulling, Jr., 21. 1853— 
Nov. 10, Juhus Edwards, 8, 9 ; June 28, Joseph B. Tolhngham, 21 ; Oct. 26, 
William Dick, 25; Aug. 26, Homer H. Benson, 28; Jan. 10, Edward I. 
Lidgeerwood, 29, 30; Nov. 21, Robert Bruce, 29; Nov. 12, Theo. B. Edwards, 

29, 35; June 6, George Gale, 31, 32; Jan. 10, David Flynn, 31; Aug. 1, 
William A. Woodward, 32; June 28, Benjamin F. Heuston, 33; Oct. 26, 
Richard Collins, 35 ; Aug. 22, John Moore, 36 ; July 22, William W. Patrick, 
Jr., 36; Nov. 19, David J. Monroe, 36; July 9, Charles G. Hanscome, 36; 
Oct. 26, Sarah D. Monroe, 36 ; Nov. 12, George Shohat, 36 ; Oct. 26, Absolom 
Gary, 36. 

Township 20, range 8. 1854 — Oct. 25, Daniel Kennedy, Jr., 35 ; Oct. 

25, Michael CuUity, 36. 1855— Sept. 17, William H. Congor, 1, 36; Nov. 

30, George Coburn and John J. Scrafford, 2 ; July 19, Mary A. Woodward, 

26, 27; May 21, William V. Clymer, 27, 34; July 2, Welcome A. Johnson, 
34; July 7, Mary A. Roddy, 34; May 7, David W. Chenoweth, 34; July 7, 
Mary A. Rodolf, 34; July 14, Daniel Kennedy, 35; May 10, Albert J. Gary, 
36; May 14, George Gale, 36. 1856— Aug. 9, Edmund M. Reynolds, 1; 
May 14, George Gale, 2, 34; May 20, Franklin B. Hawes, 22, 23, 27, 33; 
Dec. 25, Peter Dufficy, 25; Jan. 21, John Cance, 36. 1857— July 27, John 
Good, 26. 1858— July 2, Walter Webb, 14, 23 ; June 21, Morgan A. White, 
15 ; Nov. 16, Theo. B. Edwards, 35 ; April 5, Cornehus Kennedy, 35. 

Township 21, range 9. 1855— Nov. 17, Peter Dunning, 24; Oct. 4, 
Welcome A. Johnston, 35; Oct. 4. William Congior, 36; Oct. 1, Samuel 
Mallory, 36. 1856— April 10, Cyrus H. Hine, 1 ; Feb. 13, Angen Adams, 1 ; 
July 9, John Hopkins, 1, 12 ; March 31, T. S. West, 16 ; April 22, Herman 
Synder, 25; Aug. 8, Robert 0. Lake, 24, 25. 1857-1858— Sept. 18, Collins 
Bishop, 31. 1859— June 22, Thomas W. Fuller, 12. 1860— April 24, Sophia 
Hopkins, 12. 

Township 22, range 8. 1855— Oct. 31, Charles C. and William E. Crane, 
11, 29; Oct. 31, Moses D. and Francis W. Ingalls, 11, 28; Sept. 21, Alvah 
Wood, 11, 17, 20, 21, 25 ; Sept. 21, Nathan Wood, 11 ; Oct. 31, Isaac H. Soule, 
14, 15; Sept. 14, Hiram Stanton, 15; Oct. 29, Norman E. Primm, 21, 22; 
Sept. 27, James T. Banks, 21 ; Nov. 12, Warren H. Ellis, 21, 22 ; Oct. 31, 
Hiram Walker, 22, 25, 30, 36; Nov. 13, Edwin M. Jones, 22, 26; Oct. 4, 
Welcome A. Johnston, 23; Nov. 2, George Gale, 24; Aug. 11, William E. 
Cramer, 24; Aug. 27, Royal Taylor, 24; Oct. 31, Robert H. Wade, 26; Sept. 
29, Niman E. Prim, 29 ; Oct. 31, WiUiam and Lyman Smith, 30, 31 ; Oct. 31, 
David W. Wade, 36; Oct. 31, Richardson Reeves, 36. 

Township 23, range 8. 1856 — June 4, John B. Ayer, 30 ; June 2, Oscar 
H. Young, 30, 31; May 30, Enoch L. Cummins, 31, 32. 1857-1858— April 



100 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

5, Ebenezer M. Sexton, 14, 24 ; April 5, Rufus Watson, 24 ; April 5, David 
S. Watson, 24 ; April 5, Albert W. Knowlton, 26 ; April 9, Peter Filkins, 26 ; 
April 5, Jesse T. Paul, 26; May 21, John Smith, 28; April 6, Frederick C. 
Moyer, 28; Sept. 11, Patrick Casey, 30; April 5, Christian E. Wyrick, 32; 
Sept. 8, Welcome A. Johnston, 32; Oct. 2, George H. Hale, 32; June 2, 
Leroy Stanton, 32; May 15, Seth Clark, 34; Sept. 29, Edward Brown, 34; 
April 5, Rosea Horsington, 34; May 14, Winchel Stafford, 34; April 6, 
Benjamin Watson, 36; April 5, Frederick Boardman, 36. 

.Township 24, range 8. 1856— April 24, William N. Olson, 11; May 9, 
Daniel Learning, 12; April 24, John Lawske, 12, 13; May 12, Albert F. 
Kellogg, 13, 20, 21, 22 ; May 12, Walter W. Wetmore, 13, 15, 17 ; April 19, 
Erastus Taylor, 13 ; April 19, Mary Rogers, 14 ; April 24, William N. Wilson, 
14 ; May 9, Ebenezer T. Prentice, 14, 15 ; June 4, Thomas McTie, 17 ; June 4, 
Luther Irish, 17; April 28, John Evrens, 18, 19; April 28, James Power, 
18, 19; June 4, Dan C. Barnum, 18, 29; April 28, Edward Scanlan, 18, 19; 
April 21, Charles G. Brown, 20; April 28, James Dwyer, 20; May 31, William 
P. Morse, 21 ; June 2, Luther M. Bates, 23. 

Township 18. range 9. 1849— July 9, Edward Winkelman, 26, 27, 28; 
June 16, James Reed, 27. 1850 — Nov. 25, Leander Beebe, 27. 1851 — Dec. 
23, Jonathan Jackson, 20, 21 ; Nov. 24, William Roberts, 22 ; Dec. 16, Fred- 
erick Eberhart, 22; Nov. 13, Mitchell Stover, 22; Nov. 18, Charles A. 
Stevens, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34, 35 ; Nov. 4, William Nichols, 25 ; Nov. 18, John 
Johnson, 25; Nov. 13, Andrew Constick, 26; Nov. 18, Chase A. Stevens, 
Francis M. Ruble and Timothy Burns, 27; Dec. 10, Cyrus Woodman, 36; 
Dec. 18, John Johnson, 36. 1852— July 31, John C. Higgins, 1; Jan. 7, 
John Henley, 1 ; Jan. 7, WiUiam Hyer, 1 ; Jan. 7, Richard Rosecranse, 1 ; 
Feb. 9, James Metcalf , 2 ; May 5, Frederick Andres. 4 ; Feb. 29, Jonathan 
Willey, 4; May 29, Mary A. Bright, 4; March 25, Jlary Ann Norman, 5; 
July 2, John E. Lewis, 5; March 24, Sophia Blake, 6; Jan. 1, James Charles, 
8; Jan. 1, Volney French, 8; Aug. 2, Dianthe K. Martindale, 9; Aug. 20, 
Elizabeth Baker, 9 ; July 2, Cyrus Woodman, 9, 13, 15, 22, 23, 26 ; May 4, 
Thomas Willse, 11; Jan. 7, John Wilkins, 12; March 3, John Thurston, 12; 
March 3, John Brickford, 12; March 3, Moses Young, 12; March 3, Mark 
Lucias, 12; March 3, John Nichols, 12; May 5, James Himes, 13; May 5, 
Peter Van Buren, 13; May 5, Horace Stow. 14; Feb. 20, Eliza Stevens, 14; 
Feb. 27, Henry P. George, 14 ; March 24, Alfred Earle, 15 ; June 22, Lucius 
G. Fisher, 15; May 3, Obadiah Bernis, 15; Feb. 19, Lewis Reneo, 17; June 
11, James B. Gray, 20; May 4. Benjamin H. Buckingham, 20; July 14, 
Francis W. Woodward, 21, 22 ; Jan. 1, Francis M. Ruble, 21 ; Feb. 26, Stephen 
Bean, 21; April 17, William Campbell, 21; May 10, Charles F. Legate, 22; 
Sept. 30, David Flynn. 22 ; Jan. 28, John Quint, 22 ; June 26, Edmund Gondy, 
23; Feb. 21, James Kun, Jr., 23; Sept. 25, Joshua Rhodes, 24; March 1, 
Samuel Payne, 25 ; May 19, Alfred Bruson, 26, 35 ; July 21, Mary Saunders, 
26 ; Feb. 26, V/illiam Plaisted, 27 ; March 1, WiUiam Cheever, 36 ; March 1, 
Jason Ellis, 36. 

Township 19, range 9. 1852 — March 8, Lewis Cornell, 25; March 6, 
Soloman Leonard, 25; March 8, Joseph Hegeman. 25; March 6, Josephine 
Coffin, 26; March 6, Joseph Weeks, 26; March 25, John M. Johnson, 28; 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALP:AU COUNTY 101 

March 25, James Coyine, 31 ; April 5, Timothy Harris, 31 ; July 19, Francis 
Daniels, 31 ; March 25, Mary A. Norman, 32 ; July 19, William Higbee, 33 ; 
April 5, Thomas Scott, 33 ; March 6, John Fay, 33 ; March 6, Daniel Morrison, 
33 ; March 6, Nathaniel Sanborn, 33 ; March 6, George Frost, 33 ; Feb. 26, 
Jonathan Willey, 33 ; March 1, Rachael Oilman, 34 ; July 19, William Higbee, 
34; March 1, Mehitable Thompson, 34; Oct. 11, Peter Cochien, 35; Aug. 

25, Wayne Clark, 35; Jan. 13, Richard H. Coolidge, 35. 1853— June 15, 
Hollister M. Wright, 29, 32; July 27, James Reed, 34, 35; Nov. 1, Loretta 
Woodworth, 35 ; June 17, Michael Bibeaux, 35 ; July 13, Charles Cameron, 35. 

Township 20, range 9. 1855— Nov. 20, Porter Smith, 3; Nov. 12, 
David H. Sherman, 5, 6; Oct. 8, Noah D. Comstock, 5, 6; May 24, Jacob 
Handel, 19. 1856 — April 11, Jesse Penny, 3; May 7, Harmon G. Tracey, 
3 ; April 11, Phebe Penny, 4 ; Feb. 22, Charles Marshall, 4, 5 ; Feb. 22, 'James 
Broughton, 4; April 11, Walter D. Dewey, 4; Feb. 5, George Shelly, 5; Aug. 
8, James 0. Reiley, 6, 8; April 15, Nathan Corwith, 6, 7; Oct. 21, Noah D. 
Comstock, 7 ; April 7, Annie D. Bishop, 18 ; March 24, Colhns Bishop, 18 ; 
March 31, F. S. West, 16. 1857— July 1, Phillip Hartman, 7. 1858— July 
30, Stephen R. Roath, 1 ; May 3, Isaac Wesley Hull, 1, 12 ; April 7, Harmon 
G. Tracy, 2; May 17, Simeon Palmer, 4, 21, 22, 27; May 3, Christian Berry, 
5; April 8, Narcissa T. Robertson, 6; April 7, Nicholas Meyer, 7, 8; May 3, 
Jeremiah Biddison, 9 ; May 3, George W. Hall, 11 ; June 23, Amassa Simons, 
11; April 7, Noah D. Comstock, 8, 12; April 5, Clark Averill, 22; April 10, 
William E. Greene, 23; April 5, Ebenezer Holmes, 23; April 5, Frederick 
C. Goff, 23, 24 ; April 10, Giddings W. Keyes, 27 ; April 13, Ann E. Clark, 28. 

Township 21, range 9. 1855— Nov. 12, Dennison K. Smith, 2, 3, 22; 
Nov. 13, Edwin W. Jones, 3, 11, 32; Nov. 13, Charles R. Steele, 11, 14, 15; 
Nov. 12, Warren H. Ellis, 22, 27 ; Nov. 13, Ransom Steele, 26, 27 ; Nov. 12, 
David H. Sherman, 28, .32, 33; Nov. 12, Charles H. Fox, 29, 32; July 19, 
Herman B. Merchant, 31, 32; Dec. 11, George Shelly, 33; Dec. 11, Collins 
Bishop, 33, 34. 1856— April 15, Milton Barlow, 14 ; June 3, William Abbott, 

21, 28; May 31, William Smith, 21; June 2, Henry D. Elmer, 24; May 30, 
William Hollenbaugh, 27 ; July 19, Hiram B. Merchant, 31 ; March 24, Abner 
B. Bishop, 34 ; April 7, Rhoda Shelly, 35 ; June 2, Owen Roberts. 

Township 22, range 9. 1855— Nov. 13, William B. Werden, 24, 25; 
Oct. 31, WilHam and Lyman D. Smith, 25, 36; Nov. 13, Warren H. Ellis, 26. 
1856— May 30, Enoch L. Cummings, 1; May 21, Walter W. Wetmore, 11; 
June 3, Statira C. Lakin, 12; June 3, George W. Lakin, 13, 24; May 8, 
Horace Young, 17 ; May 8, Sherman B. Look, 17, 21 ; May 7, Joshua Travis, 

22. 1857— Sept. 22, Charles Lyne. 1858— Oct. 2, Giles Cripps, 12; June 

26, Alfred L. Wright, 14 ; May 19, Moses S. Johnson, 18 ; April 28, Caleb F. 
Gates, 22 ; Sept. 29, Daniel Cameron, 24 ; Sept. 21, William E. Montazae, 34. 
1859— March 22, John McBurney, 36. 

Township 23, range 9. 1858— April 8, John Allen, 2, 24; May 19, 
Lucius M. Sheldon, 28, 32. 1866— Nov. 24, Martin W. Borst, 34. 1867— 
July 5, C. Moser and G. Hunner, 28; Nov. 26, Martin W. Borst, 32, 33; 
May 23, George Meigs, 34. 1868— June 18, John A. Hunner, 19 ; June 10, 
Martin W. Borst, 28, 33, 35. 1869— July 27, Virgil Borst, 32. 1870— 
March 21, Guri Herbransdatter, 4; Sept. 5, Timothy Brown, 10; July 27, 



102 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

William Z. Barnhart, 31. 1871— July 12, Osten Gonnufsen, 18; May 2, 
Petter Petterson, 18 ; May 24, Merit Petterson, 18 ; May 29, Virgil Borst, 28. 

Township 24, range 9. 1856 — June 4, Levi Beebe, 2; June 2, Elliot 
D. Barnard, 3, 13, 14; June 2, Harrison Stebbins, 3, 9; June 2, Sylvanus 
Morse, 6, 14; June 4, Horace Dickenson, 7; June 3, Richard B. Chandler, 
8, 15 ; June 2, Jerome A. Smith, 8, 10, 22 ; June 4, Dan C. Barnum, 9 ; June 4, 
Hugh Henri, 10; June 4, Wilham Maxwell, 10; June 4, Almon Steel, 11, 14; 
June 3, David R. Chase, 22 ; June 3, William Moon, 23 ; June 4, Frances E. 
Wolstenholm, 24. 1857— May 30, Richard B. Chandler, 23. 1859— May 11, 
Walter W. Wetmore, 24. 

Township 18, range 9. 1852 — June 26, Robert S. Haywood, 2 ; March 
15, Abel M. Bryant, 5 ; March 13, John R. Tancill, 8 ; March 13, John Under- 
wood, 8 ; March 13, Charles F. Legate, 8. 1854— Oct. 27, Abzana A. Whiting, 
1 ; Sept. 4, Elizah Brown, 1, 2 ; Nov. 13, Lawrence Rioney, 1 ; Oct. 27, Newell 
Whiting, 12. 1855 — June 2, Caroline Atwood, 1 ; June 2, WiUiam F. Burns, 
1, 12; May 11, Lawrence Rioney, 2; June 2, Sela Atwood, 12. 1856 — May 
28, Walter W. Wetmore, 1 ; May 13 Joseph A. Chase, 1 ; June 4, Simon 
Palmer, 2, 11, 12; Jan. 5, Lornhannah Marshall, 7; Jan. 4, George Gale, 17. 

Township 19, range 10. 1852— Jan. 1, John Lynch, 36 ; Feb. 20, Charles 
F. Legate, 36 ; April 5, Timothy Harris, 10. 1853— July 16, Reese Whisler, 
14. 1854— Nov. 8, Isaac Thompson, 12 ; May 20, Ira B. and Eli D. Hewett, 
14; April 8, Benedict B. Utter, 24; April 10, Isaac Nash, 35; May 20, 
Jonathan W. Nash, 36. 1855— May 16, Giles R. Montague, 2, 11 ; Oct. 12, 
Constantine Blodgett, 12 ; Dec. 18, Isaac Thompson, 12 ; June 20, George 
W. Brewin, 25. 1856 — Jan. 5, Isaac Thompson, 2 ; Jan. 5, Constantine 
Blodgett, 11; May 8, Samuel Whiting, 11; May 19, Joseph M. Hayes, 13; 
April 14, Milton Barlow, 13, 24 ; April 15, Henry Corwith, 14, 24 ; May 7, 
William Sutter, Jr., 24; May 19, Francis W. Newland, 25; Feb. 8, Katherine 
A. Wood, 25. 

Township 20, range 10. 1854— April 28, Julius Edwards, 29. 1855 — 
May 24, Jacob Handel, 14, 24 ; Oct. 18, Edward McFadden, 21 ; May 24, John 
Grozinger, 22 ; May 24, Christopher Grozinger, 23, 24 ; July 5, Dougald D. 
Cameron. 28. 1856 — April 7, Sarah McMaster, 1 ; March 24, John Gleason, 
10, 11, 12; March 24, Cornelius Gleason, 11, 12, 13, 14; April 19, Dan D. 
Lightner, 15 ; April 29, Michael Welsh, 33. 1857— May 27, William Hyde, 
2 ; Aug. 28, Noah D. Comstock, 2 ; May 27, Augustus Hensel, 3 ; May 28, 
William Johnson, 9 ; May 27, Thomas A. Simpson, 10 ; Aug. 28, David Bishop, 
10; July 6, Phillip Hartman, 12; Sept. 9, Hans Olsen, 35. 1858— May 3, 
Peter Case, 1; April 5, Thomas A. Simpson, 10; Dec. 1, Harvey M. Tucker, 
15; Nov. 17, James Bingham, 21; June 18, Theo. B. Edwards, 23; April 8, 
Mahalia Waller, 25 ; Feb. 29, Franziska Kuck, 25 ; April 7, Lucius M. Sheldon, 
26; May 19, Rudolph Siequist, 26; Sept. 30, John M. Kline, 27, 34; Aug. 6, 
Timothy Kirk, 28. 

Tax Records. The early tax records, to a certain, are valuable in fixing 
the earlj^ settlers in the various townships. Their insufficiency, however, 
as a foundation in compiling the story of the early settlers lies first, the 
fact that "resident owner" on the tax books often meant resident of the 
county rather than resident of the township; second, in the fact that no 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 103 

effort was made by the assessors to secure a correct spelling of names, 
and, third, to the fact that many of the actual settlers were not payers of 
real estate taxes. 

Township 19, range 7. 1854 — John Irvine, section 31. 1855 

Kennedy, 7 ; Alex. Valence, 23 ; Richard Bibby, 27 ; David Cook, 24 ; Christian 
Neimeier, 28 ; Henry Fakka, 29 ; John Stellpflug, 29, 33 ; Jacob Poss, 30, 31 ; 
John Irvine, 30, 31 ; Robert Summerville, 31 ; Rob. Oliver, 31 ; David Grant, 
31, 32, 33; Richard Grant, 32. 

Township 20, range 7. 1855 — Franz Hoeppner, 32. 1857 — Franz Hoepp- 
ner, 32; C. Smith, 31; A. Purvis, 31; John Cockran, 32; University, 11, 13, 
14, 15 ; 0. Olson, 12 ; T. Wall, 19, 20 ; J. Knudson, 24 ; J. Quinn, 30 ; N. Stearns, 
30. 31 ; J. Mahoney, 30 ; T. B. Edwards, 30, 31 ; M. Purvis, 31 ; R. Cance, 31 ; 
S. McAvoy, 31 ; J. Cockran, 32 ; Franz Hoeppner, 32 ; D. Whalen, 32. 

Township 21, range 7. 1859— E. M. Reynolds, 16 ; Ebenezer Thurston, 
16; Lars Olson, 1; Sign Huson, 1; Peter Peterson, 1, 12; C. H. Hine, 6, 8, 
17 ; Jas. Hopkins, 6 ; James E. Weeks, 6 ; Wessel Lowe, 6 ; Herman Snyder, 
7; S. S. Rice, 7; J. R. Nourse, 8, 9; Robert Thompson, 10, 11, 15; Henry 
Shepard, 12; Syvert Johnson, 12; Turah Johnson, 12; Gullick Olson, 13; 
Birchard Olson, 13; Nels Halvorson, 14; Peter Tennerson, 14; Jacob 
Tennerson, 14, 25; Mrs. Ann Porter, 12, 22; Ebenezer Thurston, 17, 31; 
Chester Beswick, 17 ; L. P. Armstrong, 17 ; Henry Lake, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 
28, 30 ; Ernst Rosen, 18 ; William H. Welch, 28, 29 ; Bennet & Quinn, 20, 21 ; 
John B. Dunning, 11, 12, 20, 21 ; E. K. Reynolds, 21, 28, 32. 

Township 22, range 7. 1858— N. Halvorson, 24 ; William Van Sickle, 
30; Nels Anderson, 25; Syvert Johnson, 26. 1859— Lars Olson, 24; Nels 
Anderson, 25, 36; Syvert Johnson, 26; William Van Sickle, 31; A. 
Swenson, 36. 

Township 23, range 7. 1863—1. E. Grant, 8 ; I. E. Sutton, 20 ; Wm. 
Elison, 25 ; Ruth Hamilton, 26 ; Edwin Flint, 26 ; L. Knox, 26, 34 ; Wm. E. 
Fales, 26, 35, 36 ; C. W. Russell, 28 ; W. L. Wilson, 35 ; A. D. Curtis, 35 ; 
G. W. Fortellett, 35. 

Township 24, range 7. 1859— F. Bowen, 1 ; E. W. Sexton, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 
9, 21; Geo. Silkworth, 2; F. Coppel, 2; Wm. A. Woodward, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15; 
Levi Decker, 3 ; Wm. McCorkle, 7 ; W. H. Thomas, 10, 15 ; L. D. McCauley, 
12 ; S. Brown, 13 ; A. B. Ayers, 24 ; Field, 16. 

Township 18, range 8. 1855 — Charles Pickering, 5; Abram Terpena, 
5 ; John Salsman, 6 ; Jas. D. Olds, 7 ; Roswell Bigelow, 7 ; John C. Laird, 7 ; 
■Theo. Simmonds, 7 ; Wm. Olds, 8, 16 ; Moore & Carter, 8, 30 ; Warren Adams, 
8 ; Pardon Wakefield, 8 ; Wm. Adams, 8 ; F. B. Clark, 18 ; Rufus Comstock, 
18 ; T. B. Edwards, 18 ; Joseph Dale, 20, 21 ; A. McGilvray, 21 ; Gilbert Gibbs, 
29 ; Bostwick Beardsley, 29 ; Dr. Lorna Brooks, 30, 31 ; Adams & Barnard, 
30 ; J. T. Holmes, 31, 30 ; B. B. Heuber, 31 ; James Adams, 30 ; Edw. Barnard, 
30; Wm. Bright, 16; Geo. Batchelder, 16; C. A. Stevens, 16. 

Township 19, range 8. 1854— G. H. Smith, 8, 9; T. B. Edwards, 8, 

9. 17; J. B. Tottingham, 21; Benson, 28; G. Gale, 30, 31, 33; J. Hefs, 

31 ; Isaac Noyes, 32 ; B. F. Heuston, 33 ; L. Hunter, 33, 35 ; William Dick, 34 ; 
John Irvine, 34; L. Cook, 34, 25, 26; Douglas Hunter, 35; Richard Collins, 
35 ; Chas. Boyce, 35 ; W. W. Patrick, 36. 1855— Daniel Kennedy, 2 ; Cham- 



104 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

berlain & Browning, 6, 7 ; G. H. Smith, 8, 9, 22 ; Doty, 8 ; Bidwell, 

9; C. Prefer, 14; John Martin, 23; Peter Ohls, 23; Terrance O'Neal, 20; 
John Hunter, 25, 35; William Dick, 25, 34, 36; David Cook, 25, 34, 36; 
John Thomas, 32 ; B. F. Heuston, 33 ; Douglas Hunter, 33, 34 ; John Irvine, 
34; John Hunter, Jr., 35, 36; Richard Collins, 35; C. J. Boyce, 35; John 
Davidson, 36; Rob. Oliver, 36; George Shonat, 36. 

Township 20, range 8. 1859— T. Dufficy, 25 ; P. Anderson, 27 ; B. 
Richardson, 33 ; University, 34 ; A. A. Arnold, 34 ; G. Y. Freeman, 34 ; C. 
Kennedy, 35; Daniel Kennedy, 35; John Cance, 36; George Gale, 36; M. 
Casey, 36 ; Martin Cullity, 36. 

TowTiship 21, range 8. 1859 — Minard Allen, 1; .John Hopkins, 1, 12; 
S. S. Rice, 1; Henry Lake, 24, 25; C. H. Hine, 25; H. Snyder, 25; I. B. 
Dunning, 24. 

Township 22, range 8. 1858 — Henry Stratton, 15; Hiram Stratton, 15; 

J. D. Sherwood, 21 ; A. S. Sherwood, 21 ; Banks, 21 ; Clark S. Allen, 15; 

Alvah Wood, 11, 17, 20, 25; D. W. Wade, 2, 25, 36; F. W. & M. D. IngaUs, 

11, 28; Ed. Wade, 28; Nathan Wood, 11, 26. 1861— D. W. Wade, 2, 25, 36; 
M. 0. IngaUs, 2, 11, 21; Henrj' 0. Gill, 2, 21; A. Wood, 11, 25; Cripps & 
Erwin, 11; L. D. McNitt, 14; H. C. Stratton, 15; Henr>' Freeman, 15; D. 

Wood, 17, 20; A. L. Sherwood, 20, 21; J. D. Sherwood, 21; Prevear, 

23; N. D. Comstock, 23; B. F. Wing, 24, 25; Oley Knudtson, 24; James 

Erwin, 26; Dowd, 26; E. F. Wade, 28; M. D. & F. W. IngalLs, 28; 

F. L. Dunbar, 30 ; C. C. Crane, 29, 16. 

Township 23, range 8. 1861— George H. Hale, 32; C. S. Allen, 32. 

Township 24, range 8. 1859— W. W. Wetmore, 13, 15, 17; J. IL 
Campbell, 1. 

Township 18, range 9. 1855 — William A. Cram, 1 ; Ryland Parker, 2 ; 
L. T. Kniffen, 2; D. B. Thompson, 2; Alex Hart, 2, 3; 0. Whitcomb, 3; Wm. 
McDonah, 3 ; T. B. Edwards, 4, 11 ; Hollister Wright, 4 ; Mar>' A. Bright, 4 ; 

B. B. Healy, 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 35, 36 ; Davil Monel, 
5 ; Washburn & Woodman, 6, 13, 14, 23 ; Amos Whiting. 6, 13 ; A. Stevens, 7; 
D. 0. Van Slyke, 9; ilartindale, 9; George Gale, 9; Ira Jones, 9, 10, 

15, 22; Barney , 10, 11, 14, 35; Jonathan Ramsden, 12; Joshua Rhodes, 

12, 24; Ware & Belden, 12, 14; R. R. Worth, 13, 24; Aaron Houghton, 13; 

C. F. Legate, 14 ; Horace Stone, 14 ; John Phillips, 15 ; Wm. Hanson, 15 ; Ran- 

some Jones, 15 ; Dean, 15 ; Ellis, 15 ; E. R. Utter, 18 ; David Fbrun, 

22 ; C. A. Stevens, 16, 22 ; Healy & others, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34 ; Geo. Batchelder, 

16, 22, 26; C. S. Sejnnour, 23, 24, 25; B. H. Stewart, 24; J. P. James, 24; 
A. W. Shepard, 25; Francis Drugan, 25; Wm. .lohn Nicholls, 25; Jacob T. 
Holmes, 25; T. W. Hill, 26; E. Winkelman, 26, 27; N. Brown, 26, 35; Isaac 
Noyes, 16, 26; Chas. Utter, 27; J. H. Hammond, 27; B. F. Heuston, 27; 
A. M. Weeks, 27 ; J. M. Levy, 27 ; Avery Wellington, 27 ; Moore & Carter, 35 ; 
Wm. & John Nicholls, 36. 

Township 19, range 9. 1855— J. Knox, 19 ; A. Rhodes, 20, 21 ; John 
Rhodes, 21, 28, 29, 30; Hollister Wright, 21, 28, 33; Thomp.son & Hart, 23; 
0. Whitcomb, 23; B. B. Healy, 25, 32; M. Beboe, 26; Joseph Holmes, 26; 
A. Grover, 26; W. W. Nash, 31; Alva Wood, 31; Edmond Nash, 31; Wash- 
bum & Woodman, 31 ; Ryland Parker, 31 ; Moses Clark, 32 ; Jas. Wright, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 105 

32, 33 ; D. A. Segur, 33, 34 ; W. Higbie, 33, 34 ; Parker Warren, 33 ; Justin 
Lee, 34 ; E. R. Utter, 34 ; James Reed, 34, 35 ; Chas. Perkins, 35 ; Michael 
Bebeau, 35; Chas. Cameron, 35; Leander Bebeau, 35. 

Township 20, range 9. 1859— H. G. Tracy, 2 ; Jesse Penny, 3, 4 ; Jas. 
Broughton, 4 ; Walter Dewey, 4 ; R. C. Shelly, 5 ; George D. Dewey, 5 ; Collins 
Bishop, 5; Emily Bishop, 5; James Gaveney, 5; N. D. Comstock, 5, 7; R. L. 
Robertson, 6; Philip Hartman, 7; Nicholas Meyers, 7; Frank Zeller, 17; 
A. B. Bishop, 18; Shelly & Co., 18; A. M. Holcomb, 36. 1860— H. G. Tracy, 
2, 3 ; Jesse Penny, 3, 4 ; Jas. Broughton, 4 ; Walter Dewey, 4 ; R. C. Shelly, 
4, 5; George D. Dewey, 5; Collins Bishop, 5; Emily Bishop, 5; James 
Gaveney, 5; N. D. Comstock, 5, 6, 7; R. L. Robertson, 6; John Gage, 6; 
Phillip Hartman, 7 ; Nicholas Meyers, 7, 8 ; Casper Meyers, 8 ; Carl Zeller, 
17 ; Frank Zeller, 17 ; A. B. Bishop, 18 ; Shelly & Co., 18 ; A. M. Holcomb, 36 ; 
A. C. Matterson, 4. 

Township 21, range 9. 1857 — Lyman Carpenter, 15; L. F. Griffin, 15; 
William Johnson, 28 ; R. Weller, 29. 1859— John Gage, 32 ; John Busby, 22 ; 
Thomas Busby, 22. 

Township 22, range 9. 1864— Walter W. Wetmore, 11, 12 ; Giles Cripps, 
12 ; Lawrence Bautch, 13, 24 ; Geo. Markham, 24 ; Chas. Lyne, 25. 

Township 23, range 9. 1867— Daniel Borst, 33; Martin Borst, 34. 
1868— John Zuza, 23 ; Daniel Borst, 33 ; Jeremiah Borst, 33. 1870— Gunn 
Heaterandett, 4; John Hunter, 19, 28, 30; EHzabeth N. Brooks, 24; John 
Allen, 24 ; Lucius M. Seldon, 28 ; Martin W. Borst, .28, 32, 33, 34 ; J. W. 
Borst, 33 ; 0. A. Osgood, 33 ; Jas. Gaveney, 16. 

Township 24, range 9. 1858— Wm. Henry, 10; Wm. Maxwell, 10; 

Albert Taylor, 11, 14 ; Smith, 13, 22 ; James Chase, 14 ; Russell Bowers, 

14, 23 ; David R. Chase, 22 ; Barden Cross, 23 ; Wolsterhoon, 24. 

Township 18, range 10. 1856 — Avery Wellington, 1 ; Amos Whiting, 
1; Seba Atwood, 1, 12; Wm. Y. Burns, 1, 12; Silvester Wellington, 1; B. B. 
Healy, 1 ; Lawrence Rooney, 1, 2 ; Chas. Smith, 12 ; Jonathan Nash, 2. 

Township 19, range 10. 1856— G. W. & John Brewin, 25 ; B. B. Healy, 
25, 36; Jonathan Nash, 36; Edmund Nash, 36; Isaac Nash, 35; Amos 
Whiting, 36 ; Jacob Holbrook, 36. 

Township 20, range 10. 1859— Sarah McMaster, 1 ; John Bigham, 1, 
2; Caleb Case, 1; John Gleason, 10, 11, 13; Thomas Simpson, 10; Phillip 
Hartman, 12 ; J. Kelly, 14 ; Ludwig Hensel, 14, 23 ; W. Kickhofer, 14, 23, 24 ; 
Milton Tucker, 15; Jas. Bigham, 21; Wm. Harlow, 22; Chas. Olbrecht, 23; 
R. L. Robertson, 1 ; Geo. D. Dewey, 1 ; N. D. Comstock, 2 ; David Bishop, 
2, 10 ; Wm. Hyde, 2 ; Aug. Hensel, 3 ; Wm. Johnson, 9 ; A. Finkelnburg, 32. 

Village of Montoville. 1855— Ira H. Hammond, block 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 
12 ; B. F. Heuston, 11, 12 ; Geo. Gale, 9.; N. B. Grover, 8 ; A. M. Brandenburg, 
8; Geo. Batchelder, 5, 9; Jas. Reed, 3, 8; B. B. Healy, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 
Thos. Marshall, 3 ; Chas. Utter, 2 ; Healy & others, 4 ; Alex McGilvray, 1 ; 
John Salsman, 1; Isaac Noyes, 5; Hiley Cameron, 5. 

Village of Trempealeau. 1855— B. B. Healy, block 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
9, 10, 11, 12; Moore & Carter, 7, 3; Jas. Harris, 6; Geo. Batchelder, 1. 3, 6, 
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; B. I. Stewart, 12; Joshua Rhodes, 12; Chas. Utter, 1, 2, 
11, 13; Geo. W. Kenworthy, 9. 



CHAPTER IX 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT 

Trempealeau County was created by the legislature January 24, 1854, 
and a provision included in the act constituting the board of supervisors 
of Montoville, the board of supervisors of Trempealeau County until other 
towns should be created and town officers duly elected therein.^ Conse- 
quently, on March 11, 1854, the town board of Montoville, sitting as a board 
of supervisors of Trempealeau County, convened at Trempealeau, with 
Horace F. Owen as chairman and Isaac Noyes and Wilham Nicholls as the 
other supervisors, and with Charles Cameron as clerk.^ At this meeting 
the town of Gale was set off, with practically all of the present area of 
Gale and northward to the county line. The first town election was ordered 
held at the home of Benjamin F. Heuston, on April 4, following. All of 
the county not included in Gale remained in Montoville, which thus consti- 
tuted the present towns of Caledonia and Trempealeau and the west part 
of the county, north to the county line. 

On September 12, 1854, B. F. Heuston was elected county judge, 
receiving 26 votes in Montoville and 8 in Gale. George Batchelder received 
11 in Montoville and 12 in Gale. In November the following county officers 
were elected : Charles Utter, district attorney ; Ira E. Moore, sheriff ; George 
H. Smith, clerk of the court; Charles Utter, clerk of the board; A. W. 
Armstrong, registrar ; Hollister Wright, treasurer ; George J. Turton, sur- 
veyor, and William Adams, coroner. There were 44 votes cast, 36 in Monto- 
ville and 8 in Gale. George H. Smith appointed William M. Young deputy 
clerk and Hollister Wright made John Nicholls his clerk as deputy county 
treasurer.' 

Gale township having been created and a chairman elected, the new 
board of county supervisors, consisting of George Batchelder, chairman of 
Montoville and B. F. Heuston, chairman of Gale, met at Montoville May 1, 
1854. George Batchelder was chosen chairman and William M. Young clerk. 
Charles Utter was appointed county treasurer. Mr. Utter was also appointed 
to act with the commissioner from Jackson County to lay out roads from 
Montoville to Black River Falls by way of Trempealeau Valley and Beaver 
Creek, and one to Douglass Mills, now North Bend, in Jackson County. 
May 29, 1854, the boundary between Montoville and Gale was slightly 
readjusted. November 14, 1854, a meeting was held at the home of B. F. 
Heuston in Gale, but at once adjourned to Montoville. November 20, 1854, 
John Nicholls was appointed clerk in place of William M. Young, resigned. 
It would appear that George Batchelder was then looking after the criminal 
interests of the county, as on November 27, 1854, he was voted S16.50 
for the prosecution, guarding and deposition of "Geo. the Murderer." 

In the spring of 1855 B. F. Heuston was re-elected chairman of (iale 

IOC 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 107 

Township and was accordingly continued as a member of the county board. 
William A. Cram took his seat as the member from Montoville. John 
Nicholls continued as clerk, being appointed in place of Charles Utter, who 
did not qualify. During the first two years of county government the board 
met sometimes at Montoville and sometimes in Gale Township or in Gales- 
ville. The county officials maintained their offices in their residences or 
their places of business. June 26, 1856, the clerk of the board was author- 
ized to have his office at his residence in MontoviUe, and the sheriff, clerk 
of court, registrar and treasurer were ordered to file with the clerk a 
statement of where their headquarters were to be found. The need of a 
courthouse, however, was apparent, and on June 11, 1855, the board, meeting 
at the home of William A. Cram, decided that a courthouse should be built 
at Galesville as soon as possible, and ordered the clerk to prepare plans 
for the inspection of the public, and to advertise for bids for a building 
28 by 36 feet, two stories high. June 28, 1855, Isaac Noyes and Amassa 
P. Webb, of Montoville, were awarded the contract at $1,000, and the 
county appropriated $250 for the purchase of material. The work was to 
be finished on April 28, 1856, but when that date approached it was found 
that the building would not be completed within the time limit. Lumber 
had been hard to obtain, and some that had been carted to the site had 
been stolen. Accordingly, the contractors were awarded damages of $25 
and the time extended to July 28. 

The first meeting of the board in the new courthouse was held July 23, 
1856. B. F. Heuston of Gale was still a member of the board. WilUam 
Adams succeeded William A. Cram of Trempealeau. In the meantime the 
town of Preston had been created, November 21, 1855, consisting of all of 
the county north of the line between Townships 19 and 20, except that part 
in what is now Ettrick, west of the range line between Ranges 9 and 10 ; 
and the first town meeting had been held at the home of Ed. Reynolds, April 
1, 1856. The first representative of the town on the county board was 
Simon S. Rice. John Nicholls continued to serve as clerk of the board. 
November 11, 1856, the board voted to allow the people of Galesville to use 
the courtroom as a schoolroom. 

In the spring of 1857 the new board consisted of B. F. Heuston of 
Gale, Simon S. Rice of Preston and William Adams of Trempealeau. The 
previous board, on November 20, 1856, had created two new townships, 
Arcadia and Sumner. Sumner consisted of all of Township 24, Ranges 7, 
8 and 9. The first town meeting was ordered held at Beef River Station 
April 7, 1857. Arcadia consisted of all the present town of Arcadia, except 
the strip in Township 20, range 8, and everything north of the present town- 
ship to the south line of Township 24. The first town meeting was to be 
held at home of David Bishop, April 7, 1857. The meeting at David 
Bishop's was conducted as ordered, but the one at Beef River Station was 
not held, and the board ordered a meeting for April, 1858. In the fall of 
1857 the board consisted of J. R. Penney of Arcadia, A. R. Wyman of Gale, 
J. B. Dunning of Preston and Sam D. Hastings of Trempealeau. This board 
created the town of Caledonia, November 11, 1857, and ordered the first 
town meeting to be held at the home of Alexander McGilvray in April, 1858. 



108 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The town consisted of all of the present town of Caledonia except the tier 
of sections in Township 18, Range 9. This action was rescinded March 
2, 1858. 

November 9, 1858, the board consisted of James M. Barrett of Trem- 
pealeau, A. R. Wyman of Gale, J. H. Chase of Sumner, in place of William 
Harmon ; A. L. Sherwood of Preston and James Broughton of Arcadia. This 
board was informed by District Attorney Romanzo Bunn that the action 
of the board in rescinding the creation of Caledonia was illegal. But the 
town having failed to organize, a new date, the first Tuesday in March, 
1859, was set as the time for the first town meeting. As early as November 
13, 1858, the need of an almshouse was felt, and a committee consisting 
of James M. Barrett, A. L. Sherwood and John Nicholls was appointed to 
correspond with officials of various counties of the state in regard to 
methods of caring for the needy in a proper and economical manner. At 
the February meeting in 1859 W. H. Thomas sat as the member from 
Sumner. The board authorized the board of trustees of Galesville Uni- 
versity to use the upper story of the courthouse for classroom purposes for 
the summer term of 1859 in case the seminary building should not be com- 
pleted. 

At this meeting the people of Trempealeau Village were reprimanded 
by the board for petitioning the legislature to submit to the voters the 
question of removing the county seat to that hamlet. The supervisors 
expressed the opinion that if the county seat were to be removed at all, it 
should be to some point near the geographical center of the county, and 
further stated that the agitation of the question at that time would create 
a great deal of needless trouble, expense and ill feeling. 

Six townships being in existence in the fall of 1859, the board consisted 
of six members: J. T. Holmes of Caledonia, Ben. B. Healy of Trempealeau. 
Collins Bishop of Arcadia, A. A. Arnold of Gale, Ebenezer Thurston of 
Preston and W. H. Thomas of Sumner. November 15, 1859, A. P. Ford was 
appointed county drainage commissioner under the provisions of the general 
laws of 1858. This board did not authorize any new townships, and the 
board for 1860 therefore consisted of six members: George D. Dewey of 
Arcadia, J. T. Holmes of Caledonia, Henry French of Gale, Chester Bost- 
wick of Preston, William Silkworth of Sumner and James M. Barrett of 
Trempealeau. November 13, 1860, Chase and Lincoln Townships were 
created. Chase was to consist of all the present town of Albion and the 
west half of Unity. The first town meeting was to be held at the home of 
David Chase in April, 1861. Lincoln was to consist of Townships 22 and 23. 
Range 8, and Township 23, Range 9. This embraced nearly all of what 
is now Lincoln, all of what is now Chimney Rock, a small strip of Burnside 
and the western part of Hale. The first town meeting was to be held at 
the home of Alvah Wood, the first Tuesday in April. 

These townships being duly organized and the election held, the board 
for 1861 consisted of eight members: George R. Davey, Chase; M. D. 
Ingalls, Lincoln ; D. C. Dewey, Arcadia ; Eben Batchelder, Caledonia ; A. A. 
Arnold, Gale ; E. M. Reynolds, Preston ; R. C. Fields, Sumner, and Delavan 
Bunn, Trempealeau. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 109 

With this board the pre-bellum period came to a close. From one 
township, in 1854, the county had increased to eight. Settlements were 
springing up here and there, and farmhouses were dotting the landscape 
in every direction. Without exception, the members of the board had been 
men of ability. All had been men from the eastern states, with good district 
school educations, who had brought with them all the traditions of the 
New England town meeting, and who fully realized their responsibility as 
the founders of a future important county. The knowledge that they were 
laying a foundation for future years is everywhere apparent, and in many 
of the resolutions is actually expressed. John NichoUs, who was county 
clerk during this period, was a man of orderly mind, an excellent penman 
and possessed of considerable legal knowledge, so that the affairs of the 
county were well conducted and the records kept in an adequate manner. 
The successive boards had met with many problems. Taxes had to be 
laid on a people struggling with poverty in a new country, bills had to be 
paid out of a slender treasury, and every account was pared to its utmost 
limit, roads had to be laid out along routes which would reach the greatest 
number of the scattered settlements, bridges had to be constructed to 
accommodate the travels of the inhabitants of the county, and also to 
facilitate immigration. Towns had to be created, and the nature of the 
ridges and valleys made it necessary that frequent changes be made in 
townships already created, in order that the people who were geographically 
related might be placed also in convenient pohtical units. Even at this 
early date there were poor who must be cared for, and the successive boards 
had been divided in their opinions as to whether this should be done with 
a township or a county system. 

Strangers were constantly passing through the county, and many of 
these travelers were of an unsavory character. Unidentified bodies of 
murdered men were frequently found along the highways, and corpses werp 
often washed up at Trempealeau, a mute testimony to the grim sternness 
of life on the Mississippi in those early days. The expense of disposing of 
these bodies had to be met by the appropriations of the county board. 

Struggling as they were, with pioneer conditions, many of the settlers 
were unable to pay their taxes, claims were frequently deserted by restless 
pioneers who found it more convenient to seek their fortunes further than 
to meet their obligations here, and the problem of disposing of unredeemed 
tax titles was constantly before the board. The question of drainage was 
also an important one and was frequently considered. 

But these farmers met all these situations with clear brains and good 
common sense, and the affairs of the county were in a satisfactory condition 
at the close of this period in its history. 

The new system of county government in Wisconsin went into effect 
January 1, 1862, and it was under this system that Trempealeau County 
underwent the great stress of the Civil War. The new board convened 
January 13, 1862, George Batchelder of Trempealeau representing the 
First District, A. R. Wyman of GalesviUe the Second and Henry Lake of 
Preston the Third. Batchelder had served on the first county' board in 
1854. Wyman had served in 1857 and 1858. Lake was a pioneer who had 



110 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

settled at the mouth of Lake Cooley in Preston Township and had abeady 
become prominent in township affairs. This board had to defend the exist- 
ence of Trempealeau County as a county. At its first meeting William A. 
Cram, the sheriff, reported to the board that he had been summoned before 
the Superior Court of Wisconsin to show cause why he had illegally per- 
formed the duties of sheriff in certain townships, George F. Haswell, repre- 
senting Buffalo County, alleging that Trempealeau County had been 
illegally created, and that a larger part of its townships were therefore 
still a part of Buffalo County. The board placed the matter in the hands 
of George Gale, through whose efforts the county was created, and in due 
time the organization of the county was confirmed by the Supreme Court.* 

The Civil War occupied the attention of the board for the next few 
years. Fortunately, during these years a considerable sum was realized 
from the sale of tax titles, and in spite of the numerous bounties paid to 
war volunteers, the financial standing of the county was not impaired. 
November 12, 1862, the county board voted to raise $3,000 as a part of 
the general tax fund, for a Soldiers' Bounty Fund, for soldiers from this 
county, and their families. December 16, 1862, it was decided to pay $4 
a month for seven months to the wives and families of all non-commissioned 
officers, musicians and privates enhsting from this county. At the Decem- 
ber meeting the first bounties were voted. With this begmning, the board 
continued to grant $4 a month to families of volunteers throughout the war. 

An ambrotype of the company of volunteers raised in Trempealeau 
County having been taken, the board on December 20, 1862, voted to present 
the picture to Galesville University. 

Ettrick was created on December 16, 1862, and the first town meeting 
called for April 7, 1863, at the home of John Cance, in Section 36, Township 
20, Range 8. This made nine townships in the county. 

The board for 1863 was the same as the previous year. War-time 
problems increased. The bounty of $4 a month to families of volunteers 
was continued. November 10, 1863, it was voted to pay a bounty to each 
volunteer (or heirs) who had enlisted in the military service of the United 
States from this county during the Rebellion, and who should die in service 
or be honorably discharged. Later it was determined that in case the 
monthly bounty had been paid, that the amount of the monthly bounty 
should be deducted from the enlistment bounty. The first to receive this 
enlistment bounty was F. J. Miller, honoi-ably discharged from the First 
Wisconsin Battery. 

The unemotional records, with their lists of bounties paid to the rela- 
tives of those who died in battle, give to present generations a glimpse of 
the stress and tragedy of those days. 

While the young men were fighting for the preservation of the Union 
at the front, those at home were gradually increasing the agricultural acre- 
age of the county. The board, realizing the importance of raising sufficient 
food, and appreciating the vital part played in the war by the farms, voted 
on December 23, 1863, to contribute $50 to the work of the Trempealeau 
County Agricultural Society. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 111 

Burnside was created as a township December 29, 1863. It consisted 
of Townships 22 and 23, Range 9, the west half of Township 23, Range 8, 
and Sections 4, 5, 6, in Township 22, Range 8. This embraced all of what 
is now Burnside, except the little strip in Township 22, Rang6 8, all of Chim- 
ney Rock, all that is now Hale west of the line that equally divides Range 8, 
and a small tract that is now the southwest corner of Lincoln. The first 
meeting was to be held in April, 1864, at the home of Giles Cripps. 

The board for 1864 consisted of E. Wilcox from the First District, Alex 
McGilvray from the Second District, and W. H. Thomas from the Third 
District. February 3 this board created Hale Township, embracing practi- 
cally the entire present township of that name, with the exception of some 
shght variations along the northwestern line of Pigeon Township. The 
first town meeting was to be held in April, 1865, at the home of D. S. Watson, 
Section 24, Township 23, Range 8. The bounty question continued to be a 
problem. At the time of the recruiting of Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, it had been generally understood throughout the county 
that every volunteer was to receive a bounty of $50. At the first meeting in 
1864 the board therefore determined that the finances of the county were 
such as to justify a payment on account of $25 to all who had not already 
received that amount, either in person or through their families. The 
families that had received money in monthly payments amounting in all 
to less than $25 could receive the balance in cash, or request to have their 
$4 a month continued. Later in the year it was decided that widows of 
certain deceased volunteers should receive a monthly bounty of $4, just 
the same as though their husbands were still alive and serving at the front. 
November 15, 1865, 115 bounty claims were adjusted. It was during the 
administration of this board that the organization of the township of Chase 
was vacated, and the territory added to Sumner. The same board served 
in 1865, A. R. Wyman succeeding John Nicholls as clerk. 

George Dewey from the First District, George H. Smith from the 
Second, and Edward F. Wade from the Third, constituted the board for 1866. 
This board attempted to construct a jail. Crime was increasing with the 
growth in population and the augmentation of travel, and the cost of remov- 
ing prisoners to the jail at La Crosse was a serious drain on the county's 
resources. November 15, 1866, it was therefore voted to raise $1,500 for 
the erection of a jail at Gales ville. 

The next board, J. M. Barrett of the First District, George H. Smith of 
the Second District, and Charles C. Crane of the Third District, took office 
January 8, 1867, and on that date authorized Charles C. Crane to draw 
plans for the jail. B. F. Heuston succeeded A. R. Wyman as clerk. In the 
summer time this board ordered a tract index prepared for use in the office 
of the register of deeds. November 14, a final readjustment was made of 
the bounty matter. Many who declared themselves to have claims had 
assigned these claims to other persons for small sums, and the holders were 
pressing the county for payment. The board found that in most instances 
these claims were of men who had not enlisted from this county, or else of 
men whose families had already received in monthly payments more than 
the volunteer was entitled to receive. As an incentive toward good roads. 



112 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the county decided to construct a pile driver to be loaned to the various 
towns. 

James M. Barrett from the First District, Robert Cance from the 
Second, and C.'C. Crane from the Third, made up the board for 1868. Steps 
were taken toward erecting an almshouse. The distribution of the care of 
the poor between the county and townships had not proven satisfactory. 
Therefore it was determined that the proceeds of all lands that had been 
sold for taxes and bid in for iive successive years by the county and 
appraised and sold before the annual meeting of 1869, should be turned in 
to the poor fund, and an unimproved farm bought for not more than $1,000, 
or an improved farm for not more than $3,000, and that the county assume 
sole charge of the poor after January 1, 1870. 

In 1869 the board consisted of Noah D. Comstock from the First Dis- 
trict, Robert Cance from the Second District, and N. P. Bruce from the 
Third District. This board decided to abandon the plans for building a 
jail, and to accept the offer of the village of Trempealeau for the free use 
of the jail in that village. 

The last board under this regime convened February 15, 1870, and 
consisted of Noah D. Comstock from the First District, A. R. Wyman from 
the Second District, and N. P. Bruce from the Third District. 

Under the direct system of county government, the three supervisors 
each year had borne the brunt of the problems arising from the domestic 
aspects of the Civil War. They had continued the internal work of their 
predecessors in such matters as road and bridge building, and had attended 
to the routine business of the county in an efficient manner, and at a much 
less expense than that incident to the cumbersome system of township and 
village representation. Bounties had been voted to encourage enlistments, 
families of absent volunteers had been looked after, and the finances of the 
county kept in a satisfactory condition. An attempt had been made to erect 
a county jail and a county almshouse, and the necessity of depending on 
La Crosse for jail service had been lessened by the pressing into service of 
the village lock-up at Trempealeau, though prisoners after conviction con- 
tinued to be sent to La Crosse. While the various nationality elements, 
afterward prominent in the county, such as the Scandinavian, the German 
and the Polish, had already begun to settle in the county and to establish 
communities almost exclusively composed of their own nationalities, the 
administration of county affairs remained in the hands of men who were 
of English, Irish or Scotch birth or descent. 

The new board of supervisors met May 23, 1870. Chase having been 
vacated, and Ettrick, Burnside and Hale having been created, the board 
consisted of ten members: John D. Lewis of Arcadia, Warren Post of 
Burnside, Joshua Rhodes of Caledonia, Robert Cance of Ettrick, Robert 
Oliver in place of Wilham P. Clark of Gale, D. S. Watson of Hale, W. H. 
Thomas of Sumner, Benjamin B. Healy of Trempealeau, and Gullick Olson 
of Preston. Mr. Olson was the first representative of the Scandinavian race 
to sit on the board. Mr. Healy was made chairman. This board devoted 
a greater part of its attention to the question of unredeemed tax lands. 
The land was coming more and more in demand, and the county found that 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 113 

the tracts that it had bid in at tax sales in previous years found a ready 
market. During this administration, the treasurer, Edward F. Wade, 
alleged that $1,498.18 had been stolen from his safe. The board ordered a 
rigid investigation, and finally, after considering all aspects of the case, 
ordered the district attorney to prosecute the treasurer's bondsmen for 
full payment of the amount missing, with interest. Judgment being 
obtained, the money was turned over to the county by the bondsmen and a 
release signed by the board November 19, 1872. June 20, 1870, the town 
of Albion was set off in response to a petition previously presented request- 
ing the creation of a town to be named Logan. As created, Albion consisted 
of its present area. The first meeting was ordered held at the schoolhouse 
in District Three, in April, 1871. 

D. S. Watson of Hale was the chairman of the county board in 1871. 
The other members were Noah D. Comstock of Arcadia, Michael White of 
Burnside, Robert Cance of Ettrick, James Overson of Preston, Benjamin B. 
Healy of Trempealeau (place filled March 20, 1871, by D. S. Watson) , George 
0. Babcock of Albion, Joshua Rhodes of Caledonia, WiUiam P. Clark of Gale, 
David Wood of Lincoln, J. W. McKay of Sumner, and George Batchelder of 
Trempealeau Village. The modern system of county government in Trem- 
pealeau County dates from this board. The previous board had inaugurated 
the new system under the State law, and had paved the way for the per- 
fected organization. But the board of 1871 established the procedure by 
which the affairs of the county have since been conducted. The rules 
adopted November 14, 1871, for the meetings of the board are those which, 
with a few minor changes, have since been in force. That these rules have 
proved adequate for nearly fifty years shows the foresightedness of those 
who invented them. The present system of the division of the labors of 
the board among the members was also adopted at that time. Previous 
to this adoption, such special committees as were needed were appointed 
from time to time, but most of the business now done by the committees 
was transacted by the full board. This board of 1871 established a regular 
system of committees. These committees, with some shght readjustments, 
were the same as at present, with the exception that the work of the what 
was then the committee on jury lists is now done by the clerk of court, and 
a committee on county property has been added. 

Since the days of this board the work of the county supervisors has 
been largely of a routine nature, not differing materially from the work of 
neighboring counties of the State. Several matters, however, have been of 
special historic significance, and among these are the creation of four addi- 
tional townships, the county seat struggle, the erection of the courthouse 
and jail, the creation of an insane asylum, attempts at establishing a poor 
farm, and in recent years the work that has arisen in connection with the 
State aid system in the construction of roads and bridges. 

Dodge and Pigeon were created January 4, 1875 ; Unity on November 
20, 1877, and Chimney Rock on November 22, 1881. All were created with 
their boundaries as at present constituted, except that the northwest line 
of Pigeon has since been readjusted. The first meeting in Dodge was held 
in the schoolhouse in District 2, Section 12, Township 19, Range 10, in April, 



114 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1875, the first meeting in Pigeon was held on the same date, the first meeting 
in Unity was held in April, 1878, at the schoolhouse in Section 22, Township 
24, Range 8, and the first meeting in Chimney Rock was held at the school- 
house in Section 11, Township 23, Range 9, in April, 1882. The question of 
the division of Lincoln and the creation of Pigeon was submitted to the 
voters, the only instance in the history of the county where such a provision 
was made. 

The county having been ci'eated through the influence and clever plan- 
ning of Judge Gale, the county seat was placed at his proposed village of 
Galesville. In the years that immediately followed, Trempealeau occasion- 
ally expressed its aspirations, and once went so far as to prepare a petition 
to the legislature for a vote on the question of removing the county seat 
there. The petition was accepted by the legislature and an Act passed 
March 5, 1868, authorizing the election. The voters rejected the proposi- 
tion. To the majority of the people of the county the division of honors 
between the two villages seemed an equitable one. Galesville was the seat 
of learning as the home of Gale College, it was the source of government 
by reason of the location of the county seat, and it was the center of consid- 
erable influence as the residence of several prominent men. Trempealeau 
possessed the advantage of being on the Mississippi, and as aU of the exports 
of the county were shipped from there, it naturally became the commercial 
metropolis. 

But the growth of the county in the decade following the Civil War, the 
building of the railroad through the center of the county in 1873, and the 
increasing importance of the villages along its line in the Trempealeau Val- 
ley caused a growing discontent with the location of the courthouse in the 
southeast corner of the county. Judge Gale was dead, the prestige of the 
name no longer upheld Galesville, Trempealeau had ceased to be the shipping 
point of the county, the balance of power had shifted from the southern 
townships. Whitehall, Arcadia, Independence and Blair were all ambitious, 
and the people of the northern part of the county naturally joined with the 
people of the central part against those in the southern part. 

In order to establish their grip on the county seat, the people of Gales- 
ville caused to be introduced at the board meeting of November 13, 1875, a 
motion to spend $500 in repairing the courthouse, repairs which in fact were 
needed, as the building was becoming inadequate for the demands upon it. 
That motion being defeated, a proposition was made to erect a new court- 
house at a cost of $15,000. This was hkewise defeated. 

A year later, at the election of November 7, 1876, the voters of the 
county decided in favor of removing the county seat to Arcadia, whcih had 
become the metropolis of the county. The people of Gale, however, did 
not propose to let their advantages slip from their grasp without a fight, and 
on November 18, 1876, John McKeith of Gale proposed to the county board 
that the county oflSces and meeting place of the board should remain at 
Galesville until the next annual meeting, or until otherwise ordered by the 
board. The proposition was defeated, being favored only by the members 
from Gale, Caledonia and Ettrick, who hoped to keep the county seat in the 
southern part of the county, and by the member from Lincoln, who desired 



III8T0RY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 115 

Arcadia to secure no advantages. John D. Lewis led the fight for Arcadia, 
and on the final proposition of seUing the property at Galesville he had only- 
two opponents, the members from Gale and Trempealeau. November 21, 
1876, a committee was appointed to supervise the removal to Arcadia. 
January 2, 1877, the board met in the schoolhouse at that place. 

Whitehall now entered the fight in earnest. Galesville, strongly 
entrenched in historic tradition, had been defeated, and it was believed that 
Arcadia would prove a less formidable foe. Presenting the argument that 
Arcadia was on the western edge of the county and Whitehall in the 
geographical center, the people of the latter village had circulated a petition, 
and securing the necessary number of signatures, asked the board on 
January 3, 1877, to call for an election on the question. Mr. Lewis alleged 
that many names had been secured by misrepresentation, and that most of 
the signers thought the petition was one requesting that no county tax be 
laid for erecting county buildings. He demanded for Arcadia the right 
to be represented by an attorney and witnesses before the county board. 
But he was denied that privilege and the election was ordered to be held 
in the fall. However, in spite of this coming contest, the board appointed 
a committee to draw plans for the erection of a $20,000 building at Arcadia. 

At the election held November 6, 1877, the voters decided by about 600 
majority to move the county seat to Whitehall. The citizens of Arcadia 
alleged fraud and secured an injunction, but in the end were unsuccessful in 
their contentions. 

January 23, 1878, the board met at Scott's Hall, at the southwest corner 
of Main and Scranton streets, in Whitehall, and after considerable jockeying 
passed a resolution condemning the people of Arcadia for their attitude, 
accused them of stirring up strife, or engendering animosities which would 
take years to overcome, and wrongfully putting on the county the cost of 
expensive litigation. In the same resolution S. W. Button was authorized 
to employ Judge Thomas Wilson of Winona to defend the board in the 
injunction proceedings brought by Arcadia. On the final vote, the only 
members opposing the resolution were the ones from Arcadia and its 
adjoining town of Dodge, and the two southern towns of Caledonia and 
Trempealeau. 

Blair now appeared as an aspirant for county seat honors, but on 
November 5, 1878, the voters again declared in favor of Whitehall. 

The people of Arcadia continued to feel that not only was Arcadia the 
logical place for the county seat, but that they had in fact been defrauded 
out of it. The necessary number of names being secured to a petition, the 
question of removing the county seat to Arcadia came before the voters 
November 7, 1882, and was defeated by a count of 1,874 to 1,454. 

Thus for the third time, the people had declared in favor of Whitehall. 
The fight had been long and bitter, the newspapers had been filled with 
recriminations, the quarrel had been the chief subject of conversation for 
years, the ill feeling engendered was long to remain, but the people of 
Arcadia accepted the situation cheerfully and set- about to maintain the 
position of that village as a metropolis of the county, even though its 



lltj HISTORY OF TREMPE.\LEAU COUNTY 

geographical position had defeated its county seat aspirations. The ques- 
tion was now practically dead, though the people of Independence prepared 
a petition and endeavored to secure an election in the fall of 1883 on the 
proposition of removing the county seat to Independence. It was found, 
however, that the number of votes cast at the previous election was 2,013 
of which two-thirds was 1,342. Of the 1,493 names on the petition, 1,318 
were on the poll lists and 162 were not. The status of 16 names was in 
doubt. The petition thus fell short of the necessary 1,342 and no similar 
petition has since been attempted. 

November 15, 1882, 0. J. Allen of Lincoln, moved before the county 
board that the courthouse be erected in Whitehall. The proposition carried 
by a vote of 12 to 5, the opposing votes being those of the members of 
Arcadia township and village, and their neighbor Dodge, of Burnside where 
the people had aspirations for Independence, and of Preston were the people 
had aspirations for Blair. A building committee was appointed consisting 
of A. H. Gary, J.D. Olds, M. J. Warner, H. Hoberton and John McKeith. A 
large lot was presented by the town of Lincoln, and that town also paid 
$5,000 toward the construction of the building. Work was started in the 
spring of 1883, and the building was completed late that year at a cost of 
about $20,000, being occupied early in January, 1884. 

November 11, 1885, money was appropriated for a jail, and work was 
commenced the following spring in charge of a building committee consist- 
ing of H. Hoberton, E. H. Warner and Peter Ekern. It was accepted 
November 1, 1886, having cost about $8,000. 

The courthouse and jail proved adequate for more than thirty years. 
In 1910 the need of improvement was apparent, and on November 16, 1910, 
after preUminary investigation and due consultation with the State Board 
of Control, it was decided to rebuild the jail, and at the same time to build 
an addition to the courthouse which would nearly double its capacity. The 
first set of bids was rejected, and on January 10, 1911, the contracts were 
let. The work on the courthouse and jail was completed late in the fall 
of 1911 at a cost of nearly $30,000, the committee in charge consisting of 
James N. Hunter, chairman; E. F. Hensel, secretary; E. F. Clark, C. Q. 
Gage and F. A. Hotchkiss. 

The courthouse and jail are surrounded by beautiful wooded lawns 
which stretch across the schoolhouse property and merge in the public park, 
which in turn extends to the village cemetery, this giving the people a 
beautiful sweep of public property scarcely to be equaled in western 
Wisconsin. 

From the earliest days the care of the poor has been an important part 
of the work of the county board. Some members have favored putting the 
entire burden on the townships ; some have favored putting the entire 
burden on the county, and some have favored a division of responsibility 
between the county and the townships. The various systems have been 
tried with varying success. At present the townships are responsible for 
the care of their own poor, while the county looks after the poor whose 
actual residence in any particular township cannot be proven. 

Plans for the establishment of a poor farm and almshouse have several 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 117 

times been set on foot. Once a poor farm was bought and sold again, and 
once the foundation of an almshouse was constructed but later abandoned. 

November 11, 1885, at the same meeting which voted to erect a jail, 
a motion was passed authorizing the purchase of a poor farm, the erection 
of an almshouse and the purchase of equipment, $2,000 to be levied for the 
purpose that year and $4,000 the following year. The farm was to consist 
of between 80 and 160 acres and was to be located in the Trempealeau 
Valley, not more than four miles from a railroad. The work was to be com- 
pleted November 1, 1886, at which time the county system of caring for 
the poor was to go into full effect. A poor commission was appointed, con- 
sisting of W. A. Johnson of Gale, Thomas Thompson of Independence and 
Charles Johnson of Blair. But evidently at the time of passing the vote 
the board had misgivings, for a motion was at once introduced to reconsider. 
The misgivings continued, and at a special meeting held June 15, 1886, it 
was decided to adopt the township system of caring for the poor, to dispose 
of the farm in Burnside which the commissioners had tentatively purchased, 
and to abandon all the work that had been done in preparation for inaugu- 
rating the county system. On the final vote the supervisors who still 
favored the county system were the representatives from Burnside, Inde- 
pendence, Preston, Sumner and Trempealeau Village. 

In the years that followed, the matter of building institutions for the 
care of the poor and of the insane was discussed at various meetings. On 
January 2, 1899, O. E. Gibbs, E. J. Matchett and D. L. Holcombe rendered 
an extensive report on the subject and recommended that an insane asylum 
and almshouse be built, as a measure of economy, efficiency and humanity. 
The report was accepted and the three men named as a committee to carry 
out their recommendations. Later G. H. Neperud, D. Wood, Stener Hanson 
and E. F. Clark were added to the committee. Land was purchased west 
of Arcadia and work was started in the spring of 1899, complicated some- 
what by an injunction obtained by Martin T. Babbit, who claimed that the 
powers of the committee expired when the old board went out of office 
in March. The injunction was served May 4 and dissolved May 12. 

The work on the almshouse was suspended permanently after the foun- 
dations were nearly finished. The asylum was practically completed Jan- 
uary 25, 1900. The first trustees were D. L. Holcombe, president, of Arcadia ; 
F. M. Smith, secretary, of Osseo, and Thomas Thompson of Whitehall. J. A. 
Johnson was the first superintendent. He was followed in March, 1901, 
by P. H. Johnson, who was succeeded in January, 1911, by John McKivergin, 
the present superintendent. The farm consists of 405 acres at the asylum 
west of Whitehall and three forty-acre tracts of woodland elsewhere. The 
farm is well improved and equipped and the institution is regarded as a 
model of its kind. The establishment has not only supported itself, but 
has already paid nearly one-half of the original cost of $90,000. A part 
of the income consists of a certain sum received each year from the state. 
The first nine patients were received April 6, 1900, and the number was 
increased to forty-six before the end of the month. The capacity is now 
nearly 150 patients. 

Road and bridge matters have constituted much of the heavy work 



118 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the successive county boards. The early roads in Trempealeau County 
followed the river courses. The trail along the Mississippi and the trail 
dovi^n the Beef River Valley early became much frequented highways. Beef 
River Valley, Trempealeau Valley and its two gi-eat northern branches, 
Pigeon Creek and Elk Creek (Pleasant) Valleys ; and its eastern branch, 
the Big Tamarack Valley ; Bruce, Chimney Rock and Borst Valleys, tribu- 
tary to Pleasant Valley ; Beaver Creek Valley and its tributary, French 
Creek Valley, are all natural lines of travel, while the Trempealeau Prairie 
affords routes west and south from Galesville and north and east from 
Trempealeau. 

The greatest difficulty in road building in the county is in crossing 
the ridges which separate the valleys. None of the roads of the county 
follow the crest of the ridges for any considerable distance, the longest ridge 
road being one of several miles between Pigeon Valley and Osseo. The 
southern part of the county abounds in rock, but in the northern part of 
the county rock for road building must be shipped in. 

The territorial and early state assemblies designated certain routes 
as state roads ; the early county boards co-operated with various other 
counties in laying out roads which would connect the widely separated 
pioneer hamlets, and also laid out such roads as extended across more than 
one township. The care of the roads and the laying out of short roads was 
left with the townships. Bridges were built in whole or in part by the 
county when it appeared that the construction of such bridges would impose 
too great a hardship on the individual towns. 

Modern road building in Trempealeau County was inaugurated under 
the laws of 1907. In that year the county board outlined a series of 
"proposed county highways" covering the natural routes of communication 
within the county. E. J. Matchett was appointed county highway commis- 
sioner. Under this system the county was to pay one-half for the construc- 
tion of county roads and the township one-half. Under the laws of 1911 
the state pays one-third, the county one-third and the town one-third. The 
state money available, however, has not thus far been sufficient to meet 
the entire one-third, so in reahty the county and township are paying 
considerably more than their respective thirds. 

Trempealeau County was one of the first counties in the state to build 
roads under the laws of 1907. In 1912 macadamizing was started on the 
Arcadia-Dodge and the Galesville-Ettrick roads. The work of macadamizing, 
grading and surfacing has since continued until something like $400,000 
has been spent within the county. The heaviest piece of relocation work 
in the state was done on the so-called Decorah Peak cut, near Galesville, 
where something like 35,000 cubic yards of earth were moved in a stretch 
of a little more than a mile, at a cost of about $25,000. The new road 
considerably modifies the grade and eliminates many dangerous curves. 
In 1916 Emil F. Rotering was appointed county highway commissioner, and 
under his able supervision, with the co-operation of the county board 
committee, the highways of the county are being gradually improved and 
the system extended. 

County Officers. William M. Young, the first county clerk of Ti-empea- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 119 

leau County, was appointed as clerk of the county board at its first meeting, 
May 1, 1854. John Nicholls was appointed November 20, 1854. Charles 
Utter was elected in the fall of 1854, but did not qualify, and on February 3, 
1855, John Nicholls was again appointed. He was elected in the fall of 1856. 
Since then the clerks have been : 

1865, Allen R. Wyman; 1867, B. F. Heuston; 1871, Allen R. Wyman 
(died in office) ; 1880, Charles E. Perkins (appointed November 9) ; 1883, 
E. N. Trowbridge; 1891, L. H. Whitney; 1893, H. A. Towner; 1897, P. H. 
Johnson; 1901, Oluf Ihle (died in office) ; 1904, H. A. Towner (appointed 
November 15, 1904) ; 1905, John P. Hanson ; 1909, Paudor K. Risberg. 

A. A. Arnold became county superintendent of schools December 5, 
1861. At the same time George Batchelder, A. R. Wyman and Henry Lake 
were appointed examiners. Mr. Arnold resigned September 1, 1862, and 
was followed by D. W. GilfiUan. Following him came : 1865, S. S. Luce ; 
1870, Amos Whiting; 1874, J. B. Thompson; 1876, Amos Whiting; 1878, 
Mary Brandenberg ; 1880, Stephen Richmond ; 1882, W. J. Showers ; 1885, 
W. L. Cummings; 1893, T. C. Salt; 1899, L. S. Keith; 1907, Cornelia (Camp- 
bell) Remington; 1909, Dan P. Gibson; 1917, Helen Berg. Beginning with 
1905, the school superintendents have been elected in April and have taken 
office the first Monday in July, to conform with the school year. 

Augustus W. Armstrong was elected register of deeds of Trempealeau 
County in the fall of 1854. John Nicholls succeeded him January 1, 1857. 
Since then the registers have been: 1859, Charles E. Perkins; 1861, 
Edward Barnard; 1863, Charles E. Perkins; 1867, David W. Wade; 1871, 
H. L. Bunn; 1875, John Olson Melby; 1887, Simon Olson; 1893, T. R. 
Phillips; 1895, H. N. Halvorson; 1901, Christian F. Ringlee; 1907, Juhus E. 
Wilberg; 1913, Morris Hanson. 

The first treasurer of Trempealeau County was Charles Utter, who was 
appointed May 1, 1854. His successors have been: 1855, HoUister 
Wright; 1857, George H. Smith; 1859, Samuel F. Harris; 1861, Noah D. 
Comstock; 1867, Edward F. Wade; 1871, Douglass Arnold; 1875, David 
Kribs; 1883, Henry French; 1887, Henry Thorsgaard; 1891, L. L. Grinde; 
1895, O. E. Larson ; 1899, Henry French (died in office) ; 1899, M. E. Ladd 
(appointed May 8) ; 1903, Charles N. Webster; 1907, Nels L. Fredrickson; 
1911, John F. Hager; 1915, Ole 0. Hovre; 1917, F. D. Hopkins. 

George H. Smith was the first clerk of court of Trempealeau County. 
The other clerks have been : 1857, John Nicholls ; 1865, Allen R. Wyman ; 
1867, B. F. Heuston; 1871, Charles E. Perkins; 1875, H. L. Bunn; 1877, 
R. A. Odell; 1887, E. Bratberg (resigned) ; 1888, Ohver A. Hegg (appointed 
April 2) ; 1893, Harry H. Scott; 1899, "F. E. Beach; 1905, Eugene F. Kidder. 

Romanzo Bunn was probably the first man to serve Trempealeau County 
as district attorney. He took office January 1, 1857, and resigned Septem- 
ber 28, 1857, being followed by A. A. Arnold. Mr. Arnold resigned May 13, 

1858, and Mr. Bunn was appointed in his place. Following him came: 

1859, John A. Daniels; 1861, C. E. Turner; 1863, G. Y. Freeman; 1867, A. W. 
Newman; 1871, J. E. Robinson; 1873, A. W. Newman; 1877, S. W. Button; 
1879, Michael Milhgan ; 1881, Sam S. Miller; 1887, E. Q. Nye; 1890, Hans A. 
Anderson ; 1891, G. Y. Freeman ; 1893, J. C. Button ; 1895, Herman L. Ekern ; 



120 HJ8T0RY OF TREMPEALEAU COUxNTY 

1899, Robert S. Cowie. Judge Cowie resigned late in 1903, and Robert 
Christianson was appointed. Mr. Christianson died after a few months, 
and Earl F. Hensel was appointed. He served until the close of 1908. John 
A. Markham then served until the close of 1912, when Judge Hensel again 
took office, being succeeded January 1, 1915, by Elmer E. Barlow. 

When the first term of court was held on April 28, 1856, A. M. Branden- 
berg was the sheriff of Trempealeau County. Following him the sheriffs 
have been: 1857, William Clark; 1859, Robert E. Jones; 1861, WiUiam A. 
Cram ; 1863, J. W. Marsh ; 1865, Ulysses Button ; 1867, Edward Elkins ; 1869, 
John C. McCoy; 1871, David W. Wade; 1873, Charles F. Holmes; 1875. 
Joseph Kellogg; 1877, E. S. Hotchkiss; 1879, Daniel K. Hagestad; 1881, 
Nels L. Tolvstad; 1883, Ed Elstad; 1885, John McKeith; 1887, Ed Elstad; 
1889, John Boynton; 1891, John McKeith; 1893, Nels L. Fredrickson; 1895, 
John Durisch; 1897, Joseph L. Jensen; 1899, G. F. Steig; 1901, Elmer L. 
Immell; 1903, Arthur A. Holmes; 1905, Nels J. Nelson; 1907, Mathias T. 
Pederson; 1909, Phineas A. Van Horn; 1911, Paul E. Van Horn; 1913, Carl 
Jahr; 1915, Edward Torgerson; 1917, Ed Erickson. 

The first surveyor of Trempealeau County was George J. Turton. His 
successors have been: 1857, Daniel Trowbridge; 1863, Alfred P. Ford; 
1865, Isaac Zeller; 1867, Alfred P. Ford; 1875, William Coates; 1877, Paul 
Heyse ; 1879, H. B. Merchant ; 1881, Thomas G. Cox ; 1883, A. P. Ford ; 1885, 
Thomas G. Cox; 1889, H. B. Merchant; 1891, Thomas G. Cox; 1899, Hans B. 
Raa (appointed November 17) ; 1901, A. A. Arnold; 1907, G. D. Arnold; 
1911, J. C. Van Tassel; 1913, G. D. Arnold; 1915, C. J. Van Tassel; 1917, 
G. D. Arnold. 

The first coroner of Trempealeau County was William Adams. He was 
foUowed by: 1857, Isaac Clark; 1859, D. W. Gilfillan; 1863, George 
Batchelder; 1865, Henry Lake; 1867, Charles C. Crane. Crane served as 
coroner the greater part of the time until 1889, though during that period 
F. E. Booth, Robert Cance and Ed. Borwell served one or more terms. C. E. 
Scott served from 1889 until the appointment of H. A. Towner, February 6, 
1901. W. E. Parker served until 1911. Then C. L. Storey and S. F. 
Hutchins each served a term, followed by M. C. Crane. 

Ten men have served as county judges of Trempealeau County. Ben- 
jamin F. Heuston was elected in 1854. He has been followed by: 1860, 
A. W. Newman (appointed April 10) ; 1867, S. W. Button ; 1873, Charles E. 
Perkins ; 1880, Seth Mills (appointed December 2) ; 1882, M. Mulligan ; 1888, 
R. A. Odell (appointed January 10) ; 1906, Robert S. Cowie ; 1909, Earl F. 
Hensel (appointed July 3) ; 1910, Hans A. Anderson. 

County Boards. 1872 : Albion, Ed Borwell ; Arcadia, N. D. Comstock ; 
Burnside, Michael White ; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes ; Ettrick, Robert Cance ; 
Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, D. S. Watson (chairman) ; Lincoln, L. D. McNitt; 
Preston, Synest Johnson ; Sumner, R. C. Field ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healey 
(S. E. Heuston sat at the May meeting in 1873) ; Trempealeau Village, F. H. 
Krebs. 

1873: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, 0. A. Hegg; Burnside, 
Michael White; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes; Ettrick, Robert Cance; Gale, 
John McKeith; Hale, James Thompson; Lincoln, David Wood; Preston, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 121 

James Hopkins ; Sumner, Elias Gay ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy ; Trempealeau 
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1874: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, A. Rathburn; Burnside, 
George H. Markham; Caledonia, Edward Barnard; Ettrick, Robert Cance 
(C. J. Beach sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Gale, George H. Smith; Hale, 
D. S. Watson (S. P. Solberg sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Lincoln, D. W. 
Wade (Lyman McNitt sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Preston, James 
Hopkins; Sumner, T. G. Cox; Trempealeau, Paul Krebs; Trempealeau 
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1875: Albion, George Babcock; Arcadia, N. N. Comstock; Burnside, 
D. C. Cilley ; Caledonia, T. M. Holmes ; Dodge, Charles Keith ; Ettrick, C. G. 
Beach ; Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, David W. Wade ; 
Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, James Hopkins ; Sumner, T. A. Cox ; Trem- 
pealeau, B. B. Healy; Trempealeau Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1876 : Albion, George Babcock ; Arcadia, J. D. Lewis ; Burnside, D. C. 
Cilley; Caledonia, T. M. Holmes (R. C. Towner sat at fall meeting) ; Dodge, 
Anton Pehler ; Ettrick, C. G. Beach ; Gale, John Keith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; 
Lincoln, David Wood ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, B. Olson ; Sumner, J. V. 
Tracy; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy; Trempealeau Village, F. H Krebs, chair- 
man. 

1877 : Albion, James W. Grant ; Arcadia, J. D. Lewis ; Burnside, James 
Reid; Caledonia, Gilbert Gibbs (T. M. Holmes sat at January meeting, 
1878) ; Dodge, Mathias Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, John McKeith ; 
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, L. H. Earle; Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston, 
Stener Hanson (Richard Olson sat at January meeting, 1878) ; Sumner, 
P. B. Williams; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy (D. C. Wasson sat at January 
meeting, 1878) ; Trempealeau Village, T. H. Krebs. chairman. 

1878: Albion, J. W. Grant; Arcadia, Seth Putnam; Burnside, Giles 
Cripps; Caledonia, Gilbert Gibbs; Dodge, Mathias Brom; Ettrick, K. K. 
Hagestad ; Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, S. H. Earle ; 
Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston, J. G. Hanson; Sumner, J. T. Linderman (E. 
Holbrook sat at January meeting, 1879) ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy; Unity, 
P. B. Williams ; Trempealeau Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1879 : Albion, H. Helgerson ; Arcadia, W. Barnes ; Burnside, E. Elstad ; 
Caledonia, T. M. Holmes ; Dodge, Aug. Bambenick ; Ettrick, N. T. Tolvstad ; 
Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, T. H. Earle ; Pigeon, Peter 
Ekern; Preston, B. Olson; Sumner, D. L. Remington; Trempealeau, A. H. 
Carey ; Unity, P. B. Williams ; Arcadia Village, Seth Putnam ; Trempealeau 
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1880: Albion, Ed. Borwell; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside, E. 
Elstad; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes; Dodge, Mathias Brom; Ettrick, N. T. 
Tolvstad (K. K. Hagestad sat at January meeting, 1881) ; Gale, John 
McKeith; Hale, A. H. Lewis; Lincoln, T. A. Earle; Pigeon, Peter Ekern; 
Preston, Charles Johnson; Sumner, D. L. Remington; Trempealeau, A. H. 
Carey; Unity, E. Everson; Arcadia Village, Seth Putnam; Trempealeau 
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman. 

1881 : Albion, Ed. Borwell (George 0. Babcock sat at special meeting 
in March, 1881) ; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside, E. Elstad; Caledonia, 



122 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Charles Pickering ; Dodge, Mathias Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, 
John McKeith ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, 0. J. Allen ; Pigeon, J. D. Olds ; 
Preston, Charles Johnson; Sumner, W. J. Shores; Trempealeau, William 
McDonah; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia, Seth Putnam, chairman; 
Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton. 

1882: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside, 
E. Elstad (W. R. Turnbull sat in January, 1883) ; Caledonia, Charles Pick- 
ering; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson; Dodge, Frank Brom; Ettrick, L. L. 
Grinde; Gale, John McKeith; Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, 0. J. Allen; 
Pigeon, J. D. Olds; Preston, B. K. Strand; Sumner, D. L. Remington; 
Trempealeau, A. H. Carey; Unity, P. B. Williams; Arcadia Village, Seth 
Putnam, chairman ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton. 

1883 : Albion, J. W. Grant ; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes ; Burnside, Giles 
Cripps ; Caledonia, Charles Pickering ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge, 
Aug. Mondry ; Ettrick, Even 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, Isaac Galloway ; Hale, 
M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, T. H. Earle, chairman ; Pigeon, J. D. Olds ; Preston, 
Stener Hanson ; Sumner, Stoddard Field ; Trempealeau, A. H. Carey ; Unity, 
P. B. Williams; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Trempealeau Village, H. 
Hoberton. 

1884 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, A. Rathbone ; Burnside, L. N. Lee 
(for Giles Cripps); Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, John 
Haakenson ; Dodge, A. Mondry ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, A. Arnold ; 
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, E. H. Warner; Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston, 
Henry Thorsgaard; Sumner, Curtis Buzzle (for Stoddard Field) ; Trempea- 
leau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, W. W. 
Barnes (for N. Lehrbach) ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton, chairman. 

1885 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, Thomas Simpson ; Burnside, W. R. 
Allison; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson; 
Dodge, A. Mondry ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, J. O. 
Van Tassel ; Lincoln, E. H. Warner ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, Stener 
Hanson; Sumner, L. L. Cox; Trempealeau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole 
Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, 0. 0. Peterson; Trempealeau Village, H. 
Hoberton, chairman. 

1886: Albion, G. H. Snoyenbos; Arcadia, L. A. Simpson; Burnside, 
John Sprecher; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, 
John Haakenson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick ; L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Thomas 
Hunter ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, P. A. Williams ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; 
Preston, F. Thompson ; Sumner, L. L. Cox ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ; 
Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin; Independence, L. E. 
Danuser ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton. 

1887: Albion, Knud Jensen; Arcadia, L. A. Simpson; Burnside, L. E. 
Danuser; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, John 
Haakenson; Dodge, Frank Brom; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde; Gale, Thomas 
Hunter ; Hale, F. A. George ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, P. Ekern ; Preston, 
G. H. Short ; Sumner, L. L. Cox ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ; Unity, Ole 
Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin; Galesville, W. Davis; Inde- 
pendence, L. Thomas ; Trempealeau Village, J. M. Barrett ; Whitehall, C. E. 
Scott. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 123 

1888: Albion, Knud Jenson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, L. E. 
Danuser; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, John 
Haakenson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, A. A. Al-nold ; 
Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, Stener 
Hanson ; Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ; Unity, 
Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin ; Galesville, F. H. Krebs ; Inde- 
pendence, E. S. Hotchkiss ; Trempealeau Village, J. M. Barrett ; Whitehall, 
C. E. Scott. 

1889 : Albion, G. H. Snoyenbos ; Arcadia, D. Bigham ; Bui-nside, L. E. 
Danuser; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson; 
Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold, chairman ; 
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, J. E. Lamberson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson; 
Preston, James Hopkins; Sumner, J. H. McKenny; Trempealeau, M. H. Car- 
hart; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Galesville, 
L. L. Odell; Independence, E. S. Hotchkiss; Trempealeau Village, J. M. 
Barrett ; Whitehall, Joseph Sherwood. 

1890: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, A. J. 
Bautch ; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow ; Chimney Rock, C. E. Kittleson ; Dodge, 
Louis Leterski ; Ettrick, C. N. Ashley ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; 
Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson ; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson ; Preston, James Hopkins ; 
Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ; 
Arcadia, John Maurer; Galesville, G. Y. Freeman; Independence, E. S. 
Hotchkiss, chairman ; Trempealeau Village, R. Hoberton ; Whitehall, A. G. 
Bucholz. 

1891: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, A. J. 
Bautch ; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow ; Chimney Rock, C. E. Kittleson ; Dodge, 
Louis Leterski ; Ettrick, C. N. Ashley ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; 
Lincoln, J. E. Lamerson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson; Preston, James Hopkins; 
Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ; 
Arcadia Village, John Maurer; Galesville, G. Y. Freeman; Independence, 
E. S. Hotchkiss, chairman; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, 
A. G. Bucholz. 

1892: Albion, C. Meyer (for M. B. Gibson) ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb; 
Burnside, A. J. Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, C. E. 
Kittleson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; 
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson; 
Preston, F. M. Immell; Sumner, J. A. McKenny (G. Halvorson sat in 
January, 1894) ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia 
Village, Casper Wohlgenaut; Galesville, F. H. Krebs, chairman; Independ- 
ence, J. C. Taylor ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, C. E. Scott. 

1893: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bingham; Burnside, A. J. 
Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, P. J. 
Skogstad ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; 
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; 
Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; 
Unity, Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia Village, C. Wohlgenaut ; Galesville, John 
McKeith ; Independence, L. E. Danuser ; Osseo, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau 
Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson. 



124 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1894: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson; Burnside, A. J 
Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, P. J. Skogstad 
Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad, chairman ; Gale, E. F. Clark 
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud 
Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs 
Unity, Otto Langerfield; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Blair, Morris 
Hanson; Galesville, L. L. Odell; Independence, L. E. Danuser; Osseo, E. J. 
Matchett ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, Simon Olson. 

1895 : Albion, J. H. Grant ; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson ; Burnside, John P. 
Johnson ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, P. J. Skogstad ; Dodge, 
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; 
Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson; 
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; 
Arcadia Village , George N. Hidershide ; Blair, F. M. Immell ; Galesville, L. L. 
Odell; Independence, J. C. Taylor; Osseo, E. J. Matchett; Trempealeau Vil- 
lage, H. Hoberton, chairman ; Whitehall, C. E. Scott. 

1896: Albion, J. W. Grant; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson; Burnside, A. J. 
Bautch ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelson ; Dodge, Jacob 
Kaldunski ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; 
Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson; 
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; 
Arcadia Village, A. F. Hensel; Blair, Thomas Herreid; Galesville, L. L. 
Odell ; Independence, J. C. Taylor, chairman ; Osseo, 0. H. Shores (for James 
Mclntyre) ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn. 

1897 : Albion, Chris Meyers ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb ; Burnside, A. J. 
Bautch ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge, Frank 
Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Henry French ; Hale, G. F. Steig ; Lincoln, 

D. Wood; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson; Sumner, John 
Ring; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, L. J. Dahl; Arcadia Village, A. F. 
Hensel; Blair, Thomas Herreid; Galesville, L. L. Odell; Independence, 
Thomas Thompson; Osseo, J. H. McKenny; Trempealeau, John Boynton; 
Whitehall, H. A. Anderson, chairman. 

1898 : Albion, M. B. Gibson ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb ; Burnside, James 
M. Hunter; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, 
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Henry French (at fall meeting) , 

E. F. Clark (at January meeting) ; Hale, H. H. Lewis (in place of J. Van 
Tassel) ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, Stener Hanson ; 
Sumner, John Ring ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs, chairman ; Unity, L. J. Dahl ; 
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, Thomas Herreid ; Galesville, John 
McKeith ; Independence, G. E. Danuser ; Osseo, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau 
Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn. 

1899 : Albion, M. B. Gibson ; Arcadia, J. 0. Dewey ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter ; Caledonia, J. C. Polyblank ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge, 
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, H. H. Lewis ; 
Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner, 
John Ring ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs, chairman ; Unity, L. J. Dahl ; Arcadia 
Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, Thomas Herreid ; Galesville, John McKeith ; 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 125 

Independence, A. W. Liver ; Ossco, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau Village, 
H. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson! 

1890 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, J. L. Dewey ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, 
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. S. Knudtson ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, M. J. War- 
ner ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg ; Preston, John McKivergin ; 
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, H. S. Gibbs; Unity, M. P. Imnislund; 
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde; Galesville, 
John McKeith ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trem- 
pealeau Village, J. C. Utter ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson. 

1901: Albion, N. I. Gilbert; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey (at fall meeting, 
1901), Frank Thomas (at January meeting, 1902); Burnside, James N. 
Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, 
Frank Brom; Ettrick, K. S. Knudtson; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, M. J. 
Warner; Lincoln, William McKivergin; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston, 
F. D. Hopkins; Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity, 
M. P. Imnislund; Arcadia, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde; 
Galesville, John McKeith ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linder- 
man (sat at fall meeting) ; E. J. Matchett (sat at January meeting) ; Trem- 
pealeau Village, Thomas Bohen ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn. 

1902: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, George Schmidt; Burnside, 
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, D. E. Campbell ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; 
Dodge, John Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A. 
George; Lincoln, William McKivergin; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston, 
F. D. Hopkins ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, J. L. Saunderson ; Unity, 
M. P. Imnislund ; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman ; Blair, L. L. 
Grinde ; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert ; Galesville, John McKeith ; Independence, A. W. 
Liver ; Osseo, E. W. Carter ; Trempealeau, Thomas Bohen ; Whitehall, P. A. 
Van Horn. 

1903: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, George Schmidt; Burnside, 
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; 
Dodge, John Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A. 
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, N. J. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; 
Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trempealeau Village, 
H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn. 

1904 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, George Schmidt (at fall meet- 
ing, 1904), J. I. Dewey (at spi'ing meeting, 1905) ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, 
Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, F. A. 
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston, F. D. Hopkins; 
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole Thomas- 
gaard; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde; 
Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, A. W. Liver; 
Osseo, G. 0. Linderman; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, 
P. A. Van Horn. 

1905 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey ; Burnside, James 
N. Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge, 



126 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, F. A. 
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Ole Sylfest; 
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; 
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond; Blair, K. S. Knutson; Eleva, N. L Gilbert; 
Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, A. W. Liver; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman, 
chairman ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, G. F. Steig. 

1906 : Albion, Anton Ronghen ; Arcadia, J. L Dewey ; Burnside, James 
N. Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge, 
Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale. F. A. 
George ; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, F. D. Hopkins ; 
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity. Ole Thomasgaard; 
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair. K. S. Knutson ; Eleva, N. L Gilbert ; 
Galesville, E. F. Clark ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman, 
chairman; Trempealeau Village, A. A. Holmes; Whitehall. A. E. Wing. 

1907 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey ; Burnside, James 
N. Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge, 
Joe Leterski ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A. George ; 
Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon. G. H. Neperud; Preston, F. D. Hopkins, M. M. 
Skyrud; Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity, Ole 
Thomasgaard ; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, K. S. Knutson ; Eleva, 
N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, 
G. 0. Linderman. chairman; Trempealeau, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, A. E. 
Wing. 

1908: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, L. K. Strand; Burnside. 
James N. Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, P. K. 
Risberg ; Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, H. F. Claus- 
sen; Hale, N. J. Nelson; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud (at 
spring meeting), M. Everson (at fall meeting); Preston, Ole Sylfest; 
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp (sat at fall meeting), H. G. 
Gibbs (sat at spring meeting) ; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard ; Arcadia Village, 
F. C. Richmond; Blair, W. J. Hyslop; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. 
Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman (sat at fall 
meeting) , C. W. Lewis (sat at spring meeting) ; Trempealeau Village, A. A. 
Holmes ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson. 

1909 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter, chairman; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, S. P. Solfest; 
Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, H. F. Claussen ; Hale, 
N. J. Nelson; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, G. H. N-eperud; Preston, Ole 
Sylfest; Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; 
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, K. S. Knutson ; Eleva, P. J. Skog- 
stad ; Galesville. E. F. Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. O. 
Linderman ; Trempealeau Village, A. A. Holmes ; Whitehall, John Hager (sat 
at fall meeting), E. F. Hensel. 

1910 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; 
Dodge, J. F. Brom ; Ettrick, A. J. Ekern ; Gale, H. F. Claussen ; Hale, F. A. 
George ; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, A. N. Nelson ; 
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. O. Dahl; Arcadia 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 127 

Village, F. C. Richmond, Morris Hanson (did not qualif jO , H. T. Thompson 
(sat at fall meeting), L. L. Grinde (sat at spring meeting) ; Eleva, P. J. Skog- 
stad; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, C. M. 
Lewis (sat at fall meeting), G. 0. Linderman. (sat at spring meeting) ; 
Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel (sat at fall 
meeting) , John Hager (sat at spring meeting) . 

1911 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N. 
Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, S. P. Solf est ; 
Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik; Ettrick, A. J. Ekern; Gale, H. F. Claussen; Hale, 
F. A. George; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, E. E. Hegge; Preston, A. N. 
Nelson; Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. O. Dahl; 
Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer; Blair, A. B. Peterson; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; 
Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, G. 0. Linder- 
man ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel. 

1912. Albion, W. J. Boyd; Arcadia, M. T. Stelmach; Burnside, 
James N. Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell ; Chimney Rock, S. P. 
Solfest ; Dodge, M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, E. J. Brovold (at fall meeting) , J. A. 
Knudtson (at spring meeting) ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, F. A. George ; Lin- 
coln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner, John 
Ring; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A. 
Palmer; Blair, A. B. Peterson; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; 
Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trempealeau Vil- 
lage, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel. 

1913: Albion, W. J. Boyd; Arcadia, M. T. Stelmach; Burnside, James 
N. Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, 
M. D. Brom ; Ettrick, G. W. Smith ; Gale, Phillip Uhle ; Hale, G. H. Conrow ; 
Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner, A. 
Ihle (sat at fall meeting) , Lars N. Seesan (sat at spring meeting) ; Trempea- 
leau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl (sat at fall meeting), D. G. Williams 
(sat at spring meeting) ; Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer ; Blair, A. B. Peter- 
son ; Eleva, P. J. Skogstad ; Galesville, E. F. Clark, chairman ; Independence, 

F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, C. M. Lewis; Trempealeau, H. Hoberton (died April 
4, 1914) ; Whitehall, C. L. Storey. 

1914 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny ; Burnside, James 
N. Hunter ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge, 
M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, A. W. Smith ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, G. H. Conrow ; 
Lincoln, C. H. Anderson ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner, 
A. Ihle; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. O. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A. 
Palmer ; Blair, A. B. Peterson ; Eleva, P. J. Skogstad ; Galesville, E. F. Clark, 
chairman ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, E. Hagen ; Trempealeau, 

G. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson. 

1915: Albion, Fred Bowers; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny; Burnside, 
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; 
Dodge, M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, G. W. Smith ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, G. H. 
Conrow; Lincoln, C. H. Anderson; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Ole 
Sylfest; Sumner, A. Ihle; Trempealeau, I. H. Barr; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; 
Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer; Blair, C. J. Gibson (sat at spring meeting), 
Stener Hanson (sat at fall meeting) ; Eleva, C. P. Larson ; Galesville, E. F. 



128 HISTORY OF TREMrEALEAU COUNTY 

Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss, chairman ; Osseo, E. Hagen ; Trempea- 
leau Village, G. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson. 

1916: Albion, Ole T. Miland (at fall meeting), Fred Bowers (at spring 
meeting) ; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny ; Burnside, James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, 
William NichoUs; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, M. D. Brown; 
Ettrick, J. A. Knutson; Gale, L. L. Grinde; Hale, G. H. Conrow; Lincoln, 
C. H. Anderson; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge; Preston, Ole Sylfest; Sumner, E. J. 
Henry (sat at fall meeting), E. H. Remington (sat at spring meeting) ; 
Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A. 
Palmer ; Blair, K. S. Knutson (in place of Stener Hanson) ; Eleva, C. P. 
Larson; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss, chairman; 
Osseo, E. Hagen; Trempealeau Village, E. D. Smith (sat at fall meeting), 
G. G. Gibbs (sat at spring meeting) ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson. 

1 — General Laws of 1854, Chapter 2. 

2 — All the proceedings of the successive boards mentioned in this chapter are found in 
the Minutes, which are in the custody of the County Clerk. The list of officers which appears 
in this chapter is secured from the election returns, from the oaths of office filed, and from the 
Minutes. 

3 — This list appears on p. 1035 in the History of Western Wisc07isin (Chicago, 1881), 
and is supposedly from the pen of B. F. Heuston. The election of the clerk of court, clerk of 
the board, register and treasurer are confirmed by the records. The name of Ira E. Moore 
apjicars nowhere in the records, and A. M. Brandenburg apparently served as sheriff in 1855-.56. 
Tlie records show that George J. Turton was appointed surveyor June 26, 1855. No other 
mention of Charles Utter as district attorney can be found. He was not a lawyer. Hollister 
Wright filed his bond as treasurer Jan. 19, 1855, but on March 9, 1856, George Batchelder was 
paid for services as treasurer. No confirmation appears of the election of William Adams as 
coroner. 

4 — The State ex rel. Geo. F. Haswell vs. William A. Cram, 16 Wis. 343-344. 



CHAPTER X 
HISTORICAL PAPERS 

The Trempealeau County Historical Society is in possession of a number 
of historical papers relating to the settlement of various minor valleys and 
cooleys in the county, and incidents of the early days, as well as to the 
personality of many of the pioneers. These papers are for the most part 
still in manuscript, and they are here printed to add interest to the general 
story of the pioneer period that has already been told. The collection is 
increasing, and in time the society will doubtless possess the history of every 
locality in the county. The papers already preserved are largely from the 
pens of Hon. H. A. Anderson, Hon. Stephen Richmond and Dr. E. D. Pierce. 
In addition to these, many papers have been gathered especially for this 
work. 

Recollections of Antoine Grignon.' (Eben D. Pierce, Wis. Hist. Soe. 
Proceedings, 1913, 110-136.) I was born at old Fort Crawford, Prairie du 
Chien, January 9, 1828.- My father, Amable Grignon, who was of French 
and Winnebago descent, was born at Portage, Wisconsin;' my mother, 
Archange La Bathe, was born at Prairie du Chien, of a French father and 
Sioux mother, being a cousin of Wabashaw, the Sioux chief whose village 
was located on the site of Winona, Minnesota.* She was a sister of Francois 
La Bathe, the noted trader, long a trusted employee of the American Fur 
Company. ■ Amable Grignon acted as interpreter for the Federal Govern- 
ment on various occasions, and was stationed for a number of years at Fort 
Crawford as interpi-eter for its comman'dant. Colonel Zachary Taylor." 

There were three children in the family, Paul, Archange, and myself, 
and although our parents had but a limited education, they determined to 
give their children the best opportunities within their reach. So I was 
taken to Col. Zachary Taylor, who permitted me to attend the school con- 
ducted in the garrison, thus laying the foundation for an education. 

I next went for two terms to a private school conducted by a Mr. Cady 
[Cadle],' then John Haney became my teacher. There were no public 
schools in that day at Prairie du Chien, and the parents of the pupils in the 
private schools paid the teacher a certain amount each month for their 
instruction. I remember, too, my French teacher, a Mr. Gibault, who also 
taught English, and a lady by the name of Mrs. Crosby, who held school in 
her home. 

When I was a little past twelve years of age I went to school to Rev. 
Joseph Cretin, a Catholic clergyman, who afterwards became bishop of St. 
Paul.** By the time I was fifteen years of age I had a fair education in the 
common branches of English" and was ready to go out into the world better 
equipped than most French Canadian boys of my time. 

When I was fifteen years old I went to work for the American Fur Com- 

129 



130 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

pany under a sub-agent named Alexis P. Bailly, of Wabasha, Minnesota.'" 
I was sent out to Turkey River, Iowa. We went by wagon, fifty miles south- 
west of Prairie du Chien, where a store building was erected and trade 
opened among the Winnebago. A few months later I came back to Prairie 
du Chien, and went by the steamboat "Otter" up the Mississippi to Trempea- 
leau, which was then known as Reed's Landing or Reed's Town. James 
Reed had married my widowed mother and I visited her at his home, a large 
log house near the river." 

There were but a few families in Reed's Town. John B. Doville'- and 
family were living there. He had been conducting a wood yard over on the 
island opposite Trempealeau for a few years, having been sent in 1838 by 
Francois La Bathe to occupy the island and furnish cord-wood for the steam- 
boats passing up and down the river. Joseph Reed, a French Canadian, 
accompanied him. 

The real object in holding the island was to secure the fur trade, and 
to keep Wabashaw's band of Sioux from giving their trade to rival com- 
panies. 

Doville was quite an agriculturist; he cultivated the land formerly 
broken by Louis Stram at the Swiss mission,'^ and also broke up more on the 
flat near where the city park is now located. He sowed oats, wheat, flax- 
seed, potatoes, and beans. He has the honor, I think, of being the first 
farmer in Trempealeau County. Stram broke the first land, but did not sow 
any seed except for garden purposes. 

Alexander Chenevert" was hving upon the site that afterwards became 
the old Grant place. Farther up the river near Fred Ford's present resi- 
dence, lived the Bunnells — Willard and Lafayette. Willard lived here until 
1848, when he moved across into Minnesota. Lafayette Bunnell had moved 
to Minnesota a couple of years before his brother Willard.'^ There was 
another Frenchman here at that time by the name of Michael Goulet, who 
chopped wood for Reed, and worked at odd jobs whenever opportunity 
offered. He did not remain long, a few years perhaps, and then went 
farther north.'" 

I worked for Mr. Reed, who was farmer for Wabashaw's band of Sioux 
at Winona, and as he could get home only occasionally I helped look after his 
stock, and built some pole fences for him in the fall of 1843, on what after- 
wards became the Van Engen farm. This was the first fence built in the 
county. Reed had considerable stock, several head of cattle, a bunch of 
ponies, and some blooded horses. They grazed on the hills, and out on 
Trempealeau Prairie, and required little attention summer or winter, 
although we always put up some wild hay for them in case deep snow should 
make the grazing difficult. Cattle suffered more during the deep snow than 
the horses, who could more easily paw the snow away. 

In 1844 a Frenchman, Assalin, came to Reed's Town. He was a car- 
penter by trade, and manufactured for Mr. Reed the first wagon in the 
county, that is, he made the woodwork, but the iron had to be shipped up 
from Prairie du Chien. Besides carpenter work and wagon-making Assalin 
manufactured sleds and French trains. 

In speaking of these early French settlers I must not forget to mention 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 131 

Peter Rousseau, who helped Reed build his house. Rousseau was an expert 
with a broad-ax, and hewed the logs for Reed's house. This had two stories, 
was large and roomy, and served well its purpose as an old-fashioned back- 
woods inn. 

Reed kept a bar, and I have often seen travelers sleeping on the floor 
rolled up in their blankets. Beds were a luxury seldom indulged in at that 
period. Around the old-fashioned fireplace in Reed's inn was often gathered 
a strange and varied company — traders, surveyors, trappers, and hunters, 
and a few blanketed Indians. As they sat smoking by the blazing fire in 
the evening, you might have heard stories of adventure that would thrill 
the heart of the dullest listener. 

About the same year, 1844, there came to Trempealeau (Reed's Town) 
a Frenchman by the name of Antoine La Terreur, who was a cabinet-maker. 
He manufactured chairs, bureaus, chests, and other furniture, and was the 
first in our county to do work of that kind. Some of the chairs he manufac- 
tured are still, or were a few years ago, in the possession of La Vigne in 
Cedar Valley, Minnesota. 

In 1845, Michel Bebault came here and hired out as a wood-chopper 
over on the island at the steamboat wood yard. He was about the best 
wood-chopper I ever saw at work. Three years later Leander Bebault and 
John La Vigne'' came with their families to settle in Trempealeau. La 
Vigne bought a little piece of land up in the tamarack, but had not lived 
there long when he decided to move across the river into Minnesota, where 
he settled in Cedar Valley. 

Joseph Reed became a mail-carrier, and I think it worth while to relate 
some of the hardships he underwent in performing his duty. His route lay 
along the Mississippi from Prairie du Chien to Wabashaw's village at 
Winona. At the latter place he met the mail-carrier from Fort Snelling, 
near St. Paul, and after exchanging mails the two returned to their respec- 
tive starting points. The trip was made by canoe in summer, and by 
French train on the river ice in winter, and by pony with saddle-bags at 
times when neither canoe nor French train could be used. 

One year, in the latter part of winter, early in March, I think, Joseph 
Reed started from Prairie du Chien with the government mail bound for 
Winona. When he arrived the carrier from St. Paul was not there. It was 
mild weather, so Reed concluded to proceed on his journey until he met his 
partner from up river. By the time he reached Holmes' Landing,'^ the 
weather had grown considerably warmer, and the ice showed signs of 
breaking up. Still he pushed on, and urging his pony over the ice, sped 
away towards the north. On nearing Minneiska'-' he heard the ice begin 
to give way — groan, crack, and move ; looking about he saw that an island 
in the river offered his only place of escape from drowning, as the ice was 
fast breaking up. He made his way thither, and arriving in safety started 
to explore his new quarters. He had gone but a short distance when he 
ran across the St. Paul mail-carrier, who had likewise made the island in 
safety. By this time the ice in the river was moving fast, and before another 
day had nearly cleared. So there they were with little provision, shut 
off from mainland by a wide channel. 



132 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

After their provisions gave out, they subsisted on rose-apples; they 
halloed in vain for help, but it was a sparsely-settled region at that time and 
no one heard them. After living on the island nearly two weeks, they were 
rescued by a party of Sioux who were coming down the river in canoes. The 
Sioux took the two mail-carriers into their canoes and left them at Holmes' 
Landing, where after two weeks of recuperation they resumed their routes. 
They were weak, emaciated, and nearly starved to death. 

I remained in Trempealeau until the year before the Mexican War 
broke out, when I returned to Prairie du Chien and went to work in a black- 
smith shop. When war with Mexico was declared, I enlisted in Governor 
Dodge's regiment of home guards, serving therein for a year. We did 
not go out of the State, but were held in readiness in case we should be 
needed.-" While in service at Prairie du Chien during the winter of 1846-47, 
a report came to our commander that the Indians were massacring the 
whites in the locality where Vernon County now is. We were ordered out 
and with great difficulty marched up through the deep snow to the sup- 
posed scene of murder. When we arrived we found the report was false; 
the whites had not been disturbed in the least, and no Indians had been 
seen in that region for a number of weeks. So we returned ingloriously 
to our quarters at Prairie du Chien. 

After getting my discharge I went to work as clerk for the American 
Fur Company in their store at Prairie du Chien under B. N. Brisbois."^ 
I remained in their employ until June, 1849, when I decided to go north and 
took the steamboat, "Lady Franklin," for St. Paul. 

I soon secured employment at Fort Snelhng, helping to get up hay for 
the cavalry stationed there at the time. I drove team and helped stack for 
a few weeks, when a man from St. Paul came and asked if I would run a 
boarding-house and bar for him at that place. I complied with his request, 
and worked for him for two months ; at the end of this time I went down 
the river in one of A. P. Bailly's boats as far as Wabasha, where I went 
to work for Bailly. He was postmaster, and I carried the mail to and from 
the boats and also worked in the store as clerk. While there I was appointed 
deputy sheriff, and served papers on a man who was accused of stealing 
goods from my employer. I had a search warrant and went and looked 
over the man's house, but found none of the stolen goods in his possession. 

In the winter of 1849 Bailly fixed me up a big load of goods on a French 
train, with a pony to haul it down the river ; I took my departure for the 
site of Fountain City, where there was a large camp of Sioux. I traded 
among them until the spring of 1850, when I loaded my goods in a canoe 
and made my way down the river and through the sloughs to the present 
site of Marshland, where there was also a Sioux camp. I sold my pony 
and train to the Indians and bought a canoe of them, and traded with them 
for a number of weeks. They had been trapping up Trempealeau River, 
and had a fine lot of beaver, otter, marten, mink, and muskrat pelts. I had 
for my store a Sioux hut made out of buffalo hides — as comfortable as one 
could wish. After the spring hunting and trapping was over I returned 
to Wabasha, but not until I had an opportunity of attending a medicine 
dance at Minneowah, not far above the present town of Homer, Minnesota. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 133 

In the early fifties I assisted H. M. Rice, S. B. Lowry and David Olm- 
sted in removing two bands of Winnebagoes from a point near Sugar Loaf, 
Winona, and a point on French Island, a few miles above La Crosse, to the 
Long Prairie reservation in central Minnesota. A few months later I 
secured employment with the Hudson Bay Co. at Long Prairie. 

In 1854, I returned to Trempealeau and remained at home with my 
family until 1856. In the latter year Nathan Myrick, the pioneer settler 
of La Crosse,- ■ wrote me a letter asking me to take charge as interpreter 
of his store at Blue Earth, Minnesota. Accordingly I went to Blue Earth 
and began work for Myrick. The Winnebago had meanwhile been removed 
from Long Prairie to the Blue Earth agency,-'' and Myrick opened a store at 
the latter place secure their trade. Myrick told me to trust all Indians 
that were honest, but to look out for the rascals, and said, "You have traded 
with them a long time and know them well and so you know the good ones 
from the bad ones." I trusted them to the amount of over $3,000, and when 
they received their government annuity I got all the money they owed me, 
or very nearly all ; I think I lost less than ten dollars in dealing with them. 

I remained at Blue Earth until winter and then returned home to 
Trempealeau. I did not like the Prairie country and I wanted to be with 
my family, although Myrick offered to fix up a place where my family could 
stay at Blue Earth. 

In 1850, I married Mary Christine de La Ronde, a girl from Portage, 
Wisconsin.-' Fourteen children were born to us, six of whom are still living, 
three boys and three girls.-* The girls when they were young ladies were 
noted in this part of the country for their singing; one of them became a 
school teacher and was very successful in her work. 

In 1881, Major Halleck came from Washington, D. C, to enumerate 
the Winnebago, and wrote for me to assist him in the work.^" We went to 
Eland Junction and enumerated Big Black Hawk's band,^" and then pro- 
ceeded to Black River Falls ; after completing the work there, we went to 
Portage and Kilbourn, and wherever we could locate a camp of this tribe. 
Next spring I went with Major Halleck to Stevens Point to make a payment 
to the Indians and was with him a year, and whenever a payment was made 
I helped to locate and get the names of the Indians on the pay-roll. I also 
helped survey the land above Black River Falls, and assisted in locating 
the Indians on their homesteads. I have acted as interpreter on various 
occasions for the Federal Government, and on matters of business have 
helped the Indians whenever I could. I have lived here most of the time 
since I quit work for Myrick, and have always made my home in Trem- 
pealeau, being away only on business for short intervals. I live in the same 
house that I bought in 1857. 

I would like to say a word about James Reed. He was a remarkable 
man for his time, when just such a man was needed. I first saw Reed in 
Prairie du Chien when I was a boy and he was keeping tavern there. He 
was not a tall man, medium in height but thick-set, with a deep chest. He 
had bluish-gray eyes and a sandy or florid complexion. He was a good 
shot, one of the best I ever saw, and the Indians far and wide were aware 
of his skill with the rifle. I have seen him kill eleven prairie chicken in 



134 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

twelve shots, in the trees on the island across from Trempealeau. He was 
several rods away from the game when he shot. I have also seen him shoot 
the head from a partridge at a good distance. 

One day a merchant from Rock Island, Illinois, who had advanced sup- 
pUes to some lumbermen at Black River Falls, called at Reed's inn and asked 
the ways to the Falls. Reed inquired if the man intended to go alone, and 
he answered he did. "You will find it difficult to make your way," replied 
the old hunter, "there are no roads and the trails are unmarked and hard 
to find unless you are acquainted with the country." The man said he had 
a compass and thought he could find his way all right. He remained all 
night, and in the morning Reed and I accompanied him on ponies to Beaver 
Creek, and saw him safely across the stream before we took our departure 
for home. One afternoon a week later the man came crawling into Reed's 
inn almost exhausted. He had lost his way and wandered about in the 
neighborhood of Decorah's Peak for a number of days, subsisting on roots 
and berries. He was scratched about the face and hands, his clothing was 
in shreds, and when he reached Trempealeau Prairie, he was so exhausted 
that he had to crawl for three or four miles on his hands and knees. He 
remained at Reed's cabin about two weeks and then went home without 
attempting to visit the lumbermen at Black River Falls. 

Reed could speak several Indian dialects and was as well acquainted 
with Indian character as any man I ever knew. He was of a kind disposition 
and generally used mild measures in his dealings with the Indians ; but 
when diplomacy failed, he was a different man and his temper once aroused, 
he feared nothing, and could bring his rifle into play as handily as any 
backwoodsman I ever saw. He was noted for his fearlessness as well as for 
his expert marksmanship. 

1 — This aged pioneer died at Trempealeau, July 24, 1913. He was one of the few 
survivors of the fur-trading regime in Wisconsin, and his recollections were secured by his 
fellow townsman. Dr. Eben D. Pierce. The transcriber writes, ' ' I have written most of this 
narrative just as Grignon told it to me. In some places I have not used his exact words, but 
have tried to convey his meaning in language of my own construction." The interview was 
written in the shape it is here presented in December, 1912, and January, 1913. — Ed. 

2 — The record of Antoine's baptism is preserved in the Prairie du Chien Register. He 
was, in fact, born Jan. 9, 1829, and baptized Jan. 17 by Father F. V. Badin. His godfather 
was Francois La Bathe, represented in his absence by Denys Cherrier, and his godmother was 
Virginie Fisher. A copy of the Megister, the original of which is in Montreal, is in the Wis- 
consin Historical Library. — Ed. 

3 — For a brief sketch of this person, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xx, p. 157, note 21. Antoine, 
in an interview in 1909 with Charles E. Brown, of the Society's staff, stated that in 1825 or 
1826 his father had a trading post on the site of the present Dakota, Minn, — Ed. 

4 — For this chief, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, p, 323, note 1 ; also Id., xx, pajisim. — Ed. 

5 — See note on this trader in Wis. Hist. Soe, Proceedings, 1906, p. 252. — Ed. 

6 — Col. Zachary Taylor came to Prairie du Chien in 1829 as commandant of Fort Crawford ; 
the same year he determined to remove the fort to higher ground, and began the new fort, 
finished in 1831. He continued in command until 1836. — Ed. 

7 — Rev, Richard Cadle had been in charge from 1827 to 1836 of an Episcopal mission 
school at Green Bay (see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiv, passim). The latter year he resigned, and was 
soon after appointed chaplain at Fort Crawford, where he remained until 1841. He was prob- 
ably the teacher to wliom the writer refers. — Ed. 

8 — Joseph Cretin was born in 1800 in France, came to America as a missionary priest, 
being stationed in 1839 at Dubuque, There in 1844 he began a school for Winnebago children, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 135 

wliicli T\as next year discontinued by the governor of Iowa. Grignon does not say the school 
he attended was at Prairie du Chien, and it is possible he went to the mission school at 
Dubuque. Cretin continued at that place until the see of St. Paul (Minn.) was erected (1850), 
whose first bishop he became, dying there Feb. 22, 1857. — Ed. 

9 — Grignon told C. E. Brown in the interview referred to, ante, note 3, that he attended 
for a time the mission school at Yellow Elver, Iowa, of which Eev. David Lowry had charge. 
For an account of this school, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, p. 405. — Ed. 

10 — For a sketch of this trader, whose name was frequently anglicized into Bailey, see 
Id., XX, p. 197, note 55. — Ed. 

11 — See an account of the founding of Trempealeau in Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1906, 
pp. 246-255.— Ed. 

12 — John Doville (spoken of as James Douville in Id., p. 252) was a son-in-law of 
James Eeed, and the first permanent settler of Trempealeau. His companion, Joseph (also 
called Antoine) Eeed, was a French Canadian, not related to James Eeed.- — Ed. 

13 — For an account of this mission, see Wis. Hist. Colls., x, pp. 367, 506, 507; Proceedings, 
1906, pp. 251, 252. 

14 — According to the Prairie du Chien Register, Alexander Chenever, son of Francois 
Chenever and Marie Louise Giard, was born at that place Jan. 10, 1827, and baptized Aug. 16 
of the same year. He married a daughter of James Eeed. — Ed. 

15 — WUIard B. Bunnell was born in 1814 at Homer, N. Y. He ran away and sailed 
upon the Great Lakes as pilot until 1832, when he settled at Detroit and there married, in 1837, 
Matilda Desnoyer. Having entered the fur trade, he spent the winter of 1841-42 at the site 
of Escanaba, Mich.; then removed West, arriving in Trempealeau, July, 1842. In 1848 he 
made arrangements to remove to the Minnesota side of the river, where he occupied in 1849, 
by permission of the chief, Wabashaw, the site of the village of Homer. There he died in 
1861. His brother, Lafayette Houghton, was born in 1824, removed to Detroit in 1832, and 
accompanied his brother to Wisconsin in 1841-42. He enlisted in the Mexican War, sought 
for gold in California, and after studying medicine, enlisted as surgeon of the 36th Wisconsin 
Infantry, and in 1865 served in the same capacity in the 1st Minnesota Battalion. He was 
fte historian of Winona, Minn., where he died in 1903. — Ed. 

16 — For an account of Goulet and his tragic death, see L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Its 
Environs (Winona, Minn., 1897), p. 210. — Ed. 

17 — Jean Baptiste Lavigne was an early settler of Green Bay, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xx, 
p. 159, note 22. Probably the Trempealeau settler was his son. Louis Bibeau (Bebault) was 
an early Hlinois trader, possibly the progenitor of these pioneers of Trempealeau. — Ed. 

IS — Holmes's Landing was near the site of the present Fountain City, Buffalo County, 
and was settled in 1839 by Thomas A. Holmes, previously of Milwaukee and Eoek County. It 
was a well-known port of call on the upper Mississippi. — Ed. 

19 — Minnciska is on the Minnesota side, in the southeastern angle of Wabasha County. 
—Ed. 

20 — Grignon later drew a pension as a Mexican War veteran. — Ed. 

21— See the "Becollections" of this pioneer in Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, pp. 282-302. — Ed. 

22 — H. M. Eice (1816-94) came from Vermont to Minnesota in 1839, where he engaged 
in the fur trade. In 1853-57 he was territorial delegate, and later first senator from the new 
state (1858-63).— Ed. 

2.3 — Syvanus B. Lowry and David Olnvstead were both American Indian traders. The 
former had a post near the present Brockway, Minn.; was adjutant-general of the territory in 
1853; laid out the town of St. Cloud, and died there in 1861. Olmstead (1822-61) came from 
Vermont to establish a trading post at Long Prairie; was president of the first territorial 
legislature, and first mayor of St. Paul. — Ed. 

24 — The Long Prairie agency seems to have been near the present town of that name in 
Todd County, Minnesota. — Ed. 

25 — Nathan Myrick (1822-1903), founder of La Crosse, came there in 1841 from West- 
port, N. Y. In 1848 he sold out his landed interests and removed to St. Paul, but continued 
to traiie at several places on the Mississippi. He celebrated liis golden wedding, 1893, in St. 
Paul, and died there ten years later. — Ed. 

26 — In 1.S55, the Winnebagos sold their Long Prairie reservation to the government. 



136 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and were assigned to one in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, which they retained until removed 
(1863) to a reservation in Nebraska. — Ed. 

27 — For her father, see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, pp. 345-365; his obituary is in Id., ix, p. 
431. According to an article in the Trempealeau Herald, Dec. 17, 1909, Mary Christin de La 
Eonde Grignon was born at Portage, Christmas day, 1835, married at Long Prairie, Feb. 4, 
1851, and diod at Trempealeau, Dec. 8, 1909. She was at the time of her death one of the 
oldest settlers of the town. — Ed. 

28 — The newspaper article mentioned in the preceding note gives the names of these chil- 
dren as follows: Ralph J. Grignon, of St. Paul; Alexander Grignon, of Oshkosh; Guy A. 
Grignon, of Glen Flora, Wis.; Mrs. Mary Jebb, of PaynesvUle, Minn.; Mrs. Camilla Dederich, 
of Sandusky, Wis.; Mrs. Nettie Coyle, of Trempealeau. — Ed. 

29 — Jan. 18, 1881, Congress passed an "Act for the relief of the Wisconsin Winnebago," 
one of the provisions of which was that a complete census of the members of that tribe, scat- 
tered throughout the northern woods, should be taken, and their share of the Winnebago trust 
funds allotted to them: also that they should have titles to their lands assigned them in per- 
petuity. Maj. Walter F. Halleck, a retired army officer, was appointed special agent to take 
this census. Grignon appears to have been in his employ until 1884, when Halleck retired from 
the agency. Transcripts of several letters from Halleck to Grignon, showing appreciation of 
the latter 's services, are in the Society 's Library. — Ed. 

30 — For an account of this chief, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, p. 430. — Ed. 

James Allen Reed. (Eben D. Pierce, Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1914, 
107-117.) Among the restless Scotch-Irish pioneers that Kentucky, in the 
early day, sent into Wisconsin and the Northwest, there are few with a 
life so picturesque and full of interesting incidents as James Reed. Born 
in Kentucky in 1798, he early became part of the rough, hardy life of the 
frontier. As a child he heard with eager delight the stirring tales related 
by Indian fighters, trappers, and traders who enjoyed the hospitality of 
his father's fireside ; tales of thrilling encounters and hair-breadth escapes 
from the wild beasts and still wilder red men of the forest. Like most 
boys of the frontier he was unlearned in the lore of books, though he could 
read and write, but in the school of nature he early became an adept. To 
him the great, deep forest stretching away to the unexplored westland, was 
an open book ; and he could follow a trail, wield the hunting knife, or throw 
the tomahawk with more cunning than the native Indians, while as a rifle 
shot he acquired, even on the western frontier where every man is an 
expert, wide renown. 

When a mere stripling Reed resolved on a military career, and the 
War of 1812 furnished his fighting blood and martial spirit an outlet, some 
claiming that youthful as he was he saw service in the latter part of that 
war. Some time after the close of the War of 1812 Reed enhsted in the 
regular army, and was sent to Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien. Here 
his skill with the rifle, his knowledge of woodcraft and Indian customs, and 
his utility as a scout, interpreter, and courier quickly attracted the atten- 
tion of his superior, and before his term of enlistment had expired he had 
risen to the rank of sergeant. Although Reed was an excellent soldier, his 
greatest service to the government was in the capacity of scout, and long 
after his term of enlistment was over he was employed by the commander 
at Fort Crawford to conduct bodies of soldiers through the wilderness on 
expeditions against the Indians. 

During his army life Reed married a Potawatomi woman, by whom 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 137 

he had five children, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Madeline, and James. Upon 
her death in 1830 he was married a second time to a Menominee mixed blood, 
widow of the trader, Russell Farnham. Two children, Margaret and John, 
resulted from this union. He later married the widow of Amable Grignon. 
whose son Antoine was the chief source of this biography. 

While in the United States army service at Fort Crawford Reed learned 
the carpenter trade and helped in the construction of some of the frame 
buildings of Prairie due Chien. He found plenty of work both in the army 
and outside, but he had planned to become a fur trader. Accordingly, after 
getting his discharge, he entered the employ of the American Fur Com- 
pany, devoting his time to hunting, trapping, and trading with the Indians. 
He was stationed for over a year at Red Cedar, Iowa, where he opened a 
trading post among the Indians, sending his accumulated furs overland 
by cart to Prairie du Chien. During the absence of his cart-train he had 
but a single companion, a Sioux boy about sixteen years old. One morning 
while this boy was alone a band of fifteen Sauk warriors passing by mur- 
dered him, and were in the act of scalping him when Reed appeared on 
the scene. Angered at the brutal murder of his helpless Indian boy he 
turned his rifle on the fleeing band of Sauks, and fired, kiUing one of the 
warriors. He then called out to the Indians, daring them to return and 
fight like braves, in loud and angry tones naming them cowards and mur- 
derers. They continued their flight, however, over a distant ridge, being 
fully convinced that the trapper not only was in earnest but was an excel- 
lent shot as well. Reed, expecting the Sauks to return that night and give 
him trouble, prepared everything for a surprise, sleeping with his loaded 
rifle on his arm ready for instant use. For weeks afterwards he was 
entirely alone at the trading post. Years later he told Grignon it was the 
most lonely and hazardous position of all his life, living in constant expecta- 
tion of hostile Indians, and traveling on perilous expeditions through the 
surrounding territory in quest of furs. He had no further trouble with 
the Indians while at Red Cedar, but after remaining a year he decided to 
return to Prairie du Chien, where he again entered the government service. 
During the Black Hawk War he was engaged to help take a keel boat up 
the Mississippi to Bad Axe. Returning to Prairie du Chien he vi^as sent as 
a courier with important messages to the army, which was nearing Bad 
Axe. He traveled the distance on a pony and arrived in time to witness 
the battle that ensued. = 

Although in the government service, Reed always denounced the cruel, 
unrelenting slaughter of the half-starved, dispirited Indians, who had 
tried in vain to surrender to the army opposing them, and were peaceably 
withdrawing with their wives and children to the west side of the Missis- 
sippi. During the battle Reed saw two Indian maidens embrace each other 
and jump into the river, and as they rose to the surface of the water the 
soldiers fired on them and the crimson streaks of blood mingling with the 
tawny waters showed where their lifeless bodies sank from sight. It was 
a pitiful sight to watch the slaughter of the helpless women and children 
of the unfortunate Sauks, and what added to the horror was the appearance 
of the Sioux, who had been notified of the coming conflict, on the opposite 



138 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

side of the river, finishing the slaughter by shooting, tomahawking, and 
scalping the poor, bedraggled Indians as they landed on the Minnesota shore. 

When the struggle was over Reed started on his pony for Prairie du 
Chien, and while riding through the woods he came upon a lone Sauk 
woman, who had made her escape from the soldiers and ill-fated Indians 
and was hiding in the woods in a half-starved condition. Reed spoke kindly 
to her, assuring her of his protection, and dismounting gave her a portion 
of food from his saddlebags. After she had eaten he helped her into the 
saddle, and with his rifle in hand led the way along the homeward trail. 
They took turn about riding and walking until they reached Prairie du 
Chien, stopping only at night to camp, and at intervals for refreshments. 
When their destination was reached Reed turned his captive over to the 
military authorities, who in turn sent her to join her people in Iowa. 

After the Black Hawk War Reed was sent among the Iowa Indians 
on business for the government. He started on his French train, which 
consisted of a sled made of oak hewn from the tree, and fastened together 
with wooden pegs. The sled, about three feet wide and seven feet long, 
was just wide enough to seat a man comfortably. It had hewn slabs 
fastened from runner to runner, on which was placed a pair of blankets 
rolled up in a tanned buckskin. Two poles were attached to the front top 
of the runners and to these the Indian pony was hitched by means of a 
harness made of buckskin straps, sewed with deer sinews ; the whippletree 
was fastened with the same material. "I started on my train," said Reed, 
"taking my old flintlock rifle and ammunition to last the trip, for I was 
expected to kill game enough for my living. On my way I chanced to kill 
a big, fat bear, and when I reached the Indian camp and exhibited my 
game a howl of joy went up among the redskins. We dressed and cooked 
the bear Indian fashion, making soup of him, which I ate with the natives 
in their manner, and in order to show my appreciation I ate the last drop 
of soup and then licked the dish as the Indians did. That Mck gained for 
me and the government our point without a thought of bloodshed, and 
after shaking hands with my Indian friends I took my departure on my 
French train for Prairie du Chien." 

The next three years after his return from Iowa Reed occupied him- 
self as tavern keeper in Prairie du Chien. His reputation as a fearless 
hunter and Indian trader, and the many hardy adventures he had experi- 
enced, equipped him with a fund of frontier stories as thriUing as the varied 
life of that day afforded. He could speak sevei-al Indian dialects, and his 
long association with the French at the Prairie settlement enabled him 
to acquire a fair command of their language. To the French he was known 
as Reed I'Americain; while by many, on account of his military record, 
he was called Captain Reed. 

Around the fireplace in his tavern was often gathered an interesting 
throng of hunters, trappers, traders, and Indians, and the usual town 
loafers. Many strange tales of frontier life and backwoods lore were told, 
and wanderers from far up the Mississippi brought glowing accounts of 
the northern country, where game and fur-bearing animals abounded, and 
where Indians roamed wild and undisturbed by white settlers. The long- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 139 

ing for the wild, free life of the trapper caused Reed to abandon tavern 
keeping and resume his employ with the American Fur Company. While 
on his journeys up and down the Mississippi in the interests of the fur 
company, as well as when in the government service, he had remarked the 
beauty of the situation of Trempealeau and had decided to locate there 
whenever a favorable opportunity should offer. Circumstances delayed 
him until 1840, and gave his son-in-law, John Doville, the credit of being 
the first settler. However, Reed had chosen the site for a town and had 
in view plans for its future settlement some time before Doville came. 
In the summer of 1840 he built a log house on his well-selected site a few 
rods from the banks of the Mississippi and hither he brought his family, 
resolved to make this his permanent home. One day while hewing logs 
with his broadax for the construction of his building a drunken Sioux by 
the name of Face-on-Fire came along and began to abuse him. Reed said 
very little but at last, the taunting continuing, his temper gave way, and 
raising his broadax he threw it at the Indian. It came so dangerously near 
the Sioux that he was frightened and left, not daring to show himself 
again for days. 

Reed, after finishing his log house, followed his favorite vocation of 
hunting and trapping in the Trempealeau valley. A few months after his 
arrival his wife died, and within two years he married the widow Grignon, 
who was a relative of the Sioux chief Wabashaw. Her relationship with 
the noted chief gave Reed great prestige among this band of Sioux, which 
together with his experience with the Indians while in the government 
service secured for him the position of government farmer for Wabashaw's 
band of Indians, who were then living on the site of Winona, Minnesota. 
He entered on his new occupation as government farmer and storekeeper 
some time in October, 1842, and two years later with the help of L. H. 
Bunnell, erected the first house built in Winona. This was a government 
storehouse, constructed of white ash logs. Reed retained his appointment 
until the signing of the Ti-eaty of 1851. 

In May, 1844, an incident occurred at Winona which illustrates the 
fearlessness of Reed in a "crisis. He had learned from the trader La Bathe.^" 
an eye witness, of the murder of an old friend, Sheriff Lester, by a Sioux 
of Little Crow's band named 0-mah-haugh-tay. Chancing to be in the 
tent of his relative, Wabashaw, when the murderer dropped in for a visit, 
he was angered at the consideration with which the fellow was received, 
and declined the courtesy of smoking the pipe which was offered him. The 
murderer, emboldened by the success of his crime, seized the pipe and 
himself presented it to Reed, with unfeigned malignity in his eye. Reed, 
whose resentment was kindled into flame by this fresh act of audacity, 
dashed the pipe to the ground, and denouncing the Sioux as a dog, informed 
him there was one white man who did not fear him. It was the gravest 
insult that could be offered to an Indian, but 0-mah-haugh-tay was cowed, 
and soon after took his departure from the village. 

At the first town election held April, 1851, at La Crosse, James Reed 
was elected justice. Trempealeau was then included in La Crosse County. 
Whether there were any cases for the justice court during Reed's term of 



140 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

office is doubtful. Differences were likely to be settled in the more primi- 
tive way of hand to hand encounters, and if this failed an appeal to the 
higher court of firearms was taken. 

While in Trempealeau Captain Reed had occasional differences with 
the Indians. He burned the old mission house^ at Trempealeau Bay to 
keep the Winnebago from catching and riding his horses which gathered in 
its shelter, thus galling their backs with heavy loads. 

One autumn day in the early fifties a number of Indians came to Trem- 
pealeau to do some trading, and brought along the usual number of dogs. 
Reed had some hogs running loose near his house ; the dogs began to chase 
them and succeeded in killing one of their number and injuring several 
others. When Reed saw the Indians coming he took down his rifle and, 
walking into the yard, shot seven of the dogs; this done he returned to 
the house, reloaded his gun, and waited results. Nothing more was heard 
of the Indians that day, but the next morning about fifteen of their number 
returned and began grumbling about their dogs being killed and demanded 
pay for them. Reed listened a while to their complaints, then becoming 
angry he took down his rifle and pointed into the muzzle, saying : "I have 
something in here which I will give you as pay if you don't all clear out of 
here at once." Without waiting for the contents of the well-known rifle 
the redskins fled, knowing the old trapper was in earnest. As a result of 
this trouble one of the Winnebago, named Hakah, plotted to kill Reed, and 
went so far as to hide in ambush behind a pine tree along the trail where 
Reed came after his horses every evening towards sundown. When Reed 
appeared the Indian noticed the well-known rifle slung across his shoulder, 
which so unnerved Hakah, that he kept in his hiding place until his enemy 
had passed, not wishing to take a chance of missing Reed and being killed 
for his pains. 

In 1853 Reed sold his Trempealeau property to Benjamin B. Healy and 
moved with his family onto a piece of government land in the Little Tama- 
rack. This was in some respects a better situation for one of his tempera- 
ment, as it was in closer proximity to the most desirable hunting ground. 
From here he took the trail over the bluff on many a long hunting expedition. 

When George Luce, formerly of Galesville, was a boy he went on a 
hunting trip up the Trempealeau valley with Captain Reed. They camped 
in one of the valleys near the present town of Acadia, and as several hunt- 
ing parties of Indians were in the immediate vicinity Reed deemed it 
advisable to take precautions against surprise, inasmuch as the Indians 
looked upon the white hunter with jealous eyes. Therefore the men set 
to work digging a hole in the ground for their night's camp fire. After 
completing this they cooked their supper, and enjoyed it smoking hot 
from the fire. 

After nightfall the sound of howling wolves disturbed the hunters, 
and as the night wore on the howling became louder and more hideous; 
apparently the campers were surrounded by wolves, but Reed began to 
mistrust the origin of the sounds and called out loudly in the Winnebago 
language: "If you want our scalps come and get them." At this the 
howling stopped. Reed and Luce sat up all night with their rifles across 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 141 

their knees, expecting the Winnebago wolves to return, but no more dis- 
turbance occurred, and after finishing their hunt the men returned home 
in safety. Luce told of Reed's skill as a hunter and said the old trapper 
always rode with his rifle across the pommel of his saddle Indian fashion. 
At the time of the New Ulm massacre in Minnesota during the early 
part of the Civil War, the people of Trempealeau and vicinity were one day 
thrown into a panic of fear by the announcement that a large party of 
hostile Sioux was advancing from Black River upon Trempealeau. With 
one impulse the settlers turned to Reed for protection, and the wary old 
trapper responded with energy. He knew the cunning savage and did not 
proposed to be taken by a night surprise. All night long he patrolled Trem- 
pealeau Prairie, mounted on his favorite pony and carrying his trusty rifle 
ready for instant use, but it turned out that the report was false and no 
Indians came to disturb the frightened settlers. 

Reed's numerous journeys throughout the Trempealeau country in 
quest of furs made him familiar with all of its streams, its ranges of hills, 
its numerous valleys as well as its woodland haunts and expanses of roll- 
ing wild grassland and marshes. Indeed he learned the country as thor- 
oughly as a Mississippi River pilot learns the river, and was able to make 
serviceable use of his knowledge of the trails, the short cuts, the passes, 
and the divides. 

"We were following along a range of hills one day mounted on our 
ponies," said Antoine Grignon, "Reed, his son John, and myself. It was 
past noon and we were getting mighty hungry. As we came over a hog's 
back and neared a rocky peak. Reed pointed down a valley and said, 'Boys, 
this is the nearest way to Beaver Creek, where we can go and catch some 
trout for dinner.' We gladly turned our ponies towards the valley, and in 
a short time came to the creek. Reed cut a small pole and took from his 
pocket a fishline and hook and after catching some grasshoppers for bait 
started to fish. Inside of half an hour we had all the trout we needed for 
dinner, and cutting some forked sticks to hold them, we built a fire and 
broiled them. It was a splendid meal, and I believe that is the best way to 
cook fish — all you want is a little salt." 

As a trapper Reed could not be excelled. He caught all varieties of the 
fur-bearing animals which at that time abounded in this region, such as 
the muskrat, mink, marten, otter, raccoon, and beaver, but made a special 
effort to get beaver. 

Late one afternoon in 1863 Reed came to my father's house on foot 
and said his pony was mired in a marsh just over the hill from our place. 
My father secured the help of two neighbors, and in company with Reed 
went over the hill to help extricate it. The men worked hard for nearly 
an hour, and succeeded in getting the pony out without injuring it. On the 
pony's back was a large pack of beaver pelts and traps. When, the men 
reached our home it was dark and Reed remained all night. My father 
offered him a bed, but he preferred to sleep on the floor, with his pack of 
furs for a pillow and a blanket spread over him. Early in the morning 
he departed for his home in the Little Tamarack. 

Throughout the upper Trempealeau valley at this time Reed was 



142 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

known as Trapper Reed, and often the remote settler would see his solitary 
figure, mounted on his pony, winding along the hills or threading his way 
through some woody solitude over the unblazed trail to the haunts of the 
beaver. 

While living in the Little Tamarack Reed had two hunting dogs of 
which he was very fond. One day while hunting with them near the present 
town of Dodge they came upon a panther and chased it into the bluffs, 
where it turned and offered fight. The dogs flew at it, and although they 
fought furiously, the panther seemed to be getting the best of them, and 
had one of the dogs nearly disabled when Reed came up. He did not dare 
use his rifle for fear of wounding his dogs and yet he was bound to help 
them ; so, drawing his tomahawk he entered the fray, working his way into 
the fighting mass as best he could, and at length by a well directed blow 
succeeded in killing the panther. The wounded dog recovered and lived 
to join in many a subsequent hunt. 

James Reed was a man of medium height, with bi'oad shoulders and 
a large chest; his complexion was florid, and his hair light brown, almost 
a sandy hue, while his eyes were a grayish blue. He was a quick, active 
man, alert and ready for any emergency. He often dressed like the Indians 
with a blanket thrown over his shoulders and fastened around his waist 
with a belt. In disposition he was kind and genial and he was an accom- 
modating and friendly neighbor. 

After the death of his wife Reed lived alone in his log cabin in the 
Little Tamarack. He still made journeys on his pony up the Trempealeau 
valley on hunting and trapping expeditions, and continued his backwoods 
hfe until a year before his death, when the increasing infirmities of age 
caused him to abandon his favorite vocation. He then lived with his son 
John for a time, and during his last illness stayed at the home of his old 
friend and neighbor, Charles H. Perkins, where he died in June, 1873. 

He had been such a man as the frontier demanded ; he understood the 
Indians, and dealt with' them kindly or severely as occasion demanded; 
while his firmness and fairness won for him the respect of all his associates. 

Perhaps a future generation will build a monument to this romantic 
character. If so I hope it will be erected on old Liberty Peak, and will 
represent Reed mounted on his pony, with his rifle across the pommel of 
his saddle, looking out upon the peaceful bosom of the Mississippi, where 
the scenes of his eventful life were enacted. Such a monument, expressive 
of the pioneer hunter and instinct with the spirit of a departed age, would 
fittingly grace the noble crest of Trempealeau's venerable bluff. 

1 — The material for the following sketeh «as furnished largely by Antoinc Grignon, who 
was a stepson of Eeed, and had a longer acquaintance ^^-ith him than any person now living. 
For Grignon 's " Reeolleetions," see Wisconsin Historical Society Proceedings, 1913, 110. 
Others who 'have furnished recollections of Reed are : John Perkins and Mrs. Mary House, 
children of Eeed 's friend, Cliarles H. Perkins, Sr., and Mrs. Charles H. Perkins, Jr., a 
daughter-in-law; Mrs. John Eeed, daughter-in-law of the pioneer; and Mary Brandenberg, who 
wrote down at his own dictation the account of E<>ed's trip into Iowa on a I'rench train. 
C. R. McGilvray, whom Reed taught to trap beaver, furnished many interesting incidents; also 
S. D. Noyes, William Huttenow, William Bennett, Mrs. Charles Cleveland. Mrs. Louise Wilson 
kindly lent me a daguerreotype of Reed, the only picture of the old pioneer known to be extant. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 143 

Among references in print that have been consulted are the volumes of the Wisconsin 
HistorU-til. CoUcctions, and L. H. Buniioll, Winona and Its Environs on the Mississipi/i in An- 
cient and Modem Days (Winona, Minn., 1897). Data concerning Eeed's career as a soldier 
and a farmer for the Siou.x at Winona have been furnished by the War Department, and the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs at Washington. 

2— See account in Wis. Hist. Colls., XII, 257-261. 

3^ — For a brief account of this trader, see Wis. His. Soc. Proceedings, 1906, 2.53. 

4^Ibid., 251, 252. 

Irish Settlers. The Irish settlers of Trempealeau County have not 
been very numerous, although there are some among them who have taken 
a prominent part in the development and history of the county. There 
are only live sections of the county where they have settled, and, with the 
exception of Beaver Creek, the number who have settled in these sections 
are very few. 

Thomas Drugan was perhaps the first Irish settler in Trempealeau 
County. He came to Trempealeau in 1853 and settled on a farm in the town 
of Trempealeau. At that time Trempealeau was a part of La Crosse County. 

Patrick Lowery and Patrick Drugan, the latter a brother of Thomas 
Drugan, came to Trempealeau in 1855. Lowery settled on the place which 
had been previously occupied by one Winkleman in 1848, and which is now 
known as "The Old Grant Place," while Patrick Drugan settled in the town 
of Trempealeau on the place now owned by Patrick Lowery. The Drugans 
came from the county of Tyrone in the North of Ireland and lived some 
five years in Illinois before coming to Trempealeau. 

Frank Feeney settled in Trempealeau in 1855 and bought a place near 
the old Ed Elkins home. Daniel Gallagn came to Trempealeau in 1856 and 
settled on the place where John Reid now lives. In 1858 James Brady 
settled under the Bluff which bears his name, and in 1859 Sullivan settled 
on the place now owned by Fred Ford. 

About this time McCarthy, who was quite a character in his way, 
settled on a farm lying west of the village of Trempealeau along the Mis- 
sissippi. McCarthy was a man who took great pride in his physical prowess, 
and on many occasions attempted to settle his diff'erences with others 
without the intervention of the law. When under the influence of liquor 
there was always something doing when Jack McCarthy was around, and 
yet withal he was generous to a fault and had many qualities that com- 
mend him to the admiration of people. 

These men were all typical Irishmen, and were the earliest Irish set- 
tlers in Trempealeau County. They cultivated the soil in a small way, 
accumulated but a small amount of this world's goods, and were not very 
active factors in the organized movement of their local communities. 

J. H. Pierson came to Trempealeau in 1860, but did not take up his 
residence there until 1861. He came from Dublin, Ireland, and was in the 
constabulary service in that city before coming to America. He had been 
trained as a druggist in Canada and worked in the drug store at Trem- 
pealeau until 1871, and later bought a stock of drugs and opened a drug 
store of his own. The store is still run and known as "The Pierson Phar- 
macy." He was the father of James and Charles Pierson, who are resi- 
dents of Trempealeau, and of Fred Pierson and Lottie Pierson, who have 



141 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

moved out of the county. He was a fine type of an Irish gentleman, refined, 
law-abiding in all respects, and left a deep impression upon all with whom 
he came in contact. He died at a ripe old age in Trempealeau in 1911. 

James Dolan came to Trempealeau and settled in the town of Caledonia 
in 1857. A typical Irishman who came to Trempealeau in 1867 is Barney 
McGraw, who still resides there. McGraw can tell you more of Irish lore 
than any other Irishman in the county, unless it be Dennis Lawler, of 
whom something will be said hereafter. The greatest regret of Barney 
is that although every inch an Irishman, he was born in New York City 
instead of Ireland. 

A few, but prominent, Irish settlers lived in the town of Hale. The 
first Irish settler there was Robert Warner, who came to Trempealeau 
County in 1863. He raised a family of ten children, five boys and five 
girls, all of whom are now living except his oldest son John. Two of his 
gii-ls are now living in the towns of Unity and Albion, one Mrs. Margaret 
Wingad, and the other Mrs. Catharine Wingad. One son, Robert, is a 
Methodist preacher, and two of his sons, Raymond and Rufus, are living 
with their mother on the homestead in the town of Hale. Robert Warner 
died February 10th, 1908, and is buried in the Hale cemetery. He was 
a prominent, successful and respected resident of the county, and had 
much to do within his sphere in the development of his community. 

Another Irish settler in the town of Hale is Honorable M. J. Warner, 
who moved to Hale in 1861 and took up a homestead of one hundred sixty 
acres in Section 33, Township 23, Range 8 West, where he still resides. He 
was born in Ireland, February 15th, 1842, emigrated with his mother to 
Massachusetts in 1854, moved with his brother Robert and mother to 
Adams County. Wisconsin, in 1856, enlisted as a member of Co. K, 25th 
Wisconsin Infantry at Friendship, Adams County, August 15th, 1862, 
and was discharged in September, 1863, on account of disabilities con- 
tracted in the line of duty. He was married to Sarah Risk, November 
17th, 1868, and became the father of five children, four boys and one 
girl, all of whom are still living. M. J. Warner has been one of the 
most active and prominent citizens in Trempealeau County. He has been 
an oracle of Democratic wisdom, has served his state in the Legislature, 
and has a great many times served the town of Hale on the county board. 
He is one of the very strong characters who has had much to do, not only 
with the pioneer development of the county, but in its more recent history. 

Another early Irish settler who had much to do with the development 
of the town of Hale was David Maloney, who moved there in 1866 and took 
up a homestead on Section 28, Township 33, Range 8 West. He raised -x 
family of seven children, all of whom were a credit to his name, five girls 
and two boys. Of the girls, two, Mrs. Catharine Bucholz and Nellie, who 
died at the age of four years, are laid to rest in the Hale cemetery. IMary 
Rorabeck is living at Ryegate. Montana; Maggie Harrington in Liberty, 
Canada: Mrs. Esther Elsom at Britton, South Dakota: James, the oldest son. 
is living on the old homestead and cultivating as many acres as any farmer 
in Trempealeau County, while the youngest son, David, lives at Ladysmith 
and is the County Judge of Rusk County. David IMaloney and his wife are 



HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 145 

both dead and buried in the Hale cemetery. Mr. Maloney, although deprived 
of the opportunities of an early education, was a great reader and became 
a man of wide information and very set in his convictions. 

This trio of Irishmen had as much, if not more, to do with the early 
development and history of the town of Hale than any other set of more 
numerous individuals who could be selected, and were all types of the better 
and more prosperous class of Irish. 

The next Irish settler of the town of Hale was Charles Donnelly, who 
settled on a homestead in Section 30, Township 23, Range 7 West, in the 
year 1867. His early experience coincided with that of most of the 
pioneers of Trempealeau County. He came to Hale without a dollar, but 
in a few years, by industry and thrift, he became the owner of a com- 
fortable home. He died about thirty years ago and was buried in the Hale 
cemetery, where a few years later his wife was laid to rest. 

The difficulties to be overcome were hard enough in the pioneer days 
for men to face, but how much more discouraging was the work for a 
woman, yet there came to the town of Hale in 1866 an Irish woman by the 
name of Mary Bryan, with seven small children, four girls and three boys, 
who took up an undeveloped homestead in Section 30, Township 23, Range 8 
West, proved up, broke and cultivated it, and continued to live there until 
the children married. Mrs. Bryan died and was buried in the Hale cemetery 
about three years ago. Her son Thomas now lives on a farm near Eleva. 

This constitutes, I believe, all the Irish settlers who have lived in the 
town of Hale. 

In the town of Preston there have lived only two Irish settlers of 
whom I have knowledge. One was a strong character and left behind a 
family of strong individuals who have had much to do with the develop- 
ment of this county. I refer to James McKivergin, who was born near 
Belfast, Ireland, February 13th, 1818, and who was married to Annie 
Conway, who was born at Limerick, Ireland, June 20th, 1830. Mr. McKiver- 
gin came to Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1845, and worked in the lead 
mines there two years, when he moved to Troy, Walworth County, Wis- 
consin, where he engaged in milling. He moved to the town of Preston in 
1862, where he continued to live until he died, August 15th, 1886. At the 
time he came to Trempealeau County there was no railroad nearer than 
La Crosse. Henry Lake then drove a stage from La Crosse to Osseo and 
carried passengers and baggage. Mr. and Mrs. McKivergin and their six 
children, and what baggage they possessed, went by stage with Mr. Lake 
from La Crosse to the log hut of Mr. Carpenter's near the present McKiver- 
gin homestead. As soon as the Homestead Law was passed in 1863, Mr. 
McKivergin homesteaded the farm now occupied, in the town of Preston, 
by his wife and son Edward. In the early days their markets were Sparta, 
Trempealeau and La Crosse, with no conveyance except by oxen. There 
is now surviving him and residing in Trempealeau County his widow and 
seven children, Edwai'd McKivergin, William McKivergin, Mary Young, 
Rose A. Immell, Alice McKivergin, John McKivergin and Maggie Immell. 
Mrs. McKivergin's father, John Conway, came to Trempealeau County in 
1864 and lived with Mr. McKivergin until he died in 1886. 



146 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Another Irish settler in the town of Preston was Patrick Bennett, who 
settled on what is now known as the Densmore farm about 1856 or 1857, 
who continued to reside there until 1864. 

A number of Irish have resided at or near Arcadia. The first Irish 
settler at Arcadia was James Gaveney, who came there in the Fall of 1856. 
He was born at Balla Bay, Monaghan County, Ireland, April 25th, 1825. At 
the age of 20 he entered the constabulary of the city of Dublin and served 
for three years. In 1848 he came to America and worked in the lead 
mines at Mineral Point for two years, and in 1850 crossed the plains to 
the gold mines of California, where he became acquainted with a man, 
though not Irish, who had very much to do with the pioneer history of 
Trempealeau County — Noah D. Comstock. He settled at Arcadia in 1856 
upon a farm, which is now part of the village limits of the village, where 
he continued to reside until the time of his death, June 18th, 1889. He 
was engaged quite extensively in farming at Arcadia and in the town of 
Burnside, and also in milling and in the lumber business at Independence. 

Among the Irish settlers in the town of Arcadia are J. H. Gleason, 
Michael Arrigan, Patrick, John and James Manning, Edward Creeley, 
Michael Gleason, James Gibbons, Jerry O'Brien, Thomas Moriarity, Daniel 
English and Phillip English. 

A strong character among them was Daniel English, who was born in 
Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America in the latter '50s. He was 
engaged for some time in the construction of the Vermont Central Rail- 
road and of the Chicago & North Western Railroad, and settled in the 
town of Arcadia about eight miles south of the present village in 1861. He 
was a fine type of an Irishman, who made the most out of life without hav- 
ing any of the advantages of an early education. He cleared a 
farm of heavily timbered lands into one of the fertile and most 
valuable farms of the town, and raised a family of four boys 
and one girl, two of whom, Michael English and John H. English, 
now reside at Arcadia. He was the father of Dr. William E. 
English, who died some years ago at Winona, and also of Edward G. English, 
who is one of the wealthy lumbermen of the State of Washington. No 
finer example of the possibilities of this county can be found than in the 
history of this family. Although the father and mother came to the county 
with httle book education and with practically none of this world's goods, 
they raised and educated, some with college educations, a family of five 
children, and left besides an accumulation of several thousands of dollars. 

The three Mannings, John, Patrick and Michael, were all good citizens, 
but men of no marked characteristics. John was born in Limerick, Ireland, 
June 12, 1835, and died March 19, 1895. He emigrated from Ireland in 
1855 and settled at Arcadia in 1862 on a farm two miles south of the village. 
Patrick Manning also was born at Limerick, Ireland, in 1838, came to 
America in 1858, and located at Arcadia in 1863, and Michael Manning, who 
was born at Limerick, Ireland, in 1840, came to America in 1863 and located 
at Arcadia in 1864. They all raised respected families, some of whom are 
railroading and others farming. 

Edward Creeley was another early Irish settler of the town of Arcadia. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 147 

He located on a farm about two miles south of Arcadia in the latter '60s, 
where he continued to live until about ten years ago, when he moved to the 
village of Arcadia. Besides being a farmer, he was an engineer, and put 
in part of his time working for different railroads. He was, in some 
respects, an eccentric character, with a genius for machinery. He patented 
several devices for locomotives, none of which ever proved of practical 
utility. He is survived by his widow and three children, two of whom now 
reside at Arcadia. 

Michael Gleason was also an unusual personage — a marked character 
for a novel. He was politeness personified. He homesteaded a farm in 
Bills Valley, three miles south of Arcadia, in 1866, which is now owned by 
the family. His wife was Mary A. Cashel, a sister of Michael Cashel, a very 
strong and active character who had much to do with the development of 
Buffalo County. He leaves his widow and several children, who are now 
farmers in Trempealeau and Buffalo counties. 

Another marked character was John H. Gleason, who was born in Tip- 
perary, Ireland, May 18, 1818, and came to America in 1848. He purchased 
land from the government in 1856 four miles south of Arcadia, and settled 
on this land in 1857. The log house which he built first is now used as an 
ice house on the farm. He died May 19, 1894. His wife was an unusual 
woman, whose predominating characteristics were friendliness and gener- 
osity. She was born in Tipperary in 1826 and came to America in 1849. 
She died July 11, 1910. They left a family of one boy and four girls, none 
of whom are now residents of the county, although the homestead is still 
owned by the family. 

Another Irishman who located in the town of Arcadia was Phillip 
English, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and whose wife was a native of Gal- 
way, Ireland. He came to America in 1850 and settled in Trout Run in 1872. 

Jerry O'Brien, a native of the County of Cork, Ireland, located at 
Arcadia, July 4, 1864, and homesteaded a farm two miles east of Arcadia. 
His wife was Catharine Higgins, who was born in the County of Cary, Ire- 
land. He left a family of three children, one girl, Catharine O'Brien, who 
married Edson Morgan, a well-known character in Trempealeau County 
during the '70s, and Michael O'Brien and Francis O'Brien, none of whom 
reside in the county. Mr. O'Brien was an impulsive, decisive character who 
took an active part in the affairs of his town in the earlier days and was 
in all respects a good citizen. The farm he developed is now one of the 
leading dairy farms in the town. 

Another Irishman who prided himself on his Irish ancestry, and who 
was a very marked character, is Thomas Barry, long a resident of Arcadia. 
He came to Arcadia in 1867 and peddled books through Trempealeau and 
Buffalo counties. He afterwards was in the implement business and was 
known over a wide area as a successful auctioneer. 

One of the early settlers was James Bigham, who located in Buffalo 
County in 1855 and moved to Trempealeau County on a farm eight miles 
south of Arcadia in 1858. He died in 1874. He left behind several children, 
three of whom are well known in Trempealeau County, Daniel and John 
Bigham of Arcadia, and Mrs. C. W. Thomas of Trempealeau. 



148 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Another Irish character particularly worthy of mention is Dennis 
Lawler, who is now living in the northern end of the county, at a ripe old age. 
Anyone who has ever met Mr. Lawler will recall him as one of marked 
characteristics. He is a man of many ideas and of strong memory for 
details. He was born in the County of DubUn, September 25, 1823. He 
was married to Catharine Brown in 1846, and started for America in 1850. 
when he was shipwrecked and returned again to Ireland. Seven years later 
crossed the ocean and landed at La Crosse, which was then a very small 
place. From La Crosse he went to Black River Falls by stage, and from 
there to the Beef River Valley, where he settled on Section 24, Township 23. 
Range 8. At that time there were no neighbors within twelve miles. He 
squatted upon the land. When war broke out he enlisted, and after his 
return homesteaded his farm. It is a matter of pride to Mr. Lawler that 
his grandfather was a chum of the noted Robert Emmet, and is buried in the 
same churchyard. Mr. Lawler is now living with his son, at a ripe old age, 
in the town of Sumner. 

Another Irishman of marked character who has had much to do with 
the development of Trempealeau County and Northern Wisconsin is E. J. 
Matchett. He came to Trempealeau County in 1866 and settled at Osseo. 
He came to America in 1862 and for several years followed the business of 
railroad construction. He has held many local offices and has always been 
an active man of affairs. Few men have impressed themselves as strongly 
upon Trempealeau County as has Mr. Matchett. In his day he made much 
money and lost much, but whichever way the tide of fortune turns, he has 
always been the same persevering, plodding worker. It is needless to say 
that such a character will never rust out. Time only can wear him out. 

An early Irish settler of the northern part of the county was William 
Henry, who settled in the town of Sumner in 1854. He is now alive and 
living with his son, E. J. Henry. Michael Merty settled in the town of 
Sumner in 1859, and died about 1884. Another Irishman of Osseo was 
Charles Shores, who was well known by the people of the county during 
the '70s and '80s. He ran a store for some time in the village of Osseo. 

This article has now grown to such length that I can barely mention 
the Irish settlers of the town of Ettrick. They are the most numerous 
lot that settled in any section of Trempealeau County. Among them was 
John Mahoney and Dennis Mahoney, John and Daniel Kennedy, Thomas and 
Andrew Bierne, Peter and Timothy Dufficy, Daniel Nefficy and Patrick 
McCormick, all of whom are now dead ; Michael Connolly, who is yet hving 
on a farm ; Pat Cain and Henry Whelan, who now lives at Mankato, Minne- 
sota ; James Connors, who left the county years ago ; Cornelius Lynch, who 
came to Wisconsin in 1859, but did not settle in Trempealeau County until 
1869. The older people will remember him as the one-armed school teacher 
who for a number of years was a marked character among the school 
teachers of Trempealeau County. James Quinn, who died last year and is 
now succeeded by his son, WiUiam ; James McLaughlin, who is dead a long 
time and who left no children behind him ; John O'Neil, who was a Civil 
War veteran and who is succeeded by a son ; Peter Crogan, who has now 
moved to Galesville; Hugh Crogan, now succeeded by his son Henry, and 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 149 

Thomas Crogan, who is now dead and is succeeded by his son Wilham; 
Timothy Lane, who is now dead and whose farm is now owned by strangers ; 
Ed Rielly, now of La Crosse ; Owen Thomas and Patrick Mulligan, who left 
no inheritors ; Daniel McGiUindy, who was a Civil War veteran, and Michael 
McGillindy, whose son Wallace now lives on the farm he occupied ; Jeremiah 
McGillindy, who is now dead, but whose sons reside on the farm; James 
McCarthy, a marked character and excellent type of an Irish citizen ; Sylves- 
ter McAvoy; Dennis Cavanaugh, who served in the army under General 
Miles and gave his life for his country; Daniel Cullity, also a Civil War 
veteran ; Thomas and Michael Cullity, both of whom are now dead ; Darby 
Whelan and his father, Thomas Whelan, who lived upon the homestead 
now occupied by Darby's son ; John Harmon ; James and John Corcoran ; 
Thomas Wall and Walter Wall, who also served in the Civil War; Patrick 
Wall, John Wall; John, James and Richard Cantlon, all of whom are now 
dead, excepting Richard ; Thomas Sheehy, whose boys now occupy his farm ; 
Daniel Cahill and Bernhard Brady, now succeeded by his son, Thomas Brady. 
I should also mention Maurice Casey, a sucessf ul farmer whose land is now 
owned and occupied by his son and who was a nephew of John and Daniel 
Kennedy of Ettrick ; James Larkin of Crystal Valley, who is now succeeded 
by his two sons, Michael and Fred ; James Dolan, who years ago moved to 
St. Paul; John Bierne, John Hunt of Crystal Valley, also Thomas Roach, 
John Dolan of Galesville and Thomas Shaw of Crystal Valley. 

All these were early Irish settlers in the towns of Ettrick and Gale. 
The data of their lives and work should be gathered and preserved before 
it is too late, but the hmits of this article are such that I cannot now attempt 
it. It is worthy of mention that these men established the only Irish 
Catholic church in Trempealeau County, which was built in 1872 and is 
known as St. Bridget's Church. 

A number of the Irish settlers in the county who should have been 
mentioned have perhaps been omitted. It is safe to say, however, that all 
told there has not resided in Trempealeau County to exceed one hundred 
Irish families. Perhaps no other nationality has had among its numbers 
more men of marked personality, when we consider the number from which 
to choose. 

As a rule they have been good citizens. Some may have been impulsive, 
some may have been improvident, and it may be possible that some may have 
been deceitful, yet I venture to say there has been a chord in the make-up o^' 
nearly every one which, when touched, vibrated into harmony with the 
higher and better elements of human character. No two have been alike. 
Every one has had an individuahty that separated him from all others. 
Very few have seen the clouds — they look more for the sunshine — upon 
the more optimistic side of life. Every situation to the average Irish settler 
in this county has had its sunny side, its humorous side. They have mainly 
lived in an atmosphere of good nature, and they should not be censured too 
severely if sometimes some of them have taken artificial means to bring it 
about. 

They have been typical in their race. Their friends have been all the 
people, their faith their own. No climate has been so cold as will not 



150 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

produce a shamrock, no soil so barren as will not grow a shillalah. They 
have been foremost at a fight, at a frolic and at a funeral, where their 
generous nature has always found a blow for the bad, a smile for the glad 
and a tear for the sad. (Written at Arcadia, November 12, 1912, by John C. 
Gaveney.) 

Polish and Bohemian Settlers. It is impossible to obtain the exact 
date of the day, or even month of the year, when the first Polish or Bohe- 
mian people came to this county, for the reason that there cannot be found 
anyone that kept any kind of data, and there are only three left in this 
county of the very first ones that came here — two men and one woman. 
Those that are alive are all past the age of eighty and their memory is 
beginning to fail noticeably, and what information I was able to gather is 
such as these people were able to give me from recollection only, except in 
one instance, that of the woman I just mentioned. She fixes the dates of 
their arrival by the age of one of her daughters. She has the names of 
all her children and the date on which they were born written down on the 
inside cover of a prayer book, and she seems to be sure that the age of the 
girl I mentioned was three weeks. 

It seems that the Polish and one Bohemian family settled in two locali- 
ties in this county at about the same time, and as near as I have been able 
to learn, they did not know of the existence of each other at the time, nor 
for a good many years after — the length of time no one seems to be able 
to tell. 

During the winter of 1862 and 1863, there came to what is now known 
as Pine Creek, in the town of Dodge, several Polish famihes, as follows: 
Paul Lessman, Paul Libera, Mike Lessman, Frank Weyer, Joseph Lubinski, 
Joseph Wnuk, and some others whose names I did not get. Of these, all 
but Paul Libera are now dead. With them came one Bohemian family, 
that of Math Brom. He is still living, although past eighty years of age 
and quite feeble. All of these people came from the city of Winona, Minne- 
sota. 

You notice that there were several famihes that came at the same time, 
and they settled in close proximity and formed a colony of their own. They 
claim the distinction of having the second oldest colony in Wisconsin, one 
in Polonia, Wisconsin, being older, and they claim their colony as the third 
oldest in the United States, one in St. Mary's, Texas, being first. 

The other settlement that took place, which I mentioned before, was in 
the Town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and in what is 
now known as the Town of Burnside. 

Here is the history of the settlement in the Town of Arcadia and Burn- 
side as was told to me by the lone survivor, Mrs. Albert Bautch, Sr. The 
lady is also past the age of eighty, and although her memory is failing, and 
faihng noticeably, yet after a little conversation with her she recalled quite 
vividly some of the hardships of pioneer life, and recalled a good deal of its 
history. 

She told me that her daughter Johanna was three weeks old when they 
came to this county, and, from the entry on the inside of the cover of the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 151 

prayer book I mentioned before showed by her to me, it appears that the 
girl was born on March 19, 1863. 

With Mr. Bautch and his family came his brother Lawrence and his 
family, and Peter Sura and his family. Those three famihes came together 
from New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where they had lived seven years prior to 
their coming to this county. Albert Bautch, Sr., settled with his family in 
the town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and Lawrence 
Bautch and Peter Sura settled with their families in what is now known 
as the Town of Burnside. As near as she could remember, no other Polish 
or Bohemian families came over to this county, to her knowledge, until 
about two years later, when several families came over from the State of 
Ohio. 

All those speaking the Polish language settled in the different locahties 
I have mentioned, and came originally from the German Empire, what was 
formerly Poland. They all came from agricultural districts and quickly 
adapted themselves to this country. They proved themselves to be sturdy, 
hard-working and thrifty fellows, and they have greatly assisted in improv- 
ing the localities in the colonies that they settled in, and the great majority 
of them have accumulated considerable property. 

You may have wondered why I speak of the Polish people and do not 
have much to say about the Bohemian race. This is the reason. There 
are now, as near as I have been able to learn, only about a dozen Bohemian 
families in this county, and those, particularly the younger generation, 
after living among the Polish people and associating with them, have all, 
without any exception, learned to talk, read and write the Polish language. 
They belong to and attend the same church, send their children to the same 
school, and to all intents and purposes have practically become Polish them- 
selves. 

They have in this county four Polish churches, four Polish parochial 
schools. The combined wealth of their churches, church furnishings, school 
buildings, real estate, and other buildings belonging to said churches is 
estimated at about $200,000.00. The largest church is located at Independ- 
ence, the largest colony of Polish is in the vicinity of Independence, and the 
total number of all Polish people in this county is about 3,700. 

The principal business of the Polish and Bohemian people is farming. 
There are a few engaged in mercantile affairs, but only a few. The great 
majority of them, especially the early settlers, were accustomd to farming, 
and, being poor, came here looking for an opportunity to better their 
conditions, jumped at the opportunity this country offered them in the 
shape of homesteads, and went to farming as best they knew how. 

Some strong men were found among the early settlers. For example, 
take Math Brom, the sole survivor of the Bohemian early settlers, a giant 
in stature, a pleasant, lovable fellow to meet, well balanced intellectually, 
of sturdy character, honest and upright in all his dealings, a true and 
loving husband and father, a true man, and respected by all who know him. 

Another striking character was Albert Bautch, Sr., a big man in stature, 
a kind, loving husband, father and neighbor, a man who was absolutely true 
to the principles of American citizenship, a hard worker. He rapidly accu- 



152 ' HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

mulated considerable property — a big-hearted fellow who was always ready 
to advise and assist his fellowmen in so far as was in his power to do so. 

There were other of the early settlers who possessed- strong character- 
istics and who became prominent in developing this county, but time limit 
does not permit me to dwell on the individual cases. It stands as the undis- 
puted fact that the Polish and Bohemian people of this county have prove 
themselves to be worthy men and women, have done their share in the 
development of this county, have taken pride in and have learned to love 
this country, and although a great many, especially the younger generation, 
some years ago went West seeking to better their condition and find cheaper 
lands, yet as they become older you will find, by going back with me tc 
some of their localities, that after a number of years of absence and after 
accumulating some property, they come back and settle in Trempealeau 
County in their declining days. Only the other day I met one who is not 
very old yet who has returned from the Dakotas and bought a farm in this 
county, and intends to live here permanently. I asked him: "What is 
the matter? Why did you come back?" "Ah," he said, "this is where I 
was born. I love those trees and those hiUs, and I wish to spend the rest 
of my life here and be buried here." 

Although they, the early settlers, mostly all came from the German 
Empire, they came from different provinces. Those living near Pine Creek 
came mostly from the Province of Posen and Pomerania, and those near 
Arcadia and Burnside came from the Province of Silesia. They all speak 
the Polish language, but the dialect is decidedly different. The great 
majority of them are of the Catholic faith. One of the strong character- 
istics of the race is they are cheerful givers to churches. Another is that 
they are hard losers and do not readily forget when some harm has been 
done them, and they frequently carry their animosities to their death bed. 
One other 'prominent characteristic they possess, and that is dancing. 
Not only the young, but in a great many instances men and women past 
middle age, derive a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment out of dancing. 
(Written at Independence, November 12, 1912, by John F. Kulig.) 

Scandinavian Settlers. The Scandinavian landseekers usually had 
three things in view, wood, water and hay, as necessary to the establishment 
of a home. Where any of these essentials were lacking or the soil too sandy, 
it was ordinarily considered undesirable. Therefore we find them among 
the hills, if they had a choice. 

Gulick Olson was one of a company that came up from the Bad Axe 
country in Vernon County and settled three miles east of what is now Blair, 
in 1855. He was the first Scandinavian settler in Trempealeau County. 
Ebert Olson, his son, now marshal in Blair, is the first child born in Trempea- 
leau County of Norwegian parents. 

About the same time came Bjorgo Olson, Jacob, Peter and Salve Tonne- 
son and Nils Halvorson. A little later Ole Teppen, Syver and Iver Iverson 
came from Oleana, Ole Bull's renowned colony. Teppen Coulee is named in 
honor of this Ole Teppen. In 1858 Terjan Thompson, 1859 Tosten Torrison 
Forkerud and Helge Opland settled in Tromps Coulee. Settlers continued 
coming in from older settlements and direct from Scandinavia, mostly from 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 15a 

Solor, in Norway, and spread in all directions till this settlement has the 
distinction of being the largest Soiling settlement in America. 

The Trempealeau Valley congregation was organized by Rev. H. A. Stub 
in 1857. But a church was not built until 1868. 

North Branch Beaver Creek received its first Scandinavian settlers in 
1857, when Iver Knutson Syse and his son Orias Torblaa settled there, com- 
ing from Kosh Konong. Torblaa, however, located just across the line in 
Jackson County. In 1858 many others followed, among them Knut and 
Paul Hallenger, Amund Olson Haaheim, Knut Rocholson, Thomas and Nels 
Herreid, Ole Nilson Skaar, Tosten T. Ringven, Nels Henderson, Lars Hanson, 
Ole EHingson, Ole Iverson Dale, Erick Grer and Nils Okland. Rev. Nils 
Brandt organized a congregation here in 1858, and a church was built in 
1861. The congregation paid Ole Olson, a Swede in South Branch, who 
had some fine timber, $4.00 for the privilege of cutting the necessary mate- 
rial for their meeting house. The whole congregation came together, cut 
and hauled the logs and put up a structure 30 by 24 by 12. This church was 
built just across the line in Jackson County, and was the first Scandinaviar 
church in Western Wisconsin. This old historical structure is now occupied 
by Baard 0. Herried as residence. Among later arrivals are D. 0. Hage- 
stad, the first chairman of the town of Ettrick, Henrick Swendson, Arne 
Arneson, Torkel Gunderson, Berge Torkelson and his sons, Iver and Haldor, 
who came in 1859. K. K. Hagestad came in 1860. Many of the above 
came from the vicinity of Lodi, Wisconsin. This settlement is mostly by 
people originally from Hardanger, Norway. 

Another distinct Norwegian settlement is French Creek Valley, where 
Peter Anderson Hogden located in 1859. He came from Halfway Creek to 
Trempealeau Valley, where he lived a short time before coming to French 
Creek. He was the first Scandinavian in this valley. The same year his 
two brothers, John and Andrew Hogden, also settled in this valley. Ole E. 
Gilbertson, with a large family, arrived in 1860. Among other early set- 
tlers can be mentioned Ole 0. Onsrud, James Emerson, Anders Skundberg, 
Peter Olson, Lars Tolvstad, Iver Engehagen, Peder Ofsdahl, Christian 
Iverson, Andred Onsrud, Ole Smehaugen, Lars and Martin Larson, Ole 
Hovre, Fredrick Svern, Andrew Linrud, Peter and Ole Nilsestuen, Gilbert 
Jacobson, Hans Madson, Lars and Olaus Thompson, Nils Olson, Marcus P. 
Benrud, Tobias Olson, Ole Engelien, Ole Schie, Hans and Andrew Mustad. 
This is a very rich valley and one of the most prosperous settlements in 
the county. A good church was built in the early '70s, which was enlarged 
and remodeled about 20 years later. 

The next Norwegian settlement in point of time is a little prosperous 
valley in the town of Gale that bears the name of that sturdy Scotchman, 
James Hardie, or Hardie's Creek Valley. Christian Larson Hoff and Gilbert 
Emerson Ekern came across the Black River from Lewis Valley and settled 
here in 1860. They were the first Norwegians there. Shortly afterward 
we hear such names as Andrew Ekern, M. J. Scarseth, Ole J. Hemma, Amund 
Quisselstuen, Anders Trondson, Amund Bjornstad, Peter Amundson, 
Andrew Larson (Hovensholm), Michael Michaelson, Lars Syverson, Mathew 
Larson, Otto 0. Rindahl, Ole 0. Semb, Nils 0. Sagen, Bernt Everson, Anders 



154 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

C. Haugstad, Mikkel Hanson, Hans Anderkvern and Even Fredrickson. La 
Crosse County contributed the most of these settlers, and a large majority 
of them came from Biri, Norway, originally. 

Pushing across the ridge northward from Hardie's Creek into South 
Branch Beaver Creek, another Norwegian settlement was formed. Peter 
Larson came up from Coon Valley and located there in June, 1861, the first 
Norwegian in that valley. In the fall of the same year came Even Swenson 
and Gilbert Nelson, shortly thereafter Christian Olson Syljuberget, Lars 
Anderson Osley, Ole 0. Brendhaugen, Peder Johnson Bratstiengen, Svend 
Larson Bergum, and others. 

In 1862 we find Ole Gutormson locating in Tamarack Valley, the first 
Norwegian in what shortly became a very extensive Norwegian settlement. 
The following year arrived Tollef Egilson, Sigurd and Berger Bergerson, 
John Gunderson, Knut Leofsen Strand, Egil Mikkelson, Trond Osovsen, 
John Hanson, John Hendrickson, Hendrick Olson and Hans C. Olson. 
Others among early arrivals are Andrew Amundson, John Nilsestuen, Ole 
Olson, Lars Amundson, Ole Dove, Hans Hagen, Ole Heram, Ole Lindem, 
Lars Christianson, Christian Brennom, and the list could be continued to a 
great length. 

Hans Herbjornson settled near that natural monument called Chimney 
Rock in 1865. Soon after him came H. Kjentvet, Mr. Brynjulson and 
others, until this whole town, which derives its name from this peculiar 
rock, is largely Scandinavian. 

The large and beautiful valley of the Pigeon Creek, which now no doubt 
is the finest in the county, was for a long time shunned by the early land- 
seekers on account of its scarcity of wood and hay, and distance from 
market. It was not until 1867 that any Scandinavian located there, when 
Erick Larson from La Crosse County, who, as near as I have been able to 
learn, was the first Scandinavian to locate in this valley. Then came P. 
Pederson, Mikkel Hagen, Mathias Tuv, and the list of prominent Scandina- 
vians who have settled here would be so long that I shall not attempt to 
mention later arrivals. These settlers located mostly on land claimed by 
the Wisconsin Western Railroad Company, but this land had not come into 
market, and on account of its distance from the tracks it was thought 
the railway company could not hold it, and that the land would revert to 
the government and become homestead land. The settlers selected their 
claims and sat on them awaiting the outcome. 

One Anders Christianson, locally called "Ringerikingen," a man of 
rather extravagant ideas, claimed a whole section. His neighbor, Mr. 
Elsom, who had bought an eighty of State school land just across the road 
from "Ringerikingen," wanted a forty out of the section claimed by "R" 
adjoining his own, and conceived the idea to build on that forty, and com- 
menced operations with a view of crowding "Ringerikingen" off. This 
happened to be one of the forties that would eventually be "Ringerikingen's" 
homestead. He, of course, felt aggrieved, his neighbors viewed such pro- 
ceedings with alarm, as under such rule no one would be safe from invaders. 
Several neighbors got together for the purpose of visiting Mr. Elsom to 
see if a little moral suasion would not induce him to withdraw from his 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 155 

neighbor's claim. When they came to the place Mr. Elsom was absent, 
but Mrs. Elsom, a beautiful young woman of considerable fortitude very 
much in evidence, was informed of the purpose of their visit — namely, 
to move what had been done toward a building back to her own side of the 
road. Mrs. Elsom objected in very unmistakable terms, and to emphasize 
her objections brought out a double-barreled shotgun and promised to put 
a hole through the first one that laid hands on her property. This did not 
put any more ambition in the house movers, as no one knew what she 
might do. 

G. F. Steig, always resourceful, was among the company, saw that 
something had to be done, approached her jokingly and said: "What do 
you want of that gun? You daren't fire it off, and if you did you could not 
hit the side of that big bluff." She contended she could hit any mark they 
would give her. They wanted the gun discharged and she was anxious to 
show her marksmanship. So E. Larson, another member of this company, 
hung his hat on a bush a fair distance away. She brought the gun to her 
face. Bang ! Lo and behold, the hat was so full of holes it hardly made a 
shadow. But there was still one charge in the gun and the gun in the 
hands of a marksman of proved ability. It would suit the visitors better 
if this also was out. Steig insisted this was an accidental hit. She vowed 
she shot like that every time. Just then a woodpecker lit on a little tree a 
few rods distant. Steig said: "Bring him down and we will admit you 
have made your claim good. Thinking that another hit would be still more 
awe-inspiring, and she had plenty of ammunition, she placed the gun again 
to cheek, pulled the trigger, and down came the bird fluttering to the ground. 
"Now, boys," said Mr. Steig, "to the task, and hurry before the gun is 
reloaded." Several men on each corner of the just-commenced building 
picked it up and carried it across the road and set it on Elsom's own land. 
This was done so quickly that she, in her astonishment, did not attempt, 
nor found time, to reload. Seeing how she had been outgeneraled, she did 
not further molest the men, who fixed up the building in the new location 
with cornerstones and excavations precisely as it was found. When Mr. 
Elsom came on the scene, after the first impulse of wrath had subsided, 
he took it philosophically and admitted the rule was just and the action of 
these men was as binding as a decision by a jury. Thus was established 
the rule no one should molest another on these loose titles. As is usual, the 
railway company secured extensions and additional grants, got title to these 
lands, and the settlers each bought his claim. 

I have been told the first Scandinavian in the town of Sumner was Mrs. 
Silkworth. She came up from Richland County to work for Green & Silk- 
worth at Beef River Station in 1855. She afterward married Mr. Silkworth. 
I have been unable to learn her maiden name. JohnChristianson located in 
the vicinity of Eleva, Anders Skei, A. Staa, Gunder Johnson, Anders Tvet, 
Nils Larson, John Larson, Halyren Torbjorn and Ole Knutson. 

In 1874 the first Scandinavians came to Plum Creek. They were Lars 
Davidson, Ole, Tom and John Jackson. In 1875 Knut Everson, Oliver A. 
Hegg, Syver Amundson and Bennet Anderson, and shortly thereafter Ole 
Thompson, Ole Narveson and Andy Anderson came. 



156 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The early Scandinavians, like most other emigrants, were poor, came 
here to get cheap land and build themselves homes, some at first living in 
dug-outs with sod for walls, marsh hay for thatch, and kind Mother Earth 
for floor. Others, yes, a large majority, had small and hastily-constructed 
log huts chinked and plastered between the logs with clay. Their farming 
implements were wood-beam plow, a drag, Morgan cradle, snath and scythe, 
hand-rake and two-tined fork, wagon with wooden skein and lynch pin, 
spring seat of two sapplings, rear ends of which were fastened to a cross 
piece under the wagon box, resting on a cross piece on top of the wagon box, 
the front ends extending to which was nailed a board for the seat. Oxen, 
their faithful beast of burden, and their beef when too old for work. They 
tilled the early settler's soil, marketed his produce and took the family to 
church. This condition, however, was not peculiar to the Scandinavians 
alone, but to all early settlers. 

Perhaps these glimpses into pioneer life portray a condition full of 
poverty, misery, sorrow and hopelessness. But such was not the case. 
True, the early Scandinavians, like most all other new settlers in this 
county, had little of property and much of poverty, often misery and priva- 
tions. But they did have a fund of good cheer and hope, and a hospitality 
that is unknown at this day prevailed. If one had little it was freely divided 
with one less fortunate. Lodging and board were given the traveler out 
of such scantiness as the house afforded, style and fashion never mentioned 
or thought of, the spare bedroom was always in order in the mansion which 
consisted of one room and perhaps an attic, a sociability and neighborly 
feeling there prevailed that does not exist today. Religious meetings, socia 
gatherings and dancing parties were had in these small and simple but 
happy homes. There were discussed the political affairs, county and town 
matters, church and domestic problems, agriculture and markets. 

The early Scandinavians of this county were religiously inclined. 
Therefore, as soon as so many had located in a locality as to deserve the 
name of "settlement," the first work of a social nature was usually to per- 
fect a church organization. Literary societies, debating clubs and singing 
schools were also common. The Scandinavians of Trempealeau County 
have now 27 churches, though nearly all are modest structures, they are 
all neat, comfortable and sufficient for the needs in their respective locali- 
ties, and represent considerable money outlay. They have, to my knowl- 
edge, three parochial school houses, possibly more, one college, one Scandi- 
navian insurance company which was organized in 1877 mainly by the 
efforts of Jens K. Hagestad, who became its first president, N. L. Tolvstad 
its first secretary, and Iver P. Enghagen its first treasurer, which office he 
has held continually and still holds. At its last annual meeting this com- 
pany carried $5,058,376.00 in risks and had the neat little sum of $20,445.37 
in its treasury. 

As before mentioned, the Scandinavians who left their mother country 
to seek new homes were of the laboring class. So were the Scandinavian 
pioneers of this county. Labor was their only asset. Strong and willing 
hands, industrious and frugal habits, honest and cheerful hearts, perse- 
verance and undaunted courage, was all they brought with them. These 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 157 

are worthy characteristics and made the Scandinavians a powerful factor in 
the development of this county. Labor was an absolute necessity in the 
building of homes and transforming the wild country into productive farms. 
Being honest and steady workers, they were sought by the older settlers 
as farm hands, artisans, salesmen, and so on, and they eagerly availed them- 
selves of the opportunities when not needed on their claims. 

Compared with their English, Scotch and Irish fellow pioneers, they 
were at a decided disadvantage, not being conversant with the language of 
their adopted country. Consequently, very few of them held public office 
or clerical positions — at any rate out of all proportion to their numbers or 
natural abilities. They were, however, well equipped in their own language, 
they could all read, most of them write and cipher, and many enjoyed higher 
education. Weekly newspapers were soon found in every home, and they 
were as well posted on current events as their English-speaking brethren. 
Therefore, though not foremost on the public rostrum, they were an intel- 
ligent and safe factor in the settlement of all public questions. Their 
patriotism and loyalty to the land of their adoption is evidenced by the 
number of volunteers that went forth from among them to save the Union 
during the dark days of the Rebellion, and their record for valor is second 
to none. 

Of the manual labor that has gone into the development of this county, 
no nationality has contributed so much as the Scandinavians. Go where 
you will throughout this county and see the fertile, well-fenced farms, with 
their comfortable homes, spacious and well-painted barns and other farm 
buildings, good roads and substantial bridges, fine public buildings and 
parks, business houses and manufacturing estabhshments, it would be hard 
to point to that which has not some of the Scandinavian brain or brawn in 
its make-up, for which the pioneer directly or indirectly deserves credit. 

Taken collectively, they had their faults as well as their virtues, but 
their good traits outweighed their bad ones, leaving the balance in their 
favor. This is the heritage they left to the cosmopolitan population of 
Trempealeau County of today. (By Peter H. Johnson.) 

Scandinavian Settlers. In the spring of the year 1854, there was a 
large number of immigrants that left their native home, Hardanger, Nor- 
way, for the United States. Most of them settled temporarily in Dane and 
Columbia counties, this State. 

At that time government lands that seemed to be of any value in these 
counties were taken up by settlers and speculators. These sturdy young 
men and women, without any means to buy the higher-priced lands held by 
speculators, and desiring to procure a home of their own without running 
too much in debt, began to look around for cheaper lands. 

In 1855 the first immigration of Norwegians began in Trempealeau 
Valley, and the rumors of the fertile villages of Trempealeau and Jackson 
counties began to spread. 

In 1857, Iver K. Syse, Iver and his son Orjans Torblaa arrived into 
North Beaver Creek. Mr. Syse settled in Trempealeau and the two Tor- 
blaas across the line in Jackson County. 

In 1858 the following arrived : K. K. Hallanger, Knut Richelson, the 



158 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

two brothers, Thomas and Nels Herreid, the latter the father of C. N. 
Herreid, once Governor of South Dakota, Ole N. Skaar, Tosten R. Thompson, 
Nels B. Henderson, Lars Hanson, Ole Ellingson and Ole L Dale. 

In 1859, Simon Nelson, Torkel Gunderson, Arne Arneson, Torkel Hal- 
dorson, Haldor and Iver Torkelson and Anve 0. Saed and several others 
arrived. These settled in the valley east and west of the county line in the 
vicinity of what was formerly known as Hegg Postoffice. The largest part 
of these settlers arrived on the same ship in 1854, including Knut K. Hage- 
stad, Sr., and family. 

The first settlers in Bear Creek Valley in 1858 were aforesaid Ole 
Ellingson, Lars Knutson, from Nummedahl, and Helge Knutson from Hal- 
lingdal. He served in the army and died in a Southern hospital in 1864. 
His brother, Anders Knutson, arrived three years later. 

In 1860, Knut K. Hagestad, Sr., Lars Grinde, the two brothers Lars B. 
and Gullick Johnson, D. 0. Hagestad, Lasse Olson and several others arrived. 

The Brovold and Instenes families, Jens K. Hagestad, Hendrick Sven- 
son, Halvor Skjeie, and five brothers of Thomas and Nels Herreid, with 
numerous others, arrived and settled in the valley in the '60s. 

The first Norwegian Lutheran church organization was perfected in 
1858. In 1859 the congregation decided to build a church, as the primitive 
farm dwellings were very inconvenient for religious gatherings. A large 
part of the dwellings were dug-outs in the side-hills, with Mother Earth for 
floors and walls, and poles, marsh hay and sod for roofing. Those that were 
more able built log houses 12 by 12 or 12 by 14, and the more pretentious 
structures were 16 by 16 by 10 feet high. The roofing consisted mostly of 
shakes cut out of oak logs with straight grain in 2-foot lengths and split 
similar to shingles with a broad ax for cleaver, and evened off to proper 
thickness with a hand ax. 

After they had decided to build the church, every male member of the 
congregation that was able to swing an ax joined together and went south 
over the hills into South Beaver Creek to cut logs for the building. They 
were allowed for the sum of $4.00 to cut the logs that were needed for the 
structure 24 by 30 by 12 feet high on the lands of Ole Olson, a Swede. The 
logs were hewed in the woods and hauled in the winter of 1859-60, and the 
church was built likewise by the members in 1860-61. There was no money 
to spare to hire carpenters to do the work, but most of them were handy 
with tools, and all were wilhng to do their share of the work. This was 
the first Norwegian Lutheran church built in Western Wisconsin. 

The old log church was superseded by a more modern frame structure 
in the early '70s. After the new church was completed, the old church 
was sold to Baard 0. Herreid, who moved it onto his farm one and one-half 
miles north of Hegg, and it is now used for a dwelling house. 

The first School District of the North Branch of Beaver Creek was 
organized in 1861, now known as the Hegg district, and the Bear Creek 
District was organized in 1862. 

The main promoter and organizer of the Ettrick Scandinavian Mutual 
Insurance Company was Jens K. Hagestad, who came into the valley in 1867 
and bought the Iver K. Syse farm in 1868. The company was incorporated 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 159 

under the laws of the State February 16, 1877, and commenced business 
April 4, 1877, with the following oificers: Jens K. Hagestad, President; 
N. L. Tolvstad, Secretary, and Iver P. Engehagen, Treasurer, who has served 
the company as Treasurer up to the present time. (By E. J. Brovold.) 

The County in 1871. At the close of school in March, 1871, I knew 
little of Trempealeau County personally, outside of Trempealeau Village, 
Galesville and the Prairie. The county was generally spoken of as the 
Tamarack, the Openings, Caledonia, Black River, Decorah Prairie, Hardy 
Creek, Beaver Creek, French Creek, Lake Cooley, Over the Pass, Holcomb 
Cooley, Over the Ridge, Square Bluff, American Valley, Travis Valley, 
Chimney Rock, Elk Creek, Bruce Valley, and the Beef River Valley. The 
county was localized in these terms, but the territory was not definite, as 
each overlapped the others nearby. The postoffices, as I recall them, were 
Trempealeau, Galesville, Ettrick, Arcadia, Pigeon Falls, Chimney Rock, 
Osseo, and Hamhn. The natural objects in the county were Trempealeau 
Mountain, Trempealeau Lake, Trempealeau Bluffs, Decorah Peak, Whistler 
Pass, Barn Bluff, Square Bluff and Chimney Rock. They no doubt will 
remain a monument to the Almighty power to whom all nature responds. 

I had then been no farther north than the one trip to Arcadia Christmas 
Eve, but I knew of Caledonia as the home of Donald and Alex McGilvray, 
Joshua Rhodes, Charles Holmes, D. D. Chappell, Pussy WiUiams, John 
Bohrnstedt, Christian Schmidt, Thomas Hayter, John Arntz, William Suttie, 
Frank Bender, Ira Ramsden, John Hess, R. C. Towner, John Towner, Gilbert 
Gibbs, Al Gibbs, William Post, Moses Ladd, Charles Pickering, J. C. Poly- 
blank, C. C. Bigelow and Mr. Beardsley. 

Over the Pass — Dodge, not then organized, as the home of Mat Brom, 
R. Baumgartner, Charles Keith, Jake Schaffner, Joe Pellowski, Paul Rud- 
neck, J. L. Sanderson, Joseph Utter, Frank Rushka, John Wier, Andrew 
Losinski, John Wicke, Peter Pellowski and Charles Cleveland. 

Ettrick as the home of Iver Pederson, C. G. Beach, Robert Cance, Con 
Lynch, Maurice Casey and James McCarthy. 

Burnside as the home of George H. Markham, A. A. Markham, Giles 
Cripps, Martin W. Borst, Lee Hutchins, William Russell, D. C. Cilley, John 
Haakenson and James Reid. 

Arcadia as the home of Dr. I. A. Briggs, N. D. Comstock, CoHins Bishop, 
Gay T. Storm, D. C. Dewey, John D. Lewis, H. B. Slerchant, Douglas Arnold, 
Jerry O'Brien, James Gaveney, David Massuere, Daniel Bigham, John Big- 
ham, Thomas Simpson, Carl Ei-nst, George Webb, Isaac Newcomb, D. L. 
Holcomb, Frank Zeller, Carl Zeller, Phillip and Henry Hartman, William 
Bohman, Christian and John Haines, J. W. Ducker, Henry Pierce, J. B. 
Gorton. Joseph Kellogg, Louis and Simon Wojczik, Andrew Pietrick, 
Ole 0. Peterson, Joseph Stahoski, Wilham Robertson, George Dewey, 
Henry Dewey, Sidney Conant, Alexander Bautch, Ole A. Hegg, John 
Wool, Nic, Casper and Peter Meyers, Emory M. Stanford, Thomas Busby, 
Jonathan Busby, Ira Penny, John Truman, Herman Tracy, Dr. G. N. Hider- 
shide, Dan English, A. F. Hensel, Frank Pellowski, John Tuschner, P. TI. 
Varney, Charles Mercer, J. H. Gleason, P. Tucker, Peter Case and William 
Arnold. 



160 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Lincoln as the home of Thomas Lake, David Wade, Henry Stratton, 
Henry Freeman, F. W. Ingalls, Moses B. Ingalls, David Wood, Alvah Wood, 
G. M. Follette and Mr. Irving. 

Preston as the home of Henry Lake, James McKivergin, Gullick Olsen 
and Henry Carpenter. 

Hale as the home of M. J. Warner, David Maloney, Robert Warner, Silas 
Parker, D. S. Watson and Charles Wagoner. 

Pigeon as the home of Peter Ekern, J. D. Olds, George Olds and H. A. 
Fremstad. 

Albion as the home of D. J. Odell, M. B. Gibson, R. P. Goddard, Ed. 
Borw^ell, Henry Teeple, A. and D. Wingad and Mr. Englesby. 

Sumner and Beef River Valley as the home of R. C. Field, J. L. Linder- 
man, Ed. Matchette, Charles Shores, V. A. Gates, William Henry, Otto 
Langerfield, W. F. Carter, Alex, and John Tracy, W. H. Thomas, P. B. 
WiUiams, D. J. Lyon, Ben Webster, James Rice, Dennis Lawler, D. L. Rem- 
ington, Thomas Cox, V. W. Campbell, James King, Hezekia Hyslop, Scott 
Hotchkiss, Elias Gay, F. Fuller, John Lovesey, William Lindsay, James 
Mclntyre, Henry Gilbert, John Carter, William Boyd, Zeb, John and Cosle 
Jones, James W. Grant and William Tomlinson and Robert Bowers. 

There are other names which deserve mention and a place on this list 
that do not come to my memory after forty-one years of active busy life of 
responsibility and cares. I trust no person or family will feel disappointed 
or slighted in the omission of names from these lists. There has been no 
wish or purpose to leave any name off these lists ; and if names are not cor- 
rectly spelled such errors were unintentional and unavoidable. To prepare 
such lists after a long span of years is not an easy task. 

At the time of which I write, Whistler Pass, a fall or dent in the bluff 
above the farm of James Field, over which the highway was built from the 
Prairie and the Tamarack Valley into the Trempealeau Valley, now in the 
town of Dodge, was a term of frequent mention, and much of the travel from 
the western part of the territory over the ridge was on that highway. The 
Pass attracted my attention through curiosity, no doubt, and led me to make 
an early visit to it. From Martin's Corners the Pass was plainly seen to the 
north. Whistler Pass remains, but has lost much of its frequent mention, 
and of its early notoriety. 

Many Winnebago Indians were then camped and lived much of the year 
along the river above Trempealeau Village, and one village near Trempealeau 
Lake was said to number 800 or more people, a portion of whom were of 
mixed blood. Several "half-breed" families lived in Trempealeau Village, 
the men generally being strong, fine-looking fellows, the most distinguished 
among them being Antoine Grignon, and some of his descendants, with 
those of the Bibault family, have been and are residents of the county, and 
on the whole have been good citizens. Thede Booher was styled "The Big 
Indian," a name generally applied to him about the county to the time of 
his decease. 

Trempealeau Village, in the fall of 1870, was a thriving, busy place, 
its streets and market-places full of teams, and its business places full to 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 161 

overflowing with country people, farmers who came to market produce and 
purchase farm and home supplies. They came from Decorah Prairie and 
beyond Black River ; from the head of Beaver Creek Valley nearly to Black 
River Falls ; from the head of the Trempealeau Valley nearly to Merrilan ; 
from Pigeon Creek northeast into Jackson County; from the Elk Creek 
valleys and over the ridge in Beef River Valley ; they came from Chimney 
Rock Valley, and the Traverse Valley away out in the Mondovi country. 
Many came to the Trempealeau market 30, 40, 50 and 60 miles. Before this 
I had not seen so busy a mart, emporium, entrepot, or place of traffic as 
was the beautiful village of Trempealeau nestling at the foot of Trempealeau 
Bluffs, and fronting on the Mississippi River, with its teeming activity of 
soil pi'oducts and human freight carried by the then wonderful Mississippi 
River steamers, with skow bottom, and of ponderous width. 

The most frequently mentioned as wealthy people in the county, as I 
recall, were Ben Healy, John Rhodes, W. A. Johnston, Isaac Clark, Wilson 
Davis, George H. Markham, and R. C. Field. The most popular politicians 
in the county, that is, the most likely to be elected when candidates for office, 
were N. D. Comstock, A. A. Arnold and A. W. Newman. The most noted 
horsemen were Moses King and Lee Hutchins. The wittiest lawyer was 
Frank Utter. Among the jolliest men were Ralph Martin, Pussy Williams, 
Marvin Babbit, Sr., Thomas Sutchff, Jimmy Field and Henry Teeple. The 
most popular man with the women was Gay T. Storm. The most frequently 
mentioned clei'gymen were James Squier and D. 0. Van Slyke. The most 
powerful men were Jack McCarthy, Aaron Kribs and John Bugbee. The 
only brewer was Jacob Melchoir ; the leading miller was Wilson Davis, and 
the best known butcher was Bill Blume. The noted Indians were old 
Chief Black Hawk and "Big Indian," Thede Booher. The most skillful 
blacksmith was J. B. Ingalls, while the greatest threshers were Jim Merwin 
and Ike Wright. The leading saloonkeeper was Pete Eichman, and the most 
dead-sure rifle shot was Bob Nibs. The great mule-driver was Philo Beard, 
and the best known stage-driver was Jerry Webber. It is my impression 
the most noted singers were the Grignon sisters. Others, no doubt, deserve 
mention, but memory fails me. 

Some of the pioneer women of Trempealeau County had been delicately 
reared, most of them had known the com.forts of life, all had left associa- 
tions which were dear to them. The sundering of these ties was not easy, 
nor was it a condition to be sought. It is but natural that they were 
strongly attached to their old homes, friends and comforts. Ties of kindred 
and friendship were to be broken; comfortable homes left behind; friends 
of a lifetime to be parted with, when with their husbands they set their 
faces westward for a new life and new homes, they knew not where. All 
beyond the city of Buffalo was then the West, Detroit was in the West, and 
Chicago and Milwaukee were in the far West. In many instances they 
knew it must be among strangers, and that privations, and even e.xtieme 
dangers, were to be met and mastered — at least endured. These pioneer 
women shared in all the toils of weary journeys, in sunshine and in storm, 
ever westward. They did not grumble of the coarse faro and humole, 
oftentimes rude, accommodations of wagon and roadside ; the canal-boat 



162 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and tfte open stage, the log tavern, and at times the open-air bivouac. These 
women were always the brave members of the family or the party. Often 
late in autumn, or in the early spring, not infrequently in the cold storms, 
the discouraging sleet and mist and the complaining chilly winds, they 
went bravely on to the very outposts of civilization, over long, lonely and far- 
reaching prairies, the gloomy forests, dismal roads, often mere trails beset 
with stumps, quagmire, and where no sign of civilization or human habita- 
tion was to be seen, except the wigwam and hut of the then dangerous 
savage. They traveled largely through a country without settlers or any 
evidence of civihzation, at times even making roads upon which to travel. 

Can we picture the trials that came to their brave hearts, in hours of 
bitterness and loneliness, thus removed from the homes and kindred they 
had left behind — remembrances which must have risen up before them 
often and often, and how extremely bitter must have been those recollec- 
tions, and yet, through their tears which must have silently flowed, they 
stood brave sentinels to their little ones who clung to them for comforting 
words and care. A word picture fails to give the full facts. Such feelings 
were natural and nurtured in their hearts ; yet they bore these and other 
burdens as bravely as did the renowned "mothers of ancient Sparta." 
Who will, I ask, who can pay these pioneer women of the West, and of 
Trempealeau County, the full measure of praise they so richly deserve? 

The many sports and pleasures for the pioneer man, such as hunting 
the deer, the wolf, the wild fowls and other game; the sport of fishing, 
and the pleasure of roaming at will, all suitable to the rougher nature and 
coarser tastes of man were denied to these women, who with their chil- 
dren were shut up in log cabins or rude huts, often without floors, doors, 
or windows, — often filled with smoke and into which the chill of winter 
whistled, and the stars at night looked down upon those faithful women 
and mothers and their sleeping children; often with no furniture except 
the rudest kind, and without kitchen utensils save kettle and frying-pan, 
and almost totally destitute of crockery, — seldom even with tinware, they 
made that dearest condition of life, the home, possible and a positive fact. 
For weeks, for months and even for years in a continued struggle with- 
out modern-day conveniences and helps, they struggled and they won ; and 
these pioneer women helped make Trempealeau County what it is today. 
— (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Cruise of the Spray. One day during the latter part of April in 1866 
the little steamboat Spray swung up to the river front landing at Trem- 
pealeau and stopped for refreshments and supplies for the crew. "She 
was a trim little boat," said the old riverman, "about 30 feet long and 10 
feet wide, and was a flat-bottomed craft with a stern paddle wheel." 

The crew remained in town about an hour when the boat pulled out 
for its journey up the Trempealeau River. Arrived at the Trempealeau 
navigation became impeded by snags and leaning trees, and a gang of 
men was kept busy removing these obstacles. Saws and axes were brought 
into play, and now and then a headline was run out and fastened to a tree 
and the capstan used to drag the boat over a shoal. Two men stood on the 
forward deck with pike-poles to shove the boat away from the bank in 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 163 

sharp bends of the river, or where shallow water was encountered to take 
soundings. 

Thus the steamboat struggled slowly along up the river, clearing its 
way as it went, but of all the difficulties met with the wooden wagon bridge 
was the most formidable, for settlers living along the river hearing of the 
approaching steamboat where on hand to protest against the damaging 
of their bridges. However, in every case except one, the officers of the 
boat persuaded the people who resisted them that the establishment of 
navigation on the river meant more to them than the loss of a portion of 
their bridge. Some of the settlers hailed the coming of the boat with joy, 
taking it as a messenger of progress come to open an easy way to the 
world's markets, while others cursed the audacious little "Spray" as 
"another freak endeavoring to establish an impossibility," the navigability 
of the river. Still others took the steamboat venture as a joke and laughed 
at the idea of navigating a stream that a boy could wade when the water 
was at its normal stage. But still they must have looked at the coming of 
a steamboat more as a novelty than anything else, and made the most of 
it by being on hand to feast their eyes upon the wayward little craft. 

Here and there along the route a few of the settlers would get aboard 
the Spray, to enjoy a ride on the Trempealeau River. Among these was 
Daniel Bigham of Arcadia, who boarded the boat down near the old Dan 
Enghsh place and rode nearly to the present site of Arcadia. Dan was 
interested in watching the boat navigate the river, but says if he had been 
in a hurry he would have made better time walking. "It took a good deal 
of time to cut out the snags and trees that obstructed the channel," said 
Dan, "and when we grounded the engine would stop and wait for the water 
to wash the sand from under the boat. They destroyed all of the bridges 
in the town of Arcadia," continued Mr. Bigham, "and it caused considerable 
commotion among the settlers, for in that day with but few sawmills and 
a scarcity of lumber it was difficult to build a bridge." 

The news that a real live steamboat was actually navigating the modest 
little Treampealeau traveled so much faster than the boat itself that the 
up-river people were on hand to welcome the strange visitor when it arrived. 

When the Williamsburg settlers heard the shrill whistle of the boat 
they flocked down to the landing on the Baker place, and as the gangplank 
touched shore many felt that the marvelous day of prosperity was at hand. 
In fact a market landed in the burg that day, for the captain of the boat 
bought bread and eggs from the inhabitants and paid the expectant farmers 
for it in clean cash. 

On the 2nd day of May, 1866, George H. Markham made record in his 
diary of the passage up the Trempealeau River of the steamboat Spray. 
The Markhams settled in the Trempealeau valley not far from the site of 
the present village of Independence in 1856, and Mrs. Geo. H. Markham 
distinctly remembers seeing the boat on its journey up the river. 

The Spray continued on its course up the river until the wagon bridge 
located three miles below Whitehall was reached, when it was met by 
David Wade and David Wood, representing the town of Lincoln, who refused 
it further passage on account of necessitating the destruction of the bridge. 



164 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The people of Lincoln had heard of the approaching steamboat and of 
its wanton destruction of bridges on the lower river, and had decided not 
to allow such destruction in their territory. They were practical men and 
had no rosy dreams of the future steamboat activity on the river, and con- 
sidered their bridge worth more than the vague possibilities of a future 
waterway market. 

And so the adventurous rivermen turned back, and on the journey 
down stream they stopped at Arcadia to take on a shipment of flour from 
the Massuere Company mill. 

On account of the current and the river being free of snags and trees 
the return run was much faster and easier than the up-river trip. At 
Marshland the boat was laid up for some time, but it finally resumed its 
course into the Mississippi and completed its round trip at LaCrosse. 

Why such a trip was undertaken is somewhat of a mystery. Some say 
that the Northwestern Railroad Company gave the owners of the boat 
a bonus for not compelling the road to maintain a draw bridge across the 
river at Marshland. Others say the journey was made to determine the 
navigability of the Trempealeau River. Whatever the motive it certainly 
established the fact that the river was not a suitable stream for navigation. 
— (By Eben D. Pierce.) 

Early Trempealeau. I left the State of New York in the spring of 
1851 for the West, traveling by rail, by stage, and on foot, and by steam- 
boat, arriving at Montoville, now Trempealeau, Wisconsin, on May 6, 1851. 
As this place I found James Reed. He lived in a log cabin. His business 
was buying furs from the Indians for the Prairie du Chien Fur Company. 
While here for a short time I went out each day in different directions 
exploring the country, going on one trip north to the Trempealeau River 
near where the village of Blair now stands, finding the country everywhere 
swarming with wild deer and game of all kinds, and many large or small 
camps of Indians. The soil appeared to be of good quality, — some prairie, 
some burr oak openings, some rolling, and high bluffs and deep valleys, 
with plenty of good pure water, springs, creeks and rivers. After being 
out several days I returned to Mr. Reed's and then procured an axe of 
Mr. Reed and went northeast into the burr oak openings, and I selected 
a claim of 160 acres of land and cut logs and rolled up the body of a cabin, 
and marked out my claim, cutting name and date on the logs of the cabin, 
then returned to Mr. Reed's, after having made the first claim known to 
me in Trempealeau County. I then took the boat up the Mississippi River 
to look for work, .arriving at the mouth of Chippewa River and going up 
that river to the falls I obtained work for one year at good wages. During 
the year I wrote many letters to my father and friends in the East, describ- 
ing the country about Montoville and urging them to come and settle there, 
and at the end of the year, the last of May, 1852, I returned to Montoville 
to look after my claim, and finding there a most wonderful change, new 
buildings along the river, and here and there out on the prairie. Mr. Reed 
was still there in business. I went out to see my claim and found one, 
Wilham Cram, had bought the land on the south and adjoining my claim, 
and was building a log house. I then did a little work on my claim, and 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 165 

then to keep my promise to work for the company another year I went back 
to Chippewa Falls, where I worked one year and seven montihs. Then in 
January, 1854, I returned to Montoville, then finding that a more wonder- 
ful change had taken place. Hotels, stores, shops and other business places, 
churches, school houses and farms scattered here and there in all direc- 
tions, and going out to my claim I found that my father, with all of his 
family, had bought out William Cram, the place adjoining my claim, and 
that a man had jumped my claim and had made some improvements, for 
which he would not give up except upon the payment of fifty dollars, which 
I paid and took possession. Later I sold it to Charles Pickering. 

In the spring of 1854 Alexander McGilvray settled on Black River 
and ran a ferry boat across the river, instead of fording as before. The 
place then became known as McGilvray's Ferry. In the summer I bought 
property there and built a store, blacksmith shop, and also opened a farm, 
and early in 1855 our settlers found the need for a school and rented the 
front room of my house for one year and employed Cecelia Segar to teach 
the first school at McGilvray's Ferry. A new school house was built for 
the second term, and Fanny A. Olds was employed as teacher, and here in 
this school house at the first term was organized the first debating school 
in the county. Our people all became so deeply interested that they came 
from far and near and took part in the debates, and established a weekly 
newspaper called the "Singinezia," to be edited by the members and read 
at each meeting. These schools were kept up for a number of years, dis- 
cussing many great and important questions to the lasting benefit of all 
that took part in them. Mr. McGilvray, the grand old Scotchman, being 
the first settler here, named the place Caledonia, after his native place in 
Scotland. Soon after Trempealeau County was organized and the county 
seat was established at Galesville, a beautiful young town on the banks 
of Beaver creek. Our early settlers were a very intelligent, industrious 
and progressive people. Thus school houses, churches, villages, hotels, 
stores, grist mills, saw mills, and all kinds of public improvements was the 
order of the day from the beginning of our early settlement. Always 
manifesting the highest degree of intelligent progression, thus changing 
a land that was once the home of the Indian and wild beasts of the forest to 
a land that now stands upon the highest pinnacle of American civihzation. 
Thus we mention but a small part of the events of our pioneer days from 
1851 to 1861. 

From 1861 to the spring of 1864 I kept my place at McGilvray's Ferry, 
and in the month of May, 1864, Benjamin Oliver and I went north to look 
for land to homestead. We found a few settlers in Trempealeau valley 
near the mouth of Pigeon Creek. The settlement was called Whitehall. 
From there we went up Pigeon Creek about six miles. There we found 
Hely Fitch, his mother and sister, who told us that they had settled there 
the year before, and that Mr. Fitch froze to death in the winter of the 
deep snow ; that the old man had to go up into the cooley about three miles 
to cut and stack hay to winter his oxen on, and that the snow got so deep 
that he could not driver the oxen there after hay, and to keep them alive 
he would go on his snowshoes every day and bring a bundle of hay on his 



166 HISTOKY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

back. The weather turned very cold and he went for a bundle and came 
back about half way and fell with his hay, where they found him next day 
froze solid. Through the snow being so deep they could not walk through 
it and had to shovel and break a path to get to him, but they got him home 
late that night. Thus that cooley was named Fitch's Cooley. After hear- 
ing their heartrending story, we went on up the creek about four miles into 
a cooley southeast of Pigeon Falls, where Mr. Oliver selected his homestead. 
We then went north over the bluffs about one mile. There I selected my 
homestead. This Fitch family were the only settlers up in Pigeon valley 
in Trempealeau County. Mr. Oliver and myself moved onto our land in 
August, 1864, and George H. Olds and James Phillips moved in one month 
later. Then in the spring Wm. Olds and L. B. Man and H. Smith, P. Peter- 
son, L. Larson, Phineas Wright, C. H. Hines, Andrew Peterson and Mr. 
Richardson, and some others, moved in during the summer of 1865. 

In the faU of 1864 and early winter 1865, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Phillip, G. H. 
Olds and myself bought and hauled lumber from Merrilan and built a 
school house, and employed Mary Nott to teach the first term of school in 
Pigeon Valley, beginning with twelve scholars, but having some more at 
the close of the term. The second term was taught by Jane A. Olds, and 
the third term by Marilda Lyons. In these early days our people organized 
debating schools, where some of the most profound questions affecting the 
weal or woe of our people were discussed, and to this day we can see and 
realize the benefits from the food for thought that was brought out in 
those old debating schools, and I am happy to know that some of those 
lights that shone so brightly in those early days have not all gone out yet 
in 1912, and I hope that other and brighter lights will continue to shine 
until the end of time. 

Among the many early settlers of Pigeon Valley was one, Mr. Fuller, 
who settled in a cooley northwest of Pigeon Falls about one mile, where 
he had built a small farm house, and during a heavy thunder storm had 
laid down with his wife upon a bed that stood with its head near a south 
window. Mr. Fuller lay on the bed, his head in line with the window, his 
wife lying back of him, when a bolt of lightning passed through the window, 
striking him on top of the head and passing the length of his body and 
from his feet to the floor and out through the side of the house and to the 
ground, thus killing him instantly, while his wife was unharmed except a 
slight shock. Thus this cooley was called Fuller's Cooley. A year or two 
after his body was taken up from his farm and was found to be petrified, 
and required five or six persons to take it out of the grave. — (J. D. Olds in 
letters to Hon. H. A. Anderson, Feb. 14 to Feb. 17, 1912.) 

Trempealeau Prairie. William Trim has seen all the changes come 
to the county from its really wild state to its present condition of wealth 
and comfort, having resided in it since the fifteenth day of October, 1858, 
to this time, except during the three years that he was in the army. He 
saw the red schoolhouse built at Wright's Corners in 1862 by Al Holcomb ; 
saw the mill and dam put in by the Holcombs and Mr. Grant in 1860 ; knew 
the first teacher in the red schoolhouse, a Miss Sumara Grant, afterward 
Mrs. Carsely, her term being in 1862 and 1863. Mr. Carsely ran the saw- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 167 

mill above Bortles, built by Mr. Grant when he and Holcomb dissolved 
partnership in the prairie mill. Abe Holcomb and Mr. Grant came to the 
prairie in the winter of 1860, Al Holcomb coming in the spring of that 
year. Hollister Wright was on his old farm when Mr. Trim settled in the 
vicinity in 1855. Elder Cook came in 1860, Ralph Martin in 1862. Trem- 
pealeau was a small village in October, 1858. Harvey Bowls kept a hotel, 
as also did Frank Utter. Thede Booher and Mr. Paine kept stores, and 
N. B. Grover a warehouse, to which he helped Mr. Wai'e haul corn in the 
winter of 1858-59 at 25 cents a bushel shelled. He attended the town meet- 
ing in the spring of 1859 at Trempealeau, the first meeting of that kind 
he ever attended, and there became acquainted with Mr. Sutcliffe and John 
Rhodes, Samuel Barr and others, who all lived in the Big Tamarack. He 
says a man by the name Whistler was an early settler over the Pass — 
being the first one — and that the Pass was named after him. The two 
sons of the man became homesick and traveled back to Dodge County, and 
Mr. Whistler and his wife soon abandoned the place and in an ox team 
returned to Dodge County. Thomas Knox was an early pioneer over the 
Pass and sold their claim to a Mr. Rudnick, who was the first Pole to settle 
in Pine Creek, in 1859 or 1860. This man and his wife paid Knox in half- 
dollar pieces the sum of $800 she had earned in Winona washing. Knox put 
the half dollars in a sack to carry on foot to Galesville, but at the Lee bridge 
over the Tamarack Creek he hid half of the money, finding the whole 
amount too heavy to carry at one time to Galesville, afterward returning 
for the half that he had hidden. In 1860 four Germans located north of 
Vernons, in the valley that has since been called German Valley. There 
were Koop, Pfefer, Were and Dopp. In 1858 the settlers in the Tamarack 
were Bortle, Cook and Vernon. On the west side of the prairie were Seby 
and Darwin Atwood, two Nashes and A. A. Whiting. In the south part 
were Stevens, Gillies, Brewins and Steadman. On the east toward Gales- 
ville were Anson Bell, Mr. King and a Mr. Hartz on the Isaac Wright farm, 
Thompson on old farm. A bai'n was built on the Thompson farm in 1859 ; 
the shingles were rived by Stark Butman from logs. Many of these shingles 
are now sound and good. William McDonough then lived on the old Martin 
farm, William Lee on the Chase Wasson farm. Later came Shaw and 
Howe above the Vernon farm. Castleman, a half -negro, lived on the Walsky 
farm. — (Interview with Stephen Richmond.) 

Beaver Creek Valley. John Hess settled in Beaver Creek Valley in 
the fall of 1852. "There were very few families in this part of the country 
at that time," said Mr. Hess. "James Reed was living at Trempealeau or 
Reed's Landing, as it was called then, and he was the first white man I 
saw after coming here. The second season we were here I had a good crop 
of winter wheat, which had to be threshed with a flail. It was difficult to 
get it clean without a fanning-mill, and so I went down to Prairie du Chien 
to buy one and had it shipped to Trempealeau by boat. It was the only 
fanning-mill for miles around and I used to loan it to farmers up at Foun- 
tain City and across Black River in La Crosse County. 

"Flour was hard to get, and one day when I was debating in my mind 
where I could get the next sack of flour, for we were out, James Reed came 



168 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

along and told me there was a mill over in Lewis Valley in La Crosse County, 
and described the trail leading to the valley so that I would have no trouble 
in following it. The next morning I got up at three o'clock and started 
over the trail for the mill, my wife accompanying me as far as Heuston's 
near Galesville. I found my way to Luther Lewis's mill, bought a fifty- 
pound sack of flour, and walked home with it on my shoulder, having 
traveled between 25 and 30 miles. 

"Pork was a luxury in those days and I remember walking up to North 
Bend to buy some of it of Thomas Douglass, who operated a sawmill on 
Black River. When I got there I found Mr. Douglass at work repairing 
a breakdown in the mill, and when I told him my errand he said he could 
let me have the pork, and as he was very much in need of help in repairing 
the mill he suggested that I pay for it in work. 

"I worked for him five days for a hundred pounds of pork, and when 
I was ready to start home I built a raft of kant timbers, and loading my 
cargo onto it, started down river. I landed at the mouth of Beaver Creek 
and hid my pork in the woods and set out afoot for home to get an ox to 
'pack' the meat with, but, as luck would have it, I came across my oxen 
feeding in the edge of a wood less than half a mile from where I landed. I 
drove one of the oxen down to the river and tied the pack of meat on his 
back with my suspenders and then drove him home. 

"I'll tell you how we got our blacksmithing done the first few years 
after we came to Beaver Creek. We drove with an ox team to Trem- 
pealeau and then borrowed a skiff" and rowed across the river to Richmond, 
Minnesota, where there was a blacksmith shop. Sometimes it would take 
two days to make the trip, for if the smith had work ahead we would 
have to wait. 

"Along in 1856-57 I bought a threshing machine. I went to Racine 
and bought a horse-power machine of the J. I. Case Company and paid 
$725 for it, and they shipped it to Chicago and thence to Dubuque, and 
from there it was shipped by boat to Trempealeau. It was the first thresh- 
ing machine in this county, and I used to go many miles over mighty rough 
roads to do threshing. I went over to Arcadia and threshed for Noah Com- 
stock, James Gaveney and Collins Bishop." 

Mrs. Hess also has told in her quaint and pleasing way stories of pioneer 
experiences. She says: "The first few years we lived here our nearest 
neighbor was Charles H. Perkins, who lived over in the Tamarack, and as 
there was no road to their place from our home we used to go back and 
forth visiting, over a trail that lead across the bluffs. Mother was a great 
hand to knit and always took her knitting along when she went visiting, 
and that is how we happened to get our first chickens. You see we hadn't 
any chickens and had almost forgotten what an egg looked like, but Perkins' 
folks had a flock of chickens, though they didn't care to sell any. Well, 
mother was at their place one day and was just finishing a pair of stock- 
ings she was knitting when Mrs. Perkins asked her if she would sell a pair 
or two of them. Mother said no, she would not sell them, but would trade 
for some hens and offered to knit two pairs for four hens. The trade was 
agreed to and when mother completed her knitting contract she took the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 169 

stockings over to Mrs. Perkins and brought the four hens home across the 
hills in her apron. To complete the flock father went to Treampealeau and 
succeeded in buying a rooster from Mr. Reed. 

"Hogs were difficult to get, and the first one we were able to procure 
after we settled in our new home Mr. Hess got of James Reed in exchange 
for work. He cut nine cords of wood over on the island opposite Trem- 
pealeau for a sow, and was well pleased with the bargain. 

"There were no churches anywhere near our place at that time, and 
it was a great treat when a preacher happened to come along and stay 
over Sunday with us. The neighbors would gather at our log house to hold 
religious services and after the meeting was over they would stay and visit. 

"La Crosse was only a little country village then, with one hotel, a 
half dozen small stores, a blacksmith shop and a burned-down mill with 
the brick chimney left standing." 

This was pioneering with all of its varied phases. There were hard- 
ships but joys as well, and it is hardship that gives zest to pleasure. There 
was a backwoods adventurous spirit in the rough life of that age and the 
pioneer will tell you that he took real comfort in his cabin home. And so 
we look back and see the log cabin dreaming in the solitude where the wild 
roses bloom in profusion, and the ox team and the breaking-plow creep 
slowly across the clearing, while the sunlight streaming through the valley 
turns the old grub-piles intoheaps of gold.-;-(By E. D. Pierce.) 

Lewis Valley. In 1857 Lewis Niffin took up a quarter section of land 
about four miles above Arcadia, on a small creek that has since borne his 
name, being the first settler to locate directly above Arcadia. He erected 
a log hut near the creek, a few rods towards the Trempealeau River, from 
what is now the main road, between Arcadia and Independence. Mr. Niffin 
remained on his claim less than a year, when he abandoned it and left the 
country. In 1861 Richard Rook, an Englishman, came and picked out a 
location near Niffin's abandoned claim and put up a small building, but he 
was not favorably impressed with his new home and forsook it in a few 
months for a more suitable locality. Then came Alonzo Baker (about 1862) 
and took up a homestead in one of the branch coolies of Lewis Valley. But 
it remained for Capt. John D. Lewis to become the first settler in the main 
valley. In May, 1866, shortly after getting his discharge from the army, 
he took up the land now known as the Lewis farm and during the summer 
built a house and broke some land. The following summer, 1867, J. B. 
Gorton and Jonathan Busby moved into the valley. — (By Stephen Rich- 
mond.) 

Newcomb Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia, opening into 
American Valley near the Penny schoolhouse, where the branches of the 
creek meet above the Miller and Bear pond. The valley runs east about 
four miles to the foot of the Preston hills. There are a number of small 
valleys known as coolies on either side in which good farms are located; 
among them are the Erickson, Hanson and Arneson farms, while the combes 
or coolies on the north side are known as the Knudtson and Rud farms and 
neighborhood. The main valley was settled in 1866 by Isaac Newcomb and 



170 ■ HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

his brother Harold, who came from Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where 
they settled with their parents in 1855, emigrating from Tioga County, 
Pennsylvania. (In 1868 the parents also removed to Newcomb Valley, 
making their home with Isaac, with whom they hved out their lives, the 
father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1879.) So far as can be learned a 
family by the name of Van Scroch had for a short time occupied a log hut 
on an 85-acre tract, which Isaac Newcomb purchased through N. D. Com- 
stock as agent, of Lot D. Rice, he getting his title from Dr. Bishop, who 
bought the lands from a Mrs. Hessey Vallandingham, the widow of a Ken- 
tucky soldier. She never occupied these lands. Mr. Newcomb home- 
steaded 160 acres adjoining this tract, which he improved and made into a 
valuable farm. 

The early settlers who may be said to have been the pioneers in the 
valley were Isaac and Harold Newcomb, Andrew Knudtson, Arney Olson 
Rud, Stiner Knudtson, Lewis and Lars Hanson and a man named Rock- 
well. At the close of 1866 there were no settlers in the valley except the 
Newcombs, nor east to where Hans Solberg lived near Lake Slough. Sol- 
berg was known as Stocker in those early days. James McKivergin had 
settled in Preston on the old McKivergin farm, and the only tract over the 
hills was a single plow furrow to guide the traveler to these settlers' claims. 
The Knudtsons, Ruds, Ericksons and Hansons came in in 1867 and 1868, as 
did Mr. Scow. After that time settlers continued to locate in the valley, 
so that in 1876 all the lands had been taken up and were occupied. The 
Newcombs began improving their lands and in 1867 built houses and other 
buildings upon them. In the fall of 1868 the Penny schoolhouse was built, 
a mere board shell, and the winter term in 1868-69 was taught by W. L. 
Cummings, who boarded around with such settlers as were able to keep 
him. At some places Mr. Cummings was obliged to crawl to his bed because ' 

of the meagerness of the living and sleeping accommodations. He boarded 
principally with Jerry O'Brien, Ira Penny, Isaac Newcomb and John 
Truman. Other early teachers there were Kate Rudolf, Ida Smith and Eva 
Allen. The schoolhouse in Newcomb Valley was built in 1875 and was fir? 
taught by Ida Smith. 

When Isaac Newcomb arrived he brought with him four cows, four 
head of young stock and a yoke of oxen, and with these possessions and 
245 acres of land was considered as a well-to-do man. 

The country was mighty new and people possessed of little money, but 
all were stout-hearted patriots determined to "make good," which many 
of them did after the coming of the railroad in 1874. About the only farm 
implement in the neighborhood was a dung-fork owned by Ira Penny, ■ 

which he loaned with misgivings to his neighbors. The story of these early |j 

days might be written elaborately into pages of local incidents and gossip, 
among the most interesting being the bear story published in the Arcadia 
Leader in 1874, a newspaper owned by N. D. Comstock, and published after 
the new village was started on the Trempealeau River bottoms, where the 
flourishing village of Arcadia now stands. 

Newcomb Valley for many years had and now has a number of excel- 1 1 

lent farms, and its people are among the most intelligent and progressive 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 171 

families in the county, with comfortable homes and farm buildings, blooded 
stock, and being well provided with all farm conveniences, showing thrift 
and contentment.— (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Holcomb Cooley lies partly in the town of Trempealeau, the greater 
part being in the town of Arcadia, and is in townships 19 and 20 north of 
range 8 west, opening into the Tamarack Valley, or running back east and 
northeast about two to three miles in width and footing up against French 
Creek and the Galesville hills more than three miles from the Tamarack 
Valley. Near the center it is widest. On the south side are several small 
valleys or coolies in the hills, with much the same conditions as on the 
north side, where in the early pioneer days stood dense forests of tamarack 
timber. Al and Abe Holcomb, brothers, who had settled on West Prairie 
and who had put in a dam in the Tamarack Creek, in section 5, township 
18 north of range 9 west, and erected a saw mill, filed claims on much of 
the land in this cooley and, taking possession, began to cut and carry to 
their mills saw logs which were cut into lumber for use by the settlers. 
Hence the name Holcomb Valley, or Cooley, was given to the region by 
early settlers and has not been changed, though the men after whom the 
valley was named have been long dead. In 1870 the saw mill did little 
work, and about 1875 the mill and power were converted into a grist mill 
by Square A. Picket, who had come into possession of it, and who later sold 
it to other parties, who continued to operate it till 1885. 

Much of the land in and about the region of the Tamarack Valley was 
marshy, and to reach the cooley when the ground was frozen was an almost 
impossible task, except by way of the French Creek Valley, until a series 
of corduroy roads was built over the marsh places. The Holcombs also 
built and for a number of years operated a windlass on the hills to facilitate 
transportation. The teams were unhitched from the vehicles and driven 
singly up the bluff and the loads dragged up by the windlass. In fact, teams 
descending could not be driven down the bluff side hitched to a wagon 
This was in operation as late as 1868 or 1869. It is a fact almost forgotten 
by the oldest living pioneer today, though familiar to all of them at the time. 
The first settlers to permanently locate and improve lands in the cooley 
were Wenzel Brom, known as Big Wenzel, and his cousin, Wenzel Brom, 
known as Little Wenzel, and John Holemy, Bohemians, who had immigrated 
m 1859 with Mathias Brom, who later settled in Pine Creek in what is now 
a part of the town of Dodge ; also Ole 0. Chestleson, still living in the cooley 
on the land he homesteaded or pre-empted; John Johnson, who later 
removed to the State of Nebraska; Oluff Olson, Hendrick Olson, Mat Olson 
and perhaps one or two other families. These settlers came in at various 
dates from 1861 to 1865. John Brom later than 1868 homesteaded lands 
in the cooley. Among those who came before 1869. not mentioned above 
were Hans Hanson, John Hanson and Easton Hoverson. 

In 1868 a log schoolhouse was built in the cooley on the site of the 
present one, and the first school taught in the winter of 1868-69 The 
nearest business place was Old Arcadia, where Gay T. Storm conducter' 
a store and David Masseure owned and operated a grist mill in 1868 The 
road over the ridge to this store and mill was a rough unimproved tract 



172 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Frank Brom first visited these business places in the late fall of 1868 with 
Matthias Olson, they going to mill with two yoke of oxen and a cart, having 
to lead the oxen up and down the steep hillsides, and then it was a dan- 
gerous journey to make. The country was indeed wild and desolate in that 
late fall day, being a series of hills and bluffs on all sides, with scarcely a 
settler anywhere in sight till they trundled down into Arcadia. — (By 
Stephen Richmond.) 

American Valley. The first settler in American Valley was a man 
named Kenton, who came in the early sixties. 

Albert Tracy came in the spring of 1865. Sydney Conant and the 
Messrs. Taft and Drake came in the fall of that year. The experiences 
of Conant are typical of early life in that valley. Starting out on foot from 
his old home in Amsterdam he encountered Mr. Tracy, who advised him 
to settle near Arcadia. But upon reaching the Tamarack and finding no 
one who had heard of Arcadia, he decided to enquire at Bishop's settle- 
ment. Arriving at the settlement he found that he was at Arcadia itself. 
From there he went to the head of what has since been called American 
Valley and staked out a claim. He had some breaking done and cut some 
marsh grass, and then started a house. Some of the lumber was hauled 
from Amsterdam. Most of it, however, was obtained from near what is 
now Merrillan, Tracy and Conant going to the woods there with two yoke 
of oxen each, and each bringing home a large load of lumber and shingles. 
Conant finished the woodwork of his house, but as the plasterer was taken 
ill was forced to move in before the interior was completed. Then came the 
terrible cold. Dry oak logs were burned for fuel. The stove was heated 
red-hot, a small space around the stove was enclosed with blankets, within 
which the family huddled. As soon as the weather moderated Conant 
made some plaster from lime, sand and horsehair, which he had secured, 
and started plastering. The plaster froze solid as soon as applied. On the 
following Sunday, Taft and Tracy helped complete the work. 

Drake was not so fortunate. On his place adjoining Conant's he had 
gathered hay, erected a stable and provided for his stock. Lumber had 
been hauled for a house, but the weather was too cold for building opera- 
tions. His family was then living near Trempealeau. 

The Conants opened their home to them and the two families spent 
the winter in the one-roomed house, every inch of the floor space being 
occupied entirely by beds. 

The next spring more land was broken and a fair acreage of crops 
put in. Breaking the land was an interesting operation. It was usually 
done with a big Whitewater plow and four or five yoke of oxen. The sight 
and sound of the large "grubs" being torn from the ground was an inter- 
esting one. Often the plow would be stuck in an unusually large "grub," 
and this meant a delay of an hour or more. As the year passed other 
settlers located in the valley, but to this day it has retained its original 
name, given in honor of the eastern ancestry of the pioneers. 

Rainey Valley. In 1865 John Rainey, with his wife, settled on lands 
in sections 19, 21 and 9; James Hunter, a son-in-law, settled on lands in 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 173 

sections 20, 21 and 9 ; John Berner on lands in sections 29, 19 and 9 ; and 
Truman Brie on lands in 19 and 30, 19-9 west. They were the pioneers in 
the valley. 

The valley is about two miles long, and branching in section 20 runs 
westerly one and a half miles into section 19. Later these lands all changed 
hands; John D. Rainey soon became the owner of lands settled by John 
Earner, and Samuel Rainey, James Pringle and others settled in the valley, 
and numerous parties took up the hill and bluff lands. The valley and the 
hill farms became valuable and have long been some of the most desirable 
about the village of Arcadia. 

In 1865 David Bennett and his brother William Bennett settled across 
the river, northeast of Arcadia, and were also pioneers. John Weaver 
may be said to have been an early settler, as may also Casper Smith. John 
Rainey, James Hunter, John D. Rainey and Samuel Rainey were the most 
prominent of the pioneers and early settlers in the valley. Mrs. Catherine 
Hunter, later known as Catherine J. Beveridge, took an active part in the 
interests of the valley in early days. — (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Meyers Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia, and lies about one 
and a half miles south of the village of Arcadia. It is really a series of 
short pocket valleys with a rich black loam soil, and long has been one of 
the choice farm localities in the town, and perhaps in the county. Grain 
growing was long the chief industry, but stock raising, grass and corn 
has all along had much attention, and in recent years dairying has flourished 
among the people of the valley. It is a natural locality for diversified or 
intensive farming, and its people were really always well-to-do when the 
exclusively grain growing neighborhoods were poor and almost destitute 
of money. The first settlers in Meyers Valley were Frank J. and Carl 
Zeller and Nic and Caspar Meyers. The Zellers met the Meyers at Rox- 
bury in Dane County, Wisconsin, and they soon formed plans to come to 
Trempealeau County, the Meyers furnishing ox team and wagon, by which 
they traveled. Arriving in Trempealeau Village, they were directed to 
go by way of the prairie and Whistler Pass to Arcadia, the route being 
little else than a trail. However, they completed the journey to the Bishop 
settlement, and partook of their first meal at the home of David Bishop, 
it being cooked and served by Mrs. Bishop, who, after the death of Mr. 
Bishop, married Charles Mercer, and who is the person who gave to 
Arcadia territory, town and village the name now and for long so well 
known. At that time there were but few settlers, among them being 
Collins and David Bishop and families, George Dewey and family, James 
Broiighton and family, George Shelley and family, Ira Penny and family, 
Carl Ernst and family, John McMaster with his family, Phillip Hartman 
and family, J. H. Gleason and family and N. D. Comstock, unmarried. The 
two Zellers and Nic and Caspar Meyers selected lands upon which they made 
some improvements with the intention of pre-empting them later, which 
they did. Frank J. Zeller located 120 acres and with his brother built a log 
house. Later he returned by ox team to Roxbury, Dane County, where, 
Nov. 26, 1856, he was married. All remained at Roxbury the winter of 
1856 and 1857, returning to Arcadia in the spring of 1857, settling upon 



174 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the lands they had located the previous summer, and which they later 
purchased of the Government and opened and improved into valuable farms. 

In the summer of 1857 many settlers came and they continued to 
arrive until in 1876 the territory was practically occupied. Among the 
early arrivals were Christian and John Haines, Peter Meyers, George Cain, 
Theodore Tsherhardt, John Well, John Bill, Sr., John and Dan Bigham, 
James Gaveney, Dr. I. A. Briggs, David Massuere, Dan C. Dewey and 
Henry Dewey, Gay T. Storm and Casper Whifller. 

During the early years of life in the valley, and up to the time of the 
Indian massacre in Minnesota in 1862, many Indians lived about Arcadia 
and were frequent or almost daily visitors at the homes of the settlers, 
being very industrious beggars, but committing no crimes upon the white 
people. The Indian troubles in Minnesota in 1862 were the occasion of 
much anxiety and great prudence on the part of the settlers of Arcadia. 
Every man was armed and equipped to do battle, if necessary, for the 
protection of family and home. However, no occasion arose necessitating 
bloodshed. In pioneer days at Arcadia Indians often remained at the 
homes of settlers until late into the night, visiting and being social in their 
ways. The market points for many years were Trempealeau and Fountain 
City in all seasons, and Winona during such time as the Mississippi river 
was frozen in winters. 

Bill's Valley is a branch of Meyers Valley, as is Woll Valley and Hart- 
man Valley. 

In the early days a society known as the St. Joseph Catholic Congre- 
gation, built a frame church near where the highway divides to go to the 
Hartman Valley, and to turn into the main valley and over the Pine Creek 
Ridge and down over the country by way of Whistler Pass to Trempealeau, 
where services were held until the congregation was merged into the new 
society at Arcadia in 1883. The cemetery remains and is the silent resting- 
place of many of the early pioneers of not only Meyers Valley, but that 
whole vicinity. 

The St. Joseph Church stands in the southeast corner of the southeast 
quarter of the southwest quarter, section 6-20-9; and the cemetery is in 
the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, 
section 6-20-9. 

Meyers Valley proper, in which the Zeller farm is, has a creek that 
flows out of the northwest side of section 17-20-9, crossing sections 17, 8 and 
7 in the same town ; while the Bill Valley may be said to be confined to sec- 
tions 11, 12, 13 and 14 in 20-10 west. 

The original trail out of Arcadia came up out of Pine Creek onto the 
Pine Creek ridge above these valleys and Trout Run, following these valleys 
to the Trempealeau River, and centered in early times at Old Arcadia, or 
Dewey's Corners, as it was by many known. Later Massuere's Mill became 
a landmark and point of pubhc interest. 

The first white man to die in the Meyers Valley was Phillip Hartman, 
Sr., and the first to die in Arcadia was David Bishop, who was killed by a 
bolt of hghtning during a storm in 1868. The public school at the mouth 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 175 

of Meyer's Valley was organized in 1870, and the first teacher was Ferdi- 
nand Robertson. — (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Thompson Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and runs south from 
American Valley, into which it opens near the upper end of the Miller 
and Bear mill pond. The valley is about three and a half miles long, foot- 
ing up against the ridge which separates it from Norway Cooley. The first 
settler in the valley, so far as is known, was a man who took a claim but 
went to the war and was never more heard of. His claim was later filed 
upon by Thove Thompson, who occupied it, proved up his claim and devel- 
oped it into a valuable farm, on which his widow and his two sons, Alex 
and Martin, now reside. At the time Thove Thompson settled in the 
valley, his brothers, Knut and Tolf, settled on lands they homesteaded and 
erected buildings on, and where they resided until their death. This was 
in May, 1865. These brothers came from Telemarken, Norway, in April, 
1861, and settled in Iowa, where they remained until coming to the valley. 
— (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Trout Run Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and is one of the 
early settled parts of Arcadia and of the county north of the ridge. It is 
a locality of fertile lands in which all the early pioneers were Germans, and 
is still their home and that of their children. The creek commences on the 
north side of the Pine Creek ridge, running in a northwesterly direction 
to the Trempealeau River a distance of four and a half miles. The valley 
includes the following sections, or the great part of them, namely: 9, 10, 
14, 15, 23 and 24 in township 20, range 10, and 19 and 30 in township 20, 
range 9. The soil is a rich clay sand loam, highly productive of tame 
grasses, grains and vegetables. 

The very early pioneers were Ludwig Hansel and family, Frederick 
Kiekhoefer and family, Charles Ulbrech and family and William Kiek- 
hoefer and family. They settled in June, 1857, emigrating from Milwaukee 
and were four weeks on the journey, which was made with ox teams. 
William and Gust Garby located in the valley in 1859, making their home 
there during the remainder of their lives. Patrick and James Gibbons 
settled in the valley in 1862, Patrick later selling his lands and moving to 
Missouri. James Gibbons died on the old farm a few years ago. A. F. 
Hensel, who had lived in Buffalo County on the John Memietz farm a num- 
ber of years, and who kept a small store there, and who located all the 
early settlers in the valley, settled in the valley in 1862. Jacob PeUowski 
settled on the Brownlie farm in 1862, as did Charles Fisher, whose widow 
sold the Fisher farm to Fred Kiekhoefer in 1866. 

The Trempealeau Valley, north and south, is really a part of Trout 
Run Valley, in history at least. Among those who settled in the Trem- 
pealeau Valley in that vicinity were Thomas A. Simpson, in 1856, being 
then unmarried ; Milton Tucker and Sumner S. Tucker in 1858, Martin Man- 
ning in 1860, Joe Hausfair and Charles Sexhour in 1862, John Miller, Simon 
Jegi, Frank Knittle and Dan and Phil English in 1862. 

The school district was organized and the schoolhouse built in 1865, 
and John McMaster was the first teacher. Jack Scond, Fannie Simpson 
and D. L. Holcomb were the succeeding teachers. T. A. Simpson was the 



176 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

first school clerk. The first school meeting was held in the home of Ludwig 
Hensel. The first schoolhouse was a log house built of logs cut in the 
valley and was built on the line between Fred Kiekhoefer's and T. A. 
Simpson's farms. The present schoolhouse is on a diiferent site or location. 

The German settlers were Evangelical Methodists, and in 1869 they 
erected a church near where the present schoolhouse stands, in which 
religious services have since been held. The society has a cemetery grounds 
near the church, in which many of the old settlers are bui'ied. The first 
clergyman to hold services in the valley was from Winona, who came there 
occasionally on Sundays. The people were industrious, thrifty and thor- 
oughly American, and have always been among the good citizens of the 
county. Nearly all of the early settlers were prosperous and for many 
years only ox teams were used. There were no roads, no bridges and no 
dugways. 

A. W. Hensel, to whom we are indebted for many of the above facts, 
was born in Prussia, at Nougart, on November 7, 1840. He is a son of 
Ludwig Hensel and was past 16 years of age when he came to the valley. 
He served in Company F, 25th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, and was 
married in 1866 to Mary Wagoner. His father settled on and pre-empted 
160 acres in section 23, township 20, range 10 west. Frederick Kiekhoefer 
pre-empted 160 acres in section 14, township 20, range 10 west, and Charles 
Ulbrech pre-empted 80 acres in section 23, township 20, range 10 west. 
These were the first farms opened in the valley. The valley was named 
Trout Run, because of the large numbei's of trout in the creek at the time 
this settlement was made. Mr. Hensel soon visited the Bishop settlement, 
and for many years took grists to the Masseure mill, trading at the stores 
kept by Briggs & Dewey and by Gay T. Storm. There was much timber 
in the valley when settled, a considerable quantity of it being large enough 
to be squared into 6 by 6, 30 feet long. There was plenty of oak timber 
for building fences and fuel. The locality was long known as Tucker's 
Corners. Later a postoffice was established at the home of T. A. Simpson 
and the name Home was given the locality. The first postoffice was estab- 
hshed Nov. 28, 1865, and Seth Tucker was postmaster to June 12, 1868; 
Adam Bartch to June 30, 1868 ; Thomas A. Simpson to April 11, 1870 ; Peter 
Scholidon to April 21, 1871; Caroline Tucker to June 28, 1875, and Denton 
Tucker, April 4, 1891, to June 18, 1895, when the ofiice was discontinued. — 
(By Stephen Richmond.) 

North Creek Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia and has its 
head in section 16, township 21, range 8, running southwesterly to the 
Trempealeau River in section 28, township 21, range 9, a distance of five 
and a half miles. The valley may be said to be embraced in sections 16, 
17, 19 and 20 in 21-9, and sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 in 21-9. The name 
came to be applied in this way : In the early pioneer days the valley was 
north from the Bishop settlement and hence was called North Creek. Its 
very first settlers were Polish families — those of Albert Bautsch, Joseph 
Stanoskey, and a man named Weaver, who settled there in 1867, and who 
were soon followed by Louis Wojczik and others in 1868, 1869 and 1870. 
Thereafter, up to 1875, Polish families continued to come in and the valley 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 177 

became the very first Polish settlement north of the ridge in the county. 
It has remained a settlement of these families and those of their nationality, 
industrious people, patriotic and intensely American. 

The public school was built on the north half of the northeast quarter 
of 26-21-9, and a church was built nearby on the south half of said quarter. 
It has remained a place of pubUc worship since and a cemetery was at the 
same time located near the church. 

The valley has good soil and its people have made substantial progress 
in all matters of farm improvements, homes and outbuildings, horses, stock 
and diversified farming, and rank among the best farmers in the county. 
The young people who were born there and have grown up in the valley are 
among the best people in the county, and are so Americanized that they 
may be said to be real "Yankees" in language, dress and the usual charac- 
teristics of our people. — (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Bill's Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and may be said to cover 
or include sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 in 20-10. The valley is more of a 
depression than a valley, as it has no real creek or watercourse. It was 
settled in 1860 by John Bill, Sr., and soon others came, making it an early 
or pioneer community, principally of German families, though later many 
of the settlers were Irish. The soil in the valley is good and the farms 
valuable. In all ways the progress of the people has kept pace with that of 
the best settlements in the county. While it has been more or less a mixed 
community, its people have been good citizens and have taken an activ- 
interest in public matters affecting the welfare of the town, county and 
State. — (By Stephen Richmond.) 

Korpal Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia and may be said to 
be wholly within sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in 21-9, and the Korpal 
Valley Creek runs west from a spring in the southwest quarter of the 
southeast quarter of 12-21-9, through sections 12, 13, 14 and 15, a distance 
of two and a half miles to the Trempealeau River. The first settler was 
James Fassett, the second a man by the name of Zabrota. Soon after 
this there arrived John Korpal, who with Louis Norwitzki settled in the 
valley, they becoming the first permanent settlers. Others soon followed 
and the valley and ridges in the vicinity were all settled prior to 1876. The 
people were industrious and the community has made good progress. The 
soil is rich and the value of the lands there has risen equally with other 
parts of Arcadia and the county. The valley and vicinity cannot be said 
to have been a Polish neighborhood, as many families, American born and 
Norwegian born, have all along owned and occupied farms there. In early 
days grain raising was the chief farm industry, but since 1882 the people 
have gone successfully into diversified farming and have made it as much 
of a success as any nearby community.— (By Stephen Richmond.) 

The Banner Robbery. In the spring of 1860 there arrived in the Big 
Tamarack Valley an Enghshman who called himself John Banner. He 
seemed to have means and bought for cash eighty acres of land described 
as the south half of the southeast quarter of section five, township num- 
bered nineteen, range nine (S. Uj of S. E. i/j. 5-19-9). For this he received 
a deed which he confided to the care of a neighbor. On this land he built 



178 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a shanty and ox-shed, hired some breaking done, planted sod, corn and 
potatoes, bought a yoke of oxen and a cart, plow and a few other imple- 
ments and tools. In the fall of 1860 he sowed six acres of winter wheat. 
Mr. Banner passed the winter of 1860-61 in the neighborhood, getting 
acquainted with the settlers, having a good time and being a good fellow 
generally. In the spring of 1861 he prepared to plant corn and make 
further improvements on his farm. About the middle of May, 1861, 
another Englishman, calling himself Nathan Mitchell, came on from Eng- 
land to visit his friend Banner, and, incidentally, to invest a few "sover- 
eigns" in American unimproved real estate. 

Mr. Mitchell arrived at Mr. Banner's on Friday. Saturday and Sunday 
Mr. Banner entertained his friend by walking with him from farm to farm 
and introducing him to the neighbors as "My especial friend, Mr. Mitchell, 
direct from Liverpool, looking for land," etc. On Monday morning Mr. 
Banner proposed to initiate his visitor into the American art of planting 
"maize," and, after getting started and working a while, asked to be excused 
"while he went to a neighbor's for some seed potatoes." 

Mr. Mitchell worked away at his new job until hunger and thirst 
warned him that the mid-day lunch ought to be due. On going to the 
shanty the first thing he saw was his carpet-bag with the side cut open, 
and, lying near, was his "friend's" razor with lint on the edge. A hasty 
examination showed that a package containing one hundred and thirteen 
gold "sovereigns" had been taken, and that it was very evident that his 
friend Banner was the robber. After "a nine days' wonder" and unavail- 
ing efforts to trace the missing appropriator of his coin, Mr. Mitchell took 
legal process against Banner's personal belongings that were left behind, 
such as the oxen, cart, plow, cooking stove, shotgun, grindstone, bedding, 
etc., including the growing crop of winter wheat, sold the whole at sheriff's 
sale, pocketed his loss, shook the Big Tamarack dust from his square-toed 
gaiters and returned to Old England. 

Thus closed the John Banner-Nathan Mitchell "tragedy." 

The first Polish settler in Dodge, Michael Chisin of Winona, was, in the 
spring of 1862, piloted to the John Banner farm by Charles J. Cleveland. 
To that farm he brought his bride, there his children were born, there he 
passed the rest of his life, and there he died. Several other Poles came 
into the Tamarack in the fall of 1862 and later. One of the later arrivals 
was also named "Michael" (Kolodsey or "Collins") and, as everybody was 
called by the person's given name, to distinguish the two "Mikes," Mrs. 
Chas. Cleveland gave Chisin the nickname of "Tamarack Mike" and 
Kolodsey was called "Winona Mike." The two men were very proud of 
their American names, announcing themselves to English speaking 
strangers always thus. — (By E. H. Cleveland.) 

Williamsburg. The next settler after Lewis Niffin to locate directly 
up the Trempealeau Valley above Arcadia was Carl Ernst, a native of 
Germany. Ernst settled on a homestead about three miles above Arcadia, 
a shoi't distance from the state road, in 1859. The next year Moses Skillins, 
a native of Connecticut, came up from Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and 
settled on a piece of state land about four and one-half miles above Arcadia, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 179 

on the state road. This was the beginning of the Williamsburg settlement. 
In 1862 Hiram Skillins, a Baptist preacher, and a brother of Moses Skillins, 
came from Winnecone, Wisconsin, and bought some state land about half a 
mile up the Trempealeau River from his brother's place. 

We have noticed how customary it was for a new settlement to take its 
name from the original settler as instances. Reed's Landing, Bishop's Settle- 
ment, Lewis Valley. And so the Williamsburg settlement was first known 
as Skillins' Corners, and the small creek which flowed through Hiram's place 
was called Skillins' Creek. 

Moses Skilhns had broken seven acres of land and erected a log shanty 
where he was "baching" when his brother arrived. But pioneering and 
"baching" were not to his taste, and he sold his right to his brother and 
returned to Connecticut. 

Henry E. Pierce was the next Williamsburg settler to arrive. He was a 
native of New York State, and came from Sparta, Wisconsin, in May, 1863, 
and bought the Moses Skillins place from Hiram Skilhns and took the 140 
acres of homestead land adjoining it. In June, the same year, William 
Eastman, another New York Stater, came and selected a homestead about 
a quarter of a mile above Skilhns' Corners, in Wickham Valley, and in 
August, James Wickham, arrived from New York State and picked out a 
homestead a few miles up the Wickham Valley for his son Andrew. 

The next spring (1864) Douglas Arnold arrived and bought some State 
land and took up some government land, and in the fall his brother came and 
settled at Skillins' Corners. These two brothers were also from New York 
State. The same year William Boorman bought out the Skillins place, and 
Andrew T. Wickham moved onto his homestead in Wickham Valley. 

The Williamsburg farmers were soon raising large crops of wheat, and 
getting war prices for it ; there was an abundance of wild grass for their 
herds, and the only drawback was the long distance to market. They 
hauled their wheat to Fountain City, Trempealeau, and in the winter when 
the Mississippi was frozen over they hauled the grain to the Pickwick mills, 
in Minnesota. 

A postoffice was established in 1866, and thereafter the place was called 
Williamsburg. It had been known before this as Skillins' Corners, or simply 
the Corners. 

W. B. Arnold has the honor of giving this name to the community, 
which was a very appropriate name on account of the three Williams, Arnold, 
Eastman and Boorman, all of whom lived near the Corners. 

William Arnold was appointed postmaster at Williamsburg and held the 
office until it was discontinued in January, 1876. The first mail to Williams- 
burg was carried on horseback over the route from Minneska, Minnesota, to 
Black River Falls. Later it was carried by stage, and horseback when roads 
were bad from Trempealeau on the Trempealeau Elk Creek route. Perry 
Rumsy was mail carrier for years. 

The same year the postoffice was established a schoolhouse was built 
about twenty rods above the Pierce home on the main road, and near the 
south corner of Douglas Arnold's place. The first school was taught by 
Miss Francis Lewis, a sister of Captain John D. Lewis, of Lewis Valley. 



180 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Things moved along rapidly now. The valleys tributary to Williamsburg 
vi'ere being taken up, and cultivated fields soon took the place of the rolling 
waste of wild grass, and the woodland hillsides resounded with the ax of 
the wood chopper. 

A woodyard was opened, and soon the peddler's wagon found its way 
into the new settlement with shining new wares to attract the thrifty house- 
wife. Occasionally the schoolhouse was utilized as a church, and on such 
Sundays the neighbors would gather from the country round about and hold 
rehgious services, and it would sometimes happen that on a pleasant summer 
Sabbath, some farmer who had been repairing pasture fences would loiter 
along the deserted road towards the old schoolhouse, and have his vision of 
rich golden harvest fields suddenly interrupted by the sound of the itinerant 
preacher's voice coming in sanctimonious quavers from the open windows 
of the schoolhouse; or perchance the lagging farmer would be stirred by 
the sound of the music, as out on the fragrant summer air there floated the 
strains of "The Sweet Bye and Bye." 

Then one day from the Trempealeau River came the thrilling whistle of 
a steamboat. The peaceful quiet of the country was broken, and the inhab- 
itants were stirred with excitement at this undreamed-of occurrence and 
people flocked down to the river to feast their eyes on a real live steamboat 
actually navigating the modest little Trempealeau River. A landing was 
made, the gangplank touched shore, and every inhabitant of Williamsburg 
felt his property rise in value so fast that it was necessary to hold onto the 
trees to keep from sliding downhill. 

The steamboat men wanted to buy some eggs from the Williamsburg 
farmers, and William Eastman, eager to secure the trade of the boatmen, 
hurried home and in a short time returned with a basket of eggs. But, alas ! 
Mr. Eastman was more accustomed to walking the wide country roads than 
a narrow gangplank, and when he had taken a few steps on the plank he 
slipped and fell, but like the boy who tumbled out of the barn loft and clung 
to his pail of nails to keep them from spilling. Bill froze to his backet of eggs, 
and regained his foothold with but a few of them broken, and the captain of 
the boat paid him for the original number of eggs, and Mr. Eastman walked 
home the crowned monarch of the rural market, and the first and last Will- 
iamsburg settler to trade with a Trempealeau River steamboat. 

The new community grew rapidly and prospered, for they were thrifty 
society should not be forgotten in Williamsburg history. In the winter time 
every other Friday night was given to the literary society or spelling school, 
and people would come from neighboring districts to attend. There was a 
great deal of rivalry between contending districts in these spelling school 
matches, and the pupils were kept in good trim for the contest. Then on a 
winter's night when the chores were done, there would be a merry jingle of 
sleigh bells vibrating along the road to the schoolhouse and by 8 o'clock in 
the evening the strains of some well-known school song would announce the 
opening of the exercises. And if you would listen in the course of an hour 
you would hear the droning of words as the teacher pronounced them to the 
pupils lined along the walls of the schoolroom eager for the spelling-down 
contest. It is surprising what large words some of those bright little 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 181 

country maidens would wade through — woi'ds that would give one a kink 
in the neck to pronounce were consumed as easily and greedily as a robin 
devours an angleworm. 

The new community grew rapidly and prospered, for they were thrifty 
farmers, and brought from the Empire State a wealth of dairy experience 
and agricultural knowledge that proved useful in opening up the new 
country. 

In the summer there was the school picnic, which was worth while to a 
hungry bunch of children. There under the green shade trees, near the 
limpid brook, where the blue violets bloomed in profusion we would enjoy a 
picnic dinner with tablecloths spread out on the ground and covered with, 
Oh, my, what good things to eat ! not to forget the blueberry pie. 

The railroad went through the valley, and by 1876, Wilhamsburg had 
two markets, Arcadia and Independence. 

There is not an original settler or a descendant of one left in Williams- 
burg. You hardly ever hear the name any more, except among a few of the 
old settlers who still tell of the days when there was good deer hunting in 
Wickham Valley, and elk horns were picked up on the hillside back of the old 
SkiUins place. (By Eben D. Pierce.) 

McGilvray's Ferry, located on the Black River, in Caledonia Township, 
occupied an important place in Trempealeau County history for nearly four 
decades, from 1854 to 1892. Many of the early settlers passed into the 
county over this ferry, and the route of which it was a part is still an 
important thoroughfare, the ferry being now replaced by a neat bridge. 

Alexander McGilvray, from whom the ferry took its name, located in 
Trempealeau (Reed's Landing) in 1852, and the following year moved his 
family to a homestead. 

At that time people desiring to go to La Crosse, overland, went by way 
of the ford at what was afterward Gordon's ferry. The need of a ferry 
to shorten the route was imperative. Therefore in March, 1854, with the 
assistance of Charles Utter, Mr. McGilvray built a scow in the streets of 
Trempealeau, and later in the spring hauled it with teams to McGilvray's 
place, where it was launched and poled across Black River with Mr. Utter's 
team as its first cargo. The ferry was a reality now, and the first wagon 
road was opened into the south end of the county. 

Poles to push the boat across the river were used only for a short time, 
when they were supplanted by an ordinary rope cable which was used one 
season, and was then replaced by a three-quarter-inch iron rod put together 
in sections. This was used until the wire cable took its place when the new 
cable was utilized until the ferry was discontinued. 

The first ferryboat lasted two years, when a new one was constructed. 
In all five boats were built, the last one by G. O. McGilvray (now of Canyon- 
ville, Oregon), in 1890 and was run until the McGilvray bridge was com- 
pleted February 22, 1892, when it was sold up the river to Decorah Prairie 
for Gordon's Ferry. 

The rates charged for ferrying across the river were 25 cents for a 
team ; 35 cents for a four-horse wagon and 10 cents for a foot passenger. 

The tide of settlers increased with the drifting years, and the traffic 



1S2 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY 

along the river assumed larger proportions. Stage lines, and freight lines 
were established, and in the winter when the steamboats were frozen in, the 
travel was entirely by team and horseback, and by French train. Four- 
horse freight wagons were commonlj- used, and the stages often used two 
teams on their coaches when the roads were heavy. 

McGilvray's place assumed a busy aspect at times with the long line of 
freight wagons and stage coaches on the river bank waiting for their turn to 
be ferried over the river. Many of the travelers remained all night at 
McGilvray's, and the country inn, or tavern, was hurry and bustle on days of 
hea\'y travel. Here were congregated at times a rough and hardy lot of 
characters, and around the evening fire were told wild and fascinating 
stories of pioneer life, filled with thrilling adventure, and the comedy and 
tragedy of the backwoodsman's career, whose nearest neighbor lived miles 
away, and whose skill with the rifle furnished his rough-hewn table with 
plenty of savory venison, and made the wary Indian reluctant to disturb 
his cabin home. 

The stage driver told of his wonderful feats of driving, and of his 
narrow escapes from robbers in attempted hold-ups ; and of the perilous risk 
he took of being thrown down some rocky embankment on mirky night 
drives. The trapper told of his long journeys alone into the pathless wilder- 
ness in quest of furs ; and the freighter was ready with his tales of hardy 
endurance, and of the miraculous journej's made with ponderous loads, up 
almost impassable roads, through snowdrifts or mud, until his destination 
was reached and he was a hero in his own mind, as well as the minds of some 
of his feUow listeners. The hunter and trader swapped yarns and mixed 
lies almost as strong as the rum in the freighter's wagon. 

Alexander McGilvray entertained his guests occasionally with music on 
his bagpipe, an instrument he had brought from Inverness, Scotland, and 
the weary traveler would be stirred by the strains of "A Hundred pipers 
and a'," and would beat time to the Highland Fling as the piper weaved to 
and fro by the glowing fireside. 

Rankin McGilvray was at this time a youth. In speaking of the early 
days in after years he said: "When the Civil War broke out, we began to 
caiTy soldiers across the ferry. Hardly a day went by until the close of the 
war that we did not carry some of the boys, and along at first they were all 
going one way. bound for La Crosse, and from there to ^ladison or Milwau- 
kee, and then to the fi'ont. But after the first battle of Bull Run the 
wounded soldiers began to return, and then we were carrying soldiers both 
ways until the war ended. Y'ou could always tell one of the wounded ones, 
for they were bandaged, and crippled; a great many had their arms in 
slings, and others were walking with crutches ; while some had bandaged 
heads. I recollect one fellow who came back nearly shot to pieces. He 
was the most dilapidated looking soldier I ever saw. He was lame and 
his right arm was in a sMng and he had been hit in the face, and lost one eye, 
and couldn't see very well out of the other one, and was sour and cranky, 
and rather discouraged and I didn't blame him. Father kept him all night, 
and had one of the boys drive him to Trempealeau the next day. Father 
never charged the soldiers anything for carrying them across the ferry 



HliSTORY OF TRE:\IPEALEAU COUNTY 183 

or for board and lodging and although he could not go to the war, he did 
this patriotic service for his country. My chances for going to the war 
were spoiled on account of the ferry. I was on fire to go all right, but 
instead of going to the front and dying for my country, I had to stay at 
home and bail the water out of the ferry boat and help run it." 

Along in the early sixties logging began to interfere with the ferry. 
Sometimes teams would be compelled to wait for hours until a log jam was 
cleared. Usually the logs bothered only a few weeks in the spring or for a 
few hours only but occasionally the ferry was laid up a week or two on 
account of the jams, and in 1885 the logs extended in a solid mass from 
Lytles to the head of Decoras Prairie, about 200,000,000 feet in the jam, 
and in the summer of 1890 the ferry was blockaded for five months. This 
was done for the convenience of the logging companies by putting a jack 
boom across the river half a mile above Lytles and letting just enough logs 
go through to handle during the day, thus saving the company from em- 
ploying the men to do the work the current did, when the river was kept 
open from Lytles to Onalaska. 

After Alexander McGilvray's death in 1878, his son, G. 0. McGihTay 
operated the ferry until the bridge was erected, with the exception of one 
or two seasons when it was rented to William Kribbs. 

Referring to the ice stopping the ferry, G. 0. McGilvray once wrote, 
"On November 6, 1868, five or six West Prairie farmers drove to Onalaska 
for lumber. The river was open and the ferry running. The next day the 
men returned and found the river had been closed twelve hours. The horses 
were unhitched and the wagons loaded with a thousand feet of lumber were 
run across the ice by hand and the horses led over in safety. That was 
closing in rather suddenly." 

WTien one turns and looks backward at the changeless past, what 
strange visions come floating through the brain. One can see the long 
procession winding down the road and passing in grand review along the 
old ferry at Black River. The foot-sore land seeker walking along the 
blazed trail and dreaming of the land where he can find a free home in the 
unsettled wilderness; and following in his footsteps comes the prairie 
schooner drawn by a yoke of oxen, and headed toward the new settlement 
where lies the richest land that the sun ever shown on, almost unmarked 
by the plow share. And then the stream of pioneers increases, and the 
stage coach comes into view, and the long train of freight wagons, and 
the trader, and lumberman mingle with the varied throng. And now we 
see a line of blue creep into the procession as on it moves and we feel a 
patriotic pride as our soldier boys slowly cross the river, facing the grim 
reality of war where death stalks abroad. And we see the wounded return 
with empty sleeves and wan lips and take their way homeward. Onward 
the procession moves until on every vacant piece of land there rises a 
home, and the subdued soil blossoms with cultivated fields, where once the 
wild deer ranged. And anon the procession changes, the French-train and 
stage coach fade away, and in their place comes the lumber wagon filled 
with golden grain for the market while the hum of our commercial age 
makes the very hills tremble ; and the slow old ferry of long ago retreats up 



184 HISTORY OF TREIMPBALEAU COUNTY 

the river to sleep where old Chief Decorah once looked out upon his peaceful 
village of smoking wigwams. — (By Eben D. Pierce.) 

A Wisconsin Pioneer. Albert Rouse Rathbone was one of the remark- 
able figures of early days in Trempealeau County. In many ways, the 
experiences of himself and his family were typical of hundreds of pioneers 
who found their way to this region and assisted in its development. His 
story, written with loving sympathy and understanding by his daughter, 
Mrs. Jennie Rathbone Webb. 

My father, Albert Rouse Rathbone (properly bun but changed by mis- 
take in the war records) was born June 28, 1838, at the old Rathbun 
homestead on Amity Hill near Wattsburg, Penn. His father was an 
itinerant doctor carrying among his pills and liniments, kerosene oil, a 
great new cure for colds and throat trouble. When Lincoln called for men 
my father enlisted in the 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and being soon 
ordered to the front, he married Adeline White, and left her with his 
widowed mother upon the homestead where mother tended her flock of 
sheep and did tailoring. Father saw most of the Wilderness Campaign, 
was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, held in Libby prison eleven days, 
after which he was exchanged. Wounded in the arm by a minnie ball at 
Spottsylvania Courthouse as he raised his sword in sign for his men to 
charge the breastworks, he returned home after hospital treatment at 
Annapolis with a wound that prevented further army service. 

Grandfather had procured his kerosene medicine from the surface of 
pools, but now they were deriving it from wells. Father bought a partner- 
ship in the Titusville Wells, but having little faith in the business, sold 
mother's sheep, a goodly flock, packed up their few belongings, took mother 
and the four-months-old baby, waved goodby to a tall form at the homestead 
bars, and was off to try his fortunes among the pioneers of Western 
Wisconsin. 

Their baggage was light. Clothing cost much in "Wartimes," muslin, 
coarse, unbleached stuff, sold at seventy-five cents per yard. People had no 
machines by means of which they could turn off two or three garments a 
day. I imagine most of the space in that leathern trunk which bore the 
misuse of travel right up to and including father last move, was taken up 
with keepsakes. 

Time, prodded by boat, stage, and a hired ox team on the last lap. 
landed them, in the spring of 1866, the new cook stove, the precious baggage 
intact, upon their possessions at the mouth of Black River some fifteen miles 
from La Crosse near the old McGilvray ferry. The little log cabin but 
recently vacated containing its rough hand-made furniture was clean. The 
new stove in position, mother stored the provisions, conspicuously at the 
front a jar of Pennsylvania blackberry jam blatantly labeled, hung the 
dimity curtains, wound and set the clock, while father at a near neighbor's 
filled the tick with bright oat straw, brought home the cow which had been 
included in the purchase, a rangy, long-haired creature jangling a bell but 
a trifle smaller and every bit as badly cracked as that one of 1776 fame, 
and another home venture was launched. 

In this settlement were some thrifty farmers. Though father still 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 185 

carried his arm in a sling, he earned enough that summer driving teams 
for the farmers to pay for three good milch cows. Mother, by holding 
boards up to be nailed, and down to be sawed, helped put a small milk house 
over the spring. Mother made prime butter bringing war prices. On a 
Sunday might have been seen an odd couple — a tall, soldiery young man, 
his baby bundled at his back in a scarlet shawl, true Indian fashion, and 
a puffy short woman trudging along the lovely river paths, off to spend the 
day with a congenial neighbor. This during the cool days of May, then it 
turned warm, and oh, the mosquitoes! And oh dear, for the resultant 
smudges ! There was a smudge under the table while they ate, one under 
the baby's cradle all the time, another for the cow when milked, and yet 
the mosquitoes nearly ate them alive. Mother ran slapping to right and 
left with a switch from house to milk room. Father, his one arm useless, 
defenseless against their onslaughts, tied down his coat sleeves, wore a 
veil and a heavy coat for protection. The creatures followed one in a black 
cloud. Up out of the bottoms the cattle rushed, tearing like mad through 
the brush. 

Father was surprised one morning to find a stray ox at the barn. 
Inquiry among the neighbors established father's title thereto. It was Jim, 
the ox that had been included in the trade. He had a bad lump on his jaw, 
but it didn't hinder his working. He was shy but gentle and took quite 
philosophically to the most outlandish harness beast ever wore in man's 
remembrance. How father chuckled as he attempted to fit the contrap- 
tion, trying it fore and aft, right side and wrong side before getting it 
properly adjusted to those particular parts of Jim's anatomy for which it 
had been intended. It had the merit of strength, and it resembled hustling 
to see father hauling great cart loads of wood behind Jim instead of lugging 
it up on his own back. 

The summer passed, and, best of all, the mosquitoes went with it. Fall 
on Black River. Did you ever gather plums there ? Burbank may keep his 
hybrids, the flavor of those wild goose plums can never be improved. Did 
you ever struggle in a thicket for black haws, high bush cranberries or fox 
grapes after Jack Frost had performed his magic? Yet over all the glory 
hung the memory of those mosquitoes. 

So, when, during the winter father had an opportunity to sell, they 
concluded one summer there was enough, bought a mate for Jim, packed 
a few belongings into the sled and drove over the ridge into Trempealeau 
Valley. It took two days, but mother and the baby were cozy in the sled box, 
and father kept his blood up gee-hawing the oxen through the drifts. 
They located a few miles from Arcadia in the lower part of American 
Valley on the Harmon Tracey place. Here the third child was born, a 
fragile babe, and, only sixteen months later ere this one had vacated the 
maternal arms, hardly able to sit alone, I was born. You mothers with 
every convenience, steam-heated rooms, hot and cold water on tap, and 
perhaps one child, consider this pioneer woman's part. A child of three 
years, a weakling of sixteen months (whom I over a year later helped learn 
to walk) , and here a hvely lusty youngster demanding her share of atten- 
tion, a fireplace for warmth, melted snow to wash in. 



186 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

As I read the few notes my mother, now a woman of nearly four 
score, pioneering in the wilds of Washington, has furnished me, for this 
sketch, it seems their married life was a series of broken advances and 
retreats, halting in their migrations for one of two or both reasons, to-wit : 
to trade horses, or receive the stork. That we left Trempealeau County only 
to hop the more gingerly back in again. And so if at the time my tale is 
a trifle overcharged with baby, horse, or vagabondage, — oh well, if you 
love the three as I do, nothing I may write will prejudice you against the 
book containing other articles most charmingly handled by experienced 
pens. 

We advanced a step in civilization here — had horses to drive. Mother 
did most of the marketing. She tied me into the seat beside her, put the 
two older.girls on the floor of the hack (I believe they called it the democrat 
wagon) with a foot upon each one's skirts, father stepped from the heads 
of the wild young team and away we flew. Mother declares if it hadn't 
been up-grade after each down hill plunge she never could have brought 
them to a halt in front of Storm's store in East Arcadia. Long years after 
I saw her drive our vicious coach stallion in South Dakota and I am fully 
persuaded she gloried in those wild pioneer dashes. Father didn't enjoy 
renting. The next year he bought a place and in March, 1868, moved over 
into Travis Valley where our regular feathered guest got in two paying 
visits before we could pack and resume the broken march over Wisconsin, 
which, in spite of a very rapidly increasing family calling for an extra board 
seat across the wagon box every halt, ceased only when the thirteen child 
was born the thirteenth day of June, the birthday of the first babe, had 
broken the charm. 

That father was a financier goes unchallenged. He shod and provided 
books for a family where it was not unusual to meet nine at a time plodding 
a mile and a half to school, sister Kate, that most to be pitied being, the 
oldest, bringing up the rear with the peck basket of lunch. That he was 
a true blue farmer is proved by the fact that the twelve grew up stron.e 
healthy men and women (though Kate in making her first dress declared in 
a flood of tears that she was one-sided from carrying that basket, to find 
later that she had left out an under arm piece) ere one of the number 
dropped out, and he grew the food that fed them, and most of the clothing 
to keep them warm. Recent dietitians would probably exclaim at the rich 
diet so generously larded with pink and white ham, and great prints of 
butter. How many fleeces from his flocks were exchanged with the Bangar 
Woolen Mill wagon (maybe you remember that curly horse) for bolts of 
flannel that so stimulated the circulation of blood and gave us a bran new 
epidermis daily if scratching counted. What tear blurred scenes each fall 
to get brother Virgil properly clothed for a cold Wisconsin winter. How, 
after he had been coaxed and shoved into those home-made domestic flan- 
nels he'd watch his chance to hide them in the haymow only to be betrayed 
by shivering and obliged to go all through the coercing again and again until 
the tender, outraged hide had thickened itself against its aggravator. 
Consider, too, the excruciating sensation from wearing one of father's 
heaviest red flannel shirts in a hot summer all afternoon, next your thin 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 187 

summer skin, in punishment for risking a pleasant suicide wading the 
freshet up to your chin. 

.But to our sidetracked story. The last of October, 1871, as soon as 
these last little ones could sit, one between father and mother on the 
spring seat, the other in mother's arms, we packed the leather trunk 
in the back of the wagon, emptied the ticks, rolled up the bedding and 
clothing, and with us three girls down in the wagon bed on a pile of hay, 
for three days bumped and lurched across the hills, to a farm father bought, 
as so many did in those days of slow transit, with no real estate man to 
whirl you out in a super six, without first seeing the place. Lunch on the 
first day was eaten at Ettick, a small Scandinavian settlement, and early 
that afternoon we reached Melrose, spending two nights with Aunt Nan, 
to rest mother's arms a bit. With a dawn start and steady driving, we made 
the Wisconsin River at dark, where we camped out, the baby crying, it 
seemed, all night. I was divided between the fear of wolves devouring us, 
and hunters shooting us for panthers on account of it, but the baby, unmind- 
ful of these dangers, gave vent to its troubles in its own noisy way. We 
crossed on a small ferry near where Germantown now stands just as the 
sun rose, and hurried on again as nearly due east as the roads permitted. 
Those moves must have been keenest torture to mother, but I never heard 
her complain. The nearest to it being when late that day as the sun plunged 
into his cloudy bed, we looked down upon our eighty acres of sand, unfenced, 
un almost everything, she turned her tired face to father, asking pleadingly, 
"Isn't there some mistake, Albert?" "Yes," father returned in his char- 
acteristic, quiet way, taking the blame upon his own shoulders, "I have 
made the mistake of trusting one man too many." 

Indeed, it would have taken a Chinese wall to keep realty in bounds 
there. The wailing fall wind seemed never to weary of carrying sand 
from one spot to another, piling it against the scant clumps of grass, level- 
ing it, and shaping a mound farther on. Over and over again it piled and 
leveled monotonously. We drove through the creek bounding one side, 
where, as the horses drank, we sat in wearied silence, up to the tiny house 
standing on a knoll in a small grove .of oaks. It was banked to the window 
sills. From a broken pane of the attic window a bit of white rag waved 
and beckoned. "The peace signal, Adeline," father said, smiling whim- 
sically. We had traded even up everything except the team, wagon and 
what it held. Here we found rude furniture not unlike we had left behind. 
Mother, it is true, complained that the milk crocks were seamed and cracked, 
and what a boiling and scrubbing in home-made soft soap suds they did 
get. She found bedbugs, too, but they were soon routed through her per- 
sistent deluge of boiling brine. A pecuhar hardness of atmosphere foretold 
snow. Mother made up a good hot supper, we girls ransacked our future 
room, the attic, and father, after stabhng the jaded team, brought in the 
rest of the load, filled, as usual, the bed ticks, and we were again ready to 
receive. However, we missed the periodic visit of our most constant guest. 
Either it didn't look for orphanages in this outlandish country or had mercy 
because of its barrenness. In a few days the snow had covered the bleak 
prairie. 



188 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

It puzzles me how it was managed, but we never lacked comfort. Our 
homes, though plain, were always clean, our table provided with whole- 
some food, and our beds neat and inviting. I love to remember that snow- 
bound winter. Up in the attic you could hear the wind moan in the flue, 
and rattle the dead oak leaves. Then there were the lovely cracks of gold 
in the floor telling of father up hours before chore time, reading and study- 
ing by lamplight those precious books that never were left behind. Hugh 
Miller's "Old Red Sandstone" seems a part of him. It was the first book I 
noticed — from it I learned my letters. It gave one a fine inteflectual feeling 
to read the A B C's from father's book, standing straight beside his chair, 
enunciating each letter with bravado. As far back as my memory reaches, 
he was taking the Atlantic Monthly. The first "piece" I spoke was a pre- 
lude to some lengthy article in it, taught me by father, and so like his own 
sayings — "It is not all in bringing up. Let folks say what they will. To 
silver scour a pewter cup, It will be pewter still." Housekeeping wasn't so 
complicated those days, and, in spite of its lack of conveniences, mother 
found many hours in which to help father teach us. She was an early 
Montessori. " 

The only real rushing business of this locality was horse stealing among 
the outlaws. And although a moral consciousness precluded father's adop- 
tion of the profession, he did quite innocently become possessed of one of 
their thefts, a black Morgan mare, balky to such a degree I doubt not her 
owner considered himself well rid of her — of which more later. Occa- 
sionally scraps of talk about these raids reached us, furnishing a little 
healthy excitement. 

As the last snow was vanishing, father took the sack of cloverseed 
down from the rafters and sowed it upon the most favorable ground along 
the creek bank. Then the waiting and the watching through unseasonable 
heat, freezes and snow flurries. I am reminded of Old Goody Blake dowr 
on her knees blowing up the faint embers of the poor little fire she obtained 
by filching handf uls of Harry Gill's brushwood. During a dry spell, assisted 
by mother and every toddler that could carry a bucket, however small, I 
distinctly remember my part in it, and of sounding the depths of the creek 
coming up with the tip top of my new shaker plastered with mud — father 
kept the patch moist. He said the Sahara might be reclaimed if clover 
could be started upon it. It was his creed and he spread its gospel wher- 
ever he farmed. Nature couldn't turn a deaf ear to such prayers, it grew 
and flourished. That fall it was a great temptation to cut it for Bossie, but 
father had mowed some fine-bladed marsh grass while it was young and 
tender, dried it beneath the bleaching sheets, salted it down in the mow, 
and she performed as well or better than most cows of those days ; that is, 
she didn't give milk during the five winter months, but kept in good con- 
dition and brought us twin heifer calves early the next spring. 

Father was gone off and on most of the summer at work for the more 
prosperous farmers in the adjoining valleys. Once when mother was there 
with only us children, a band of Indians trailed by, the men sitting erect 
and dignified on their shaggy ponies, the squaws so humble and browbeaten, 
trudging afoot, loaded nearly double with great bundles at their backs. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 189 

carried by means of broad leathern straps across the chest and forehead, 
httle girls and boys innocent of clothes scampered along in the cloud of 
dust. Papooses dangled from every budget. Cur dogs with red lolling 
tongues darted out and in among them. As we stood at the gate one big 
fellow stopped, and thrusting his dirty fingers in our cat's fat sides, asked 
tersely, "How much?" And for a minute we children held our breath, 
certain our lives were to be spared at the sacrifice of pussy's. Then, seeing 
the fowls, they wanted chickens, "You so much, me, one," they pleaded. But 
mother, knowing their tricks, was firm; one meant that many for every 
Indian able to beg. The long line of perhaps two or three hundred ended 
at last. They forded the creek and camped less than a half-mile distant 
in a grove of oaks. Toward evening one of the neighbors riding by cau- 
tioned mother to be on the lookout, the Indian had liquor. While she was 
not abashed at the nearness of Indians pure and simple, she knew there were 
good reasons to be afraid of the best of them, no matter how civilized, when 
mixed with firewater. So with all of us children hanging to her, her face 
to the foe, she set out to find the chief, who assured her most solemnly that 
she had nothing to fear, and pointed out a number of yelling braves tied to 
trees while they sobered off. We visited the camp several times and were 
unmolested except that they begged for everything in sight. 

As before mentioned, it was here that father bought, unwittingly, the 
stolen mare, Doll. She was jet black with a blazing white star in her fore- 
head, an exact match for the colt obtained during our stay at Travis 
Valley. As father led Doll behind him in the barn, the very day of her 
purchase, she kicked out in play, hitting father a terrific blow in the side 
that laid him up for a long time. During the two and a half years of our 
sojourn here father had used all the barn fertilizer he could get from the 
horse dealers (?) and our own stable to enrich his ground. The patch of 
clover was now several acres, the corn and grain in splendid trim, when 
Mr. Mattison, of spirit rapping fame in Arcadia, passed by and fell in 
love with the place. Before he left he owned it and father received in 
exchange an eighty in (of course) Trempealeau County. In his anxiety to 
get back, the start was made before father was at all fit for even a short 
journey, mother driving the stallion and his mate on the wagon holding 
a few household articles and four little ones, father following in the buggy 
drawn by Doll, with the oldest, a child of eight, to watch over and care for 
him. All went well until we reached the foot of Waushara Hill, a hard, 
sandy climb enough to discourage any horse. Doll was completely overcome. 
She stopped short, letting one hip drop in a resting posture, her delicate 
ear radiating toward the rear to catch the verbal abuse her former owners 
had subjected her to. Except to chirrup a time or two, father said nothing. 
He was so sick nothing really mattered. He sat and waited, placing all the 
responsibility of action on Doll. Somehow, somewhere, while yet young 
he learned the value of patience, that attribute needed first and usually 
gained last. He was not a hustler ; violence of any kind was foreign to his 
nature, but his tender, watchful endurance was godlike. It was his win- 
ning card in every game. Through his own remarkable self control, he 
governed others without visible effort. It seemed so cheerfully right to do 



190 IIIHTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

anything father suggested. He never antagonized one. His influence was 
always soothing. It soothed and conquered Doll. With an indescribable 
gesture of exasperated patience that melted into puzzled incomprehension 
and crystallized into life lasting confidence, she gave father a long, studied 
look, then with a soft, blubbery sigh, pushed out gently on the bit, starting 
up the first of many, many long hills that in her life of over twenty years 
in our service she climbed with never an untrue move. 

For years father was associated in business with that most canny 
Scotch horse dealer, James Low, of Baraboo, buying and selling largely 
and constantly, but never to find Doll's equal in intelligence or trustworthi- 
ness. To my knowledge no one outside the immediate family was ever 
allowed to drive her but once. It was threshing time with its accompanying 
hustle. In those days people did not grow enough grain to pay them to 
invest in high-priced threshers. They engaged a tramp horsepower ma- 
chine that passed from one setting of stacks to another. At our place one 
horse took sick and father, driven to it, put in Doll. The noise excited her, 
yet she did fairly well until the driver became loud and profane in his 
exhortations. Doll stopped and appeared to be recalling similar scenes. 
The driver let out a half-rod of whip lash that shot in sinuous, snakelike 
coils and cracked immediately over her sensitive ears. She not only hesi- 
tated now, she balked stifl" with ears pinched flat, her distended nostrils 
blood red, a perfect fury. Had mother been struck it could not have incensed 
us children more. We popped up and down like mad Dervishes, and the yell 
of bloody murder passed down the line like water in a bucket brigade. 
Father was there before anything worse happened, and Doll was quickly and 
quietly led out of the traces and inside the barn. How the crew managed, 
I do not remember, we were too busy loving our outraged old bonnie to 
notice small matters. Once father drove her and a mate into Humbird, 
traded the mate for a great white Durham cow, Lily White, an imported 
animal that, refusing to breed, had been worked in the lumber camps with 
oxen, and came driving back with horse and cow hitched together. It 
must have been humiliating to Doll, but father required it of her, that was 
enough. 

The Mattison home, to which we moved in 1872, adjoined the south 
side of the Arcadia burying ground, the house so near the line you could 
toss a pebble from the back door to the nearest graves. You could look 
through the window on the other side and occasionally see deer among the 
oak thickets of the barn yard. Once we shot a bear in the crotch of a tree 
over the path leading to the pasture, when we had discovered why the 
cows kept turning back at that point. At another time we saw Mrs. Bruin 
and two cubs taking their constitutional across a field, headed for Barn 
Bluff", upon whose sandy summit grew the earliest sweetest wind flowers. It 
was at this place we had a fearful siege of typhoid, every one being stricken 
except father and sister Kate, who maintains she underwent worse suffer- 
ing than the fever victims. No professional nurses on tap then. Dr. Lewis 
spent all his spare time assisting, but upon father fell the hardship of 
nursing night and day, napping occasionally in his chair between the 
rows of suft"erers. Worn out at last he was persuaded to lie down while 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 191 

Mr. and Mrs. Conant watched. To his horror upon awakening he discovered 
that through a mistake in the bottles I, who lay at death's door, had been 
given a spoonful of turpentine. I estabUshed my reputation then and 
there of being contrary by mending at once. Father brought us all through, 
bald-headed skeletons, but alive, thanks to his untiring care. 

Several families from the old Pennsylvania district came out and set- 
tled near. One woman brought a peck of peach pits. Father carefully 
cracked and planted his handful in boxes. Several sprouted and grew 
amazingly. He kept them in wooden tubs, moving them into the cellar the 
first two winters, when they became pot bound and were placed in the 
open ground. In the fall father dug up one side of the roots, weighted the 
trees to the ground, covering them with dirt, coarse litter and rails. After 
danger of frost in the spring they were straightened. In their fourth year 
they bore fruit. True, it had a decidedly vegetable flavor, but none the 
less home grown peaches. In much the same manner he grew our first 
grapes. He planted a small orchard of hardy apples, which thrived and 
bore when others thought it useless to try. His pear tree seemed always 
beckoning for succor. Like homesick women in a foreign land, it refused 
to bear. Its influence was so saddening that it was replaced by a more 
cheerful pioneer. We popped corn over its burning twigs, the only real, 
spirited, happy time of its existence. 

Two new names for the census taker were added here. 

We were moving less often now. We remained on the three hundred 
and sixty-acre Humbird farm, which now became our home, from 1877 
to 1881, nearly five years, perhaps because it took that much longer to 
overcome the desecrations of man. Nature had been lavish in her bestowal 
of beauty, but man apparently had worked with extraordinary ingenuity 
to upset her plans. What a place ! Dead cattle lying unburied in the barn- 
yard upon which great, gaunt, hairy hogs were eating, dead fowls under 
the perches, a new barn erected above the carcasses of several sheep, half 
the pickets fallen from the front fence, buildings unpainted, the windows 
of the big house stuffed with rags, worn out fields. Father put the full 
force of men and teams to clearing the premises. The dead were buried 
in a pit after covering them with lime. Tons and tons of fertilizer were 
hauled from the yards and stables to a worked-out forty, as level as the 
floor, but too poor to raise a row. He bought at a dollar a load all the 
manure at the Humbird livery stable, and how the neighbors laughed to 
see a man pay, actually pay, for manure. He grew a crop of clover knee 
deep on it and turned that back to the land. The neighbors shook their 
heads and called him crazy. You should have seen the crop of corn fol- 
lowing! Its like was never seen there before. On other depleted fields 
similarly treated the heavy-headed oats stood shoulder high. A lover of 
good stock he paid one hundred and fifty dollars for a Short-horn bull, an 
unheard of price in those days when cows and chickens were a much 
sUghted side issue. 

Fences were straightened, buildings painted, a great barn built with 
old-fashioned driveway between two immense mows. He flailed some 
grain with the jointed rod of long ago on that barn floor. And winter 



192 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

evenings, the horses and cattle watching from their stanchions, the sheep 
from their pens, we husked long ears of yellow corn there. Had I been 
gifted with the pen of a Whittier my snow bound might read as pregnant 
with Hfe as his, I sensed it all in a dumb ecstasy. 

Our land extending into two districts entitled us to entrance at both 
the town school at Humbird and the rural school at Houghtenberg. We 
took the full year of the former and the summer term of the latter, for 
father placed great faith in schooling. He helped us evenings. I cannot 
remember a home without its blackboard and night sessions. Father 
wished us to be teachers and ten of us fulfilled his desires. 

The instant you crossed the long puncheon bridge to the east you 
were in a forest of pines, and upon a carpet of pigeon vines and winter 
green. If it were spring the vines were fuU of puffy red berries, and you 
could hear the drumming partridge from every direction. Once at the 
bridge's approach a neighbor came face to face with a great shambling 
bear, as large as a two-year-old heifer. We often saw them in the slash- 
ings, where we gathered blueberries with wooden box rakes, and buckets 
of juicy blackberries. At dusk from the open country to the west came 
the prairie chickens' boom, "Man's a fool !" with its peculiar up and do%vn 
inflection. Such winters of snow! How the sleighbells jingled to and from 
school ! Fences completely hidden ! Doll and Dido, their breasts frost 
white, would come racing into the back yard from the clearing, the sled 
piled high with alder pole wood, icicles hanging to father's mustache, his 
nose white. Then mother would rush out with a pan of steaming dough- 
nuts to regale father while he rubbed the blood back into his nose and 
ears, and she stroked Doll's soft muzzle. 

Often he engaged strolling bands of Indians to cut wood and clear land. 
When they came to the house to engage hay for their ponies, an armful at 
a time, if invited in, as they usually were, at the risk of our catching 
undesirable things, they squatted about the stove in stolid silence except to 
answer a direct question in short guttural notes ; so unlike the musical tones 
used in their own language, when their high-pitched voices rose and fell 
like the wailing wind in the pine tops. And of course they begged. One 
old half-frozen squaw, so wrinkled she looked less than human, asked for 
milk. She held her mouth full for a moment, then fumbling in the front 
of her dirty blouse drew out a very young puppy that placed to her lips 
avidly sucked out the warmed milk. A young squaw, evidently the belle, 
had earl lobes stretched nearly to her shoulder from the weight of ear 
ornaments made up of dimes, half dimes, and quarters, amounting to at 
least five dollars, connected by silver rings. A very tall straight young 
buck, when asked his name, replied promptly, "Paul, P-A-U-L," proud of 
his schooling, and stalking across the room to the organ drummed "out 
with one hand, "Home, sweet home," a strange tune for a wandering Red 
man. At another time an old chief and his squaw arrived just as we had 
finished dinner. When asked they readily went to the table. Before seat- 
ing himself the chief reached the table's length to get a large dish of boiled 
Irish potatoes. He divided them with great exactness between his and the 
squaw's plates, adding first to one then to the other, then satisfied they 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 193 

were evenly filled, gave a grunt of contentment and finished the pile in 
no time. They seemed always like happy, irresponsible children. We 
destroyed an ideal existence when we took their lands. 

A rather perplexing thing happened once. It was during an exceed- 
ingly cold spell, boards snapping, snow squeaking under foot, the pump 
almost freezing between trips to the kitchen with water, windows furred 
thick with frost, when just at dark an Indian and a young squaw nearly 
overcome with cold stopped for the night. They were exceptionally clean. 
We had a bed in the wood house attic kept purposely to accommodate the 
many looking for work who passed up and down the railroad track that 
cut our farm and lay a few rods from the house. Instead of sending them 
to the barn we let them sleep in this attic, which was warmer. In the 
morning something the Indian said about his squaw that didn't seem to 
apply to the one with him caused father to ask, motioning to the two, 
"You married?" "By 'n bye," was the laconic answer, which left us to 
wonder about their ideas of white man morality. 

Our next move in 1881 to the George Dewey place, across the road 
from his shrewd Yankee brother. Uncle Dan Dewey, at Arcadia, was 
father's last investment in Wisconsin land. The house of three stories was 
not too large, for, during those years at Humbird, we had prospered in more 
than wealth. The stork had blessed our home with four visits, two of 
them a half hour apart. One room on the third flooi held long rows of 
rich yellow home made cheese, the rest were play rooms, where paper men 
and women and every description of animal, with some even beyond describ- 
ing, were manufactured as fast as the limited supply of scissors allowed. 
While we lived here farm institutes were held yearly in the old Mineral 
Springs Hotel. Father always attended, eager to get new ideas, admiring 
Governor Hoard, whether he talked dairying or broke the monotony of 
farm discussions by singing "Finnegan's Wake," or reciting the pathetic 
"Johnnie Kunkerpod." Most of the farmers took to dairying. Father did, 
and sold cream at so much an inch — a little more than enough to pay for 
the cows' salt now. You all remember how George Kelley used to fly around 
in the mud with his wild team gathering up cream for the creamery, and 
spilling it occasionally, too. Our place was rich and grew wonderful crops 
of corn and clover. We were near good schools. It was a pity to sell. 

The thirteenth baby was born here, the thirteenth day of June, 1884. 
Counting cribbage style the figures in the year make two more thirteens — 
an awful assemblage of that most unlucky number. Whether that was 
responsible for father's ankle being broken twice that year, each time by 
stumbhng mules, I can't say, but it did look as if bad luck had us by the 
collar to see father hobbling about on crutches the next March in a cold, 
drizzly rain, and Tom Barry pegging around on his wooden leg, using all 
his Irish wit to auction off the personal property. Mother, as usual doing 
her share, kept pots of boiling coft'ee and trays of ham sandwiches on hand 
to cheer the crowd. Yet every one felt it was a sad move. What wasn't 
sold was given away or packed in the freight car with the bees, Virgil's 
pup, the Shorthorn stock, the stallion Frank, old Doll's last grandchild and 
Doll, too, would have been there had not mother, misunderstanding father, 



194 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

caused her to be shot. Faithful old creature, it hurts yet to remember 
coming from school and rushing out to learn why she lay so still beside 
the fence, discover the bullet wound in the blood-stained star in her fore- 
head. I ought to think now, after all these years, that perhaps it was best, 
that it may have saved her a lingering, suffering death. I can't do it. I 
can't forgive the lack of gratitude for a dumb animal living for our comfort 
and profit, nor an unkindness to a child for whose being it is not responsible 
any more than my father could. 

Leaving the two married girls in April of 1885, we made that most 
unfortunate move into the Ozarks, mother and the ten children by passen- 
ger train. 

Space is too limited to tell you of the wild life there in the woods filled 
with flowers, nuts and fruits ; the raids of the Bald Knobbers and our 
constant fear, father being a northern man, he should suffer the resent- 
ment of these ignorant people, still bitter over the Civil War ; of a winter 
not as open as the natives vouched for, we with stock and no hay, how- 
father kept some of the cattle alive by feeding them great lengths of 
pickled side pork; of little Frank traded for land, starved to death by his 
owner, and father unable to save him. No space left to picture the lives 
of these mountain children, often four generations living in a single miser- 
able hovel, of the little log school house with its broken windows, dropped 
chinking, backless puncheon benches, ruled over by an asthmatic old teacher, 
who spent the noon hour smoking his pipe and his asthma over a fire in a 
hole in the ground; of the precipitate move, amounting almost to flight, 
away from these degrading social conditions to the open prairies of South 
Dakota, with its droughts, hail storms, cyclones — every force of nature 
turned against success, just at the outbreak of the Rosebud Indian Agency 
in 1891. 

Nor shall I offend my father's memory by dwelling with unnecessary 
words upon his last sad illness, the result of that Waushara injury, so 
patiently borne throughout the intense heat of the summer of 1901 ; the 
misunderstandings, apparently wrong medical treatments; his life need- 
lessly lost at the age of sixty-six. The big bays, the team 
he loved, carried him on the first relay back to the little cemetery at 
Arcadia in the beautiful Trempealeau Valley that had ever beckoned his 
return. In the lonely days that followed, how, by loving those creatures 
he had made his tender care, we tried to feel him near; not forgetting 
the King birds, that having built in the tool box of a cultivator, rather 
than cause them grief through the destruction of their home, he worked 
longer hours with one machine that the other might stand idle until the 
little birds could fly. Some comfort came at last, and I could feel, as he 
would wish, that he was but a little way ahead, beyond a turn in the road, 
at the summit of a hard climb, with dear faithful old Doll treking on. 

Galesville University. It was a pleasant May morning that a child 
stepped across the threshold of the assembly room in the old court house 
at Galesville. 

Rude wooden benches filled the main floor; the judge's desk was at 
the opposite end ; connected with this was a long narrow desk, inclosing a 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 195 

square space, with an entrance, middle front; within the inclosure a pine 
table. 

The few young people present sat at the long desk. Beside the table 
sat Samuel Fallows, a young man of brilliant promise, secured to take charge 
of instruction in the new institution. 

School had commenced the day before. There was a recitation in 
Latin. The professor turned to the child repeating the questions he had 
just asked of the class. His kindly manner brought reply, for every word 
had been indelibly impressed. 

He took the new books — National Fifth Reader, Davies' Arithmetic, 
Clark's English, and Andrew's and Stoddard's Latin Grammar — writing 
within her name and the date. May 18, 1859. 

That Latin Grammar, solid and hard, was quite unlike the modern 
"Easy Lessons," but the children sang the declensions and conjugations 
about their play and received no permanent injury, wondering at the greater 
difficulty experienced by those older. 

An accurate list of those attending the first term nas not been obtained. 
We have always recalled the number as sixteen. Of this number were Addie 
Marsh Kneeland and Geo. Gale, yet residing at Galesville. 

Those were the days of "flowing" sleeves, "low neck" and ample 
crinoline. The hair drooped low over the ears in "basket" braids, and 
twenty strands were announced as a triumph one morning. No bandeaux 
or jewels, but graceful sprays of wild flowers. They were pretty girls. 

Elvina Swift, later Mrs. Farrington of Mondovi, and Emma Clark 
(Mrs. R. A. Odell) were sweet singers, alto and soprano. Their voices, 
hushed long years ago, I can hear yet trilling the "Rain Upon the Roof." 

One beautiful autumn day in the second term, rooms having been made 
ready, we marched in a body the length of the village to the permanent 
building. 

One can remember many things with amusement. So has the world 
always looked back, as it will to the end of time. The jokes that pleased 
our grandfathers grace as new the pages of the latest college journals. 
Professor Fallows, questioned at the close of the first day, is said to have 
remarked : "We have done better than old Harvard at its beginning." 

Of Bishop Fallows we all know. In this year of 1912, strong and 
magnetic in humor or in pathos, he moves his audience as of old. The 
inspiration of such a personality was of more worth than many text books. 

The new country contained individuals rarely endowed in intellect and 
thoroughly trained. Shabby as to clothes, and roughened by the hard- 
ships of pioneering, they were, nevertheless, an able resource when there 
was need. 

Professor Kottinger, author of books in use in the schools of his native 
Switzerland, was most proficient in Hebrew, as well as several o^her 
languages, while his hands could draw rare harmony from piano or violin. 

Professor Cheney, of Middlebury, Vt., after driving a breaking team 
of oxen all day, could help many a student over the hard places, perfectly 
conversant with classic, science or mathematics. 

Meager as were the advantages, no one can estimate what they meant 



196 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to the new country. Older men came to make good as best they might that 
the advance of civihzation should not find them wanting. That the child 
of ten should be classmates of the man of forty years was only example 
of the wide range that sought instruction. 

Numbers and influence were steadily increasing when the Civil War 
bade all stand still, and the boys hastened bravely to their country's defense. 

In later years, when the older colleges began to consider co-education, 
we realized upon what progressive ideas our training had been founded. 

We girls were always welcomed to the boys' ball games. Those who 
wished were privileged to take part in oration or debate. Fine courtesy 
toward each other prevailed. 

The Indian trails were well worn, their corn fields deserted at the com- 
ing of the white man yet well marked. The surroundings were not like those 
left in Eastern homes, but I can recall no expression of ill-natured com- 
parison. 

The life record of many is already complete, and across its page has 
been written success. Light-hearted and happy, as youth ought to be, I 
think an unusual earnestness pervaded that htle band; upon them, the 
impress of responsibility, that they were in the making of a future for 
others, as well as directing their own lives. Over all, the spirit of the 
pioneer. — (Written at Durand, Wisconsin, Nov. 8, 1912, by Flora Luce 
Dorwin.) 

Early Osseo. The site of the now busy and thriving village of Osseo 
was surveyed and platted Sept. 22, 1857, by a company, W. A. Woodward 
of the state of New York, C. R. Field and W. H. Thomas of Richland 
County, Wisconsin, and they commenced the improvements — W. H. Thomas 
and a company of men, including our first blacksmith. Dye Ellis. Mr. 
Thomas and family boarded at Green & Silkworth's Station until the barn 
was built, when they moved into it and used it for a dwelling until the 
hotel was erected. They then moved into the hotel, where they lived until 
Mr. Field and company arrived and took possession in 1859, at which time 
Mr. Thomas moved into his house, which had been completed at the same 
time as the hotel. 

The arrival of these new immigrants from Richland County took place 
October 14, the party consisting of the Hon. C. R. Field and family, J. D. 
Tracy and family, E. Hyslop and family, with a few young men and others, 
E. S. Hotchkiss, W. S. Hine, Freem Coats, and some others who did not 
come to stay. Mr. Thomas and crew had arrived in the fall of 1857. 

At the time the Field party arrived Osseo consisted of a few scattered 
buildings. The principal building was the hotel. Next in importance was 
the residence of W. H. Thomas. That house is now a part of the residence 
of Erick Nelson and stands west of Hume's blacksmith shop. A shanty 
occupied the present site of the Congregational church. Dye Ellis had 
erected the frame of what is now the dwelling of Mrs. Newman, and a 
little east of the frame stood his blacksmith shop. The shop consisted of 
a few pieces of jack pine trees arranged to form a forge with some kind 
of a cover over them, his anvil being outside. When Mr. Ellis got a job 
of work to do he went out into the pines and gathered pine knots and such- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 197 

like material to make a fire of. Such was Osseo's first blacksmith shop and 
blacksmith. 

On our arrival there were probably only about half a dozen famiUes at 
the old Beef River Station of Green & Silkworth. About the same number 
were over in the South Valley, Jim King, from whom the creek takes its 
name ; H. G. Daniels and family, Jefferson Gorden and family and a young 
man, John Spaulding ; James Mclntyre and family, with whom were William 
and Mary Lindsay, brother and sister to Mrs. Mclntyre. William Henry 
had taken his first crop that summer of 1859, but did not build a home until 
1860. East of Osseo, on the farm now owned by James Crawford, Austin 
Ayers and family lived. On section 8, a little below the Linderman mill, 
Dennis Lawler lived for a time before taking up his later home. 

The postoffice (Sumner postoffice) was at the Beef River Station, 
owned by Green & Silkworth, with Mr. Silkworth as postmaster. The 
postoffice was in a barroom of the old log house, the letters being kept 
in a little box, or desk rather, where their account books were — a desk 
probably about eighteen inches or maybe two feet square, which anyone 
had access to. Beef River Station was on the stage road from Sparta and 
Black River Falls to Eau Claire and Menominee. Although we were few 
in number in those days there was lots of fun and amusement for all who 
wished to enjoy it. 

After the arrival of those immigrants there was a school meeting 
called to organize a school district, and it was voted to build a schoolhouse, 
so there were bids called for, R. C. Field and Mr. Silkworth being the only 
bidders. Their bids were $500 each and to get the contract Mr. Field prom- 
ised to put on a belfry without extra charge. 

At that time there was a small store kept in the house of W. H. 
Thomas and owned by him. In the other end of the house a Mrs. Bucklen, 
afterwards better known as Mrs. Barber, taught the first school in Osseo, 
a school of four scholars — two Lawler girls and Delia and Julia Thomas. 
After our arrival the next school was kept in the barroom of the station and 
taught by Ruth Griswold, who had arrived in our company from Rich- 
land County. Then there were a few new scholars. The next school was 
kept in that shanty spoken of and taught by Hattie Field, afterwards Mrs. 
E. S. Hotchkiss of Independence. 

At the time of building the school house in Osseo the school house in 
South Valley was built, Mr. Silkworth having the contract. The work was 
done by Mr. Smith, then of South Valley. 

In the summer of 1859 Mr. Field contracted to have a lot of marsh 
hay put up on what was then called the "big marsh," just beyond what is 
now called the Stillman farm. In the fall there was a prairie fire coming 
over from the west and to save that hay Mr. Field hired a lot of us to go 
down and fight the fire, which was done successfully. 

One day during the same fall, or it may have been winter, hay was 
needed at the hotel, so Stoddard Field hitched up "Buck" and "Booch," and 
another team of the same kind, and he and I went down to the big marsh 
for a load. He drew up alongside of a real nice stack or rick and I went 



198 HISTORY OF TREiMPEALEAU COUNTY 

onto the rick to fork the hay onto the load. I had not got much off before 
I went right down through. That nice rick of hay was quite hollow-hearted. 
for under a covering of hay there were two tamarack stumps, supportmg 
poles against which brush had been piled. Mr. Field had contracted with 
a man to put up twenty tons of hay on that marsh, and W. II. Thomas was 
to estimate the amount of hay in each stack, each to abide by his estimate. 
This particular stack had been highly estimated. "Billy" Hines says that 
man was a preacher and Mrs. Field says so, too. In those days there were 
more preachers than there was good preaching. 

I will relate another little true story of two or three years after. An 
Irishman came in to Osseo — Mike Murty by name. He had an ox team 
and the settlers needed hay. One day Mike came to me and asked me 
to go with him down onto what was called Lawler's Creek, where there 
was real nice marsh grass to cut for hay. So on Sunday we went down 
and cut hay. On a Sunday after we went and stacked it. In the fall, to save 
the hay from prairie fires, I went one Sunday and ploughed two furrows a 
little apart around the stack and then set fire between the furrows so as 
not to let it run over the prairie. When we had got almost around the fire 
leaped over our firebreak on the other side and into the stack of hay, which 
all went up in smoke. On Sunday, too! Well, some people will say, "So 
much for working on Sunday ;" but in pioneer days we had to do and work 
every way to make a living. As for Mike, that was about all the hay he 
had for winter fodder, and seemingly it almost broke his heart. I had a 
good deal of hay on other marshes, so I gave Mike a stack on one of them 
to help tide him over. He left Osseo and I never knew what became of him. 

In 1860 the Second National Republican Convention was held and 
men around Osseo were anxious to get the news of the convention. Mr. 
Field was an enthusiastic Seward man. Maybe partly because he was 
a New York man himself, and it seemed to be sure that Seward would be 
the man. In due time after the convention I went up to the postoffice to 
get the weekly newspaper. On coming back to Osseo I met Mr. Field. 
"Well, who's it?" said he. "Who do you think?" "Seward?" "No." 
"Chase?" "No." The others he named I do not remember. "Well, who 
is it?" "Lincoln." "Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln, who is Lincoln, anyway?" 
"Don't you remember Lincoln stumping the state of Illinois against 
Douglass two years ago?" "Oh, yes." And he went to get his paper to 
read the news of the convention. Although he did not get Seward, he 
did not go back on Lincoln. 

On the first call for troops there left three young men to walk all the 
way to Sparta to enlist. These three young men were F. N. Thomas, W. S. 
Hine and Hank Robbins. In my mind I can see them yet take the road. 
Road ? No, the wagon track. We had no roads in those days ; did not need 
them. Those men served Uncle Sam faithfully during the war, Mr. Thomas 
being sorely afflicted, Billy Hine coming back safe and Hank Robbins setthng 
in some part of the state east. 

In December, 1859, there occurred the birth of the first white child 
born in the village of Osseo. That child is now Mrs. Barbara Mclntyre, and 
she is here yet. True, they went to Seattle once to make a home, but on 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 199 

account of poor health there, or perhaps because they were too far from 
Osseo, they came back to stay. 

The old blacksmith, Mr. Ellis, was a character in his way — he and his 
old horse Jimmie. That old horse was the slowest horse that ever stood. 
Trot? No, he didn't know how. (Oh, now, Hyslop, be easy on old Jim. 
You must remember how you used to like to get him and the old cart when 
you wanted to take your family in a buggy riding over to the South Valley.) 
A whip was of little use, but he did not like a stick with a brick tied on the 
end of it. Ellis was a widower, I suppose, at least he lived by himself here 
at first. In about a year or two he had an addition to his household, a step- 
son, two daughters and a son coming to keep him company. 

I had bought a claim on land of C. R. Nelson, on the east half of 15. 
There were 15 acres broken on it, but I had no way of putting it into crop. 
Mr. Ellis had his horse, this old Jim, and another he had got some way, and 
his boy, Ruff. So I let the 15 acres to Mr. Ellis. He rigged up an old plow 
and sent Ruff to plow the land for the crop. But the plow would not work, 
or Ruff thought so. In fact he would rather that it would not. So he 
brought it down to the shop. Mr. Field had had before this a shop erected 
about where the furniture store now is. Mr. Ellis was busy working and 
poor Ruff had to take it. When he got the job done at which he had been 
at work: "Now we will just see whether that plow will work or not," took 
the team and plow onto the prairie on the south side ; he took hold of the 
plow and Ruff had to drive the team. It was probably the old man's 
emphatic and picturesque language that frightened the horses, but they 
went at it and that old plow did turn over a furrow or two. "That's as 
good a plow as ever God made," said he, so Ruff had to go back to his 
plowing. 

In those early days Mrs. Delia Field, then Delia Thomas, used to ride 
horseback up to the station and get the mail from the Sumner postoffice. 
One day the mare, who had a colt, got in too much of a hurry to see the 
colt, jumped over the fence or bars rather, with Delia on her back, but 
Delia kept her seat just the same. She was gritty in those days, though a 
young girl. 

Now why did we all come up here from Richland County? Well, just 
to see if we could find better openings. Variety is the one thing needful, 
and the way of the world generally always has been so and always will be. 
Probably another matter which had an influence was that there was a 
prospect of what is now the C, St. P., M. & 0. Railroad being built down 
Beef River Valley. But the projectors thought there was a better prospect 
for them to go further north and did so, leaving Osseo in the lurch. Then 
the Augustaites could lord it over Osseo and often laughed at us Osseoites. 
Oh, Osseo was nowhere, and the prospects were quite poor for a good many 
years. But they don't laugh quite so much nowadays, and we are all real 
good friends and neighbors. 

In Richland County there was no land to be got by the moneyless. 
But Uncle Sam had lots of land up this way that he was anxious to give — 
no, not quite give yet, for the homestead bill did not pass until 1862 — but 
he was anxious to dispose of it ; so land was some inducement, too. Oh yes, 



200 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

there was land to be had, nothing but land, save that already taken up by 
the few scattered settlers, and, oh, there was water. Yes it was a well- 
watered country. One Sunday I went over the ridge and down onto Elk 
Creek to look for land. Yes, the land was there and nothing else. For 
the time being I was monarch of all I surveyed, but I believe there was some 
one away down near Elk Creek who would dispute with me the monarchy. 
That was too far from Osseo, so I came back and let Mr. Hale have it all. 
In course of time the Norwegians and other Scandinavians began to arrive 
and take up* the land. 

In 1861 two men came to Osseo from Eau Claire with the purpose of 
building a mill. They located the site of the proposed mill below the forks 
of the river, near where the railroad crosses it, but had some trouble get- 
ting the right of water-power from the owners of the land — the state land, 
I think — and before that could be accomplished the war started and they 
packed up their tools and took themselves back to Eau Claire. That put 
an end to the building of a mill in Osseo until 1867, when it was started 
again by W. L. Fuller, a miller fi-om Black River Falls, W. H. Thomas and 
E. S. Hotchkiss going in as partners, the mill being that now owned by 
Lee & Sons. In 1873 and 1874, I think, the Linderman mill was built by 
J. L. Linderman of Eau Claire and E. S. Hotchkiss. 

In 1861 I had built a house for myself and family on the lots now 
owned, I believe, by H. P. Williams, formerly the Gates property. In 1863 
I got up a bee of ox teams and moved it onto my then claim on section 15. 
I presume it is still there and used as a dwelling. We had quite a time 
taking it up onto the prairie, on the way from the bridge and up the side, 
breaking two or three neck yokes. The first house erected in Osseo after 
our arrival was the front part of the house now owned by Ellis Johnson 
and then owned by Mr. Field ; that was built in 1860. All timber for build- 
ings had to be sawed out of jack pines. I have my old saw now. I wish 
some of those carpenters would buy it and go to work again. 

The first garden on Osseo was on the block now owned by Messrs. 
Harris and Smith, where Mr. Field had his garden in 1860, and where it 
was supposed he would build his residence. But "the best laid schemes of 
mice and men gang aft agley," so instead of building in Osseo he built on 
the farm. In 1866 Thomas Love and family arrived from California, where 
he and his newly wedded wife went to from New York in 1853, during the 
golden days of California. He built that part of the house now owned 
by E. Remington, where Mr. Carpenter now lives. 

In 1865 and 1866 the postofiice was moved from the Beef River Station 
to Osseo and the name changed from Sumner postoffice to Osseo, with, I 
think, W. H. Thomas as postmaster. The stage then came down on the 
south side through Osseo to Eau Claire, the road, or track rather, being over 
the high land of Olson farm on over the ridge to Otter Creek and on to 
McLellan's. 

In one of those early years A. B. Ayers moved from the farm now 
owned by J. Crawford and started a store in the building now owned by 
Frank Smith, on the corner by the big tree, afterwards building the house 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 201 

now owned by Mr. Nessa. He afterwards built a shoe shop near where 
the livery barn is, and Mr. Shurtleff moved into it as shoemaker. 

In 1861, I think, R. C. Field donated one acre of land on what is now 
cemetery hill for a cemetery, and that, with other land acquired by pur- 
chase, now comprises the Osseo cemetery. It was Dr. Dickie, who died 
while living with his stepson, John Spaulding, in South Valley, on what 
used to be the WiUiam Anderson farm, who was the first to be interred in 
the cemetery. I made the coffin and W. H. Thomas and I took it over there 
on the day of the funeral. The room was so constructed that the coffin 
had to be put in at the window and the remains taken out the same way. 
You will see that we had no undertakers and fine caskets in which to lay 
the dead away. 

As for the roads in those days, they were anywhere, and as for 
bridges, if we had good corduroy bridges, that was enough. Oh no, no 
steel bridges, and only corduroy roads now and then. And pasture for 
the flock, that was everywhere — north, south, east and west! the great 
thing was to find the cows at night, when they failed to come up. Many 
had to search all over for miles around. 

Now we will do a little breaking up of land. On Mr. Field's arrival 
in Osseo he had a number of yokes of cattle. Those, or at least part of 
them, he disposed of to men to do breaking ; that helped men to own cattle 
and him to get his breaking done on section 16. If I remember right, I 
think the bouts of breaking were about a mile long, so there was not so 
much turning. The land being all what was called grub land, there was a 
good deal of grubbing to do, the grubs being used for firewood. The first 
breaking of land in what is now called Tracy Valley was done by the writer 
on what is now the Yarnall farm on section 20, near that fine spring of 
water near the south section line. Being a carpenter, I gave two days' 
work for an acre of breaking, Mr. Mclntyre getting ten acres broken for 
me in that way; John R. Brown, then of Thompson Valley, another ten — 
twenty in all, I stopping there and doing the grubbing when necessary and 
serving the victuals which my wife brought over from Osseo every day. 
That breaking was done in 1861. 

About that time A. D. Tracy got what is now the Paul Christopherson 
farm, bought in on a tax deed from, I think, William Silkworth, if I am not 
mistaken, the price for the quarter section being $50. 

Here is a little incident that has just come to my memory. John Wells' 
father had come on a visit, while, I think, John was still working for Mr. 
Field. One day he was sitting in the store then owned by Thomas & 
Hotchkiss, writing a letter, and while writing was talking politics. I 
remember that I stood looking at him talking pohtics and writing a letter, 
too. This talk was to the effect that every American citizen should vote 
one way or another, for or against a candidate. 

In speaking of building operations, just think of a carpenter going 
out into the jack plains and cutting down trees to be hewed by hand for 
barns or houses, and then of lumber and siding all to be dressed by hand, 
and the doors and sashes made by hand, as we had to do in those days. 

In 1859 David Chase at the Twelve-mile-settlement was having a barn 



202 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

built. There not being enough men in the settlement to raise the barn — 
an old-fashioned timber frame barn — Mr. Field took a few of us from 
Osseo to help raise it, which was done successfully. Mr. Chase afterwards 
enlisted in the Civil War and was killed, I believe, by a cannon ball taking 
off his head. A real fine man was David Chase, who among thousands 
gave his life to save the Union of the United States. 

After the organization of the town of Sumner the voters at the settle- 
ment had come to Osseo to vote. At a town meeting the men of the settle- 
ment asserted their right to share in the town meeting, which was fair. 
So in, I forget what year, a vote was taken, the west town meeting in the 
school house at the settlement, and carried. Accordingly, in either 1862 
or 1863, the town meeting was held at the settlement. All went off well, 
though the proceedings were rather monotonous, there being so few voters, 
until the annual business meeting was called, when a quarrel arose between 
two men about, I think, some road work. From words they came to blows 
in the school house, but were ordered outside. So they went at it there. 
These two men were Sam Brown and a Mr. Davis, both quarrelsome men. 
Davis afterwards was sent to the penitentiary for killing a man. Brown 
got Davis down and was trying to put his eyes out when Mr. Thomas 
stopped that. So both got up and Davis acknowledged that Brown was 
the better man. That was the first and last fight I ever saw at a town 
meeting. 

How many of those "old timers," previously mentioned, are still left? 
Mr. Henry and Mr. Lawler, who were here ahead of us, have both recently 
passed over. Mrs. Delia Field and Mrs. Julia Shores, who were then little 
girls playing around, are still with us, and long, long may they remain. 
(They came to these parts in the fall of 1857.) Of our com- 
pany from Richland County there are Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Hotchkiss, of 
Independence; Stoddard Field, of Osseo, and Mrs. P. J. Linderman and 
Mrs. Nettie Jones, of the Tracy family; E. Hyslop, one son Robert, Mrs. 
Mclntyre increasing the family that,, winter; Billy Hine, of Bellevue, and 
James Mclntyre, who was then a little boy. So far as I can remember, 
all the rest have gone to the great beyond. Such is hfe. For a few years 
Mr. Lawler, Mr. Henry and E. Hyslop were the three oldest settlers, being 
all over 80 years. The two former are gone and I am left, for how long, 
who knows? Being now in my eighty-fifth year my time will necessarily 
be short. 

"Oh Death ! the poor man's dearest friend. 

The kindest and the best. 
Welcome the time my aged limbs 
Are laid with thee at rest." 

— (By E. Hyslop in the Osseo News, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 1914. 

The Olson Lynching. Hans Jacob Olson was lynched at his home about 
three miles from Blair on the night of Nov. 24, 1889. Olson, on June 8, 1885, 
was convicted of setting fire to the building of B. K. Strand, a Blair mer- 
chant, on Dec. 29, 1883, by loading a stump with blasting powder, the stump 
being afterward conveyed to Mr. Strand, who put it in his stove, where it 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 203 

exploded. Rumor had it that Olson did not take the stump to the mer- 
chant's woodpile personally, but furnished it at the request of another 
person and left it at a place agreed. Olson was sentenced to five years in 
State's Prison. He was released in the spring of 1889 and almost imme- 
diately, upon the testimony of his wife and son, was put under bonds to 
keep the peace. Unable to furnish bonds he was sent to jail, where he 
served some six months. The term expired in November. Of the events 
which followed, it has been said : 

"The hanging took place at his home on the 24th day of November, 
1889. He lived in a small log house and a few feet from one of the windows 
was a burr oak tree with a branch sticking out from the tree almost hori- 
zontal, and on this tree he was hung. The day was Sunday and word had 
been quietly given out in the neighborhood for the people to come to a 
certain place near Charles Johnson's farm where there was a vacant house 
at that time. The place of meeting was about one mile from Olson's house. 
Charles Johnson was the instigator and leader, and had encouraged the 
men who went with him by telling them that if they could get together a 
mob of forty or sixty men, that no jury would ever be found to convict 
them. Most of the men who followed Johnson had the idea that the pur- 
pose was to drive Olson out of the country, but Johnson probably knew 
what would be the result from the beginning, for at this vacant house 
they provided themselves with two ropes, one a heavy well rope and the 
other a smaller rope, probably taken for the purpose of tying him, as they 
knew Olson to be a man of extraordinary strength and a very determined 
man. At the place that the mob met, a son of Olson's met with them, and 
after going within sixty rods of the house the mob sent Olson's son to 
reconnoiter. He went to the house and found his father asleep and came 
back and reported the fact to the mob. The mob went to the house and 
I think four men went in and took him from the bed and called him out 
under this tree. He refused to go and they put the rope around his neck 
and pulled him up, held him a short time suspended, then let him down and 
renewed their demand. Then they strung him up again, this time keeping 
him suspended so long that when they let him down they found he was 
not able to stand, so they carried him into the house, laid him on the 
floor until he revived. Someone in the crowd asked his wife what they 
should do with him and she told them to take him away. They then took 
him out in front of the house barefooted on the frozen ground, and asked 
him to leave the country. His reply was this: 'This is my home, and I 
will not leave it till God takes me away.' He was then strung up the third 
time and left hanging until morning. During the whole time he never 
resisted. His strength was such that probably no two or three men, or 
even more, would have been able to handle him had he made resistance. 
Whether his courage was moral courage or simply animal courage, it is 
difficult to say, but certainly the courage shown was of the highest kind 
in its class. After the hanging the mob dispersed, with the exception of 
two members who remained all night with the wife and children and to 
screen the window so that the corpse would not be visible, the woman hung 
up a blanket, and twice during the night made coffee for the men who 



204 HISTORY OF TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY 

stayed. Early the next day an inquest jury was summoned, and Charles 
Johnson was foreman of that jury, and the decision of the jury was that 
Olson had come to his death by hanging by persons unknown to the jury. 

"The same day the district attorney issued a warrant for the arrest 
of Johnson and some thirty others on the charge of riot. Johnson went 
to the district attorney's home at midnight and made dire threats, but in 
spite of this, warrants were issued charging Johnson, the widow, the son, 
and a neighbor with murder. Charles Johnson, Bertha M. Olson (widow), 
Ole J. Hanson (son) , and Ole J. Sletto were convicted of murder in the first 
degree and sentenced to life. More than fifty others who took part were 
convicted of riot. Most of them paid their fines. All four were pardoned 
by Governor Peck after having been in prison for something over five years. 
The people who took part in this killing were most, if not all, good, peaceable, 
law-abiding citizens, and some were men of excellent character. Mr. 
Johnson, who was the leader, claimed to be afraid of Olson — afraid that 
he would burn his pi'operty or injure his family. Johnson was a man of 
acute intelligence, had been chairman of his town several times, was presi- 
dent of a Farmers' Trading Association, and in fact a leader in all municipal 
affairs in his neighborhood. Johnson, after his return from prison, stayed 
in and about Blair for several years." 

Winnebago Festivities. The festivities among the Dakotas and Winne- 
bagoes consist of dancing, singing, feasting and speech-making, and are 
held several times a year. 

The peace jubilee, or autumn festival, is celebrated by the Winnebagoes 
after the cranberry season is over, usually some time in October. This 
jubilee includes the "medicine" or "magic" dance. Invitations are sent 
out four days before the dance, and an immense tepee is erected on the 
ground where the celebration is to be held. This structure is about 110 
feet long and 12 feet wide, and is covered with boughs and canvas. The 
invited guests are each supposed to make a present of four blankets to the 
person getting up the entertainment. On the evening of the pow-wow 
the Indians assemble, and after building large fires, start the celebration 
with a chant. Then the young squaws and bucks begin the dance, and the 
tum-tum is kept going continuously, all night long. As the enthusiasm 
kindles, the older Indians join in, and finally the children. The surging 
mass of dusty humanity grows hilarious, and shouts and songs ring through 
the air while the tum-tum beats its savage music until the very lodge poles 
seem to dance. In the glare of the great fire, the scene grows weird, and the 
forms look more hideous, the faces grow inhuman and shrieks stab the 
night air. The demons of the night, as it were, are turned loose, and in 
their frenzy slaughter the peaceful harmonies that brood in the darkness 
over the streams and forests. A feast is prepared and when the guests 
are hungry and weary of the dance they assemble in circles and enjoy the 
soup and meat that is placed in big bowls before them. Day dawns, but 
the dance goes on, and the feasting continues, and not until another night 
does the ceremony end. 

One of the Indians is made a medicine man during the jubilee. The 
secret work of conferring the degree on the candidate has been handed 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 205 

down through the ages. After being initiated, the candidate makes a 
speech, and thereafter is a full-fledged member of the secret society. 

When the entertainment breaks up, the person makes each guest a 
pi'esent of a blanket, and keeps the rest for himself. 

The buffalo dance is the source of a great deal of amusement among the 
Winnebago Indians. The place is chosen and the tepee is erected and cov- 
ered the same as in the medicine dance. Each one who participates is 
dressed to imitate a buffalo and then they gather on the grounds, build fires 
and wait for the herd to make its appearance. 

A bowl is put in a hole in the ground and filled with maple sugar and 
syrup. The old buffalo leader comes out and is followed by the herd, con- 
sisting of calves and young and full grown bisons. The tum-tum begins 
and the dance is on. Around the maple sugar bowl they swarm and shout 
and sing and bellow. The old buffalo leader stoops down and sticks his head 
in the bowl and eats — then he gives way and the rest follow — they keep 
on dancing and eating until the sugar is all gone. Then the great fun 
begins. The old buffalo must hook the bowl out of the ground without 
using his hands. If he is unable to do this he is the laughing stock of the 
whole crowd the rest of the night, but he generally manages to hook the 
bowl out after a great deal of hard work on his part and a continuous roar 
of laughing and shouting from the participants and assembled guests. 
When his task is accomplished all join in a feast and then smoke, and lie 
around until morning. 

Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie. The early Scotch 
settlers who founded the settlement known as Glasgow — the postoffice so 
named because the people were mostly Scotch — came as a rule from the 
mining districts of Scotland to follow the occupation of mining in this 
country. Wages in Scotland were low and the coal pi'etty well mined in 
many of the old localities, so they set out for America to improve their 
condition, settling in Maryland, Kentucky and other States where coal is 
mined. After saving money and hearing of homestead lands awaiting 
settlement in Wisconsin and other Western States, they came farther West 
and, locating in Trempealeau County, proceeded to open up to civilization 
a new country, much as others under similar circumstances had done, until 
success came their way. Their farming methods at first were crude, and 
for years they suffered the hardships incident to pioneer life, but with 
Scotch tenacity they stuck to the work until they had established com- 
fortable homes and were deriving a good living from the soil. The early 
settlers of Glasgow were James Hardie, Richard Bibby, John Bibby, Joshua 
Bibby, Peter Faulds, Andrew Gatherer, John McMillan, and also the 
parents of the McMillans — these with their wives formed the little Scotch 
settlement of Glasgow at its origin. They were nearly all related, Mrs. 
James Hardie's maiden name being Margaret Bibby — a sister of the three 
men named above. Mrs. Richard Bibby was Mary Faulds, a daughter of 
Peter and Mary Faulds. Mrs. John Bibby was Mary McMillan, a sister of 
John and Niel McMillan. Mrs. Joshua Bibby had no blood relations in 
America at that time ; all were left in Scotland. It is no wonder she often 
used to sigh for the old home across the sea, and to sing, "0, why left I 



206 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

my hame," when memories proved too strong; but that was just for a 
time. She loved America the best at last. The Gatherers were related 
to the Faulds. The McMillans were natives of the Highlands of Scotland, 
while the others came from Lanarkshire or thereabouts. All were devoted 
Presbyterians and all worshiped God on the Sabbath. No matter how 
hard they worked through the week nor how much remained to be done, all 
work was dropped on Saturday night ; the Bible was read and prayers said, 
as described by Burns in "The Cotter's Saturday Night." Sabbath school 
was held in the schoolhouse every Sabbath, Richard Bibby or Joshua Bibby 
taking charge. Before the Presbyterian church at North Bend was built, 
of which later they were all members, services were held in the schoolhouse, 
a pastor from Galesville filhng the pulpit. Visiting among themselves 
was practically all the amusement there was in those days. Quiltings were 
favorite pastimes for the women, and were profitable as well as pleasant, as 
the quilts were, as a rule, always needed. The late Joshua Bibby, the 
youngest man in the colony, and a half-brother of Richard and John Bibby 
— the elder Bibby being married twice — was a lover of music and poetry, 
and a great reader. He used to read and recite Burns, was a member of 
the Burns Club, and loved a game of "curling" on the ice — an old Scotch 
game. He was a genial, winning man. who radiated good cheer wherever 
he went. The others took little interest in Burns and rarely attended Burns 
festivals. 

Alexander Vallens was another old Scotch settler whose name must not 
be omitted. He, with his good wife, occupied the farm adjoining Joshua 
Bibby's. "Sandy" was a hot-tempered, although kindly man, whose "dour" 
disposition and queer ways led him to leave his farm and go back to Scot- 
land, never to return. He refused for some reason to pay his taxes, and 
the result was too much for his sense of right — hence his decision. All 
these farms join and form one continuous whole. 

The Decorah Prairie settlers were mostly from the mining districts of 
Scotland, also, having left fheir native land for the same reasons that 
influenced those of the Glasgow settlement — to improve their condition as 
miners, but eventually drifting father West and settling on homesteads. 
Among the first to settle there were James Sampson, John Davidson, 
Thomas Hunter, Robert Oliver, William Dick, David Cook, Duncan Grant, 
Robert Grant, Collins Irving, Robert Sommerville and Robert Oliver, a 
relative of the one above mentioned. Decorah Prairie is fine farming land, 
and these hardy Scots waxed prosperous thereon. They built even in the 
early days handsome homes, and all were, as a rule, well-to-do. They were, 
as a class, genial and fond of company. Dances amused them often, many 
being musicians of no mean ability, so an orchestra could be extemporized 
on the spot. The Scotch songs were sung at all their merry-makings with 
a vim and heartiness that showed they came from the heart. The good 
old Scotch brogue was there in abundance, and no one was ashamed of it 
either, God bless them. The Galesville Burns Club originated with them, 
and to these good old Scotch folk belongs the honor of it for all time. Of 
course the years have improved it, as most good things improve with time, 
but in the midst of it in all its glory let us not forget those old Scots who 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 207 

founded it in the early days and did their best to keep aUve the memory 
of Robert Burns, the much loved poet of dear old Scotland. — (By Jemima 
Bibby.) 

Wessel Lowe and his wife, accompanied by their three sons, William, 
Ira and Rufus, left the State of New York in April, 1853, and migrated 
to Belvidere, 111. The following summer was spent in that locality, the 
two younger sons dying before winter. Before the next spring they moved 
north to Brooklyn, Green Lake County, Wis., where they lived until the 
spring of 1856. In company with a friend, Herman Snyder, Wessel Lowe 
set out afoot for Trempealeau County and reached the town of Preston 
in April, 1856, his wife and son William following in October with an 
ox-team, a cow and calf, some meat and flour. The first year the family 
lived in Preston. They broke ten acres and sowed to wheat, buckwheat, 
corn and potatoes. This was cut with a cradle, hauled together with an 
ox-team, and threshed with a flail. A fanning mill from near the east 
county line was hired to separate the grain from the chaff. William Van 
Sickle and Cyrus Hine settled in the town of Preston about the same time. 
The first town meeting was held in Reynold's log house, less than 20 
votes being cast. The following is a list of voters : Henry Lake, Chester 
Beswick, Simon Rice, John Hopkins, Robert Thompson, Henry Sheppard, 
Jacob and Peter Tenneson, Nels Halvorsen, Burch Olson, GuUick Olson, 

Knudt Storley, Ed Weeks, Stearns, Wessel Lowe, Cyrus Hine, 

Ebenezer Thurston and Herman Snyder. Money hired in those days cost 
50 per cent in interest. A later reduction to 20 per cent was hailed with 
great rejoicing, though the debtor was obliged to work it out at the rate 
of 75 cents per day. After the War of the Rebellion broke out the son 
Wifliam enlisted and from the meager salary of $13 a month paid the 
debt of $150 and saved the homestead. Galesville, Black River Falls, 
Squaw Creek and Sechlerville were the nearest milling places. Mail was 
gotten at Black River Falls. Later a postoffice known as South Bend 
was located on what is now Paul Thompson's farm. All mail during the 
Civil War to these parts was directed to South Bend, Trempealeau County, 
Wis. This postofiice remained here until the building of the Green Bay 
Railroad in 1873. After the war, in the winter of 1865-66, Wilham Lowe 
hauled lumber from the sawmill at Merrilan and the East Fork of Black 
River, called Mead's Mill, with an ox-team, and began preparations for the 
building of the new home in 1866. This house is still standing on the old 
farm now owned by Hans C. Johnson of Preston. Game was plentiful in 
those days and deer were often shot from the windows of the home with- 
out the exertion or pleasure of "going hunting." Grandfather died in 
October, 1905. Father Lowe is still living and makes his home with his son 
Ward near Blair. Grandmother Lowe died in October, 1891. — (By Mr. and 
Mrs. F. W. Lowe.) 

James N. Hunter, many years connected with the county board, has 
many an interesting story to relate of life in the vicinity of Independence 
in the early days. 

An especially interesing story is that of tht Indian scare. Little 
Beaver, one summer in the early seventies, was camped with a large num- 



208 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ber of his Winnebagos near the mouth of Elk Creek, and aside from the 
carousals which they held among themselves and their habit of begging 
they gave little trouble. 

But one day a well known character of those times came to his home 
with a companion, both somewhat under the influence of intoxicants, and 
exhibited a badly cut head, with the story that the Indians had attacked 
and tried to scalp him. 

With the Massacre of 1862 still fresh in their minds, some of the citi- 
zens wished to attack the camp and exterminate the Indians at once with- 
out warning. But wiser advice prevailed and it was decided to first inves- 
tigate the matter. 

Little Beaver met the accusation with a request to see the men so 
savagely attacked, and further inquiry brought to light that the two men 
had not even seen the Indians, but that the wounded man's cuts were 
received from falling into a grain cradle. 

Another favorite story of Mr. Hunter's has to do with early days at 
New City. Fugina's tavern was then the gathering place of many a 
roisterer, and also of many a Polish farmer who came here to take his joys 
more quietly, and to talk over affairs in their native land. 

One day the fun was waxing furious, when the men on mischief bent, 
took some dry goods that were hanging on a line in Fugina's store. The 
Polish people informed Mr. Fugina, and a race riot ensued. One of the 
men even fired shots into the crowd from outside the window, injuring 
one of the participants in the affair. 

Order was finaly restored and wholesale arrests were made. The 
hearing was held one winter night at the Cripps school house, before 
George W. Parsons, a justice of the peace. The prisoners were defended 
by G. Y. Freeman of Galesville, while Edward Lees of Buffalo County 
looked after Mr. Fugina's interests. A number of the prisoners were bound 
over, but were later acquitted by the Circuit Court. 

So interested had the spectators become in the trial that they had 
not observed the heavily falling snow, and when they started home after 
midnight they had to find their way to their distant homes through snow 
which was above their knees. 

George H. Markham is one of the oldest settlers in Trempealeau 
County. He came to Independence with the Markham party in 1856, and 
has since continued to take an active part in local affairs. His diary is 
replete with interesting incidents of the early days, and his memory of 
those far-distant times is most vivid. 

The family, then consisting of John Markham and wife and two sons, 
George H. and Arthur A., accompanied by Walter Maule, a retainer, and 
Charles F. D. Lyne, the tutor of the two sons, came to America in 1856, 
embarking from Southampton. In originally planning their trip they 
had purposed going to Canada, but had changed their destination upon 
the advice of Rev. William Davis, whom members of the family had met 
in France. 

They landed in New York, went to Chicago by rail, thence to Mil- 
waukee by boat, thence to Watertown by train, and from there to Columbus 



HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 209 

by stage. At Columbus they were joined by Mr. Davis. There also they 
were met by David Wood, who offered to guide them to Trempealeau 
Valley, where homesteads were awaiting. 

Consequently, leaving John Markham and his wife and Arthur A. 
Markham at Columbus, the remainder of the party, consisting of George 
H. Markham, Walter Maule, Charles F. D. E. Line, William Davis, Mrs. 
Davis and two children, started out to seek a new home, guided by David 
Wood, still a resident of the county. The trip, which was made with an 
ox team, was filled with interesting adventures. Through Portage, Mauston 
and Sparta they found their way to Billings Ferry, over the Black River, 
passing near the present site of the city of Melrose, and thence entering the 
Trempealeau Valley near the present site of Blair. The first settler encoun- 
tered in the valley was WiUiam Thompson. The first night in the valley was 
spent at the home of Edmond Reynolds. A short stop was made at the 
home of Alvah Wood, where David Wood remained. They found a poor 
bridge across Pigeon Creek, and continued on to Hiram Stratton's, where a 
short stop was made. Stratton accompanied them down the valley to the 
mouth of Elk Creek, and assisted them in selecting a location. He also 
assisted them in procuring some poplar logs near his place, and with these 
logs they erected a cabin, 24 by 24, a few hundred feet south of what has 
since been known as the Markham or English castle. A shed for the cattle 
was built of poles thatched over with marsh grass. Some marsh grass was 
also cut for the use of the cattle. 

The remainder of the month of October soon passed, and before long 
came the famous winter of the deep snow. Miles from the nearest habita- 
tion, unaccustomed to the rigors of pioneer life, and with only the crudest 
of equipment, the little party spent the long hard winter. Both oxen 
died as a result of the poor food and inclement weather. The people them- 
selves would have perished had it not been for two trips which George 
Markham took to Black River Falls with a hand sled. On one of these 
trips, when the snow was four feet deep, he stopped at the home of Gullick 
Olson, near the present town of Blair, obtained there a pair of snow shoes, 
and within a short time learned their use. 

Mr. Markham remembers distinctly those settlers living along the 
Trempealeau River between Independence and the Jackson County line 
with whom he was acquainted. First came the home of Elder Moses 
Ingalls and his two sons, Francis W. and Moses D. They were south of 
the river. North of the river not far away was Hiram Stratton. Above 
the present village of Whitehall was Alvah Wood south of the river, then 
came William Van Sickle, Ed. Weeks, Cyrus Hines, John Debow and Wessel 
Lowe north of the river, and then John Hopkins, Simon S. Rice, Henry Lake, 
Herman Snyder, Chester Beswick, John B. Dunning, Edmond M. Reynolds, 
WiUiam Welch and Gullick Olson, all south of the river. Ebenezer Thurs- 
ton was north of the river. Then came Robert Thompson and Severt John- 
son south of the river. Messrs. Stirling and Culver were north of the river 
over the line in Jackson County. 

To this list David Wood, who accompanied Mr. Markham on his first 
trip to the county, has made a number of interesting additions. The Ingalls 



210 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

family, Hiram Stratton and brother Albert, and Alvah Wood, father of 
David, settled in what is now Lincoln in 1856. 

Of those in what is now Preston Mr. Wood believes Sivert Johnson to 
have been the first in 1854, followed in 1855 by Gullick Olson, Lars Olson 
Bjorgo Olson, Sigbjurne Ellickson, Peder Pederson, Gullick A. Storlee, 
Bengt Danielson, Nels Halverson and Jacob Tenneson. 

Ebenezer Thurston, Robert Thompson, Edmond M. Reynolds, John B. 
Dunning, Henry Lake, Simon S. Rice and John Hopkins, with his sixteen- 
year-old son James, arrived in 1855, and Wessel Lowe, Herman Snyder, 
Chester Beswick and probably William Welch came in 1856. 

Others who took land in 1855 and became residents here were William 
A. Conger, Hiram Walker, Isander P. Armstrong, George W. Malory 
and Richard Porter, the last named of whom died a short time after his 
arrival. 

While the little Markham colony was spending the winter of 1856-57 
at Independence, John Markham and his wife and son Arthur A. had 
moved to Black River Falls. In the spring they hired a team there and 
started for their new location. They were met at Stirling's, near the 
county line, by George H. Markham. Near the Culver home, with the 
assistance of Culver, they built a raft and thus made their way down the 
Trempealeau River to the mouth of Elk Creek. The next summer was spent 
in breaking the land, but no crops were raised except vegetables. 

Settlers came in but slowly. In the summer of 1857 Giles Cripps and 
family arrived and settled three miles up Elk Creek, the first settlers in 
that valley. No more settlers arrived that year. 

In 1858, George Hale, accompanied by a friend, arrived at the Mark- 
ham home on April 30. On their trip up the river they had lost their guns. 
The Markhams took them ten miles down the river in boats and they 
recovered the missing firearms. In the fall George Hale brought his 
mother and located nine miles up the valley, being the first settler in the 
township which now bears his name. It was this year that George H. 
Markham and Charles F. D. Lyne blazed the first trail between Indepen- 
dence and Arcadia along practically the route of the present wagon road, 
the trip being made for the purpose of allowing Mr. Markham to cast his 
first vote. The river and creeks were swollen and had to be crossed in 
several places. In order to accomplish the passage it was necessary to 
construct temporary bridges across which the oxen were led and across 
which the wagon was carried after being taken apart. 

In 1859 came David Watson, who settled still further up the valley 
near the present site of Pleasantville. In 1860 came a great influx of 
population. 

Of these first settlers John Markham and his wife died here and are 
here laid to rest. George H. and Arthur Markham have since continued 
to live here. Charles F. D. Lyne first took a claim nearby, then left for 
Missouri and for many years was assistant rector of St. Joseph's Parish, 
St. Joseph, in that State. Walter Maule never married. He took a claim 
near the mouth of the cooley which has since borne his name, and spent 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 211 

the rest of his life here. He died in 1898 and is here laid to rest. His 
brother George is still here. 

Giles Cripps died here and is here buried. George Hale moved to Car- 
rington, N. D. David Watson stayed a dozen years or so and then went 
to Michigan. 

Before the war there was a large settlement in Burnside Town- 
ship. Peter Sura and Lawrence Bautch, the first of the Polish people, 
arrived, and soon influenced many of their countrymen to settle in the 
same locality. About the same time came George Parsons, Talcott Moore, 
James Reid, John Reid, Reuben Meggs, George Meggs, William Cramer, 
Hamlet Warring, Dr. James Kelly and his two sons, John and James, 
Lowell Fay and his two sons, Henry and Aaron, Thomas Bennett, George 
Bach, D. C. Cilley, H. W. Rumsey, H. P. Rumsey, E. A. Bently, Michael 
White, George Bartlett, Robert Brookings, William Nichols and others 
and obtained farms. 

Alfred and Harrison Rogers, and Abraham and Samuel Coy, settled 
near New City, and up Travis Valley settled Dr. Joshua Travis, an Indian 
herb doctor ; Jessie Kidder, Lovell Kidder, Albert Spaulding, Elias Spauld- 

ing, Frank and L. D. Tubbs, Theodore Hutchins, John Raymond and 

Vance with his two sons, Irving and Washington. There also lived Elder 
Isaac Hickey, of the Mormon faith, around whom was gathered a scattered 
settlement of his own belief. 

Martin Borst, an early settler in the Borst Valley, soon acquired a 
large tract of some 1,600 acres of the best land in that valley. 

A. D. Tracy is one of the pioneers whose name is preserved among 
the place-names of the county, Tracy Valley being a locality which has 
been known by its present designation since he first settled there, and 
which will bear his name as long as the early history of the county is 
honored and remembered. Mrs. Nettie F. Jones has written an article 
regarding her father and his times, which is a valuable contribution to 
early history. She writes: "My father, A. D. Tracy, for whom Tracy 
Valley is named, moved here in the summer of 1858, with my mother, 
two brothers, Frank and Anfred, now dead, and sister, Stella (Mrs. P. J. 
Linderman), from Lone Rock, Richland County. They lived the first win- 
ter in a log house on what is now known as the Bert Field farm. In the 
spring of 1859 he built a shanty on the land in Tracy Valley, now owned 
by Paul Christopherson. Henry or Hank Robbins and Will Hine did the 
first breaking for him with their ox-team. Robbins owned the land lying 
west of it and built a log house, which was afterwards occupied by Mike 
Murty and P. B. WiUiams. 

"This log house was converted into a school house, with long benches 
and rude mammoth desks, one row all around the outer edge of the room. 
One of the first teachers was Sallie French of Eau Claire. Another was 
Hannah Gordon. I think my first teacher was Mary Cox, sister to A. G. 
Cox. She is Mrs. F. N. Thomas and lives now in Berkeley, Cal., and has a 
very bright mind and pleasing manner yet. Other teachers there were 
Mrs. Lucinda Stone (sister of Mrs. John McKenney), Jerry Marvin, Mag- 
gie Anderson, Anna Streeton, Alice Muzzy, Emma and Ada Martin. 



212 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

"A. D. Tracy's brother John came soon after and settled on the farm 
south, which is now owned by Hans Void. The only living member of this 
family is Glenn Tracy, who lives in Seattle, Wash. For some time the 
only house between A. D. Tracy and Osseo was a log one built by James 
Mclntyre's father, located a little north of what was afterwards the 
Wm. Maxwell place, now owned by Alex. Gjestvang. The people who 
lived there were named Sumner. Possibly it was from them the township 
of Sumner derived its name. 

"One day when Stella Tracy was a little over three years old she started 
out (unknown to her mother) to call on Mrs. Sumner. When she reached 
there she was afi'aid to go in on account of the dog and after she had 
passed she was afraid to go back past the house, so she decided to go to 
Osseo. She went the whole distance alone through the woods three and 
one-half miles and reached the "tavern" kept by R. C. Field, Sr., and when 
they asked her where her folks were she said they were home of course, 
and she had come to play with Lizzie. They sent Hiram Field back on a 
pony to tell the folks where she was. 

"At that time teachers' examinations were conducted by township 
examiners. I don't know what they were called, but my father served in 
the town of Sumner at that time and I have heard him tell how one of the 
teachers rode over on a pony, and he had her spell a few words, read aloud, 
do a few "sums" in mental arithmetic and locate a few places on the map, 
and he gave her a license to teach. 

"Wm. Lindsay was one of the pioneers of Tracy Valley, settling on the 
farm now owned by Esley Thompson. He and John Tracy served in the 
Civil War. Wm. Buzzell, John Lovesee, Sam Bunn, Valorus Campbell, 
Dennis Lawler and John Ross were residents of the Valley at one time and 
each in turn planted for others to reap." 

Antoine Grignon has made history his debtor for much of its knowl- 
edge concerning the Indians of this vicinity. Of the Dakota and Winne- 
bago Indians Mr. Grignon has said : 

"Beginning with the soil, the first work was agriculture. The women 
were very industrious and would begin in the spring to spade up their 
ground for corn planting. They raised what was known as squaw corn, 
which is a flint corn, and also raised pumpkins, and any other vegetables, 
seed of which had found its way into their camp from the fur traders. 
But pumpkins and corn were the principal crops raised. The corn was 
cultivated with hoes — big clumsy implements that weighed as much as 
three or four of our common garden hoes. It was principally eaten hulled, 
also in meal after being ground up in a wooden bowl with a large wooden 
pounder. This was their crude mill. This meal they baked into corn 
bread, or made it into porridge. They also used gi-een corn as roasting 
ears, and dried it in the following fashion : They dug a hole in the ground 
and heated large stones ; on these heated stones they thi-ew husks, and on 
the husks laid the green corn on cobs ; over this corn they threw more 
husks, and then covered it up and let it cook. When it was thoroughly 
cooked the corn was cut from the cob and put out on mats in the sun to dry. 
This dried corn was used to make soup, and could be kept for years. 



HISTORY OF TRE.MPEALEAU COUNTY 213 

"Wigwams, before canvas was introduced, were made of woven grass ; 
long grass called foxtail was utilized for this purpose. Mats made from 
grasses were about four to six feet in width and twelve or sixteen feet in 
length. A wooden rod was put at the end of the wigwam mat, and twine 
made of basswood bark was used to tie the mat to the rod. Several of 
these mats were used to construct a wigwam, and they would shed rain as 
readily as canvas does. Both twine and mats were made by hand ; it was 
a long piece of work for the squaw to make matting for a wigwam, but once 
completed it lasted for years and was always kept in repair. The matting 
was light and very easily carried either on ponies or in canoes. In making 
this wigwam matting the Indians worked together, several squaws con- 
gregating and working until the wigwam was completed, just as pioneer 
women gathered at quilting bees. Mats were also used as carpets in the 
wigwam, and were made for trading purposes as well, for the whites often 
bought them for use in their houses. The women in the Indian camp also 
prepared the meat, made the pemmican and jerked the fresh venison. This 
kept well though no salt whatever was used. The women also made moc- 
casins and tanned skins of animals for use as clothing. Bags were made 
out of tanned skin and woven out of wild grasses. These bags were used 
to carry cooking utensils, clothing and implements used about the wigwam. 

"The Winnebago were noted for mat weaving, basket making, orna- 
menting skins and making wooden brooms. They dug out canoes, bowls 
and other dishes from wood. These wooden vessels were made by the men 
and were oi'namented with the heads of deer and bears, or of some other 
animal. They also made wooden ladles with handles ornamented with the 
head of a fish or a bird. The men also made the reed, a musical instrument 
like a flute. This reed was used in wooing ; a brave would play on his reed 
in front of the wigwam where resided his lady love. He would play his 
love tune, and if he was a welcome caller he would be invited in to see the 
maid for whom he was playing. If he was not welcome, no notice was taken 
of him, and he would take his departure. Sometimes he would return and 
play night after night until the reluctant father of the Indian maid would 
invite him in, but sometimes the father would drive the young wooer away. 

"Another instrument of a musical character was the drum, made of a 
hollow chunk of wood with a piece of rawhide stretched over it. This was 
called the "tum-tum" and was used at all their dancing. 

"Another article of manufacture was the bucket. This was made of 
birch bark and sewed together with twine from basswood bark, while to 
keep the bucket from leaking a glue, made from cherry sap or gum and from 
the backbone of a sturgeon, was used. These birch bark pails were used 
to catch sap. This was collected in a storage trough made of a log dug out 
and burned so it would hold several barrels. In former years the women 
did their sewing with sinew from the deer and elk and used bone needles. 

"The Dakotas were noted for their leather articles. First was the 
wigwam made of tanned buffalo hides, sewed together in the shape of a 
tepee, which made a very warm dwelling. The hair was removed from 
the buffalo skin in making these wigwams, but for blankets and carpets 
the hides were tanned with the hair left on. These wigwams were deco- 



214 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

rated with bi'ight paint. As a rule buffalo, deer, elk, horses and birds 
were painted on the buffalo hide, but now and then you would see the 
human figure on a tent, and I have seen a few where a scene with hills, 
river and woods ornamented the wigwam. 

"The Dakotas were the most ingenious of the western Indians in mak- 
ing ornaments. They decorated their clothing with beads and shells. Por- 
cupine quills stained with different colors were used to adorn their arrow 
quivers, while the arrows were colored, that is, the feather was stained 
some gaudy color. The bow was made of buffalo sinew and the arrows of 
wood. The Dakotas were likewise expert pipe makers. They used pipe- 
stone, with a reed that grows in marshy places, for a stem. The pipe was 
decorated with bird claws, and tufts of fur from the weasel or mink. I 
have seen some of the most beautiful pipes among the Dakotas that could 
be imagined. 

"The Chippewas were noted for their birch bark canoes. These were 
made of sheets of birch bark sewed together with sinew and watap root, 
and sealed with tamarack and pine pitch to keep them from leaking. These 
canoes would carry more weight than one would suppose. 

"Indian children usually have a happy time. The child is put into a 
straight-back little cradle with sides and a bow handle. It is flat and has 
no rocker, for none is needed. The young Indian babe seldom cries, because 
it is seldom sick. It is a breast-fed baby, and gets along a great deal better 
than the average white child. Two saplings are used to make a swing for 
the baby. They are sharpened on one end and stuck in the ground about 
seven feet apart. A cord made of basswood bark is tied to the cradle and 
the babe is given a swing by tying the cord to the saplings. There the little 
one is swung back and forth or jounced up and down. Little trinkets are 
placed on the bow of the cradle for the baby's amusement, and it will lie 
by the hour and play with these trinkets. 

"The principal game of the Indian in this part of the country was 
lacrosse. This game was often played as a sacred game, to redeem the 
bereaved from their long mourning period. They were obliged by custom 
to mourn a stated length of time, but could make a sacrifice instead, that 
is, give away a certain amount of furs, blankets, or ponies ; and these were 
played for in the lacrosse game. Two parties were formed, from a dozen to 
fifteen on a side, and these parties played the game for the goods as a stake, 
the winners taking the mourners' sacrifice. After the game the mourning 
was at an end. The game was played with a ball and lacrosse sticks. The 
ball must not be touched except with the lacrosse stick. 

"Among the Indian children games are indulged in; one something 
like shinny is played on the ice, and in another the players throw a twisted 
hickory stick on the ice; this is driven towards a goal, the one coming 
nearest the goal winning. Among the children sliding down hill is enjoyed. 
They use basswood and elm bark in making sleds for coasting. They always 
ride standing, and hold on to a string fastened to the front of their toboggan. 
They also play on the glaring ice. One game or sport was to take a small 
round niggerhead stone and spin it on the ice, then take a willow whip and 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 215 

whip it over the ice as fast as they could go. They had tops to spin also, 
made of wood and set in motion with a string. 

"The marriage ceremony among the Indians was very simple. The 
young buck would call at the wigwam where resided the Indian maid he 
wished for a wife. If the mother of the girl was pleased with the young 
brave she would not stir the fire in the least, but would sit quietly before 
the glimmering light of the ground hearth. If, however, she was not 
pleased with the young suitor, she would stir the fire again and again until 
the wooer took his departure and would emphasize her disgust by spitting 
into the fire at times. Another custom was for the young buck to bring 
presents to the parents of the girl he desired, and if these presents, such 
as ponies, furs and silver trinkets, were accepted, he would take the girl 
for his wife. 

"The Indians believed in 'maunhoonah,' meaning the Great Spirit or 
Creator of Earth. They believed in the hereafter, and that in order to get 
to the happy hunting ground they had to be good Indians. They had a 
Grand Medicine Society, in its form allied to the Free Mason orders. Not 
all could join this society, but a certain number were taken in each year. 
Application was made for membership, and the names taken up in council, 
and if elected to become a member the candidate was initiated into the 
order, providing, of course, he could furnish the necessary fee of furs, 
blankets, ponies, or goods of any kind. After being initiated the new mem- 
ber was given a medicine bag made of the skin of some animal, such as the 
coon, squirrel, otter or beaver. 

"The medicine man who looks after the bodily ailments of the tribe is 
not to be confounded with the medicine man who is a member of the Great 
Medicine Lodge. The former is usually above the average intelligence, 
and gifted with the power of impressing his superiority upon the Indians, 
that is, in deahng with disease. This power of dispelling disease is sup- 
posed to be given him by the Great Spirit. In treating a patient, the medi- 
cine man goes through certain incantations and rattles a gourd, which has 
seed or shot in it. He also uses roots and herbs for the treatment of the 
sick. A great deal of ginseng is used, and the bark of poplar trees, man- 
drake or May apple root and sweet flag. The list of herbs would be a long 
one, and some of the medicine men obtained very good results from these 
herbs, which they used as a tea, after steeping them over a fire in a kettle 
containing a sufficient amount of water. Some of these Indian doctors 
became noted even among the whites, and were able in a limited number 
of diseases to give relief and obtain cures. They also practiced surgery, 
setting bones, opening abscesses and treating wounds of various kinds. 
Their instruments were crude and were made mostly of bone and iron. 

"At the burial or funeral ceremony, some member of the tribe was 
appointed to speak at the grave of the departed Indian. The mourners 
passed around the head of the grave in single file and scattered tobacco 
over the open grave. The funeral orator gave an oration on the life of the 
departed and pictured his journey into the land of the hereafter. Food 
was left on the grave sufficient to carry him on his journey, and a supply 
of tobacco, so that he could take comfort on the way to the happy hunting 



216 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ground. On the death of a member of the tribe, the survivors had a wake ; 
friends and mourners met at the home where a death occurred, a speech 
was made, after which all except the mourners joined in a feast. This 
wake was the beginning of mourning, and the mourners observed the cus- 
tom of fasting for at least three days. If a woman lost her husband, she 
remained with her husband's relatives for a number of months and was 
compelled to do their work without a murmur. She was not allowed to 
comb her hair for a number of months, or to ornament herself in any way, 
but went ragged and dirty with her hair unkempt and was forced to do the 
bidding of her husband's relatives. At the end of the mourning period she 
was liberated to go where she pleased and do as she pleased ; she frequently 
remarried. 

"When I was at Long Prairie, I was much interested in a custom among 
the Winnebago of making morning speeches. Early each morning when 
the weather would permit, one of the orators would appear in front of his 
wigwam and give an address of a religious nature to the Indians, who would 
assemble to hear the exhorter. He usually spoke in a kindly way, offering 
advice and telling the tribesmen to carry themselves in a manner befitting 
good, true men and women. I suppose such a person among the whites 
would be called an evangehst. 

"Among the noted orators and chiefs that I have known were Winno- 
shiek, Black Hawk, Decorah, Wah-pa-sha, Little Creek, Little Priest, Snake 
Hide, Little Hill, Short Wing, and many others whose names I cannot recall. 
Big Fire was a noted astronomer. He studied the heavens and was familiar 
with the principal groups of stars. 

"The Indians had the heavens mapped out into constellations and were 
familiar with all the changes of the moon. They often studied the stars 
on cold nights when the light from the constellations was most brilliant. A 
month was called a moon and a year of time designated a winter. 

"Legends and traditions of the tribes were passed down from one gener- 
ation to another by means of 'word passers.' A number of young Indians, 
say eight or ten, were chosen on account of their good memories to. study, 
and learn lessons from the older 'word passers.' These young Indians were 
drilled in the legends, history, and traditions of the tribe. They were 
required to repeat them over and over again, omitting no detail, until they 
knew them by heart ; and when the old 'word passers' died, another gener- 
ation of young men was selected and instructed by their predecessors. Thus 
dates and incidents were passed on from generation to generation, and a 
living history was kept. An old Winnebago chief, Decorah, had a very 
interesting cane that he showed me one day, when I visited him in his 
wigwam. On this cane were carved many figures, a sort of hieroglyphics. 
It had been handed down from father to son and was in reality a record 
which old Decorah could read. It was a crude history of the tribe covering 
a good many years, and if I could remember some of the accounts Decorah 
gave me as recorded on the cane, they would be worth hearing. 

"The Dakotas were fond of decorating themselves with quills, furs, 
and feathers ; but I think they had one custom which is worth noting. A 
brave, or more particularly a warrior, used a war-eagle feather to adorn 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 217 

his hair. This long feather in the hair of a warrior was a mark of distinc- 
tion, and it was acquired on merit, for no brave could wear one who did not 
merit it. On the feather notches were cut if the warrior had been success- 
ful in war. Each notch on one side of the feather represented a scalp 
taken from an enemy. The notches on the other side signified the number 
of times the brave had been on the war-path. This made it easy for one 
to tell what kind of a war record a brave had. If a warrior had a well- 
notched feather he was looked up to and envied and praised by his tribes- 
men; he felt his superiority, too, and carried himself with a distinguished 
air. War-eagles were scarce and it was sometimes hard to get feathers. 
I remember one time seeing an Indian trade a pony for a war-eagle feather. 
Hunting parties from Wabashaw's village used to go out in search for the 
war-eagle, and a favorite resting-place for these eagles was among the hills 
of Waumandee. Waumandee means in the Dakota tongue 'the land of the 
war-eagle.' 

"Another peculiar custom which I recollect is the method of inviting a 
party of Indians to attend a dance, feast, or other gathering. One day 
while I was camped with a band of Sioux near the site of what is now Marsh- 
land, an Indian came into camp who was from another camp near Homer 
(Minnesota). He had crossed the Mississippi in a canoe, and came to 
invite several of the Indians over to his camp to attend a medicine dance. 
He would enter a tent and pass around some small sticks, and explain his 
object and depart. He must have had at least fifty sticks answering the 
purpose of invitation cards, which he distributed. 

"One August day in the '50s we went up the tamarack pluming, for 
the place was noted for its wild plums. We had started to gather plums, and 
were intent on our work, when all of a sudden the stillness of the summer 
solitude was broken by a yell, a war-cry uttered in its wild, blood-curdling 
manner. On looking up I saw our party completely surrounded by a- band 
of Sioux warriors. It was a war party out after Chippewa ; they mistook 
us for their enemies, but soon saw their mistake and went peaceably away. 
We gathered our plums in safety and returned home, but we never forgot 
the surprise we received by the Sioux warriors. 

"In cases of murder in the tribe the guilty party was given a trial. 
Witnesses were called to testify and speakers were chosen for and against 
the defendant. If the accused person was found guilty, a council was held 
to determine the punishment. They usually ordered the murderer killed 
in the same manner he used in slaying his victim — death by shooting, 
stabbing, or tomahawking as the case might be. In some cases the accused 
would redeem himself by furnishing enough goods such as ponies, furs, or 
weapons, to secure his liberty ; these goods which were distributed among 
the dead person's immediate relatives, prevented retaliation on their part. 

"The Indians as I knew them were as a general thing peaceable. They 
loved their native haunts and their families and may be called a happy 
people. They had plenty. Game abounded ; there was an abundance of fur- 
bearing animals ; and the streams were full of fish. There was no need of 
poverty, for with plenty of corn and wild meat and with fur enough to 
buy ammunition, traps, and knives, there was little else needed to make 



218 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

their lot an easy and comfortable one. They were not a stolid people, but 
were fond of fun. There was a humorous side to the Indian and a genial 
friendship when once you came to know him, and I have no respect for 
that unnatural picture so often made of him — the word picture of the 
novehst that shows him devoid of sentiment and emotion, a cold, cruel, 
unfeeling stoic, whose face is never rippled with a smile or stained with a 
tear. I think there is a truer picture of the Indian, as a natural human 
being with a heart that feels pain and pleasure, with a mind that appre- 
ciates the good and bad, the true and false, with a spirit that enjoys home 
and companions and friendship, with a life that throbs with love and senti- 
ment. The Indian I know loved and laughed with his children, visited 
his neighbor, had warm personal friendships, and loved the life of peaceful 
contentment he was living, a life near to nature. 

"I have often visited the Dakota and Winnebago and passed long, 
pleasant hours in their wigwams, talking with them on various subjects 
as we sat circled about the glowing fire. I have heard the laugh of their 
children and seen them frolic about as happy as any young ones I ever saw. 
I have seen them play games and join in sports, and they were as interesting 
to watch as other children. Of course, there were some whose barbarous 
nature was revealed. There are some white people also whose barbarous 
natuVe gets the upper hand of them. But take the Indian, all in all, he 
was a happy creature during the fur-trading days." (See Eben D. Pierce, 
Recollections of Antoine Gregnon, Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1913, pp. 
110-136.) 

Remains of a French Post Near Trempealeau.. I — Archaeological 
Sketch by Eben D. Pierce. In the early '80s Dr. Lyman C. Draper, then 
secretary of the State Historical Society, received a request from the French 
Academy of History for information regarding the location of Perrot's post, 
as indicated on Franquelin's map of 1688, a few miles above the mouth of 
Black River on the east bank of the Mississippi. Doctor Draper sought 
the assistance of A. W. Newman, of Trempealeau, later justice of Wisconsin 
Supreme Court, who was much interested in local history. He enlisted 
the services of Judge B. F. Heuston, then at work on a history of Trempea- 
leau, who took up the work with enthusiasm and carefully searched the 
riverside of the bluffs for some mark of the ancient fort. He made several 
journeys to Trempealeau Bay in the vain effort to find some trace of the 
early post, as the bay would seem to have afforded an excellent site for 
wintering quarters. 

Meanwhile, some of the workmen engaged in grading the Chicago, 
Burhngton & Northern Railway along the river discovered, about two miles 
above the village, the remains of fireplaces or hearths. Judge Heuston, 
hearing of these finds, decided to visit the place and investigate. He 
selected George H. Squier to assist him and accompanied by Antoine Grignon 
and W. A. Finkelnburg, of Winona, they went to the place where the fire- 
places had been uncovered and began excavations. The next spring. Judge 
Newman having communicated these facts to the State Historical Society, 
Reuben G. Thwaites, then the newly-elected secretary of the Society, came 
to Trempealeau and on April 18, accompanied by W. A. Finkelnburg and the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 219 

local historians, made a historical pilgrimage to the site of the post that 
had been found, and continued the excavations. 

The first fireplace had already been laid bare, and Mr. Squier had suc- 
ceeded in tracing by a line of charcoal the former wall of the building. The 
dimensions of the building were about 20 by 30 feet; the fireplace was 2V2 
feet in depth and 4 feet long with enclosing walls at back and sides. The 
chimney had undoubtedly been a wooden structure made of small logs with 
clay daubing, as there was not enough stone found to indicate a stone 
chimney. 

A blacksmith's forge was also unearthed, together with some scrap 
iron, and a pile of charcoal which had evidently been used in a smelter. A 
pile of slag, some 16 feet in diameter, was found, showing that the occu- 
pants of the post had attempted smelting. The slag consisted of a mixture 
of iron ore and limestone. The remains of the smelting furnace were also 
found. Other relics discovered included some hand-wrought nails, buff'alo 
bones, an old-fashioned flintlock pistol, a gun barrel, and an auger. The 
pistol was of excellent make, which led Mr. Squier to believe that the ex- 
plorers had excavated the officers' quarters. Seven of the original build- 
ings were unearthed in all ; one was left undisturbed. 

James Reed, the first settler in this county, said that when he first came 
to Trempealeau in 1840, he had noticed the elevated foundations at this 
place, where part of the fireplace protruded above the sod, but as the region 
abounded in Indian mounds of various types, he had attached no especial 
significance to this particular elevation. There was, however, a lingering 
tradition among the Indians of the locality concerning a French fort near 
the sacred Trempealeau Mountain. 

In the summer of 1912 George H. Squier, Antoine Grignon, and the 
writer did some excavating at this site. By a cross-sectional excavation 
we were able to pick up the charcoal line of the main building and follow it 
several feet, and from this it was possible to verify Mr. Squier's early 
estimate of its dimensions. We also found, besides charcoal, numerous 
bones, among which were the jawbone of a beaver, the toe bones and claw of 
a bear, and some large bones either of elk or buffalo. 

The place was well selected for wintering quarters. It lay near the 
head of a slough which, setting back from the Mississippi, afforded a quiet 
harbor free from the menace of floating ice. Springs exist in the side of 
Brady's and Sullivan's peaks a quarter of a mile away, but the river water 
was drinkable, and there was an abundance of firewood. The bluffs pro- 
tected the post from the cold north and east winds. 

II. Additional Archaeological Details : by George H. Squier. It is now 
nearly 30 years since the French post at Trempealeau was first discovered, 
and those who had part in that discovery have nearly all pased away. As it 
chanced the writer was the first to uncover any portion of the remains, and 
it was also his fortune that this first site explored was that of the most 
important and best constructed of the group and afforded a key to the 
construction plan and the identity of the remains. To the brief account 
given in the tenth volume of the Wisconsin Historical Collections, the writer 



220 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

is the only one alive who is able to add from first-hand knowledge, details 
that were noted but not recorded at the time the post was first laid bare. 

In describing the remains one basic fact must be borne in mind, namely, 
that they show t\vo distinct periods of occupancy, the earlier of which was 
probably that of Perrot, the latter with little doubt represented by Linctot. 
Most of the descriptions, therefore, must apply to the latter rather than to 
the earlier post. The only portion of the remains which can confidently 
be ascribed to the earlier period is the lower of two hearths occupying 
the same site. If there were any other remains of this earlier period, they 
were indistinguishably mingled with those of the latter. This earlier 
hearth was less carefully constructed than the latter, hence we may conjec- 
ture that Perrot's accommodations were cruder than those of Linctot. So 
far as the character of the construction could be judged from the remains, 
it by no means equaled the average squatter's cabin in solidity and per- 
manence, and there was nothing whatever to indicate any attempt at 
defensive construction. 

Of the hearths other than the largest one, which was the first to be 
uncovered, it is believed there were five, two of which were removed in 
grading the railway. In comparison with the first, these five were much 
inferior in construction, the hearthstones being very irregular" in form 
with no indications of backs or chimneys. As this would indicate that the 
smoke escaped through the roof, it would point to structures very little 
removed from Indian tepees slightly modified for white occupancy. Their 
true positions with reference to Number 1 and to each other were not 
determined, but their distribution was rather irregular. 

In front of the supposed officers' quarters were two constructions 
representing the industrial equipment of the post. One of these was the 
blacksmith's forge. The excavations about this were conducted by the 
owner of a private museum at St. Paul, Minn., assisted by Antoine Grignon. 
As was to be expected, this furnished the greater portion of the metal rehcs. 
Among them I remember a pistol, an auger, a staple, some nails, and several 
bits of scrap iron. The other construction, which was explored by myself, 
undoubtedly represented an attempt to reduce our local iron ores by the 
open-hearth process. There were the remains of a large pile of charcoal 
several feet in diameter, and a considerable pile of the resultant slag, 
representing material in all stages of fusion from the glassy to that showing 
unfused fragments of the ore and limestone intimately commingled. That 
this ore, a residual from the decay of limestone and usually associated with 
flint, is not now very abundant about the Trempealeau bluff's is believed 
to be in part due to the fact that it was largely gathered up by the occupants 
of this post, since it occurs in considerable abundance in many other Missis- 
sippi River bluffs. 

It seems probable that Linctot's occupancy was something more than 
temporary, and represented a tentative attempt to establish a permanent 
post, which, however, was soon abandoned. There are evidences that the 
French scoured the region for a considerable distance around the post — 
an ax of the period having been recovered from a shallow pond three miles 
eastward. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 221 

The relation these remains bear to Indian antiquities is worthy of 
notice. A considerable group of mounds occurs only a few rods west of 
the site, and a single mound appears on the rather prominent stony point 
in front of the post. There are some pecuhar features, not found elsewhere 
in this region, in the manner of disposal and burning of the skeletons 
covered by this mound ; while conspicuously different from the usual Indian 
methods they are much like primitive methods practiced in Europe. It 
seems reasonable to suppose that the French were in some way concerned 
in these burials. It may be noted that the lower of the two hearths on 
the supposed site of the officers' quarters was itself built over an Indian 
bake hole in which ashes and bones were found. 

Before the uncovering of the site there was nothing in any way resem- 
bhng a tumulus. Indeed, the surface was more even than it is now, for in 
the process of excavation the dirt was heaped up in places. At the largest 
hearth the clay with which the chimney had been plastered formed a cover- 
ing a few inches thick over the natural surface, but the rise was so small 
and the slope so gentle that it was scarcely recognizable. The one feature 
noted by James Reed and Antoine Grignon, which led to the final discovery 
of the place was that the sides and back of the hearth, formed of small flat 
stones, projected an inch or two above the surface. The construction was 
so rude, however, that Judge Heuston, W. A. Finkelnburg, and Antoine 
Grignon, who preceded me to the place, after examining some of the top 
stones concluded that it was not artificial and went on to the bay. Coming 
up after they had left, there seemed to me something in the arrangement 
not quite natural, and working around carefully with a garden trowel I 
quickly exposed the outlines, and by the time they returned from the bay 
the hearth was fully exposed. The hearth proper was about 2 by 4 feet in 
dimensions, while the outside dimensions of the chimney were probably 
about twice as large. The sides and back were built of small flat stones laid 
in clay to a height somewhere between one and two feet, above which the 
chimney construction must have been of small logs plastered with clay, in 
which a considerable amount of grass was mixed for better binding. The 
hearths themselves were of such flat stones as could be found in the vicinity, 
the best of them being used in this hearth at the officers' quarters. With 
the possible exception of some slight trimming of the edges no tool work had 
been given them. But this and the underlying hearth were covered by 
several inches of ashes with which were mingled numerous fragments of 
bones of birds and small animals. The larger bones were thrown out back 
of the hearth which was evidently at the western end of the principal 
building. 

It is probable that the stone construction did not extend much more 
than a foot above the hearth and that these stones were mostly in place 
when the remains were discovered. Very few stones were found mingled 
with the debris around the hearth, which could hardly have been the case 
had any considerable height of such construction fallen down. It is prob- 
able that the log enclosure was built up from the ground of sufficient size to 
permit a protective interlining, which at the bottom was of stones laid in 
clay. After the supply of stones gave out the construction was continued 



222 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of clay alone as high as needed. Used in this way the stones were added 
as fillers, much as we do in concrete constructions, with little eflfort to 
arrange them in orderly sequence. 

According to cross-sectional excavations made in the summer of 1912 
the dimensions of this building were 20 by 30 feet; but these figures are 
to be looked upon as merely a conjectural estimate. There was nothing 
whatever to determine the position of the south wall, and the evidence 
concerning the location of the east wall was very slight. The distance from 
the northwest corner to the south side of the hearth was about 10 feet. 
Five or six feet should be allowed for a door, which there is reason to 
believe existed on the west side south of the hearth, so that an estimate 
of 20 feet for the width of the building can not be regarded as excessive. 
As far as traced, the north wall was a straight, even, sharply-defined line 
of charcoal, perhaps ten inches wide. Nothing which could be regarded 
as its counterpart was found on the east side. (See Wisconsin Historical 
Society, Proceedings, 1915, pp. 111-123.) 

Organization of County. AN Act to organize the County of Trempe a 
I'eau. Published, Jan. 30, 1854. 

The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assem- 
bly, do enact as follows : 

1. All that portion of country embraced in the following boundaries, 
is hereby set off into a separate county to be called and known as the County 
of Trempe a I'eau, to-wit: Beginning at the point on the Mississippi River 
where the line between townships 17 and 18 north, strikes said river ; thence 
running east on said line to the main channel of Black River ; thence up the 
main channel of Black River to the line between townships 18 and 19 north ; 
thence east on said line to the range line between ranges 6 and 7 west; 
thence north on said range line to the line between townships 24 and 25 
north ; thence west on said line and to the range line between ranges 9 and 10 
west ; thence south on said range line to Trempe a I'eau River ; thence down 
the main channel of the Trempe a I'eau River to the Mississippi River; 
thence down the main channel of the Mississippi River to the place of 
beginning. 

2. There shall be an election held in said county on the first Monday 
of September, 1854, for the election of a suitable person for county judge of 
said county, which election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made 
as now required by law for the election of county judges; and the judge so 
elected shall hold his office for the term of three years from and after the 
1st day of January, 1855, and until his successor is elected and qualified. 

3. At the general election to be held in the month of November, 1854, 
there shall be elected in said county, all proper county officers ; which officers 
shall qualify as now provided by law, and enter upon the duties of their 
several offices the 1st day of January, 1855. 

4. The board of supervisors of the Town of Monteville, in said county, 
shall have power to act as the board of supervisors of said county until 
other towns in said county shall be organized and elections therein held lor 
town officers as now provided by law. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 223 

5. The seat of justice in said county shall be, and the same is hereby 
located, on the northwest quarter of section 33, in township 19 north, of 
range 8 west. 

6. The said County of Trempe a I'eau is hereby attached to the County 
of La Crosse for judicial purposes, until the 1st day of January, 1855, after 
which time the said county shall be fully organized for judicial purposes 
and shall be attached to the sixth judicial circuit. 

7. The county court for said County of Trempe a I'eau shall be held 
at the county seat thereof, on the first Monday of March, the first Monday of 
June, the first Monday of September, and the first Monday of December in 
each year, after said county is organized for judicial purposes as provided in 
this Act. 

8. This Act shall take effect from and after its passage. 

Approved, Jan. 27, 1854. (Chap. 2, General Laws — State of Wis- 
consin.) 



CHAPTER XI 

MODERN VILLAGES 

Trempealeau County has eight incorporated villages. Trempealeau, 
Galesville, Osseo and Eleva were started on their present sites with their 
present names before they were supplied with railroads. Before Arcadia 
was started, Old Arcadia, a mile away, was a thriving village, at that time 
the third in importance in the county. Before Whitehall was started. Old 
Whitehall, a mile away, was a thriving hamlet. Before Blair was started, 
there was a store and a postoffice not far away. 

Trempealeau was platted April 21, 22 and 23, 1852 (as Montoville, April 
7, 1852), was incorporated nearly two decades later and reincorporated 
March 10, 1900. Galesville was platted April 22, 1854, and incorporated 
June 13, 1887. Arcadia was platted Jan. 27, 1874, and incorporated Dec. 
17, 1878. Whitehall was platted Jan. 20, 1874, and incorporated June 14, 
1887. Eleva was platted Sept. 10, 1877, and incorporated Jan. 14, 1902. 
Osseo was platted Sept. 22, 1857, and incorporated Sept. 4, 1893. Inde- 
pendence was platted May 13, 1876, and was incorporated Dec. 16, 1885. 
Blair was platted April 16, 1877 (as Porterville, Sept. 2 and 3, 1873), and 
was incorporated Sept. 6, 1894. 

The census of 1910 shows the population of the villages as follows: 
Arcadia, 1,212; Galesville, 873; Whitehall, 703; Independence, 664; 
Trempealeau, 535; Osseo, 548; Blair, 486; Eleva, 319. 

The census of 1900 shows this population: Arcadia, 1,273; Galesville, 
862 ; Trempealeau, 609 ; Independence, 630 ; Whitehall, 600 ; Blair, 438. 

The census of 1890 shows this population: Arcadia, 659; Galesville, 
537 ; Independence, 382 ; Whitehall, 304. 

The census of 1880 shows this population: Arcadia, 720; Galesville, 
410 ; Independence, 365 ; Whitehall, 267. 

Dodge, Pigeon Falls, Ettrick and Strum are thriving places of between 
150 and 300 population each. Dodge was platted Feb. 20, 1874 ; Ettrick, June 
30, 1877 ; Pigeon Falls, May 30, 1894 ; and Strum, Sept. 26, 1898. Pleasant 
Valley is a trading center platted Feb. 16, 17, 19, 1877. Caledonia, platted 
Sept. 14, 1855, is now merely a neighborhood center. At Coral City, platted 
on May 28, 1864, there is a mill, a mill dam and a number of houses. At 
Old Whitehall, platted May 23, 1862, there are two or three houses and a 
cemetery. East Arcadia, platted April 23 and 24, 1874, and West Arcadia, 
platted Aug. 15, 1874, adjoin the village of Arcadia. West Prairie is a com- 
munity center, with a cemetery, a church, a band stand, a mill and a school- 
house. Other places, such as Elk Creek, Tamarack, Centerville, French- 
ville, Hegg, Iduna, Norden, Pine Creek, and Russell, are community or 
trading centers. 

224 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 225 

Arcadia 

Arcadia is the metropolis of Trempealeau County. It is situated in 
the western part of the county on the banks of Trempealeau River. Rail- 
road facilities are furnished by the Green Bay & Western. The flats east 
and west of the river furnish a well-shaded and well-laid-out residence 
section in which are many beautiful buildings. The business section is 
situated on the flats east of the river. Circling this section is a plateau 
with handsome residences. The street from the business section to Old 
Arcadia is also lined with sightly homes. The commanding churches, the 
new high school, the Carnegie Library, the macadamized streets, the spread- 
ing lawns and magnificent shrubbery all go to make up as pretty a village 
as is to be found in Western Wisconsin. 

The village has two banks, a newspaper, two creameries, a brewery, 
two mills, three elevators and a stock yard. The principal shipments are 
cattle, hogs, sheep and grain. 

There are six churches in Arcadia — the Church of Our Lady of Per- 
petual Help, St. Stanislaus church, St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran, 
St. John's Christ German Evangelical Lutheran, the Methodist Episcopal, 
and the Evangelical Association. The little church on the hill, first the 
Baptist church, then a People's church, and then a Unitarian church, is 
now unoccupied. 

Arcadia was platted Jan. 27, 1874, on land owned by H. Ketchum, D. M. 
Kelly, George Hiles and I. A. Briggs. 

Late in the fall of 1878 a movement was started looking to the incor- 
poration and organization of the village. A census was taken therein by 

D. B. Stitt on Oct. 30 and 31, and the proposed Hmits were found to contain 
710 people. A survey of the territory was made Oct. 31, 1878, by Hiram B. 
Merchant, who was a practical surveyor and who made a map thereof. On 
Dec. 9, 1878, E. A. Morgan, 4. F. Hensel, J. P. Mallinger, Otto Gazal and 
J. C. Muir petitioned the court that an order be made incorporating the 
village of Arcadia. The order was duly issued Dec. 17, 1878, by Hon. A. W. 
Newman, judge. On Feb. 18, 1879, an election resulted in the choice of 

E. C. Higbee as president, W. W. Barnes, Seth Putnam, Otto Gazal, J. C. 
Muir, -John Maurer and J. Martin Fertig as trustees ; John N. Stariha as 
clerk; A. F. Hensel as treasurer; Dr. F. L. Lewis as supervisor; Math 
Danuser as marshal; George Schneller as constable; Douglas Arnold as 
justice of the peace, and C. M. Mercer as pohce justice, all for three months. 
The first annual village election was held May 6, 1879. Mr. Higbee was 
elected president ; Messrs. Barnes, Fertig, Mueller, Mergerner, Putnam and 
Jacob Schneller were elected trustees ; John N. Stariha, clerk ; A. F. Hensel, 
treasurer; C. M. Mercer, police justice; Douglas Arnold, justice; Math 
Danuser, marshal; George Schneller, constable; Dr. F. L. Lewis, supervisor. 

The present officers of Arcadia are : President, John Roesch ; trustees, 
E. G. Bigham, A. C. Foster, William Knoop, J. F. Muir, F. Steinhauser and 
George Weisenberger ; clerk, Robert Barlow; assessor, J. K. Cysweski; jus- 
tice, John F. Beon ; supervisor. Dr. J. A. Palmer ; marshal, William Hogan ; 
health oflficer, Dr. G. N. Hidershide. 



226 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The municipal improvements of Arcadia consist of an electric light 
plant, a waterworks system, a fire department, a village hall, a village clock, 
a Carnegie Library, a high school, a public park, macadamized roads, and 
several bridges. 

Street lighting had its beginning Oct. 9, 1891, when the village council 
voted to purchase twelve oil street lamps, and made arrangements for their 
lighting and care. Electric lighting had its inception June 19, 1893, when 
W. R. Wolfe was given a franchise to erect an electric light plant and place 
poles in the streets. After considerable discussion of the question, the 
Arcadia Electric Light Plant, with John Grover (president), W. R. Wolfe 
(treasurer) and Louis Hohnmann as owners, was given a contract to supply 
the streets with arc lights for four years. But, owing to restrictions 
placed upon the company, the streets were never hghted under this con- 
tract. Mr. Wolfe, however, put in a plant and furnished the leading busi- 
ness houses with electricity for some six months before he sold to Benton 
& Son, who removed the plant. The next move made toward street lighting 
was on Jan. 10, 1896, when a franchise was granted the Arcadia Milling 
Company. A contract for street lighting was made Jan. 17, 1896, and 
several months later the first street lights were installed. The village 
purchased the plant Oct. 16, 1903, practically renewed the system, and 
connected it with the power plant at the waterworks. 

Fire protection in the early days was furnished by a volunteer bucket 
company and a hand pump. May 20, 1891, it was voted to buy a fire engine 
and bell. In the fall the engine arrived, wells were dug, and additional 
equipment was purchased. On Oct. 30, 1891, the fire ordinance was passed 
and a few days later, on Nov. 3, 1891, the fire company was organized with 
the following officers: Secretary, Charles J. Larson; treasurer, Archie 
Hunter ; chief, John .Durisch ; trustees, C. Wohlgenant, C. W. Lubs, J. P. 
Runkel and Joseph Hild. The company now consists of forty-two volun- 
teers, and is well equipped with modern apparatus. The village bell is in 
the village hall, and the fire whistle is at the village power plant. The 
village clock is in the belfry of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 
and was installed in the spring of 1903, under a contract signed May 15 of 
that year. 

The village hall was erected in 1893-94 at a cost of about $4,000. The 
lot was purchased from the Board of Trade Feb. 10, 1893, a special election 
to vote bonds was held June 9, 1893, and work was started in the fall. It 
was occupied in the spring, being officially accepted April 20, 1894. The 
lower floor is devoted to the fire department, jail, council chambers anc 
clerk's office, while the upper floor is used for lodge purposes. 

The first macadamizing in Arcadia was done in 1895, bonds of $5,000 
for that purpose being voted on March 22 of that year. A stone crusher 
was purchased and operations commenced on an extensive scale. The vil- 
lage now has a macadamized street extending from the Buffalo County 
line through the village to the "Two Mile Corner," so called, beyond the mill. 
The road to the Arcadia Mineral Spring is also macadamized, as are several 
of the cross streets. 

The waterworks plant consists of an artesian well, a pumping station 



HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 227 

at which is also located the electric light plant, and the reservoir on Barnes 
Bluff. The mains cover the principal streets of the village. Bonds of 
$15,000 were voted Dec. 17, 1901, the ordinance was passed Dec. 19, 1902, and 
the residences of the village were supplied with water the following spring. 

The village park was purchased from J. R. P. Hiles Feb. 20, 1909, and 
consists of sixteen acres of land. It has been improved by voluntary work, 
and is used largely as a ball ground, the young men of the village having 
erected a grand stand thereon. One of the beauty spots of the village is 
a private park owned by J. M. Fertig. This park, located along the river 
fi'ont, is kept in its natural condition, and is stocked with a number of native 
deer, the admiration of travelers from near and far. 

The iron bridge across the Trempealeau at Arcadia was built in 1899, 
the vote being passed March 10. This replaced a wooden bridge, on the 
same site, the wooden bridge, in turn, taking the place of the ford a little 
further down the river. In the early days there were two other fords 
further up the river, and the "Three Mile Bridge" was built as a wooden 
structure some years before the railroad came through. 

A school district comprising the whole town of Arcadia was organized 
May 24, 1857, and a meeting held at the home of David Bishop in May. 
School was opened soon thereafter in a log building, with Sarah Bishop 
McMasters as first teacher. In June, 1860, a frame structure was erected 
on the same site. After the railroad came through an annex was estab- 
lished in a private residence. When the railroad came through the building 
was moved to the near village, where in time it became the county court- 
house. The graded brick school on the hill was built with four departments 
in 1875, and later two more departments were added. The present sightly 
high school structure was erected in 1915. The new building, which was 
erected at a cost of nearly $45,000, is regarded as a model of its kind. It 
has a large and beautiful auditorium, with stage. There are English, 
mathematics, history, foreign language, commercial, teachers' training, 
domestic science, manual training, agriculture and library rooms, besides a 
large gymnasium in the basement. The lighting and ventilation are per- 
fect, the heating is the most modern system of direct and indirect radiation, 
and the temperature is regulated automatically. The equipment is good 
and is being constantly improved. 

The beautiful Carnegie Library was erected in 1906. March 29, 1905, 
the village council voted an annual appropriation of $500 for this library. 
That sum has also been given annually to support the public library for some 
years previous. 

The Arcadia Board of Trade was organized Aug. 11, 1885, among those 
interested being R. L. Dickens, 0. 0. Peterson, Nic. Lehrbach, Stephen 
Richmond, J. M. Fertig, George N. Hidershide, F. F. Morgan, John Maurer, 
W. P. Massuere, Emil Maurer, J. D. Rainey and R. W. Wheeler. After a 
time the association went into the grain buying business in order to estab- 
lish equitable rates for the farmers. Business was suspended in the sum- 
mer of 1898. The land owned by the board was sold to the village and is 
now used as a village hall. 



228 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The Arcadia Brewery has long occupied a leading position in Arcadia 
business life. It was established in 1874 or 1875 by Nick Mergner. In 
1876 Bion & Co. erected an imposing structure which is a part of the present 
establishment. 

The woolen industry was at one time numbered among the industries 
of the village. In the early '70s Philander Allen started a woolen mill. He 
sold to Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The Arcadia Woolen Mills were built in 1876 
by Dyke, Allen & Co. and were in operation for several years. The produc- 
tion of wool has increased in volume and importance, but the raw wool is 
now shipped to other places. 

The Arcadia Mineral Springs are among the pleasant features of 
Arcadia life. In 1878 a hotel was built at the springs by George Hiles, a 
race track was laid out, and preparations made for an extensive summer 
resort. But the hotel was burned before it was completed in 1879, and the 
place abandoned. The spring is now permanently arched with cement, and 
presents an inviting appearance to the traveler, but is not now used for 
commercial purposes. The water has highly medicinal qualities, and con- 
stitutes one of the natural resources of the village yet to be developed and 
exploited. 

Arcadia had its beginning with the settlement of Old Arcadia in 1855. 

The first store in Old Arcadia was opened in 1857 by George Shelly, 
in his residence on the present site of the home of George Schmidt. The 
house was a crude pioneer structure, boarded roughly up and down. The 
next was opened in a lean-to addition to the home of Daniel C. Dewey bj- 
Mr. Dewey and Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The next store was that of Gay D. 
Storm. Before long quite a settlement sprang up at the "Corners." 

When the railroad came through in the fall of 1873, Old Arcadia was 
the scene of busy activity. At the northeast corner of the crossroads was 
the hotel and store of George Dewey. North of this was the home of P. H. 
Varney, justice of the peace, and north of him lived Gus Quinn and his aged 
father. 

At the northwest corner of the crossroads was the store of Campbell & 
Geislin, afterward owned by Ole Peterson and Thom Thompson. West of 
Campbell & Geislin's store was the brick store and residence of John D. 
Rainey. West of the Rainey store was the harness shop of Ed. DeLay. 
Between the Rainey and DeLay locations there had early stood the Quinn 
cabin in which the postoffice had been opened. Then came the residence of 
Daniel C. Dewey, in the lean-to of which one of the earliest stores had been 
kept. Next came the brick residence of Ervin J. Gorton, and next the resi- 
dence of Ed Gorton. West of this Isaac Ball had at one time kept a blacK- 
smith shop. Then came the postofhce in the residence of Charles Mercer, 
in the upper story of which was a public hall, in which justice court was 
sometimes held. Mrs. Mercer was the widow of David Bishop, the pioneer, 
who had been killed by lightning. Then came the old schoolhouse. West 
of the schoolhouse had once lived Albro Matterson. His straw barn was a 
conspicuous landmark. Further along were the residences of John Penny. 
J. R. Penny and Benjamin F. Holcomb. 



' tILSTORY OF TREiVlPEALP:AU COUNTY 229 

At the southwest corner of the crossroads was an empty lot. Pre- 
viously on the site there had stood a log house originally used as a school- 
house, and moved from the school lot to this location to be used as a drug 
store by Dr. George. Next west of this vacant corner was the drug store 
and residence of Dr. Franlt L. Lewis. West of this store was a hotel and 
saloon on the place originally occupied by George Dewey. When Mr. Dewey 
moved, John P. Mallinger, better known as "Hans Pete," conducted a hotel 
and saloon there, followed by George Motchenbacker, who was there when 
the railroad came. Next to the west was the blacksmith shop of Edward 
Nichols, in the upper story of which was a hall, the scene of many a famous 
gathering. Next was the blacksmith shop of Albro Matterson. West of 
this was a vacant building put up and used as a store by Charles Mercer, 
who had previously clerked for Gay T. Storm. It passed into other hands 
and was opened as a saloon. Under the operation of a man named Williams, 
the place became so obnoxious that the good ladies of the community 
wrecked the place and destroyed the intoxicants. West of this was the 
furniture store of E. J. Tracy. Next came the brick store of E. J. Gorton. 
This was the famous Storm store. Early settlers tell of the gatherings of 
Winnebago Indians held near this place, and the famous pow-wows in 
which they participated. The brick for the Storm store, the Rainey store 
and the E. J. Gorton residence were made nearby, probably at the brick 
kiln of Dr. I. A. Briggs, which flourished for some years thereafter. The 
arrival of the itinerant tintype photographer was also an important event 
for several seasons, and in their tents they did a flourishing business. Next 
to the Gorton store was a building which had been occupied by Michael 
Mochenbacher as a shoe shop. This had been built as a shoe shop by 
John D. Rainey. Mochenbacher made and repaired boots and shoes, some- 
times using his own leather, but sometimes taking a piece of cowhide fur- 
nished by a settler, and making it into fitted boots for the whole family. 
Next to the shop was the Mochenbacher residence. 

East of the southeast corner of the crossroads was the residence of 
Henry Dewey, in which George Shelly had opened the first store. The 
corner lot was vacant. 

East of Old- Arcadia was the residence of Joseph Kellogg and his 'sister 
Jane. With them also lived another sister and Joseph Farber, an itinerant 
evangelist and school teacher. Next east was the residence of James 
Broughton south of the road, and Broughton's Mill north of the road. At 
the pond of this mill, in 1857, Eugene Broughton, a son of James Broughton, 
was drowned while swimming. Further east the road branched to North 
Creek, and still further east to American, Thompson and Newcomb valleys. 

To the north of Old Arcadia, the first house was that of David L. Hol- 
combe, on the west side of the road leading across the river bridge to Inde- 
pendence. 

To the south of Old Arcadia, the first house was Charles Fisher and his 
father, the Elder. 

The road leading along the highlands east and south of the present 
village was well occupied. West was the Benjamin F. Holcombe place, 
already mentioned in connection with Old Arcadia. Then came the Alonzo 



230 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Kenyon residence. From across the street from the Kenyon residence, a 
foot-path led southwest toward the Gaveney residence, skirting a natural 
pond which then stood in a depression in the fields, but which has since been 
drained. West of the Kenyon residence was the Henry Proctor residence. 
West of this was the road which led north to the mill pond and mill owned by 
David Massuere, and thence across the ford to the Independence road. Near 
the mill was the residence of Louis Massuere. From the mill a track 
led westward to the home of Elliott Van Valkenberg. At the Briggs' Cor- 
ners lived Dr. I. A. Briggs in a brick house still standing. Dr. Briggs was a 
self-educated homeopath. Being the only physician in the locality, his 
practice extended from Fountain City to Coral City. From Briggs' Corners, 
on the line between sections 32 and 33, a trail led north to the home of 
David Massuere, beyond which was a river ford. From the Corners, a 
trail also led through a gate down through the present village, following 
the high land formed by the sand thrown up by the creek, and crossing the 
river at a ford a few rods down the river from the present bridge. Across 
the ford on the south side of the road was the house of Simon Wojczik, while 
Peter Case lived on the north side. Further up the river toward Independ- 
ence were Bragg, William Bennett, David Bennett and Charles 

Richardson. In the other direction, over the line in Buffalo County, Glencoe 
was well settled. At Glencoe village, Thomas Courtney had a tavern and 
store, and George Cowie kept the postoffice. 

The main road led south from Briggs' Corners, following a zig-zag 
line. The first house along the road southwest of Dr. Briggs' was the 
residence of James Gaveney, over the line in township 20, range 9. South 
of the next turn in the road was the house built by Noah Comstock, but 
occupied by Ole B. Canutson. The next house on the west side of the road 
was that of Noah Comstock, and west of this stood the pioneer cheese 
factory owned by Noah Comstock and James Gaveney. Further along the 
road, this same farm several years later was the scene of the pioneer 
sorghum operators in the county. 

At the center of section 6, a branch road led west. On the north side 
of this road lived A. L. Robinson, while south of it lived Daniel Bigham, 
and west of him John Bigham. 

East of where the road turned was the home built by John Dennis. 
Further south, at the point where the main road met the south line of 
section 6, stood the schoolhouse and the Catholic church, the church being 
east of the road and the schoolhouse west. There the road branched east 
and west to Meyers Valley and Bill's Valley. On the road to Bill's Valley 
the first house was that of J. P. Hartman. 

With the coming of the railroad, the village of Old Arcadia gradually 
dwindled away. The drug store of Dr. F. L. Lewis, the blacksmith shop 
of Ed. Nichols, the schoolhouse, and later the mill, were moved to the newer 
village, other buildings were moved to other locations and converted to 
other uses, some of the structures were left on the same location and con- 
verted into residences. The famous Gay T. Storm store was vacated and 
is still standing, a notable relic of the past. The only store now at Old 
Arcadia is that of James Brownlie, who occupies the old John D. Rainey 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 231 

store. Mr. Brownlie is the town clerk, and a wooden addition has been 
built to the building for the purposes of a town hall. 

The railroad reached Arcadia in the fall of 1873, and the depot was 
constructed on the present location. Southwest of it along the right of 
way, in the rear of the present village hall, Canterbury & Smith built a 
warehouse, and still further along Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, built a 
warehouse. The Elmore & Kelley warehouse was a unique structure, with 
high sloping runways, up which teams were driven to enable the pouring of 
grain into the flathouse. 

Considerable bitterness followed the building of the railroad, and it 
was not until the following spring that a village was platted. The people of 
Old Arcadia, who had believed that the railroad would pass through their 
village, were determined to keep the business at the old site, regardless 
of the railroad. Others were reconciled to the site of the depot, as one 
large village at the depot seemed better than two small villages. 

Consequently, in 1874, after the village was started, the business 
houses began to spring up. The land was a swamp, no grades had been 
established, the houses were built on piles, and the sidewalks on stilts, 
"while the customers wallowed through mire and pools. 

Probably the first business house to go up was the hotel of James 
Alexander, afterward operated by John Eckel, the saloon being conducted 
by John Gaugler. Many business houses followed, and the sound of build- 
ing was heard on every side. 

Two Fountain City concerns, realizing that much of the Waumandee, 
Glencoe and Montana trade would be turned in the new direction, estab- 
lished branch stores here, Bohri Brothers & Hensel, with Charles Hensel 
as manager, moving into a building erected by A. F. Hensel, and Fugina 
Brothers & Fertig, with J. M. Fertig as manager, moving into a store 
erected by Edson A. Morgan, who had previously lived at Old Arcadia and 
vended patent medicines throughout the region. The W. P. Massuere 
Company had its beginning the same year in a building erected by John D. 
Rainey, who had been a merchant of the old town. For a time E. J. Geis- 
lin and Milo Campbell, also merchants at Old Arcadia, were interested with 
Mr. Massuere in the venture. The Bryan drug store, with a stock of 
drugs, paints and oils and notions, was also opened. 

J. C. Muir, from Glencoe, who had assisted in building the bridge acrosr 
the river that spring, formed a partnership with G. H. Krumdick and 
erected a flathouse for the buying of grain. He also dealt in hides and 
farm produce. C. N. Paine & Co., of Oshkosh, with C. E. Hollenbeck as 
manager, opened a lumber yard. A year later they erected an office building 
on Main Street. 

Several saloons were opened, the first being that of Matt Danuser. 

A number of residences went up the same year. 

The village grew in 1875, and when the flood came in the spring of 1875, 
the flats already contained a village of considerable size, the business houses 
being scattered along Main Street both sides of the track, and down Com- 
mercial (Grant) Street. 



232 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

WhitehaU 

Whitehall, the county seat of Trempealeau County, is located at the 
geographical center of the county, within the northernmost bend of the 
Trempealeau River. Platted on the river bottoms, the village is almost 
entirely level, but is almost entirely surrounded with picturesque hills and 
bluffs, broken here and there by cooleys and valleys which lead into some 
of the richest farming lands in the county, notable among which is the 
Pigeon Valley region, known far and wide for its prosperity and fertility. 
The Trempealeau River, dammed a short distance below where it receives 
Pigeon Creek, forms a picturesque artificial lake, excellent for boating and 
fishing. The public bathhouse and the city light plant are located below 
the dam. 

The business section of the village is located north of the Green Bay 
tracks. This section is surrounded by a portion of the residence district. 
Many of the principal residences, however, are located on the two principal 
streets south of the tracks, one of the streets being at right angles to the 
tracks, and the other parallel with the tracks. 

In the south portion of the village are the courthouse, the jail, the high 
school, the hospital, the village hall, the public library, the town hall, and 
the churches, as well as the public park and the cemetery. 

Among the leading business industries of the village are the tobacco 
warehouse, the creamery, the pickling station, the mill, three elevators, two 
banks and the newspaper. The principal shipments are tobacco, butter, 
grain, eggs and potatoes. 

Especially beautiful is the park system. Beginning at the railroad 
tracks, a small park north of the village hall is ornamented with numerous 
flower beds and a cement bandstand erected by the ladies of the Chautauqua 
Circle in 1915. Southwest from the village hall, the courthouse yard begins, 
with its spreading lawns and magnificent trees. The courthouse and jail 
are of yellow brick, and the schoolhouse, west of these buildings, is of the 
same material. Without interruption, the courthouse grounds and the 
school playgrounds merge into the John 0. Melby Park, and this in turn 
stretches to the sightly public cemetery, and likewise faces the community 
hospital. On the hill above towers the reservoir of the watei'works system. 

The waterworks system was originally inaugurated in 1895. A large 
tank, on a nearby ridge, gives ample pressure, and the system covers the 
principal streets. On Feb. 23, 1895, the village voted bonds for the installa- 
tion of a waterworks system, and on May 31, 1895, the first contract was 
awarded for about $6,500. The original sewer system was installed 
in the spring of 1902, bonds of $2,500 being voted for the purpose. Addi- 
tions to the water and sewer system have since been made, and an elaborate 
extension is now planned in the north and west part of the village at a 
cost of some $12,000, bonds of $8,000 having been voted. 

The electric light current is furnished by the mill. It gives an every- 
night service from twilight until midnight, and also furnishes power for 
domestic purposes on Tuesday foi-enoons. Bonds of $2,000 were voted 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 233 

for electric light service on Oct. 21, 1897, and the lights were first turned 
on Oct. 21, of that year. 

The village hall is a sightly brick structure, which houses the fire 
department, the public library and the council chamber, and provides a large 
audience chamber for theatrical entertainments and public meetings. The 
hall cost about $18,000. Bonds of $12,000 were voted Dec. 8, 1911, the 
hall was opened late in December, 1912, and the first council meeting was 
held therein on January 13, 1913. Elections are still held in the town hall 
of Lincoln, half a block south of the village hall. 

The town hall was built in 1877, in anticipation of securing the county 
seat. It is of frame, originally designed to be one story high. But the 
Odd Fellows subscribed $600 and the original plan was changed to make the 
building two stories high. It cost a total of $1,200. For a time before the 
courthouse was built it was used for county offices. 

The principal streets were macadamized in 1915 and 1916 at a cost of 
about $8,000. 

Whitehall was incorporated in 1887. The census of April 15, 1887, 
having shown a population of 318, application was made to the circuit judge, 
who on April 26 ordered an election to be held on July 8. The election was 
duly held in charge of C. E. Scott, L. L. Solsrud and C. A. Adams, resulting 
in a vote of 47 to 25 in favor of incorporating. The first election of officers 
was held Aug. 12, and resulted as follows: President, H. E. Getts; trus- 
tees, J. S. Tull, Even Ekern, John Porter, M. C. Olson, Joseph Sherwood and 
A. T. Tucker ; clerk, F. M. Scott ; treasurer, L. L. Solsrud ; supervisor, C. E. 
Scott ; constable, William Duer ; justice, R. A. Odell ; police justice, A. Tuttle. 
The officers for 1917 are : President, Ludvig Hammerstad ; trustees, Anton 
0. Melby, A. E. Wood, E. A. Sorenson, C. A. Adams, George Larson and Ed. 
Scott ; clerk, F. N. Larson ; treasurer, J. E. Wilberg ; assessor, 0. F. Harlow ; 
supervisor, N. L. Fredrickson; justices, F. N. Larson and Henry Hundt. 

The Whitehall Community Hospital was started in 1916, and will be 
completed late in 1917. It is a beautiful structure, constructed along the 
most modern lines, and occupies a most commanding position facing the 
John 0. Melby Park. No less than 843 citizens are shareholders in the 
venture, and the rooms are being furnished by various local organizations. 
The officers are : President, Ludwig Solsrud ; vice-president, Ole J. Eggum ; 
secretary, Cxcorge Larson ; treasurer, S. N. Hegge ; directors, Ludwig Sols- 
rud, Richard H. Holtan, Claude Everson, F. W. Lowe, Gilbert Peterson, A. E. 
Wood and Ole J. Eggum. 

The John 0. Melby Park is to be developed into one of the beauty spots 
of Whitehall. Already it is beautified by a boulevard and a number of 
shade trees. It is devoted at present largely to athletic purposes. The 
original gift was made by Mr. and Mrs. John 0. Melby, Sept. 28, 1906, and 
at the same time the village acquired an additional tract by purchase. Mr. 
and Mrs. Melby's dedication of the park declares that its purpose is to 
promote the comfort, enjoyment and well being of the people of Whitehall. 
The park borders on the cemetery, the community hospital, the courthouse, 
the jail, the high school and several churches. 

Music has been an important factor in the life of Whitehall since the 



234 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

earliest days. The Whitehall Concert Band, which enjoys a wide fame, 
was established some thirty-five years ago. The present officers are: 
President, Joel Haugh ; vice-president, Herbert Holtan ; treasurer, A. P. Tall- 
man ; secretary, Ralph H. Wiezorek. The leader is Leo Haesle. The White- 
hall Ladies' Band is a notable organization that has won extensive praise 
wherever it has appeared. It was organized in 1913, composed of the 
leading ladies of the town, and is an important social as well as musical 
organization. The officers are: President, Mrs. Ted Harnden; vice- 
president, Mrs. Ward Lowe ; secretary, Miss Mabel Larson ; treasurer, Mrs. 
Eugene Sorenson ; leader, Leo Haesle. 

The Whitehall Free Library is one of the vital educational features of 
the village. In early days, the idea of a free library had been growing in 
the minds of the citizens of Whitehall, and in May, 1881, we find from the 
Whitehall Times, a dime entertainment was given to start a fund for estab- 
lishing a public library. 

In June of that year, a library association having been formed, the first 
order of books was made from Holmes, Hawthorne, Bryant, Longfellow, 
Dickens and Scott. Maple sugar parties and other forms of entertainment 
helped until in 1883, the "Ladies Athenaeum," a reading club being founded, 
they began immediately to incite more interest, so that at the end of that 
year 152 volumes were in the library, as reported by J. 0. Melby. The old 
bookcase in which the books were stored can still be seen in the Whitehall 
Times-Banner office. The checking system was very primitive. 

In March, 1899, the village president, Charles Harnden, called a meeting 
of the village board to consider the proposition of a free library in Whitehall. 
It carried and he appointed Messrs. F. E. Beach, E. Berg, A. M. Dake, H. L. 
Ekern, J. 0. Melby, Ludwig Solsrud, Mesdames W. J. Webb (who has served 
continuously to present time) , O. Rogan, W. H. Stallings and Professor 
C. F. Huleatt as ex-officio member from the public school. Five hundred 
dollars was appropriated. "Whitehall was the first village in Trempealeau 
County to vote an appropriation for such a cause." Besides the village, 
the town of Lincoln gave $100, with promise of further support. J. 0. 
Melby donated a lot, and private individuals increased the amount until at 
the first meeting of the library board, April 9, it was decided to build. 

The building was dedicated Sept. 14, 1899. The formal exercises were 
held in the afternoon, Judge R. A. Odell presiding. R. S. Cowie gave the 
address of welcome. H. L. Ekern, who was entitled to more credit than any 
one other person, gave a history of the movement. L. H. Withee, of La 
Crosse, and Senator Stout, of Menomonie, both had been very helpful and 
were present, with about 500 out-of-town visitors. A social evening session 
closed the day. 

The library has grown from 450 volumes at dedication to about 3,000. 
The last year's report gave the borrowers as 615, and reading room attend- 
ance as 9,295. 

The village appropriation is at present $300 annually, $200 for library 
board, $100 on librarian's salary. 

The present library board is : President, C. B. Melby ; vice-president, 
Mrs. W. J. Webb ; secretary, S. N. Hegge ; Miss Minnie Barron, 0. J. Eggum, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 235 

D. P. Gibson, Mrs. C. F. Huleatt; P. K. Risberg and A. E. Wood, with 
Principal F. C. Martin as ex-ol!icio member. 

At the beginning of each school year, the librarian meets the high 
school and eighth grade pupils to explain the working use of the library. 
Each teacher is given a special card on which they may draw as many books 
and keep as long as they need. The Whitehall Free Library is depository 
for county traveling library system, which at present has fifteen boxes in 
different parts of the county. 

A Chautauqua course has been given at Whitehall every year beginning 
with 1913. The work had its beginning in April, 1910, when 20 ladies ■ 
gathered as a Whitehall Lecture Course committee. At the second meet- 
ing but six ladies were present, and these six — the Mesdames R. S. Cowie, 
O. J. Eggum, E. F. Hensel, J. F. Hager, C. B. Melby and J. M. Ingalls — have 
since constituted the entire committee. In the winter of 1910-11 a four- 
number lecture course was given, the talent being furnished by the Central 
Lyceum Bureau. In 1911-12 no hall was available. In 1913-14 and 1914-15 
the University Extension Lecture Course was given. Then the lecture 
field was left in the hands of the high school. The Chautauqua is given 
under the direction of the Travers-Wick system. In 1913 the committee 
purchased the piano which now stands in the village hall. In 1915 the 
ladies, at a cost of $700, erected a cement bandstand which now ornaments 
the village park. They are at present planning to furnish a room in the neW 
hospital. The officers are: Chairman, Mrs. R. S. Cowie; secretary, Mrs. 
0. J. Eggum ; treasurer, Mrs. E. F. Hensel. 

The Trempealeau County Industrial, Agricultural and Driving Park 
Association held a county fair in Whitehall for several years, beginning with 
1887, maintaining grounds and a race track on the south side of Dewey 
Street near the west limits of the village. 

The vicinity of Whitehall has a history dating back to 1855, when the 
first settlers arrived in this vicinity. The railroad came through late in 
1873, and at that time the future site of the village was yielding a rich 
harvest of wheat. Up and down the Trempealeau Valley, and spreading 
into the tributary cooleys and valleys, many a prosperous farm could be 
found. 

A mile up Pigeon Creek was located Old Whitehall, platted on May 23, 
1862, by Alex. A. Arnold for Benjamin F. Wing. Another mile further up 
that creek was Coral City, platted May 28, 1868, by George Hodgkin for 
Phineas Wright. Both of these hamlets were flourishing trading points. 

For a time it appeared that the railroad was to go westward from Blair 
to Arcadia, without following the northern loop of the river, but the present 
route was finally decided upon, and a village near this point assured. 

The tracks were laid through the wheat field that is now Whitehall, on 
Sept. 2, 1873. Charles Adams, now a leading Whitehall merchant, was one 
of the crew. Where the courthouse now stands, the harvesters were gath- 
ering wheat. 

In November, 1873, Theodore H. Earle arrived and selected the site for 
a dwelling. He was the son-in-law of Henry Ketchum, for several years 
president of the railroad, and his purpose was to establish a town in the 



236 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

interests of Mr. Ketchiim and C. M. Kelley, a Green Bay grain capitalist 
and one of the backers of the Green Bay road. 

On New Year's Day, 1874, the first passenger train passed Whitehall 
on regular schedule. That same day the lumber was unloaded for the 
first depot, and a section crew in charge of Charles Adams started putting 
in the, sidetrack and switch. Jan. 4, C. J. Lambert purchased the first load 
of wheat at $1.00 a bushel. Jan. 6, Daniel C. Camp arrived as station agent 
and grain buyer for Elmore & Kelley. Jan. 20, the village was platted by 
T. H. Earle, C. M. Kelly and Henry Ketchum. 

During the winter two grain houses went up, one owned by Elmore & 
Kelley, of Green Bay, and one by T. H. Earle and C. J. Lambert, who came 
here to make their homes. Mr. Earle's interest was soon acquired by H. E. 
Getts. 

The first residence started was that of T. H. Earle, the second that of 
George Olds. 

During the spring and summer of 1874, the village presented a scene of 
busy activity. Hotels, business houses and residences went up here and 
there, and before fall a flourishing hamlet had been established. 

The first hotel was the Empire House, erected by Henry Stratton. The 
Alexander Hotel, owned by S. L. Alexander, and the Whitehall House, 
moved in part from Coral City by M. V. Allen, soon followed. 

H. E. Getts built the first store. August Cook and Nelson Comstock 
started hardware stores, but before they could open the tornado demolished 
their buildings, and they never opened for business. The general store of 
L. H. Whitney was also swept by the tornado, but he at once rebuilt, and 
put in a stock of goods. 

D. L. Camp put up a double block, and opened a general store in one 
-side, while T. C. McDermott opened a hardware store in the other. C. E. 
Scott put up a building and opened a general store. Benjamin F. Wing, 
the original proprietor of Old Whitehall, moved in and erected a general 
store. John Rogerson and C. H. Warner opened a hardware store and Melby 
& Johnson a tailor shop. 

The first carpenters to locate permanently in the new village were 
William Blodgett, Joseph Augustine, A. J. Roscoe and James Hiner. A 
year or two later came William Scott, also a carpenter, and Alonzo Tucker. 
a mason. 

The first physician was Dr. R. G. Floyd. 

Charles Adams thus describes the village in the late fall of 1874 : 

South of the track and east of the street was the store of B. F. Wing. 

North of the track and east of the street on the present site of the 
Model Store was the Alexander Hotel. North of what is now the John 0. 
Melby & Co. Bank was the store of H. E. Getts, the building being stil' 
standing. D. L. Camp and T. C. McDermott were on the present site of 
the Solsrud Mercantile Co., Camp occupying the side farthest north. 

East of the present site of the Solsrud building was the tailor shop of 
Melby & Johnson. East of this was L. H. Whitney, east of this were the 
foundations of the stores of August Cook and Nelson Comstock. 

North of the ti'ack and west of the street north of the present location 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 237 

of the Huleatt Mercantile Company was the home of George Olds, the second 
residence in the village. North of this was the Rogerson & Warner store. 
On the northeast corner of the block was the store of C. E. Scott. The 
building is still standing. In this block, the first term of Circuit Court in 
Whitehall was held. 

The Empire Hotel was on the present site of the American House. 
The Whitehall House, now called Hotel Allen, is still standing and is 
operated by Mrs. M. V. Allen. 

The Earle House was a block east of the present site of the Model. 

Various other residences were scattered about the plat. 

The Trempealeau Messenger had already been started, Bert E. Clark 
having purchased the Galesville Journal and Recorder from George S. Luce 
and moved the material here. 

A schoolhouse had been moved from its location a half mile east, and a 
new building, still standing but not now in use, had been built west of what 
is now the 0. P. Larson residence. 

The wisdom of the establishment of the village was shown by the fact 
that during the year there were shipped from Whitehall 225,000 bushels 
of wheat in addition to quantities of oats, barley and corn. 

The village was now well established, the various lines of industry were 
satisfactorily represented, and during the next two years there were but 
few new business houses erected, though there were many additions to the 
number of residences. The schoolhouse was completed in 1875, and the 
Baptist and Methodist churches erected. In that and the succeeding year 
the new business houses were the grocery store of A. J. Cady, the tailor 
shop of M. C. Olson, the harness shop of Edward Romander, the general 
store of Decker & Lawton, the general store of Melvin Johnson, the lumbei: 
yards of A. S. Trow & Co. and T. H. Earle Company, and the liveries of 
Eugene Webster and J. R. King. 

Galesville 

Galesville, situated in the Beaver Creek Valley on the banks of Lake 
Marinuka, a beautiful artificial body of water, is one of the most picturesque 
villages in Western Wisconsin. The site of the village is divided into an 
upper table, the residence section, and the lower table and flats, which 
constitute the business section, most of the stores being located about the 
Public Square or the street immediately adjoining. An extensive park 
system adds to the beauty of the village, and numerous mineral springs 
attract tourists. The village is equipped with electric lights, waterworks, 
sewer system, village hall, fire department and high school. Two telephone 
systems furnish excellent service. The two banks reflect the financial 
stability of the surrounding country. A public library is well patronized, 
and a modern newspaper chronicles the weekly life of the neighborhood. 

The Norwegian Lutherans have two churches, and the Presbyterian, 
Catholic and Methodist denominations each one. A band adds to desira- 
bihty of life here. The annual celebration of the Burns Club and the annual 
county fair bring visitors from near and far. The Commercial Club has 
taken an active interest in the civic development of the village. The leading 



238 HISTOKY OP TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY 

industries are the mill, the creamery, the elevators and the stock yards. 
Gale College is one of the oldest in the State, having opened its first classes 
in 1859. Galesville is connected with the outside world with a branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and by an excellent system of im- 
proved highways. 

Founded, settled and platted in 1854, Galesville soon assumed substan- 
tial propoi'tions as the county seat and the home of Gale College, enjoying 
its greatest growth from 1856 until the year following the Civil War. It 
was not materially affected by the railroad which was built in the southern 
part of the county in 1870, or by the railroad built through the Trempealeau 
Valley in 1873. The loss of the county seat late in 1876 took away some 
of the hotel and legal business, and possibly a little of the mercantile trade. 

With the coming of the railroad in 1883, the village took on new life 
and soon assumed an importance which it still retains as a shipping and 
trading center. 

In that year efforts were made to incorporate the village. A census 
taken on Oct. 16, 1883, having shown a population of 439 persons, an appli- 
cation was presented to the district court asking for the incorporation. A 
remonstrance was presented at the same time. Accordingly on Dec. 16, 
1883, Judge A. W. Newman appointed Hugh Cameron, of La Crosse, as a 
referee to hear the testimony in the matter. Mr. Cameron failed to act 
and the application continued in abeyance for several years. In 1887 the 
proposition was revived, and on June 13 of that year Judge Newman ap- 
pointed Isaac Clark, George H. Smith and Moses King inspectors of an 
election to be held to decide the matter. July 2, 18S7, Gustavus Holmberg 
was appointed in place of Moses King. The election held Aug. 1, 1887, 
with H. L. Bunn and Charles T. Silk as clerks, favored the proposition by 
a vote of 80 to 32. The first election was held on Aug. 20, 1887, and resulted 
as follows : President, G. Y. Freeman ; trustees, C. B. Thrall, 0. N. Sagen, 
A. Kribs, A. H. Czepull, G. F. Myhre and F. Langenohl ; clerk, H. L. Bunn ; 
treasurer, A. Tibbitts ; supervisor, Wilson Davis ; constable, William Ray- 
mond; justice, A. Tower. The first meeting of the council was held Sept. 
5, 1887". 

The present officers are: President, A. T. Twesme; trustees, Carl 
McKeeth, I. G. Herried, R. H. Ashley, R. E. James, W. F. Plummer and 
J. A. Berg; clerk, O. D. Witherbee; treasurer. Nils Lund; assessor, J. A. 
Kellman ; supervisor, Ben W. Davis. 

The village government has been most admirably conducted. Water- 
works and a sewer system have been installed and extended, the streets 
have been improved and excellently cared for, a city hall has been built, a 
good fire department maintained, the business center has been paved, and 
considerable attention has been given to the extensive park system and to 
public health and recreation, in addition to the usual routine village main- 
tenance. 

The park system is in charge of a commission which was created in 
1915, and now consists of A. T. Twesme, 0. D. Witherbee, J. F. Cance, 
Rev. L. M. Gimmestad, Bert A. Gipple, Emil Francar and Charles Bortle. 
City beautiful plans have been prepared by John H. Forrer, of La Crosse, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 239 

and are being gradually worked out by the commission. The plans include 
public and private property and will make the village one of the beauty 
spots of the Northwest. The Upper Table Park and the Public Square 
on the lower table were platted with the village and were donated by George 
Gale, the founder of the village. The wide streets which enclose the Public 
Square were paved in 1912, and soon afterward a cement bandstand erected 
at a cost of nearly $1,000 raised by public subscription. The Upper Table 
Park is well shaded with old trees and is also supplied with a bandstand. 
Reception Park, originally called Riverside Park, was acquired from C. E. 
Perkins in the summer of 1889. At once upon its purchase the property 
was turned over to William C. Pierce, who agreed to pay Mr. Perkins for 
the property, to keep the park open to the public except when in use for 
baseball, horse racing or fair purposes, and at the end of ten years to sell 
to the village at a fair valuation. Two years after, Mr. Pierce disposed of 
all his interest to the village. In 1892 extensive plans were made for the 
advertising of Galesville as a summer resort. A landing platform was 
erected at Reception Park for the convenience of railroad excursionists, a 
pavilion was built, an excursion steamer was purchased, lights were installed 
in Reception and High Cliff parks, and the weeds were cleared from the 
lake. Efforts were made to have the railroad move its station to the lake 
front. But the depot was not moved and in a few years the steamboat was 
sold, owing to lack of patronage. In December, 1902, a curling rink was 
erected in the park by the Galesville Curling and Burns Club. The park 
consists of a little over 11 acres lying along the banks of Beaver Creek. It 
is well shaded and in addition to the pavilion, curling rink and landing 
platform already mentioned, has an excellent baseball field and an artesian 
well 600 feet deep. The High Cliff Park consists of a narrow strip of 
land having Beaver Creek on one side and high, perpendicular water-worn 
cliffs on the other. It is covered with native foliage and has several springs 
and caves. The park is open to the public through the courtesy of Ben W. 
Davis. East Side Park is on the lake shore and is made up of groves of 
native trees. It is open to the public through the generosity of the heirs of 
Captain A. A. Arnold. On the flat above the East Side Park are the grounds 
of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, purchased in 1892. At 
the head of the lake are the Arctic Springs, which will also soon be sur- 
rounded with a park. The waters of the spring are widely known for their 
purity and health-giving qualities, and a company has been formed for 
exploiting and developing this important asset. In connection with the 
beauty spots, the public cemetery deserves special mention. The Associa- 
tion was organized in 1861 with Isaac Clark as president and A. A. Arnold 
as secretary, and eight acres of land obtained from George Gale. The Asso- 
ciation has continued to be maintained, and the cemetery is being constantly 
beautified. 

The village waterworks were inaugurated in the summer of 1888, when 
the village contracted with Wilson Davis to extend his mill waterworks 
to protect all the property on the lower table, to put in hydrants and to 
furnish hose for the use of the fire company, the hose and hosecart to be 
kept in repair by the village. This contract was renewed until the present 



240 HISTORY OF TRE.ALPEALEAU COUNTY 

water and sewer system was put in operation in 1899. Aug. 5, 1898, the 
citizens voted bonds of $3,000 which were used to construct a reservoir 
on the property of Charles BouUn. Technical difficulties stood in the way of 
voting sufficient bonds for the construction of the entire system, so a number 
of citizens organized a temporary lirm known as the Galesville Waterworks 
Co., and engaged John P. Dales, of the Western Engineering & Construction 
Co., as contractor. The contract price was $20,000, to be paid by the village 
at the rate of $1,000 a year under the guise of a hydrant rental. 

The electric light system was installed in the fall of 1889 by T. P. and 
W. W. Benton under the firm name of T. P. Benton & Co. Since then the 
system has been continuous, and is now operated by the Davis Mill Company. 

Local telephone service was started in the fall of 1895 by W. P. Veitch 
and George S. Luce. 

The city hall was erected in 1896 and opened Oct. 9 of that year. It 
houses the opera house, the fire department, village offices and the jail. 

The splendid high school building was erected in 1908, replacing the 
earlier building erected in 1873-74. In addition to the usual classical and 
English courses, work is given in domestic science and manual training, and 
special attention is paid to music, oratory, debating, athletics and general 
community endeavor. 

The public library is supported by the village, the building having been 
donated by the will of Ellen Burchard Burdick, who died Oct. 9, 1913. 

The Galesville Commercial Club, whose name was changed from the 
Galesville Business Men's Association on Nov. 18, 1916, was organized Sept. 
16, 1899, 'the first directors being G. 0. Gilbertson, L. N. Hammer, E. F. 
Clark, F. A. KeUman, Ben W. Davis, Henry Yeoman, W. S. Wadleigh, R. H. 
Robertson and George Rail. The present officers are : President, J. A. Berg ; 
vice-president, Carl McKeeth ; secretary, Emil Fi'ancar, and E. F. Clark. 

Independence 

Independence is a thriving village located at the junction of Elk Creek 
and the Trempealeau River, on the line of the Green Bay & Western, and at 
the mouth of the far-reaching Pleasant Valley. It is an important shipping 
point for stock, poultry, butter, eggs, cheese and pickles, and aside from 
the usual business activities, has four elevators, two banks, a creamery, 
a mill, two stock yards, a pickling station, and a newspaper. Municipal 
improvements include the village hall, electric lights, waterworks and sewer 
systems, and a public library. There are three churches, the Catholic and 
the Norwegian Lutheran, and one which is used in common by the Metho- 
dists and the Evangelical Association. The streets of the village are paved 
with petrified brick, and macadam roads extend in all directions. 

There are a number of beauty spots in the village. The railroad right 
of way south of the track has been parked, furnishing a beautiful approach 
to some sightly houses which parallel the track. Elk Creek, dammed at 
this village, forms a beautiful artificial lake, admirably suited for bathing, 
boating and fishing. A bath house was erected in the summer of 1917 by 
popular subscription, and the beach is being impi'oved. 

Independence was incorporated in 188.5. A survey having been made 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 241 

May 5, 6 and 7, by H. B. Merchant, a census was taken Oct. 21, 1885, by J. 
C. Taylor, showing a population of 350. A petition was accordingly pre- 
sented to the court by E. S. Hotchkiss, J. C. Taylor, P. Husom, J. A. John- 
son, A. W. Liver and John Sprecher. Judge A. W. Newman, on Dec. 16, 
1885, granted the petition, and appointed an election. This election was 
held at the lumber office of E. S. Hotchkiss Jan. 22, 1886, in charge of L. E. 
Danuser, J. W. Runkel and E. S. Hotchkiss (clerk) , and resulted in a favor- 
able vote of 49 to 29. Officers were chosen Feb. 26, 1886 as follows : Presi- 
dent, M. Mulhgan; trustees, Thomas Thompson, J. -C. Taylor, Edward 
Linse, John Sprecher, E. S. Hotchkiss and Frank Tubbs; clerk, W. B. 
Faulds; treasurer, George H. Markham; supervisor, J. A. Johnson; con- 
stable, Daniel Garlick; justice of the peace, B. M. Johnson; police justice, 
A. W. Liver. 

The Independence Public Library was organized some time in 1907, 
under the auspices of the Wisconsin Library Commission. The first board 
consisted of George A. Markham (president), and Dr. C. F. Peterson (secre- 
tary), and Anton Senty. When the village hall was built, provision was 
made for a library, so, upon organization of the board, $500 appropriated 
by the board was wisely spent in buying books, and the library opened, 
with Edna Elstad as librarian. The village appropriates some $200 or 
$300 annually, and the library is open three evenings a week, in charge of 
Mrs. Minnie Cole and daughter, Sadie Cole. The present board consists of 
Dr. C. F. Peterson (chairman), Mrs. George A. Markham (secretary), and 
Mrs. E. E. Runkel. 

The first village hall was a two-story wooden building, purchased 
from John Sprecher June 21, 1886. Later the need of a larger and modern 
building was apparent, and accordingly on May 5, 1902, the village voted 
bonds of $8,000 for a village hall and electric light system, the vote being 
a close one of 98 to 79. The hall is a sightly, two-story building fully ade- 
quate for all purposes. It houses the public library, the council chambers, 
the fire apparatus, the jail and the opera house. A splendid clock adorns 
the stately tower of the building. The hall was partly demolished by the 
cyclone of 1903 and was not completely rebuilt until 1906. In 1903 the 
electric light system was installed, separate bonds having been voted. 

The village has an excellent system of waterworks and sewer, consist- 
ing of six wells, a pumping station, and a reservoir at the top of the neigh- 
boring bluff. The elevation of 176 feet gives adequate fire protection for 
all needs, a volunteer fire department being well equipped with all neces- 
sary apparatus. The first waterworks consisted of wrought iron mains 
covering about three blocks, and a pump which the village put in at the 
mill. Water was obtained from the pond. This system was inaugurated 
in 1886. In 1895 the system was extended, an artesian well drilled and a 
reservoir built. In 1898 a shallow filtration well was dug. 

On June 22, 1909, a special election was held to determine the issuing 
of bonds for putting in a complete sewer and water system. The proposi- 
tion was rejected by a vote of 65 to 54. But in the meantime, the old sys- 
tem was condemned by the State Board of Health and on April 25, 1911, 
sewer and waterworks bonds were authorized by a vote of 93 to 37. 



242 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

A system of street grades was established Aug. 5, 1908. Oct. 20, 1915, 
the village voted $1,000 tax for highway purposes, and with this beginning 
some 12,000 square yards of petrified brick have been laid. There are also 
some two miles of limestone macadam in the village limits. Two miles are 
macadamized west to New City, a short link being missing. South, the 
macadam extends a mile. North the macadam extends up Elk Creek four 
miles, one mile being in the village and three in the township. In 1916 the 
business men subscribed $1,000 to help build a macadam road east from the 
road to the town limits of Lincoln. The permanent street improvements 
for the two years cost the village $2,500 without creating any bonded 
indebtedness. 

The new High school building, erected at a cost of some $40,000, is one 
of the finest in the state, and is constructed along the latest improved lines. 
It was first occupied in January, 1916. The building is of brick. It is ex- 
cellently equipped, and surrounded by spacious grounds. Aside from the 
usual graded and High school studies, there are special courses in domestic 
science, agriculture and the manual arts. The school history of Independ- 
ence is a most interesting one. The district was organized in July, 1876. 
In the fall, school was opened in Taylor's Hall. A storehouse on Adams 
street was next used. In 1880, a brick schoolhouse was erected on a tract 
of land donated by D. M. KeUey, the village proprietor. Two additions 
were later erected. In 1914, the agitation for a new schoolhouse was 
started, and a bitter controversy ensued, resulting finally, however, in the 
decision to build the new structure. Frank Tubbs and B. L. Hutchins, who 
had just platted a new addition, made the village what was considered an 
excellent offer of 24 lots, most of them 50 by 120 feet, on the most advan- 
tageous terms. A committee was appointed, consisting of John A. Mark- 
ham, August A. Mish, John F. Kulig, Frank A. Hotchkiss, C. J. Peterson, 
H. 0. Carthus and Peter C. Schrock, to consider suitable plans. The com- 
mittee decided upon the present model, and the decision has since met with 
general favor. The old school is still used for several phases of the school 
work, the original donor not having yet cancelled the clause in his dedica- 
tion of the property, which provided for the revision of the property to him 
in case its use for school purposes would be abandoned. 

Independence had its beginning in 1876, and received its name from 
the fact that the Centennial celebration of American Independence fell on 
that year. The agitation for a village at this point started in 1873, when 
it became certain that the Green Bay & Lake Pepin, now the Green Bay 
& Western, was to build a railroad down Trempealeau Valley, and a propo- 
sition was made that the town of Burnside aid the company by voting bonds 
of $20,000. But at a special election held for that purpose, May 3, 1873, 
the result was 9 for and 93 against the proposition, with one vote deficient. 

During the summer of 1873 the question of a depot was strongly agi- 
tated. The railroad agreed to build a depot in the town if given a bonus of 
$5,000, and a special election was held Nov. 10 to vote on the question of 
granting bonds to that amount. The vote stood 29 for and 53 against. 
The vote resulted from the agitation over the location of the depot rather 
than from opposition to voting the bonds. At that time the present town 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 243 

of Chimney Rock was a part of Burnside. Those living in the north part of 
the town wanted the depot on the northeast side of Elk Creek, while those 
in the southern part of the town wanted the depot about a mile south of 
Elk Creek at New City. 

New City was quite a flourishing hamlet. It had been started about 
1869, when Elliott J. Carpenter came to the mouth of Travis Creek and 
constructed a dam and a mill, also opening a small store. He was followed 
by Michael Fugina, who opened a store and saloon, and by Peter Eichman, 
who opened a tavern and saloon. Henry Gibson opened a small store and 
was appointed postmaster. Carpenter sold the mill to Albert Bautch and 
Gibson sold his store to David Garlick, who succeeded him as postmaster. 

A man named Fancher had a blacksmith shop there, also. 

At the Corners, half way between New City and the present site of 
Independence, Ed Gorton erected a store, and across the road from him, 
Ernest Walthers erected a small tavern and saloon. 

In the fall of 1875 the question of a depot was again strongly agitated. 
J. C. Noteman, at that time station agent at Dodge, took up the matter with 
the officers of the railroad with the result that the railroad agreed that if 
the people would raise $5,000 by subscription, giving their notes for that 
amount, the request would be granted. It was finally agreed that the de- 
pot was to be located between Elk and Travis Creek, and that George H. 
Markham was to hold the notes until the railroad company should fulfil 
its part of the contract. If the railroad failed to build the depot the notes 
were to be returned to the makers. The full amount was subscribed, and 
the depot was erected at its present site in the spring of 1876. 

At this time the present site of the village was a wheat field, oper- 
ated by Lawrence Pampuch. David M. Kelly secured a tract of land here, 
and on May 13, 1876, had John Stewart lay out a town. The letter which 
Mr. Kelly wrote to George H. Markham, thanking him for his hospitality 
at that time, is now preserved by the Trempealeau County Historical So- 
ciety. Lots in Independence were offered for sale on May 25, the first to 
purchase being David Garlick, Edward Elstad and J. C. Taylor. 

Then came an influx from New City, Gorton, Walthers, Fugina and 
Garlick all moving in. Gorton moved his stone building to the southeast 
corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Washington streets. Walthers 
moved his tavern building to lot 6, block 1, on the east side of Second street, 
between Washington and Adams streets. This building is now occupied 
by the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Later, north of this building. Walthers 
erected a large structure, with rooms for a saloon and store on the first floor, 
and with a public hall on the second floor. This hall was the social cen- 
ter of Independence for many years. Fugina moved his store to the north- 
west corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Adams streets. Later 
he erected another building to the east. Garlick erected a building east of 
the Fugina buildings, on the south side of Adams street, between Second 
and Third streets. In the lower front room of this place he kept the post 
office and a small store. Mrs. Garlick was the first lady to take up her resi- 
dence in the village. 

J. C. Taylor erected a drug store at the southeast corner of block 1, on 



2-1-1 HISTORY OF TEEiMPEALEAU COUNTY 

First street, between Washington and Adams streets. Block 1 was irregu- 
larly shaped, the southeast corner being cut off. When Mr. Taylor's build- 
ing burned, he succeeded in having the village abandon a part of the alley, 
so that the present building covers what was originally the alley south of 
his first building. 

Cyrus J. Lambert and 0. P. Larson opened a store in the Walthers 
building, and also started buying grain. Later this firm erected a large 
building on the southeast corner of block 2, at the corner of Second and 
Washington streets, the present location of the Lambert Brothers, who now 
conduct a general store as the successors of their father, Benjamin F. Lam- 
bert, who entered business here April 9, 1879. 

E. H. Warner erected a hardware store on the north side of block 2, 
between Second and Third streets. The history of this store is most in- 
teresting. Christ Meuli bought the store in 1877, and A. W. Liver entered 
his employ. Meuli later took in L. F. Danuser as a partner, and the com- 
pany became Meuli & Danuser. Then Meuli sold to Ferdinand Horst and 
the firm became Danuser & Horst. In the meantime, since 1883, A. W. 
Liver has been conducting a place of his own. In 1888 he bought out Horst 
and the firm became Danuser & Liver. In 1894 Christ Torgerson bought 
out Danuser and the firm has since been Liver & Torgerson. The Lang 
Brothers opened a harness shop on the present site of Paul Sura's place of 
business on the west side of Second street. Nick Theisen opened a shoe 
shop on Washington street. Later he erected a brick building and moved 
into it. 

Ira Smith opened a lumber yard for White & Emery, on the site of the 
present lumber yard. The same year Artemus Emery himself came and 
took charge. Years later he sold to E. S. Hotchkiss. George Hiles opened a 
lumber yard and sent George Hibbard here to conduct it. The Payne Lum- 
ber Company, of Oshkosh, opened a lumber yard where the present stock- 
yards are located. Charles Hallenbeck was the general manager of the 
Payne interests in this region, but confined his attentions largely to Ar- 
cadia, while Charles E. Davis conducted the yard here. J. C. Noteman was 
the first station agent and the first elevator man. Giles Cripps, Noah Corn- 
stock and Mr. Noteman erected a warehouse, the one now used by John 
Sprecher & Son. For several years all the grain bought in Independence 
by the different firms went through this warehouse. Noteman lived in the 
station until his home was completed. John Sprecher came here as the 
representative of Krumdick & Muir, implement dealers and grain buyers, of 
Arcadia, where he previously worked. In 1878 he bought out Krumdick, 
and a year later bought out Muir. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold a half interest 
of the implement business to William Steiner, and the firm became Sprecher 
& Steiner. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold his remaining interest to Mr. Steiner. 
He still retains his grain business under the name of John Sprecher & 
son. Nathaniel Nichols, a lawyer, came over from New City. Dr. W. R. 
Allison located here, and Drs. Lewis and Brandt, of Arcadia, opened a 
branch oflice here, Dr. Brandt attending to most of the practice. 

J. W. McKay opened a hotel on the south side of Washington street, 
across from Gorton's store, which he called the Tremont House. While 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 245 

the building was being erected he had kept boarders in a nearby shack. The 
following year he sold to Wilham R. Trumbull, who put on an addition, and 
changed the name to the Trumbull House. Later the name was changed 
to the Welcome House. 

Edward Elstad built a saloon about the middle of the south side of 
block 2, on Washington street, between Second and Third streets. Later he 
erected a store where the firm of Elstad Brothers was established. Hans 
Melgard opened a saloon at the northeast corner of block 2, at the corner 
of Second and Adams, where the Sura garage is now located. Andrew 
Anderson opened a saloon east of the Walthers building on the south side 
of Adams street, between First and Second streets. Eugene Webster opened 
a livery on the west side of Second street, where the warehouse addition 
to the Lambert Brothers' store is now located. West Snow opened a liv- 
ery east of the Tremont House. 

Thus the business of the village started. In addition to the places of 
business many residences have been put up. Among them were two build- 
ings north of the present business section, which were intended as hotels. 
The main road then skirted the foot of the hills west of the village, and 
crossing Elk Creek, continued eastward along the present road to Whitehall. 
But this route was soon abandoned for one passing through the center of 
the village and the hotels were never opened as such. 

In 1877 a number of important enterprises were started. S. M. New- 
ton erected the dam and mill at a cost of about $22,000. Later this mill 
came into possession of Noah Comstock and James Gaveney, of Arcadia, 
bought the mill and controlled it the remainder of their lives. Ira Smith 
put up the Merchants Hotel at the foot of Washington street. Previously 
he had operated a small hotel on the north side of Washington street, just 
north of the present Lambert Brothers' store. John W. Runkle started a 
furniture store and undertaking establishment. It was this year that Ar- 
temas Emery erected the residence south of the tract which has since been 
a landmark. 

The village gradually grew, the business section stretching from the 
depot north and west. The residence section stretches north and west 
of the business section west of the artificial lake, north from the bridge 
east of the lake, and south and west of the depot. 

Blair 

The village of Blair is one of the best shipping towns of its size in the 
state. The village has about 500 people within its borders, but there are 
twenty families living just outside the corporate limits in the town of 
Preston. 

It is situated in the east central part of the county and is surrounded 
by some excellent stock farms. The farmers are enterprising and a big 
majority of them have fine herds of full-blooded stock. 

Blair can well feel proud of its municipal improvements. The electric 
light and waterworks systems are municipally owned and the power for op- 
eration is both water and steam. The main streets are macadamized and 
it has recently purchased a large market square. 



246 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

There is a credited High school, two large Lutheran churches and a 
Baptist church ; a large village hall ; two banks ; a newspaper ; a flour mill ; a 
creamery, and the usual stores, garages and other places of business. 

In 1894 an apphcation was made to the circuit court for Trempealeau 
county for incorporation. The territory embraced was the southeast quar- 
ter and south half of the northeast quarter of 16-21-7, and comprised 241.68 
acres. The application was signed by E. L. Immell, T. I. Gilbert, L. S. 
Fenny, G. A. Slye, J. W. Dalton, J. E. Mayer, Ole 0. Moe, H. Thorsgaard, J. 
0. Gilbert, J. Leasum and E. 0. Gilfillan. The survey was made by Geo. M. 
Adams. The census, taken by Oscar T. Gilbert, gave the proposed village 
324 residents. The judgment was entered on September 6, by O. B. Wyman, 
circuit judge, and a vote was taken on October 16, which resulted as fol- 
lows : 50 for incorporation and 43 against. 

At the first village election held on October 30, 1894, the following of- 
ficers were chosen : Village president, M. A. Peterson ; trustees, E. Berg- 
seng, J. E. Thorstad, Lars Hanson, H. Knutson, O. H. Benrud, G. O. Hanson ; 
supervisor, Morris Hanson ; clerk, S. H. Neperud ; treasurer, H. T. Thomp- 
son; marshal, W. H. Welch; justices of the peace, 0. A. Brekke, H. N. Hal- 
vorson; police justice, F. M. Immell; constable, Lars Hanson. The question 
of issuing corporate bonds in the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of construct- 
ing a waterworks system for the village was submitted to the electors at a 
special election held May 28, 1898. There were 68 votes cast, of which 64 
favored the proposition and 4 opposed. 

The electric light system was constructed through private subscrip- 
tion together with moneys in the general fund, the village having been 
bonded almost to the constitutional limitation. The lights were installed in 
the early part of 1901, and the shares owned by the individuals were grad- 
ually taken over by the village in the following five years. 

On Sept. 8, 1911, an election was held for the purpose of authorizing 
the village board to borrow $10,000 from the trust funds for building a 
village hall. At the election there were 45 in favor and 39 against. The 
matter was protested before the trust board and the loan held up until 
the middle of the year 1913, when it was granted. On August 29 of that 
year the village board let the contract for its construction for the sum of 
$11,850, and the building was completed and opened for use in February, 
1914. 

A movement was made in the spring of 1917 for the extension of the 
corporate limits of the village so as to include a number of families of the 
town of Preston, living east of Blair, but the proposition was defeated by a 
vote of the people. 

There is no village park, but the High school has ample grounds and 
the magnificent grove of Thomas Hogan near the banks of the Ti-empealeau 
is used for picnic and recreation purposes. 

Following is a list of the present officers of the village: President, J. 
O. Knutson ; trustees, A. E. Bratland, E. C. Hanson, A. L. Thompson, A. S. 
Fenney, G. W. Metzgar, E. L. Immell ; village clerk, A. J. Sather ; treasurer, 
O. B. Borsheim; assessor, C. O. Grinde; supervisor, K. S. Knutson; justice 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 247 

of the peace, K. H. Skaar; police justice, Ebert Olson; constable and mar- 
shal, Sid Jacques. 

The vicinity of what is now the village of Blair was a center of travel 
long before the railroad was projected through Trempealeau Valley. From 
further down the main valley, from many a vale and cooley, and from over 
the ridges, came the travel into the older Jackson County region, especially 
to Merrillan, where the pioneers of the eastern Trempealeau County sold 
their wheat and where they secured lumber to build their houses and barns. 
One of the principal routes came up from Bear Creek over the ridge, led 
north through Reynolds Cooley, joined the Trempealeau Valley road as at 
present, just west of what is now the Ettrick & Northern right-of-way, ran 
east on the section line a quarter of a mile, turned north on the dividing line 
of section 16, past what is now the United Lutheran church, thence across 
the Trempealeau River on a bridge some distance west from what is now 
the mill bridge, and then eastward up the Trempealeau Valley, north of the 
river. 

A few rods west of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main 
road, lived Martin Hanson. Just north of the north end of the Reynolds 
Cooley road lived Carl 0. Strum. This farm was a famous stopping place, 
where the settlers arriving in the evening on their return journey from Mer- 
rillan, found it convenient to rest before undertaking the slow and toilsome 
trip over the ridge. Many a night found the house filled to overflowing 
with drivers and the barns and yard crowded with teams and vehicles. 
Just east of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main road, T. L Gil- 
bert, about 1870, opened a small store, moving to that location from Mound 
Spring, four miles east. Ole Strum lived a short distance south of what 
is now the United Lutheran church. On the east edge of what is now the 
village was the house of Duke Porter, while his mother and her family 
lived still further east. North of the river, west of where the road after 
crossing the bridge, turned east toward Jackson county, was the South Bend 
postofRce at the home of Ebenezer Thurston, "Yankee" Thurston, as he was 
called by his foreign-born neighbors. 

Early in 1873, the railroad being assured, and a station at this point 
having already been decided upon, John Van Ness, Orrin Van Ness and 
Henry Thorsgaard came over the ridge from Ettrick and selected on the 
snow-covered flats the location for a mill. These men had all been active- 
ly interested in the milling industry in western Wisconsin for several 
years, and at the time of this trip, Mr. Thorsgaard was employed by John 
Van Ness in the mill which Orrin Van Ness had built at Ettrick, Orrin Van 
Ness himself being in charge of a mill near West Salem. Mr. Thorsgaard 
became the active factor in the Blair mill and in a few years bought out 
the Van Ness interests. He rebuilt the mill after it was burned in 1880, 
sold it in 1883, and is now actively engaged in the grain business. 

As soon as the snow was off the ground in the spring of 1873, active op- 
erations were commenced. Two forty-acre tracts were purchased from 
Ebenezer Thurston for a mill and pond, lumber was hauled from Merrillan, 
and men put to work on the dam, the mill, the bridge and a dweUing for 
Mr. Thorsgaard. At the same time the tracks for the railroad were being 



248 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY 

laid, and every farmhouse along the line was crowded with workmen. 
While the work w-as in progress, a farmer named John Thinbacken broke 
through the old bridge with a yoke of oxen, and the mill bridge received all 
the traffic. Soon afterward a road was established from the mill south 
to the main highway. 

The depot was erected not far from the mill. Two warehouses and a 
lumber yard were opened in the same neighborhood. The business cen- 
ter developed on higher ground several blocks south of the mill. Even Ber- 
seng opened a hotel, the first business establishment in the new village. 
Three years later an addition was built. This hotel was an important fea- 
ture in the village life until it bui-ned in 1916. In the hall on the second floor 
were held dances, public meetings and theatrical entertainments, and many 
an entertainer since famous played behind its oil footlights in the seventies 
and eighties. 

Some time during the summer of 1873, T. I. Gilbert & Co. moved from 
Strum's Corners to the new site, and within a short time other places of 
business had started, including C. C. Hanson's general store, John E. John- 
son's hardware store and John Hanson's drug store. 

In the meantime Ebenezer Thurston had given forty acres to the rail- 
road, and on a part of the Porter estate, Duke Porter had platted a village 
which he called Porterville. The Hiles & Ketchum plat of Blair, the rail- 
road plat, was filed April 16, 1877. Later the land was the subject of con- 
sidei'able litigation, and the title to some of the best land in the village re- 
mained long in dispute, some of the railroad officials claiming that the plat 
belonged to them personally instead of to the railroad as a company. 

In 1891 the business section of the village was entirely wiped out by 
fire. The conflagration took place at about noon on July 27, and rapidly 
destroyed several blocks, leaving on the east and west a blacksmith shop, 
on the north the hotel, and nothing else but blackened ruins. 

Undaunted the citizens started to make plans for rebuilding. For a 
time there was considerable talk of remodeling the village plat and estab- 
lishing a public square around which the business houses would be grouped, 
but the owners were unable to agree upon a satisfactory plan, for the stores 
were eventually rebuilt on their former sites. 

Eleva 

Eleva is a popular trading center in the northern part of the county on 
the Mondovi branch of the Omaha. It is located on the north bank of the 
Beef River, and is intersected by the Big Creek. Trout Creek comes in from 
the south a short distance east. The mill pond is north of the village. The 
business section is west of the creek, while the area east of the creek is, ex- 
cept for the creamery entirely devoted to residences. 

The churches are of the Norwegian Lutheran and Methodist Episco- 
pal faith. The sightly brick school building of four rooms covers twelve 
grades of school study. 

The bank, mill and creamery, the two elevators and a lumber yard are 
in flourishing condition, and the usual business houses are well patronized. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 249 

A private park consisting of a two-acre grove east of the mill pond fur- 
nishes health and recreation. 

The electric light service was inaugurated in December, 1914. The vil- 
lage furnished the plant and Heni-y Rusehng erected the building. The 
power is furnished from the Ruseling mill. 

Eleva was incorporated in 1902. November 29, 1901, Alex A. Arnold 
made the survey under the direction of N. I. Gilbert, M. C. Whipple, Even 
Bratberg, A. C. Danuser, Ole Halverson, F. J. Hartman and F. E. Brown. 
The next day, F. J. Hartman took the census and found a population of 314 
persons. A petition was duly presented to the court by N. E. Bersing, Ole 
Halverson, Even Bratberg, 0. A. Breakey, Ole Void, A. C. Danuser, F. J. 
Hartman, J. Void, J. B. Rice, E. S. Englesby, H. H. McNish, F. E. Brown, 
K. Jenson, N. Gregerson, N. B. Nelson, Carl Voss, Peter Steen, N. I. Gil- 
bert, A. P. Davis, Wm. Jackson, Martin Olson and C. H. Elkinton. The court 
granted the petition January 14, 1902, and ordered an election to be held 
February 11, 1902. The election resulted in 53 votes for the proposition 
and 11 against it. 

The first election of officers was held March 11, 1902, and resulted as 
follows: President, F. J. Hartman; trustees, N. Gregerson, Andrew Olson, 
F. E. Brown, Ole Void, K. Jenson and William Cleasby; clerk, G. H. Snoyen- 
bos ; treasurer, N. E. Bersing ; assessor, Sever Nicholson ; supervisor, Henry 
Rusehng; constable, A. C. Danuser; police justice, N. I. Gilbert; justice of 
the peace, H. H. McNish and F. Mason. 

Situated on the broad flats of the Beef River Valley, Eleva, like nearly 
all the other villages of Trempealeau County, is situated at a natural center 
of travel. A long stretch of the Beef River Valley, and the fertile expanses 
of Big Creek and Trout Creek are immediately tributary to it. Through 
this point in the early days, passed the stage lines from Fairchild to Mon- 
dovi, and from Eau Claire to Independence and Whitehall in the Trem- 
pealeau Valley. 

In this locaUty, probably about 1876, Philo Englesby erected a hotel on 
a small hill overlooking Big Creek, the present site of the home of H. H. 
McNish. Jan. 20, 1877, Geo. 0. Babcock platted the village on land of E. J. 
Carpenter and R. P. Goddard. About this time Mr. Carpenter built the 
dam and the grist mill, since replaced by the mill of Henry Ruseling. Mr. 
Goddard put up a store on what is now the northwest corner of Main and 
Mondovi streets, the present site of the Fogland Brothers' store. In his 
store the postofiice was kept. In the year that followed, a number of busi- 
ness houses went up. John Redfield put up a blacksmith shop. A. C. Hal- 
langer built a large store, Knute Jenson a blacksmith shop, Martin Olson a 
hardware store, W. W. Wyman a drug store, Thomas Olson a confection- 
ery store, Ole Halverson a meat shop, Henry Moxen and John Cook a board- 
ing house. The Methodist church was also erected. 

The railroad came through late in 1889, and on Dec. 13, 1889, an ex- 
cursion was given to celebrate the installation of the first passenger service. 
The first mail arrived by train Feb. 18, 1890. 

Dec. 30, 1889, Henry Ruseling, who owned a mill there, shipped the 



250 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

first load of flour sent on the railroad, and Gilbert & Hallanger shipped the 
first load of stock and grain. 

At that time, as at present, the center of the village was at the inter- 
section of Mondovi and Main streets. The arrival of the railroad brought 
sevei-al additions to the business life of the village. Gilbert and Hallanger 
put up an elevator, an outside concern put up another elevator, N. C. Foster 
opened a lumber yard, and Knute Jenson and David Odell opened hotels. 

Osseo 

Osseo is a thriving village on the Mondovi line of the Omaha. Its busi- 
ness section parallels the Beef River, and a dam provides a pretty artificial 
lake for bathing and boating. The residences are sightly and commodious, 
and reflect in their architecture and surroundings the New England country 
from which many of the pioneers hailed. 

The principal municipal improvement is the beautiful and thoroughly 
modern high school completed in the spring of 1917 at a cost of about $35,- 
000. Electric lights have been furnished for several years by the Lee & Son 
mill. The old schoolhouse has been refurnished and refitted as a village hall. 

The chief industries consist of the mill at the village, the mill a short- 
distance away, a cheese factory and a creamery. Two banks and a newspa- 
per are in a flourishing condition. 

Osseo was not materially affected by the arrival of the railroad. Started 
in the fifties (see account of H. Hyslop elsewhere in this work), the village 
on June 20, 1887, when the railroad was completed, was already a flourishing 
hamlet, and the business houses were but little changed by the introduc- 
tion of railroad transportation. 

Among the business industries at that time were the Osseo and Sumner 
mills, the general stores operated by F. E. Field & Co. and C. H. Shores & Co., 
drug stores operated by Dr. A. L. Wooster and Hotchkiss (E. S.) & Bewell 
(George) ; blacksmith and wagon shop operated by John 0. Christenson & 
Co., and blacksmith and machine works by Errick Nelson & Co. 

To this list, D. L. Remington adds: J. H. McKenney, hotel and meat 
market ; Fred Smith, harness shop ; Valorus Campbell, livery ; Montgomery 
Reynolds, photographer; J. Huntington, hardware, and Matt Johnson, shoe- 
maker. E. J. Matchett adds to the original list : Anderson Brothers, general 
stoi-e; Hewett & Foster, hardware; Smith Brothers, hardware; William 
Henry, cheese factory; Hiram Field, dealer in stock and horses, Arthur 
Gates, dealer in machinery, and the Osseo Creamery Co. 

An important part of the business section was destroyed by fire on 
May 29, 1891, but was at once rebuilt with larger and better buildings. 

Osseo was platted in September, 1857, by J. E. Irish, county sur- 
veyor of Richland County, on land of W. A. Woodward, A. McCorkle, Caro- 
line E. Sexton and Willard H. Thomas. It embraced 116 blocks of 8 lots 
each, many of which have since been abandoned. 

The village was incorporated in 1893. A survey having been made 
Feb. 23, 1893 by Thomas G. Cox, a census was taken July 3, 1893, by A. C. 
Gates and E. A. Olson, resulting in a numbering of 305 persons. Aug. 31, 
1893, a petition was signed by E. J. Matchett, F. A. Smith, C. H. Shores, A. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 251 

C. Gates, A. L. Wooster, George F. Newell and E. A. Olson, M. D., asking 
for the incorporation of the village. The petition was granted by the dis- 
trict court Sept. 4, 1893, and E. J. Matchett, Dr. E. A. Olson and George F. 
Newell appointed inspectors of election. The election, duly held on Oct. 9, 
1893, resulted in a vote of 33 to 8 in favor of the proposition. 

The first election of officers was held Nov. 2, 1893, and resulted as fol- 
lows: President, Dr. E. A. Olson; trustees, W. K. Lewis, J. H. LeBarron, C. 
H. Shores, F. M. Smith, Thomas Fox and James Mclntyre; treasurer, 
George Newell; clerk, J. W. Smith; supervisor, E. J. Matchett (J. H. Mc- 
Kenney, who was tied, lost on a drawing of cuts) ; constable, A. H. Rogers; 
police justice, A. C. Gates. 

About the year 1859, the first school in Osseo was held in the house 
now occupied by Eric Nelson ; at that time it was owned by W. H. Thomas, 
who used the front part of the building as a general store, and in the rear 
were rooms used as a dwelling and occupied by Mrs. Buckley, later better 
known as Mrs. Barber. In one of these rooms school was held and taught 
by her. There were only four pupils at that time, consisting of the two 
daughters of W. H. Thomas, now Mrs. Delia Field, and Julia Shores, and 
Kate and Fannie, daughters of Dennis Lawler. 

Later school was held in the barroom of a hotel erected by Mr. Thomas 
on the spot where Bert Humes' blacksmith shop now stands, and still later 
in an old building located just north of the church where Mr. Horgan's 
house has since been erected. 

As the children grew in number it was deemed necessary to build a 
schoolhouse, which was done in 1860. It was a one-room building and locat- 
ed on the site as the present graded school building. 

As years passed the number of pupils outgrew the capacity of this build- 
ing and it was moved across the street where it still stands and is known as 
the Town Hall, being occupied by the Sixth and Seventh grades, taught by 
Miss Mabel Hagen. A two-story frame building was erected in its place in 
1881. Miss Nettie Tracy, now Mrs. Nettie Jones, was the first teacher and 
for six weeks had charge of all the pupils in the district, then numbering 59, 
as the upper room was not completed at the beginning of the school year. 

Malcolm McPhail was the first teacher in this room when finished. 

In October, 1881, the people voted to have a graded school and admit 
tuition pupils from outside the district. The result was that the number 
of pupils increased so rapidly that again the rooms were over-crowded and 
in the fall of 1892 there were 83 pupils seated in what is the lower north 
room of the present building, taught by Agnes Hyslop, now Mrs. A. Mc- 
Kenney. At Christmas time it was decided to hire another teacher and 
use the Town Hall. Lottie Field taught during the two months' winter term, 
and in the spring it was decided to use the recitation room instead of the 
Town Hall, and Agnes Walsh of Fairchild was hired as assistant. Frank 
Robinson was principal at that time. 

In 1894 an addition was annexed to the south side of the schoolhouse 
to correspond with that on the north. 

The building is surrounded by beautiful trees, planted by children and 



252 HISTOKY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

teachers. David Isom also took great interest in the planting and caring 
for them. 

Again the building fails to accommodate the number of pupils which 
have increased from 59 in 1881, to 220, and the corps of teachers from one 
to seven, and we are compelled to vacate its walls for one more modern and 
beautiful. 

In 1916 the people voted to have a High school and to build a new build- 
ing which is now, 1917, completed, and is a beautiful, modern, one-story 
brick building, known as Lincoln High school, located in the northeastern 
part of the village on a sightly spot known as Lincoln Hill. 

It is a structure of which the village of Osseo may well be proud as it 
ranks as one of the best in the state. 

Strum 

Strum is a busy ti-ading center in the Beef River valley on the Mondovi 
line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway. Like many 
of the villages in Trempealeau county the village is located at a natural cen- 
ter of traffic and stores were in existence here long before the coming of the 
railroad. 

The pioneer merchant was Thomas E. Holden, who came here about 
1884 and erected a small store north of the river, and just west of where 
the road turns east toward Osseo. About 1885 came Ole Kittleson. He 
opened a store north of the river a few rods east of Holden's store. Situ- 
ated as he was in the western part of the Unity township, he received con- 
siderable ti'ade from that town and from Albion as well. In connection 
with his store business he bought home-made butter, and in 1888 he and the 
farmers organized the Strum Creamery Association. 

In 1887 the railroad reached Osseo, and plans were made for continu- 
ing the line west to Mondovi through Strum. A switch was laid at Strum in 
1889. The depot was not built until 1892. An elevator and lumber yard 
were built near the depot. 

Mr. Kittleson then moved his store to the street leading from the de- 
pot to the river, and thus established the location for the future business 
of the village, all the stores now being located along this street. The mill 
was also built on the river bank near the same street. 

The growth of the village has since been steady and satisfactorJ^ 
The original mill, erected by Samuel Hogue, has been replaced with a large 
structure several rods east of the depot. The original creamery has be- 
come the flourishing Unity Co-operative Creamery, located on the railroad 
right-of-way. Two sightly churches have been built, a bank with a most 
satisfactory amount of deposits is well housed, and the Woodman Hall fur- 
nishes an adequate place for public meetings and theatrical entertainments. 
The school, first occupied in 1914, is a subject of considerable pride to the 
citizens, and furnishes excellent instruction in the usual grade studies. 

The fire of Christmas, 1915, which swept the east side of the principal 
street, did not retard the growth of the village, but rather gave it new life, 
for a number of larger and substantial business houses soon replaced those 
destroyed. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 253 

Although Strum is one of the youngest villages in the county, none of 
the first settlers are now here, and in the neighborhood there are but few of 
the pioneers of the county. But the newcomers have brought prosperity, 
and with the constantly increasing improvement of the farms, and the grad- 
ual development of the county highway system, the hamlet is designed to 
be a point of stiU greater importance. 

Ettrick 

Ettrick is the terminus of the new Ettrick & Northern railroad, and evi- 
dences of the prosperity and growth which is to follow the opening of that 
line is already seen. Outside companies are purchasing building lots, and 
many new business houses are being projected. At the present time the vil- 
lage has a creamery, a flour mill, a woolen mill, and a new bank and hotel. 

It is situated in the valley of the Beaver Creek in the midst of one 
of the finest farming regions in western Wisconsin. 

Ettrick had its beginning in 1870, when Iver Pederson came over from 
Frenchville, and erected a store here. Later the dam was put in, the two 
mills built and the creamery started. Gradually a small village grew up at 
the point. June 20, 1877, the village was platted by Alfred P. Ford on land 
of James Corcoran, P. J. Huff, Iver Knudson, Hans Christiansen and Iver 
Pederson. 

Dodge 

Dodge Village is located at a point which has been a center of traffic 
since the earliest days. Just above the present village was the old Indian 
ford over the Trempealeau River. At the same ford, was the crossing of the 
old stage line from Fountain City to Arcadia and Trempealeau. The rail- 
road came through in 1873, the village was platted Feb. 20, 1874, on land 
of August Bambenek, and business started that year. Nick Lehrback 
opened the first store. Fred Hoesley opened the first hotel and restaurant 
John Noteman, the first grain buyer, was also the first station agent. The 
first blacksmith was James Tandutschy. The village is not incorporated, but 
is a busy trading center, and is located in a region of fertile farms and rich 
farmers. It has a good bank and creamery and several good stores. 

Pigeon Creek 

Pigeon Creek is the trading center of Pigeon Valley. It is the only vil- 
lage of any importance in the county, aside from Ettrick, not supplied with 
railroad service. The village was started in 1867 when Cyrus H. Hine pur- 
chased a tract of land from George Hale and erected a mill. Shortly after- 
ward Johnson & Olson put up a store. Peter Ekern came here in 1875, pur- 
chased the mill and store, and established the varied activities of the place. 
The estate now owns a large store, the creamery and the mill. In addition 
to this there ai-e a number of other stores. There are hkewise two churches. 
Good roads extend in various directions, and the village is a most attractive 
little hamlet with many advantages. 



254 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

Trempealeau 

Trempealeau is located in the southern part of the county, and spreads 
along the banks of the Mississippi under the shadows of the overhanging 
bluffs and back a mile across the prairie to the depot of the Northwestern 
Railroad, which with the Burlington supplies its railroad service. 

The story of the village since its settlement in 1842 has already been 
told. 

Trempealeau now has a village hall, electric light service, a village park, 
a bank, a newspaper, a public librai'y, and several elevators. 

The shipments are farm products, fish and lime. 

The present organization of the village dates from March 10, 1900, 
when the old pioneer village government was reincorporated along modern 
lines. 



CHAPTER XII 
NEWSPAPERS 

ThP WbHTiTr'''"'^'''''''" *^' •'^"^^"stic field in Trempealeau County. 

TranlVnf f .'T^'^fo^T ^'''''' ''' ^'''''^ ^''^''^y ^o the Galesvilfe 
Transcript founded m 1860, and indirectly to the Trempealeau Times is- 
sued ,n 1858. The Arcadia Leader dates back to the Trempealeau County 
Republican established at Trempealeau in 1873. The Galesville Republican 
Itself established in 1897, has absorbed the Galesville Independent which 
was started in 1874. The Independence News-Wave had its beginning with 

! !, . f "'^'"'' ^"'^'^ ^"^' ^" 1^^8- The Trempealeau Herald was es- 
tablKshed in 1885. The Osseo News dates from the Osseo Recorder, 
established in 1890. The Blair Press was established in 1898 

For the most part, the papers of Trempealeau County have been 
started as commercial ventures. Support of the labor movement has been 
the motive underlying the establishment of at least two, and some have 
had the prohibtion cause as their sponsors. Civic pride also entered into 
the establishment of several of the papers, and the county seat controversies 
caused the inauguration or change of location of a number of the publica- 
tions. Two foreign papers flourished for a while. 

The first paper published in the county was the Trempealeau Times 
issued m the spring of 1858 by Charles and Francis A. Utter who had 
brought type and a printing press from Elkhorn, Wis., and got out four is- 
sues for the purpose of publishing the Buffalo County tax list. 

The printing material was used in the publication of the Trempealeau 
Banner, established Oct. 8, 1858, by J. Ketchum Averill. Averill remained 
m Trempealeau a short time and then went to Tomah, where he established 
the Tomah Chief. 

The Utters, who still held a mortgage on the plant, foreclosed and 
sold out, a portion being taken to Galesville for the printing of the Gales 
ville Transcript. The Transcript was the most notable paper ever issued 
in Trempealeau County. Fortunately its early files have been preserved 
A bound volume of the first two years is in the possession of the Trem- 
pealeau County Historical Society. The same society, and also Bert Gipple 
ot the Galesville Republican, are in possession of a large number of unbound 
issues. "Devoted to home improvements," the paper made its first appear- 
ance March 16, 1860, with Samuel S. Luce as editor. An important feature 
was the department of "Law Intelligence," giving in full the proceedings of 
the Circuit Court of the district. George Gale was the corresponding editor 
The paper contains many historical and literary contributions, and was 
remarkable for the quality of its contributions. Charles A. Leith suc- 
ceeded Judge Gale as part owner of the paper. In October, 1865, Leith and 
H. R. Gale became the owners. It continued in Galesville until November, 

255 



256 HISTORY OF TREIVIPEALEAU COUNTY 

1867, when Leith and A. F. Booth, who had purchased an interest, caused 
its removal to Trempealeau, where it was pubhshed under the name of 
Trempealeau County Record. In August, 1869, Mr. Leith sold his interest 
in the paper to his partner, Mr. Booth. For a short time A. Atwood was a 
partner and A. W. Newman editor. Then T. D. Stone purchased a half 
interest. In January, 1873, Stone and Booth disposed of the paper, the 
printing materials being taken to Madison to print the Wisconsin Good 
Templar, and the good will going to Geo. S. Luce, who merged the paper 
in the Galesville Journal under the title of Journal and Record. He con- 
tinued to print a column or more of Trempealeau news. Geo. S. Luce sold 
the Journal and Record in August, 1874, to B. E. Clark, who removed the 
paper to Whitehall under the name of Trempealeau County Messenger. A 
committee of citizens under the name of the Whitehall Px'inting Association 
took over the paper in June, 1875, and placed Dan A. Camp in the editor's 
chair. Geo. Eads bought the paper in September, 1876, and in July, 1878, 
sold to F. B. Wagner, who in September, 1879, sold to B. F. Wing and Dan 
Camp. In January, 1880, the Messenger (which name it retained as a 
sub-title until January, 1882), was purchased by Fred E. Beach and the 
name changed to the Whitehall Times, Camp still being retained as editor. 
In December, 1880, J. B. Beach became a partner and in 1887 the sole owner. 
Nov. 5, 1891, the Blair department of the paper had developed to the extent 
that the paper appeared with the caption, "Whitehall Times and Blair 
Banner." Jan. 27, 1916, the title Whitehall Times-Banner was adopted. 
After the death of J. B. Beach in 1915 the paper was leased by Fred E. 
and Z. T. Beach. 

The Trempealeau Representative was founded in August, 1859, and 
was conducted by Francis W. Newland and S. D. Hastings, until suspended 
in 1861. 

The Galesville Journal was established in May, 1870, by Geo. S. Luce, 
with J. H. Powers as a partner. Powers sold his interest to H. L. Bunn in 
May, 1871, Bunn to H. F. Burt in February, 1873, and Burt in June, 1873, 
to his partner Luce, who thus became the sole owner. Julius C. Chandler 
was employed as editor from January to April, 1871, and Samuel S. Luce 
from April, 1871, to May, 1872. In January, 1873, upon the absorption 
of the Trempealeau County Record, the paper became the Journal and 
Record. 

The Trempealeau County Republican was established in March, 1873, 

hy Charles A. Leith at Trempealeau. In July, 1875, Hackston 

and C. E. Hollenbeck started the Arcadia Leader. In April, 1876, Mr. 
Hackston sold to Noah D. Comstock and the firm became C. E. Hollenbeck 
& Co. A year later Mr. Comstock assumed the entii-e ownership. Later 
in 1877 the Trempealeau County RepubUcan and the Arcadia Leader were 
combined and issued at Arcadia, Mr. Leith being the editor and Mr. Com- 
stock the corresponding editor. H. F. Pond had charge of the Trempealeau 
department. During January, 1881, the name was shortened to Republican 
Leader of Trempealeau County, and was next styled the Arcadia Repub- 
lican and Leader. Following Mr. Leith the editors were : F. F. and E. A. 
Morgan, January to May, 1884 ; F. F. Morgan, May, 1884, to January, 1887 ; 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 257 

Morgan and Truman F. Ball, three months; Ball alone, March, 1887, to 
June, 1888 ; George Z. Heuston, six months ; George and Leonard Mathys, 
1889. The Mathys Brothers changed the politics from Republican to 
Democratic, and in January, 1890, shortened the name to Arcadia Leader. 
Then came George Mathys and J. G. Faulds, January, 1890, to July, 1891 ; 
Faulds and A. J. Cowie, July, 1891, to August, 1893; Faulds alone until 
February, 1894 ; Peter J. and L. G. Barth till April, 1896 ; Peter Barth, 
April, 1896, to November, 1902 (except March to June, 1901, by W. G. 
Cameron) ; John Maloney and Henry F. Theuver, November, 1902, January, 
1904, when it was sold to Albert Hess, who conducted it alone until Jan. 15, 
1914, since when Christ Fuoter associated himself with Mr. Hess as busi- 
ness manager. 

The Galesville Independent was established in October, 1874, by the 
Galesville Printing Association, and was edited by Cunningham and Luce 
till October, 1875 ; by W. M. Doty, November, 1875, to March, 1877, and by 
S. S. Luce till May, 1881. It was then purchased by Luce and his son, W. S. ; 
conducted by them till 1889. Afterward came T. F. Ball, succeeded by 
Frank Huntley and then by H. L. Vandervort, who sold the paper to W. A. 
Tower in January, 1895. Tower was publisher till 1898, when he sold to 
Bunsen Brothers, who conducted the paper until 1907, when it was sold to 
Richard E. Smith and Carl C. Gwynne. In 1908 it was absorbed by the 
Galesville Republican. 

Newton P. Tucker established a small paper called the Free Press in 
1878 at Trempealeau, where it was published for about one year, when its 
materials were removed to Galesville for the purpose of setting up the 
Trempealeau County Democrat. A year later the Trempealeau County 
Democrat was removed to Arcadia, where it was suspended in the fall 
of 1880. 

The Galesville Republican is the outgrowth of a small job printing 
plant established by Bert A. Gipple in February, 1897. Mr. Gipple entered 
the office of the Galesville Independent as an apprentice in 1890 and was 
with that paper much of the time during the seven years following. He 
sought to lease or purchase the Independent plant in 1896, but was unsuc- 
cessful, and the job shop was the outcome of the movement. The first 
issue of The Republican appeared in September, 1897. It was a four-column 
quarto, printed on a job press. The little paper found favor from the 
start. A few months later its form was changed to a five-column folio, 
all home print, and thus it continued until 1907, when larger quarters were 
secured and a cylinder press installed. A year later The Republican Print- 
ing Company was organized and the Galesville Independent was merged 
with The Republican, which was then, as now, issued as a six-column 
weekly, with from eight to twelve pages. From the beginning Mr. Gipple 
held a majority of shares of stock in the new company, and has continued 
as editor and manager. The Republican was launched as a Repubhcan 
newspaper, but with no political backing. This was at a time before the 
split came in the Republican party in Wisconsin. A few years later LaFol- 
letteism spread and political lines were drawn on this issue. The Repub- 
lican has always been known as anti-LaFollette. 



258 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The Independence Weekly News was established March 9, 1878, by 
Geo. E. Gilkey. The Blair Bulletin was absorbed in April, 1879, and for a 
time the paper was called the Weekly News Bulletin, the original name, 
however, being soon resumed. In December, 1879, Gilkey sold to W. R. 
Allison, who conducted it until April, 1880, followed by H. I. TurnbuU four 
months. Then J. R. and W. P. Faulds at intervals, alone or in partnership, 
owned the paper until 1888. Then came George A. Markham, who in 
April, 1892, united it with the Independence Wave. Since then it has been 
styled the Independence News- Wave. It was conducted by George A. and 
Ada R. Markham until the former's death in July, 1909. Since then Mrs. 
Markham has been the editor. 

The Independence Wave was established about May, 1888, by A. A. 
Mclntyre, and edited by George A. Markham. In March, 1889, it absorbed 
the Eau Claire Progress (founded October, 1887), and a few weeks later 
became the property of Markham, who conducted it, assisted by C. G. 
Simpson, April, 1889, to April, 1891 ; by 0. G. Briggs, until January, 1892, 
and then by Ada R. Markham. It was united with the News April, 1892. Its 
politics were Prohibitionist. 

The Trempealeau Gazette was founded in 1890. In that year Clarence 
S. Utter, who had been publishing the Sunday Morning Gazette in Winona, 
moved his printing outfit to Trempealeau, occupying the old Ford building, 
now known as the New Hotel. He published the Sunday Morning Gazette, 
and during the winter F. C. Utter and C. S. Ford joined him in partnership. 
"We had an old wooden reel pi'ess," said one of the firm, "and we used to 
fill the reel with sand for ballast, and when we run out the paper the 
machinery made as much noise as a bean thrasher." The following spring 
the partnership was dissolved, and the editor paid F. C. Utter and C. S. 
Ford a five dollar gold piece each for their share of the dividend. C. S. 
Utter then leased his equipment to Chas. Morrison, who ran the Gate City 
Review in La Crosse for a year, when Utter bought the lease and returned 
to Trempealeau with his outfit and revised the Gazette as a campaign sheet. 
But in 1894 he sold out to A. A. Gibson and brother, and they remained 
a year in the newspaper field, when Utter bought them out and resumed 
the pubhcation of the Trempealeau Gazette. In June, 1903, Thomas Bohen 
bought the Gazette and published it until 1909. Then F. J. Pearson con- 
ducted the paper for a year, after which it was suspended. Shortly after 
Bohen bought the Gazette he opened up with virile attacks on the former 
owner of the paper, and in self-defense Utter soon launched the Trem- 
pealeau Tribune, thus making three newspapers running in Trempealeau 
at one time. The first few issues of the Tribune were type-set and printed 
at St. Paul and then sent here for mailing. Later Utter ran the paper with 
a small outfit of his own. It was suspended for a time and again picked up 
and run until the fall of 1904, when the outfit was destroyed by fire and the 
paper ceased. 

The Trempealeau Herald was founded in December, 1884. Jacob 
Tenney conducted it as a labor organ. He sold to Cecil Stewart, a fire- 
man on the steamboat Belle of Bellevue. Stewart knew nothing whatever 
about the newspaper business ; moreover, lacking an education he appeared 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 259 

to be sadly equipped for the new undertaking. But he secured competent 
assistants, and with their aid he began his career as a printer. He was an 
apt pupil and by applying himself under a qualified tutor he soon was able 
with his typo and printers' devil to turn out a good sheet. Later he held 
cases on the Milwaukee Sentinel and was classed as a successful printer. 
Elbert Newton Goodhue purchased the Trempealeau Herald in 1888 and 
edited the paper October, 1897, and then sold out to his sister, Aletta D. 
Goodhue, the present owner and publisher. 

The Arcadian was established May, 1895, by E. G. Farlin. It was con- 
ducted by S. G. Wheeler from 1898 to 1900 ; by David Stevens from 1900 to 
1907, and then moved to Beacher, 111. 

The Blair Press was started about March 1, 1878, by W. A. Asmues, 
who sold to Henry Russell. Simon Berseng, who was employed by Russell, 
next took over the paper and after conducting it for a while sold to 0. B. 
Borsheim and Earl F. Hensel. The next owners were A. O. 
Likken and Sneider Stout. Then the creditors took over the paper and 
subsequently it was conducted by Martin Amundson and his son, Omar 
Amundson. A. H. York was the next proprietor. On Sept. 1, 1915, he sold 
to the present owner, H. C. Kirkpatrick. 

The Osseo Blade. The railroad reached Osseo June 20, 1887, and on 
July 4 Daniel A. Camp started the Osseo Blade. Later it passed into the 
hands of W. C. Thomas. Henry E. Browne became the editor in 1890. The 
plant was burned in May, 1891, but within a few months resumed publi- 
cation. 

The Osseo Recorder was established about Dec. 29, 1893. In January, 
1912, E. J. Matchett purchased an equity in the paper from E. E. Carpenter, 
who had bought it from W. S. Gilpin, but who had defaulted in his pay- 
ments. Mr. Matchett changed the name to the Trempealeau County 
Farmer. Jan. 21, 1915, the paper was consolidated with the Osseo News. 

The Osseo News was estabhshed May 3, 1912, with W. S. Gilpin as 
editor, and with Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin as proprietors. It absorbed the Trem- 
pealeau County Farmer, formerly the Osseo Recorder, on Jan. 21, 1915. 

The Eleva Herald was published in 1915. 

The International Good Templar, a sixty-page magazine devoted to 
the interests of Good Templary throughout the world, was founded at 
London, Canada, in 1888, was published at Independence from January, 
1906, to January, 1909, with G. A. Markham as publisher and B. F. Parker 
of Milwaukee, supreme secretary of the order, as editor. In 1909, because 
of a change in secretary, it was moved to Glasgow, Scotland. 

The Wisconsin Good Templar, a temperance paper devoted wholly to 
the interests of the Good Templar order in the State of Wisconsin, was 
established in November, 1891, and was published by George A. Markham, 
with Ada R. Markham as managing editor. With the death of Mr. Mark- 
ham in 1909 Mrs. Markham became publisher as well as editor. The paper 
was suspended in 1912. 

The Anzeiger was founded in December, 1899, by John Uttermoehl. 
He sold to Napoleon Cramolini, who in turn sold to Emil Schulze. The 
paper terminated with the sudden death of Mr. Schulze on Feb. 8, 1916. 



260 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Der Nord Staed, a Norwegian paper, was published in Whitehall in 1877. 

The Booster was established in 1908 by Dan P. Gibson, superintendent 
of schools for the county, the publication being authorized by the county 
board and the expense being met by the county. Its purpose was educa- 
tional and to furnish a better means of communication between the superin- 
tendent and the teachers and school boards. With the change in county 
superintendent in 1917 it has been discontinued for a time at least. 



CHAPTER XIII 
RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES 

Trempealeau County owes much of its development to its railroads, 
which, crossing its northern, central and southern portions, give the best" 
of shipping facilities within easy distance of nearly every farm, and have 
been the means of the upbuilding of many a thriving village. The pro- 
jected line from Blair to Ettrick will tap another rich region, and give still 
further impetus to the agricultural life of the county. 

One village, however, suffered from the coming of the raih'oads. 
Trempealeau in 1870 was a great wheat market, and its river shipping 
business brought to its river front the farm produce of a vast region, 
extending as far as fifty miles to the interior. The railroad weakened the 
steamboat industry, and diverted much of the agricultural produce to 
crossroads shipping points, while much of the shipping trade of this region 
was diverted to La Crosse and Winona. 

Four railroads operate in Trempealeau County : the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the Green 
Bay & Western Railroad and the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha 
Railway. A fifth, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, is in the process of 
construction. 

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy crosses the southwestern part of 
the county, through the towns of Trempealeau and Caledonia. It has a 
station on the river front at Trempealeau and nearly parallels the Mis- 
sissippi. 

The Chicago & Northwestern also crosses the southwestern part of 
the county, through the towns of Trempealeau and Caledonia. It has a 
station at Trempealeau about half a mile back from the river front. Unlike 
the Burlington, it does not follow the river between Trempealeau and 
Winona, but extends back to the bluffs and runs along their foot. A branch 
line also reaches from Trempealeau to Galesville. By an agreement made 
a number of years ago the Green Bay uses the Northwestern tracks from 
La Crosse to Marshland. 

The Green Bay & Western follows the valley of the Trempealeau River 
through the central part of the county, crossing the townships of Dodge, 
Arcadia, Burnside, Lincoln and Preston. Its stations in this county are 
at Dodge, Arcadia, Independence, Whitehall and Blair. 

The Mondovi branch of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha 
follows the course of the Buffalo River in the northern pai't of the county, 
crossing the townships of Albion, Unity and Sumner. Its stations in this 
county are at Eleva, Strum and Osseo. 

The Ettrick & Northern is being projected from Ettrick to Blair, a 

261 



262 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

distance of twelve miles. It has been proposed to extend the road fifty 
miles to Onalaska, thus making connections with La Crosse. 

The project which resulted in the building of the first railroad in Trem- 
pealeau County had its beginning March 6, 1857 (Chapter 280, Private 
Laws of 1857), when the Wisconsin legislature granted a charter to a 
company called the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad Company 
(also known as the La Crosse, Trempealeau, Lake Pepin & Prescott Rail- 
road Company), to locate and build a line along the east bank of the Mis- 
sissippi from La Crosse to Prescott, Wis., by way of Trempealeau and 
Fountain City. The first board of directors consisted of P. V. Wise, 0. T. 
•Maxon, T. B. Wilson, David Noggle, Charles McClure, Edmond Bishop, 
Henry D. Huff, Samuel D. Hastings, George Batchelder, George Gale and 
D. D. Cameron. With the financial crisis of that year interest in the project 
was allowed to lag. 

But a year later the project was revived with much fervor. Winona 
at that time bid fair to be an important railroad point, as the eastern 
terminus of the Transit Railroad (now succeeded by the Chicago & North- 
western) and the Minnesota & Pacific (now succeeded by the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul) . La Crosse also had aspirations toward becoming a 
railroad center, that city being the western terminal of the La Crosse & 
Milwaukee (now succeeded by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul), over 
which through connection with the east had been established by the open- 
ing of the road Oct. 14, 1858. 

Winona and La Crosse were bitter rivals. No one believed that more 
than one railroad would ever cross the Mississippi in this region. The 
Winona people believed that if they could bridge the river at that city, and 
connect with the Milwaukee & La Crosse at some point east of La Crosse, 
Winona would be a gi-eat center for the eastern and northern connections, 
and that La Crosse would be left at the blind end of a little used stub. 

In the winter of 1858-59 three well known Winona men started out 
to look for a practical route from Winona to a point east of La Crosse on 
the recently built Milwaukee & La Crosse. At that time the people of 
Winona knew but little about the interior of Trempealeau County. The 
three men cut their way through the swamps from Altoona, now Blufli" 
Siding, to the Trempealeau River, at what is now Marshland. Continuing 
southeast fi'om that point they were overtaken by darkness and camped 
all night in a tract of timber, suffering severely from the cold and lack of 
warm food. The next morning, after eating frozen bread and meat for 
breakfast, they proceeded on their way, and in half an hour came out on a 
prairie covered with fenced fields and good farm houses. They had spent 
the arctic night in what they had supposed was a wild country, when in 
reality they were in the midst of a settled community of comfort and plenty. 
Continuing on their way the prospectors completed a tentative route and 
returned to Winona. In the spring the people of Winona, having some- 
what modified their ambitions, decided to include La Crosse in their plans 
and made a preliminary survey of a route which is practically the present 
line of the Northwestern. But even with this change of heart on the part 
of the Winonans, the people of La Crosse did not look favorably on the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 263 

project, and threatened, if possible, to prevent the granting of a charter by 
the Wisconsin legislature. 

Facing this opposition, the Winona people enlisted the aid of prom- 
inent Trempealeau County citizens, determined to reorganize under the 
old La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott charter. Possession of the old 
charter was obtained and a reorganization perfected with eleven directors, 
five of whom were from Ti'empealeau. Galesville had endeavored to be 
included in the route, and had prepared a line from Marshland over the 
prairie to that village, thus cutting Trempealeau off entirely. But their 
plans did not succeed. Thomas Simpson was elected president; A. W. 
Webster, vice-president; J. H. Newland, secretary, and Thomas E. Bennett, 
treasurer. The company with the aid of N. F. Hilbert as chief engineer, 
who was to be paid whenever the company could secure any money, 
started at once to survey the line, obtain the right of way and perfect other 
plans, in order to secure vested rights before the legislature could convene 
and revoke the charter. 

Gradually the opposition of the La Crosse people died away. The 
charter was amended April 4, 1864. In time a majority of the stock was 
acquired by D. N. Barney & Co. and was by them sold to the Chicago «fe 
Northwestern, Oct. 31, 1867. Late in 1870 the road was completd from 
Winona to Winona Junction, originally called Trempealeau Junction, near 
La Crosse, a distance of 29 miles. Through railroad connection was thus 
established between Trempealeau County and the East. A few days after 
the completion of the road to a point opposite Winona, the bridge to that 
city was completed, Dec. 29, 1870. At that time Winona had railroad con- 
nections to the westward with Janesville and to the northwest with Weaver. 
Aug. 15, 1871, railroad communication was established between Winona 
and St. Paul, thus connecting Trempealeau County with the Northwest. 
The La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad was consolidated with the 
Chicago & Northwestern June 6, 1877. 

The Galesville branch of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from 
Trempealeau to Galesville, was put in operation in the summer of 1883. 
In 1882 a number of public spirited citizens approached the Chicago & 
Northwestern officials on the subject and were told that if the people of 
Galesville would secure a right-of-way and grade the roadbed the rail- 
road would lay the ties and rail and put the branch in operation. Prepara- 
tions were accordingly made, the Galesville-Mississippi Railroad Company 
was organized March 1, 1882, a subscription was taken, and the town voted 
bonds of $12,000. The company consisted of: President, A. A. Arnold; 
vice-president, Isaac Clark; treasurer, A. H. Kneeland; secretary, G. Y. 
Freeman; H. Birchard, Geo. H. Smith and David Kennedy. The light in 
which some of the farmers regarded railroads even as late as the eighties 
is seen in the communications in the newspapers of the time, in which the 
noise and odor of the railroad were prophesied as great evils, and the pre- 
diction made that the road would take ^11 the business away from the vil- 
lage. But those in favor of the proposition persisted in their efforts, and 
at great personal sacrifice completed their labors. The grading was in 
charge of Isaac Clark and David Kennedy and was nearly completed when 



264 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

winter set in. The faith of the promoters was more than justified, for 
Galesville at once became an important business and trading center. 

The Green Bay & Western Railroad has been one of the principal 
factors in the development of central Trempealeau County. The company 
was organized Feb. 7, 1866, and chartered as the Green Bay & Lake Pepin 
Railway Company, with Wabasha as its objective western terminal. Four 
miles were graded in 1869 and 30 miles in 1870. Track laying was com- 
menced in the fall of 1871, and completed 39 miles from Gi'een Bay to 
New London, Dec. 20, 1871. Four days later the first passengers were 
carried by special train. During the summer of 1872, 110 miles between 
New London and Merrillan Junction in Jackson County were graded and 
the tracks laid. The whole work was completed at 5 o'clock on the after- 
noon of Dec. 24, 1872. During the summer and fall of 1873 the tracks 
were graded and iron laid from Merrillan Junction to Marshland, where 
connections were made with the old La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott 
Railroad, now the Madison division of the Chicago & Northwestern. The 
first passenger service between Green Bay and Winona was inaugurated 
Dec. 18, 1873. The first train ran on regular schedule Jan. 1, 1874. Sept. 
5, 1873, the name was changed to the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. At 
that time it was believed that the road would be consolidated with the 
Winona & St. Peter, John I. Blair being a large stockholder in both roads. 
But the Chicago & Northwestern absorbed the Winona & St. Peter, and 
the Green Bay was left to its own devices. The struggle was a severe one. 
Running through 209 miles of a new and sparsely settled country, the 
receipts were not sufficient to maintain it. Early in 1878 it went into 
the hands of a receiver. June 20, 1881, it was sold at a foreclosure sale and 
reorganized as the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railway Company. June 
10, 1896, it was again sold under foreclosure and the name changed to 
the Green Bay & Western Railroad Company. In 1891 a spur track was 
completed from Marshland to East Winona, and the Winona tei-minal was 
established at the Burlington station instead of at the Northwestern station. 
Of the selection of the route through Whitehall, Stephen Richmond 
has said : "Arcadia was offered and had within reach an opportunity such 
as comes to few localities indeed when the Green Bay Railroad was pro- 
jecting its line across the state and pointing to the Trempealeau Valley 
in the winter of 1872. The line of the road had early been definitely decided 
upon from Green Bay to Merrillan, where a junctional point was to be made. 
Black River Falls was practically inaccessible because of the difficulty of 
crossing Black River at that point. Had this not been so the road no doubt 
would have been built to that city and thence down the Black River Valley 
to Melrose, and thence across country to Trempealeau Village, or down 
the Black River to La Crosse. The complete history of the location of 
the Green Bay Hne would be an interesting story. It may never be written. 
The parties behind the road were poor and the question of cost of right 
of way and construction were pressing matters in fixing its location from 
the junction point at Merrillan, and were largely the elements which were 
most influential. Trempealeau Valley offered a great saving in these 
elements. The valley to Blair was an easy proposition and solved itself 



HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 265 

in offering cheap right of way and inexpensive construction in the river 
bottoms, but at Blair the conditions differed in the turn in the course of 
the valley from southwesterly to an abrupt northwesterly, and then a 
westerly course, adding at least seven miles to the length of the line over 
a southwesterly course from Blair to Arcadia ; but this shorter course 
necessitated an added expense in construction, to cross the Preston ridge, 
or hills, between the head of Welch Cooley, in Preston, and Newcomb Valley 
in Arcadia. The extra cost in construction was estimated or fixed at 
$75,000, and the town of Preston and Arcadia were asked to bond for such 
sum, Preston for $25,000 and Arcadia for $50,000. Men in these towns 
clearly saw in such construction the advantage to local business interests 
and supported the proposition, so that each town voted bonds. So far 
wisdom was manifested, but thereafter a want of prudence followed in 
delivering the bonds without a clearly and definitely fixed obligation on 
the part of the road to build directly southwest from Blair to Arcadia Vil- 
lage (Old Arcadia). However, the bonds were delivered unconditionally, 
and without a binding obligation to construct the road as it had been pre- 
viously located, between Blair and Arcadia Village, and hence Arcadia lost 
and forfeited its first great opportunity, for the road was afterward con- 
structed in the valley from Blair by way of Whitehall and Independence to 
Arcadia, and thence to Marshland. One cannot fail to see the loss of ter- 
ritory which otherwise would have been tributary to Arcadia and the large 
market opportunity and trade cut off, and to which she believed herself 
entitled for the bonds delivered. With the road built as originally planned 
the village would have remained at the old and early location on the table- 
land, where every advantage would have been given by .nature for good 
streets, easily obtained drainage and desirability, which no one can say 
would not have made the town an important city long ago, with a population 
of many thousands." 

The Chicago, Burlington & Northern, which on June 1, 1899, became 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, built its Hne through Trempealeau 
County in 1886. In March of that year Alexander A. Arnold of Galesville, 
D. D. Chappell of Caledonia, and Andrew R. Carhart of Trempealeau were 
appointed a commission to appraise and condemn necessary land that had 
not been already secured for the right of way. Track laying was com- 
pleted through Trempealeau County and to a point opposite Winona, April 
24, 1886. The first train from St. Paul to Prairie du Chien was sent over 
the line Aug. 9, 1886. July 4, 1891, the drawbridge at Winona was com- 
pleted, thus giving Trempealeau County three raih'oad connections with 
that city. 

The Mondovi line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Rail- 
way Company was built through the northern part of the county in the 
late eighties, reaching Osseo June 20, 1887, and Eleva late in 1889. The 
Fairchild & Mississippi Railway Company was organized in 1886 to build 
and operate a line of railroad from Fairchild, Wis., to some point on the 
line of the Burlington & Northern Railroad in Buffalo County, with a branch 
line from Fairchild to some point on the line of the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad in Clark or Marathon County. 



266 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Articles of incorporation were executed March 27, 1886, and filed in 
the office of secretary of State, and patent issued March 29, 1886. On 
May 7, 1887, a resolution was adopted at stockholders' meeting of the com- 
pany, changing the name to the Sault Ste. Marie & Southwestern Railway 
Company, which resolution was filed in the office of secretary of state on 
July 16, 1887. 

On April 1, 1891, the line was acquired by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis & Omaha Railway Company by acquisition of the outstanding stock, 
and was operated by that company from that date, and on June 3, 1893, 
was conveyed to it. As ah-eady stated, the road reached Osseo, 14.21 miles 
from Fairchild, on June 20, 1887. After a httle delay it was pushed west- 
ward. At Strum, then called Tilden, a switch was constructed in the fall 
of 1889. Eleva, 12.89 miles from Osseo, was reached late in 1889, the 
opening being celebrated by an excursion Dec. 13, 1889. The depot was 
complete in February, 1890. A little later work was started on the line 
toward Mondovi, 9.65 miles away, and was soon completed. The depot at 
Strum was put up in the fall of 1892 and the first station agent started 
work in 1893. 

The Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company had its inception in the 
minds of H. F. Claussen, banker; M. P. Pederson, former sheriff, agricul- 
turist and well contractor, and John Raichle, road contractor. These gen- 
tlemen interviewed former Senator John C. Gaveney of Arcadia and inter- 
ested him in the proposition of furnishing railroad facilities for the vast 
region tributary to Ettrick. In this region there were 170 square miles, 
occupied by some of the richest farms in western Wisconsin, absolutely 
without raih'oad facilities. The neai'est shipping points were Galesville, 
Blair, West Salem and Sparta. Money and time spent in reaching these 
points gi'eatly increased the cost of producing and marketing products of 
the farms in the Ettrick region. 

One solution of the problem was the extension of the Northwestern 
from Galesville, but that proposition not receiving favorable response from 
the Northwestern officials, a unique plan was conceived of building a rail- 
road as a co-operative effort of the farmer to be served, and with all costs 
of promotion absolutely eliminated. 

Accordingly, subscriptions were solicited, and on June 5, 1915, a com- 
pany incorporated with John C. Gaveney, president ; M. P. Pederson, vice- 
president; H. F. Claussen, secretary and treasurer; T. A. Whalen, A. G. 
Hagestad, A. J. Ekern, Ed. Quammen, Fred FilLner and Peter Corcoran as 
the incorporators. A route was selected from Ettrick to Blair, where con- 
nection will be made with the Green Bay & Western. 

The contract for constructing the line was let to Ed. J. Matchett and 
John Raichle. Work was started in the fall of 1916 at Blair. At the 
present writing, in the fall of 1917, the road is graded to within a mile of 
Ettrick, the "cut," a remarkable feat of excavating through one of the 
main hills of the "ridge," is nearly done, all the bridges are completed, the 
ties and rails are at Blair, and track laying has commenced at that village. 
The town of Ettrick has voted bonds of $75,000, the railroad has issued its 
own bonds of $50,000, and over 400 farmers in the territory to be served 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 267 

have subscribed to the stock. While there is every indication that the road 
itself will prove a profitable investment, its principal object is the develop- 
ment of the country, and the improvement of the market facilities in the 
region in which its stockholders live. The traffic manager, L. J. Trexler, 
has already arranged rates with all the leading railroads of the country 

TELEPHONES 

Telephone service in Trempealeau County is extensive and adequate, 
supplied by the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, with exchanges 
in the leading villages, by the Osseo Telephone Company with an exchange 
at Osseo, and by numerous farmers' telephone companies which operate 
rural lines and maintain exchanges in several of the villages. 

Probably the first telephone in Trempealeau County was that of Dr. 
G. N. Hidershide, who in April, 1894, strung a wire between his office and 
residence in Arcadia. 

The first telephone exchange in the county was put in opei'ation in the 
fall of 1895 by W. P. Veitch and Geo. S. Luce at Galesville. The switch 
was a crude afl'air manufactured by Mr. Luce himself. A single wire was 
strung to Winona, thus giving connection with the outside world. 

The first telephone company organized in Trempealeau County was the 
Bluff City Telephone Company, incorporated at Trempealeau, Nov. 12, 1895, 
by Clarence S. Utter and B. A. Cornelle at Trempealeau for the purpose 
of building a telephone line from Trempealeau to CenterviUe. Acting 
under this charter Clarence S. Utter erected tamarack poles at irregular 
intervals from Trempealeau to CenterviUe, and thence to the village limits 
of Arcadia. 

At this time a telephone line had been established from Waumandee 
to Fountain City. Through this line the people at Fountain City were 
receiving much trade from the rich Waumandee valley and from the Mon- 
tana region. Senator John C. Gaveney, with keen foresight, realized that 
Arcadia's opportunity had come. He consulted with Emil Maurer, J. M. 
Fertig and W. P. Masseure, local merchants, and these gentlemen, with 
Dr. G. N. Hidershide, constructed a telephone line between Montana and 
Arcadia, with intermediate stations at Glencoe and Waumandee. But con- 
nection with Fountain City was refused at Waumandee, and the men turned 
their attention southward to the line which Clarence S. Utter had projected. 
For $200 they purchased the rights of Clarence S. Utter, A. W. McCuUom 
and H. Carrey in the Trempeaieau-Centei'ville-Arcadia pi'ojected line and 
proceeded to organize a company. 

The Arcadia Telephone Company was incorporated June 5, 1896, the 
officers, on motion of John C. Gaveney, being: J. M. Fertig, president; 
G. N. Hidershide, vice-president; Emil Maurer, secretary, and Geo. A. 
Schneller (representing W. P. Massuere) , ti^easurer. The company acquired 
the interests of its individual members in the line to Waumandee and the 
projected line to Trempealeau. A conference at Winona resulted in a 
promise from the Independent companies at La Crosse and Winona to 
build connecting lines to Trempealeau. Mr. Gaveney then went to Inde- 
pendence, Whitehall and Blair and raised funds by selling coupon books to 



268 PIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

be used after the Valley line was in operation. The line was built up the 
valley in 1906 and put in operation at once, Independence and WTiitehall 
securing service in the winter and Blair in the spring. Then the line to 
Trempealeau was completed. 

In 1900 an exchange was opened at Whitehall, and the same year the 
hnes were extended up Elk Creek and up Pigeon Valley. In 1901 the Gales- 
ville line was purchased, giving connection with the Galesville and Ettrick 
region, connections were made at Osseo giving access to the Beef River 
country, and an exchange was opened at Independence. An exchange 
was opened at Blair in the spring of 1902. 

In the meantime many farms were connected with the various lines, 
and to make the company a truly community endeavor it was decided to 
reorganize with the stock distributed among the farmers. 

The Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, a reorganization of the 
Arcadia Telephone Company, was incorporated May 19, 1902, with thirty- 
seven stockholders. An exchange was at once established at Centerville. 
In March, 1903, the lines of the Trempealeau & Buffalo County Telephone 
Company and its line to Mondovi were purchased. Soon afterward the 
Winona Telephone Company turned over to the Western Wisconsin Tele- 
phone Company all its holdings in western Wisconsin, and in 1904 the 
exchange at Pigeon Falls was established. Later this exchange w^as aban- 
doned. The company covers the greater part of the county, and the 
southeastern part of Buffalo County, and crossing the Black River at 
Hunter's Ridge covers a considerable territory in the northern part of 
La Crosse County. It has adequate connections at La Crosse and Winona. 
Besides operating extensive rui'al lines it has exchanges at Arcadia, Cen- 
terville, Galesville, Trempealeau, Blair, Whitehall, Independence and 
Ettrick, and makes connection not only, with the local exchange of the 
Osseo Telephone Company at Osseo, but also with the farmers' local 
exchanges at Ettrick, Galesville and Blair. 

The officers are: President, John C. Gaveney; vice-president, G. N. 
Hidershide; treasurer, G. A. Schneller; secretary, Emil Maurer; general 
manager, J. I. Dewey; superintendent, Thomas Cummings; directors, Frank 
A. Kellman, Galesville; 0. B. Borsheim, Blair; Frank C. Richmond, Arcadia; 
George Bohrnstedt, Arcadia ; Emil Maurer, Arcadia ; K. K. Hagestad, 
Ettrick; David Wood, Whitehall; John Sprecher, Independence; Geo. A. 
Schneller, Arcadia; G. N. Hidershide, Arcadia; John C. Gaveney, Arcadia. 

Underground wires are maintained at Arcadia, Galesville and Indepen- 
dence, and conduits for that purpose have been laid at Whitehall. 

The Osseo Telephone Company was organized May 3, 1900, and incor- 
porated May 15, 1900, by J. L. Linderman, Dr. E. A. Olson, Charles F. 
Trager and F. M. Smith. The first officers were : F. A. Smith, president ; 
C. F. Trager, vice-president, and H. L. Smith, secretary and treasurer. 
The capital stock at beginning was $4,500, which was subsequently increased 
to $10,000 and later to $25,000. The present officers are : A. G. Cox, presi- 
dent ; C. I. Fields, vice-president; D. L. Remington, secretary and manager; 
F. M. Smith, assistant manager; T. J. Thompson, treasurer. The exchange 
at Osseo was opened in July, 1900, the one at Eleva in June, 1901. The 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 269 

exchange at Mondovi was purchased the same year and in 1904 was sold to 
the Mondovi business men. In 1901 a hne was built to Eau Claire from 
Eleva and later was sold to Chas. Sequni of Shaw. The Eleva exchange 
was sold to the Eleva Farmers' Telephone Company of Eleva in February, 
1913. At the present time the Osseo exchange furnishes service to nearly 
500 subscribers. 

The first farmers' companies in Trempealeau County were at Whitehall 
and Blair. The dates of organization of the various farmers' 'phones are 
as foUows: 

The Lincoln Telephone Company (with local exchange at Whitehall), 
organized April 4, 1905. 

The Preston Telephone Company (with local exchange at Blair) , organ- 
ized July 25, 1905. 

The Tamarack Telephone Company (in which is included the New- 
comb Valley Telephone Company, organized April 4, 1906) , organized March 
14, 1906. 

The Ettriclc Telephone Company (with local exchanges at Galesville 
and Ettrick) , organized Jan. 8, 1906. 

The Beef River Valley Telephone Company (with a short line east of 
Osseo), organized Sept. 16, 1906. 

The Strum Telephone Company, organized Sept. 13, 1907. 

The Pigeon Valley Farmers' Telephone Company, organized March 
31, 1908. 

The Independence Telephone Company (with local exchange at Inde- 
pendence), organized June 18, 1908. 

The Pleasant Valley Telephone Company, organized March 26, 1909. 

The Eleva Farmers' Telephone Company, organized April 13, 1909. 

The Elk Creek Telephone Company, organized Dec. 22, 1910. 



CHAPTER XIV 
PLACE NAMES 

Trempealeau County is rich in place names. Some are picturesque 
and original, others are commonplace and duplicates of those found in 
other localities. Some are the names of national heroes, some perpetuate 
historic incidents, some are fanciful and poetic, some are descriptive, and 
hundreds bear the names of early settlers. Some were chosen dehberately, 
and some are the result of natural growth. Some are very old, dating back 
to the explorers and fur traders, while others are very recent, and have 
not yet become entirely fixed. For the most part the origin of the names 
is known, though there is yet much research to be done to determine 
who applied the names, and when and under what circumstances they were 
first applied. The following list is a brief summary of the subject, its 
purpose being to form a basis for future study and investigation : 

Townships 

Albion is the ancient name for England, still applied in poetry. 

Arcadia is the name given to the township by Mrs. David Bishop, 
who was afterward Mrs. Sarah Mercer. It was suggested by Noah Com- 
stock from the real or fancied resemblance of the valley to the state of 
Arcadia in ancient Greece, a beautiful locality, the inhabitants of which, 
according to the ancient poets, enjoyed a peaceful and happy life. 

Burnside was named after Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (born 1824, died 
1881), for a short time commander of the Army of the Potomac in the 
Civil War. 

Chimney Rock is named from a conspicuous landmark within its 
boundaries. 

Caledonia is the Latin name for Scotland. It was applied to the present 
township by Alex, and Donald McGilvray, and other early Scotch settlers. 

Dodge was named from William E. Dodge, philanthropist ; a prominent 
financier for many years in New York. He was associated with John I. 
Blair, Moses Taylor, Joseph H. Scranton, E. F. Hatfield and others in the 
construction of the Green Bay & Western Railroad and was also connected 
with many philanthropic institutions and at one time was the treasurer of 
the Protestant Syrian College at Constantinople, Turkey. 

Ettrick was named from Ettrick Forest in Scotland, as described in 
Scott's Marmion. It was given by John Cance. 

Gale and Galesville took their names from Judge George Gale, who 
also gave his name to Gale College. 

Hale is named from George Hale, its first settler. He was born in 
Glastenbury, Conn., and came to Trempealeau County in 1858, settling 
about nine miles above what is now Independence. 

270 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 271 

Lincoln is named from the martyred president. 

Pigeon Township and Pigeon Falls took their name from Pigeon Creek. 

Preston was named from Susan H. Reynolds, the wife of Edmond M. 
Reynolds, one of the earliest settlers of Preston Township. Mrs. Reynolds 
came of the old New England family of Prestons, and at the first town 
meetings Mr. Reynolds proposed that the town be named in her honor. 

Sumner Township was named after the distinguished American senator 
and statesman, Charles Sumner (born in 1811, died 1874), who was one 
of the leaders of the abolition party and a confidential advisor to President 
Lincoln during the Civil War. 

Trempealeau is a corrupted form of the French phrase, La Montagne 
Qui Trempe Dans L'Eau, meaning the Mountain that is Steeped in Water. 
This name was applied as early as 1731 and possibly earlier. It was the 
French translation of the Winnebago word, Hay-nee-ah-chah, the Soaking 
Mountain. The Sioux name was Pah-hah-dah, the Moved Mountain. 

Unity. When this township was organized Dennis Lawler felt that 
he was entitled to the honor of having it named after him, but P. B. 
Williams, another early settler, wished to call it Unity, which was the name 
of the town in Maine from which he had come. Upon the suggestion of 
Noah Comstock the matter was decided by lot, and Mr. Williams drawing 
the longest "cut" named the town Unit. 

Incorporated Villages 

Galesville and Arcadia are names of the same origin as those of the 
townships in which they are located. 

Blair was named from John Insley Blair of Blairstown, N. J., a 
stockholder in the Green Bay & Western. During the Civil War he 
advanced the Federal government over $1,000,000. He presented $6,000 
to endow an academy in his home town ; he assisted in the building of Grin- 
nell College, Grinnell, Iowa, and he was a large contributor to Princeton 
University and Lafayette College. He also built more than a hundred 
churches throughout the western states. Mr. Blair died at his home in 1899 
at the age of 97 years. The village of Blair was originally platted as Por- 
terville. 

Eleva was named by R. P. Goddard of Mondovi, Wis., on the sugges- 
tion of Mr. Gates, who formerly lived there. The origin of the name is 
unknown to Mr. Goddard, but he thinks that Mr. Gates found a place of 
that name in France. 

Independence was so named because it was platted during the year 
of the Centennial celebration of American Independence. It is thought that 
Giles Cripps first suggested the name. 

Osseo was started in 1856, and was named by Robert C. Field, one 
legend says from the Spanish word oso, meaning bear, while another says 
it came from an Indian word ossi, meaning stone or stony place or stone 
on stone or having relation to river and stone. The name is used by Long- 
fellow in his Song of Hiawatha. He called Osseo the Son of the Evening 
Star, and has him, when apparently a very old man, turned into a very 
handsome and attractive young man. Where Longfellow got the name is 



272 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

not now known. A fanciful explanation given by some of the early settlers 
is that an Indian, seeing the improvements made by the white men, 
exclaimed. Oh ! See ! Oh ! thus giving the name Osseo. 

Trempealeau Village is named from Trempealeau Mountain. James 
A. Reed settled here in 1840 and opened his cabin as a tavern. The name 
Reed's Town or Reed's Landing came to be applied to the place. When 
the village was platted in 1852 it was called Montoville, the significance 
being Mountain ViUe. 

Whitehall was probably named by Benjamin F. Wing, who platted Old 
Whitehall. Probably it was named from Whitehall in New York, though 
it may have been named from a hall painted white. It is possible, also, that 

the name was given by Ole Knudtson, or by Georges, co-partner 

with Mr. Wing in the townsite. 

Platted ViUages 

The names of Caledonia, Dodge, Ettrick and Pigeon Falls have the 
same origin as those of the townships in which they are located. 

Coral City was at one time a flourishing hamlet located in section 18, 
Pigeon Township. The construction of the Green Bay & Western Rail- 
road in 1873 blasted its hopes of future greatness. At one time Coral City 
had its Main street. State street. Public square and prospects of a pros- 
perous future. It had several general stores, shops, hotels, saloons, a good 
hiiU; in brief, all the equipments for a lively, busy country village. But 
later its business was absorbed by the I'ailroad towns. The Wright brothers, 
Phineas and Benjamin, may be credited with beginning the town. They 
built a flouring mill in the summer of 1863, and other places of business 
soon followed. Egbert Carpenter, C. E. Scott, Andrew Olson, Ryland 
Parker, Dr. Shelden and Seneca Johnson are well remembered names of 
some of its business men. Granville McFarland, one of the men employed 
in building the dam for the mill, is probably more responsible for the name 
given to this place than anyone else. While digging dirt on the north 
side of the creek for the dam some queer-looking rock was found. McFar- 
land, it appears, made Pheaneas Wright, who headed the enterprise for 
building the mill, believe that the rock was coral. Mr. Wright, who was 
one of the best and most straightforward men in the country, not know- 
ing he had been imposed upon by a practical joker, platted the village and 
called it "Coral City." The village was noted in the early days for its 
law suits, which served not only to settle disputes, but also afl:orded highly 
seasoned amusement. Some of the trials in the justice court there lasted 
for over a week. The noted flood in March, 1876, entirely destroyed the 
mill built by the Wrights, but the following summer another mill took its 
place. This mill and some sightly houses are now all that remains of a 
once flourishing settlement. 

Montoville was the name under which Trempealeau Village was orig- 
inally platted. It means the Mountain ville. 

Porterville, the name under which Blair was originally platted, was 
named for Richard Porter, who settled on land now occupied in part by the 
village, June, 1855, and died July 26, of the same year, as the result of an 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 273 

encounter with a band of wolves near Galesville. His son, Duke Porter, 
platted the village in 1873, and gave it the name of Porterville. But when 
the railroad established a station near his plat, they gave it the name of 
Blair. 

Strum was named by Congressman William T. Price for his friend, 
Louis Strum, of Eau Claire, Wis. Under the first Cleveland administration 
the hamlet was called Tilden, for Samuel J. Tilden, the statesman, but on 
Jan. 1, 1890, was again changed to Strum. 

Trading Centers 

Tamarack, Elk Creek and Pine Creek take their names from the streams 
on which they are located. 

Centei'ville is named from its geographical location on Trempealeau 
Prairie. It was originally called Martin's Corners from an early settler. 

Dooney's Siding was named from James B. Dooney, present general 
agent of the Green Bay. It has a wood yard, a stock yard, and a railroad 
platform and switch. It is an important shipping point for wood and stock, 
and considerable lime and the like is shipped in. 

Dewey's Corners was the name applied to Old Arcadia, from the family 
of that name prominently identified with its early history. J. I. Dewey, 
son and nephew of the original Deweys, is still a resident there. 

Frenchville takes its name from its location on French Creek. 

Glasgow was named by reason of the numerous hardy Scots who made 
their new home there. 

Hegg is in the upper Beaver Creek country, which was naturally settled 
later than the lower valley. As late as 1871 a postoffice was established 
in K. K. Hallanger's residence, and Mr. Hallanger was appointed postmaster. 
The name chosen for the postoffice was Hegg, in honor of Colonel Hegg, 
commander of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Norwegian Regiment in the Civil 
War. A short time after this a general merchandise store was opened at 
Hegg, which is still doing a thriving business. 

Iduna. This was the name of the post office established in French Creek 
Valley in 1899 and which flourished for a short time under the management 
of John Hovre as postmaster, but ceased to exist when rural routes were 
established in the vicinity. As Mr. Hovre is still conducting a general mer- 
cantile business where the postoffice was located, it is quite probable the 
name will continue to live, notwithstanding Uncle Sam has shut up shop 
at that particular place. The tendency to invent a fictitious origin where 
the true origin is unknown, is well illustrated by a current legend which 
by some has been accepted as truth. The legend is this : That after the 
petition for the establishment of a postoffice had been granted, the Postoffice 
Department sent Mr. Hovre a blank asking him to suggest three names for 
the postoffice to be established. Hovre, being short on inventing names, 
and likewise on grammar and spelling, decided to let the government select 
the name, and wrote across the blank, "I-dono," and sent the paper back 
to Washington. Whether the department officials misread the final vowels 
or for the sake of euphony changed them, the legend does not state, but 



274 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

it informs us that the government practically adopted Mr. Hovre's negative 
reply as the name of the postofRce. Legends properly embalmed by time 
and fii'mly established in the affections of mankind, unless harmful, ought 
not to be ruthlessly destroyed. But this particular legend is of too modern 
birth to have acquired any special sanctity and as the writer is familiar 
with the true origin of the name, he feels in duty bound to dispel the 
romantic illusions created by it. When the government blank, already 
mentioned, was received by Mr. Hovre, it was sent to A. H. Anderson, 
who had assisted in getting the government's consent to the proposed 
postoffice. Knowing that this is a big country, with an almost unlimited 
use for new names, the writer at once turned to his Norse Mythology, and 
selected three names and sent them to the PostofRce Department. Among 
fhese was the name "Iduna." According to our Northern Mythology. 
Iduna was the custodian of the apples of immortality which the gods tasted 
from time to time to perpetuate their youth. Loki, the spirit of evil, 
once stole the golden apples, which caused great grief in Valhalla. Iduna's 
husband was Bragi, the divine bard. 

Martin's Corners was the original name of Centerville. 

Pleasantville is named from its location in Pleasant Valley. Who gave 
the name of Pleasant Valley to the valley of Elk Creek is not known. 

Russell was named from William Russell, who came to the county in 
1864 and located in Burnside. When the postoffice was opened in Burnside 
Township there was considerable controversy over the name. About 20 
years ago the office was moved to Chimney Rock Township, where mail was 
received three times a week until the office was discontinued by reason of 
the establishment of the rural delivery system. The school district is still 
known as the Russell district. 

Rhodes Station, in Caledonia Township, was named from Joshua 
Rhodes, who settled in that locality in 1853. 

Scotia was a postoffice which flourished for a while in section 7, 
Caledonia. The name indicates the nationality of the eai'ly settlers of that 
neighborhood. 

Skillins' Corners. In 1860 Moses Skillins settled about five miles 
above Ai-cadia. In 1862 came his brother, Hiram Skillins, a Baptist 
clergyman. The creek flowing through his farm was called Skillins' Creek 
and the vicinity came to be called Skillins' Corners. When the postoffice 
was established the name was changed to WiUiamsburg. 

Williamsburg was a name given when a postoffice was established at 
Skillins' Corners in 1866 with William B. Arnold as postmaster. Mr. Arnold 
suggested the name for the fact that three WiUiams, himself, William 
Eastman and William Boorman, all lived in the vicinity. 

Wright's Corners was named from HoUister M. Wright, who settled 
there in 1853. 

Principal Streams 

The Beef or Buffalo River in the days of the French explorers took the 
name that Hennepin in 1680 applied to the Chippewa River. "Beef" is a 
corruption of "Beeuf ," the designation applied by the early French explorers 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 275 

to the American buffalo. The R. de Beeufs appears on the earliest maps, 
though in some of them it is evident that the Chippewa River is meant. 

The Black River was called R. Noire, by Hennepin in 1680, and has 
since borne the English translation of that word. Hennepin says that the 
Sioux called the river, Cha-be-de-ba or Cha-ba-on-de-ba. The modern Sioux, 
however, called it Wat-pah-zappa or Minne-sap-pah, meaning Black Water 
or Black River. 

Beaver Creek. Tradition says that two Frenchmen (probably the same 
Joseph Rocque and companion from whom French Creek was named) win- 
tered on Beaver Creek above Galesville in the days of the trappers, and there 
caught a large number of beavers. Willard B. Bunnell and James Reed 
also caught many beavers there and gave the creek its name. 

Cedar Creek was named by Willard B. Bunnell and James Reed. In 
the early days it was the haunt of many deer. The creek was named 
because of the abundance of dry red cedar used by Mr. Bunnell and Mr. 
Reed in "fire hunting." 

Elk Creek was named in 1842 by Willard B. Bunnell and William 
Smothers while on a hunting expedition. The valley of Elk Creek is usually 
called Pleasant Valley. 

French Creek, according to Winnebago tradition, was so called from the 
fact that Joseph Rocque, the father of Augustine Rocque, once maintained 
his wintering ground in that vicinity while hunting and trapping in the 
Beaver Creek Valley. 

Hardie's Creek was named from James Hardie, an early settler and 
sturdy Scotchman. 

Pigeon Creek was named by Willard B. Bunnell and William Smothers 
while on a hunting trip. Bunnell then lived at Reed's Town (Trempealeau) 
and Smothers at Holmes' Landing (Fountain City). Of the great flocks of 
pigeons that frequented this vicinity in the early days L. H. Bunnell says : 
"I was returning in a canoe from a trip up the river (in 1842) and as I 
came in sight of the oak timber then growing on the Wisconsin side below 
the site of the lower bridge, I saw clouds of pigeons settling to roost, when 
crash, would fall an oak limb, and then a noise would follow like the letting 
off of steam. It did not occur to me at first, what it was that made the latter 
noise, but as I approached nearer, and saw limb after limb fall, some of 
them very large size, and then heard the increased noise, I saw, and heai'd, 
that it was numberless pigeons breaking down the limbs and chattering in 
glee at their having overloaded and broken them down. Some of the young 
Sioux were watching the 'roost,' to see if any had commenced laying, for 
some were already building nests, and when I told James Reed of the Indians 
being there and not a shot fired at the pigeons, he told me that the Indians 
never disturbed pigeons or ducks by shooting at them when nesting, and 
that the life of a man doing so would not be safe among the Sioux, as the 
whole tribe would feast upon the squabs as soon as big enough. The pigeon 
roost extended for 25 miles below La Crosse, as reported to us by up-coming 
steamboats, and where there was heavy timber, the same scenes were 
repeated that I had witnessed — the whole length of the roost being about 



276 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

45 miles. Pigeons are easily disturbed and driven away when they com- 
mence nesting, but when they begin to set, they are not so easily scared." 

Pine Creek was named after the towering scattered pines which grew in 
abundance in that vicinity, some of which stand today, one being utilized 
by a farmer as a tower for his windmill, a little south of the Pine Creek 
church, the central building in Pine Creek village. 

The Big and Little Tamarack creeks were named from the abundance 
of tamarack timber grown along their banks and in the bottom lands and 
adjoining. Al and Abe Holcomb, two early settlers, built a sawmill on the 
prairie near their homes to manufacture this timber into lumber for building 
and fence purposes. The old mill was doing business in 1870 and remained 
many years later to serve a very useful purpose, when its site and building 
were put to use as a grist mill by Squire A. Pickett, later purchased by 
John Bonum and Stephen Richmond, and Bonum's interest conveyed to 
Blackhawk Johnson, who in 1878 purchased the whole property and con- 
tinued the milling business a number of years. The mill and power are in 
recent years nearly unknown. 

Trempealeau River received its name from Trempealeau Mountain and 
Bay. It was called by the Winnebagoes Ne-chann-ne-shan-ah-ga, or over- 
flowing stream, and by the Sioux Wat-pah-dah, the moving stream. 

Trout Creek or Trout River was named by Willard B. Bunnell. As the 
Sioux seldom fished, but confined their activities in this line to spearing 
large fish with a spear, the spring creeks were filled with trout of good 
size. In the early '40s Mr. Bunnell once caught six dozen trout in Trout 
Creek in a few hours. The larger trout were caught in the main stream, 
but they did most of their spawning in Little Trout Creek. 

Lakes 

There are no natural lakes in Trempealeau County, but the streams are 
dammed in many places, forming artificial lakes. Trempealeau Lake, so 
called, is merely a portion of the Mississippi River. 

Marinuka Lake is an artificial body of water formed by the mill dam 
at Galesville. Charles E. Freeman (letter to Stephen Richmond, Jan. 21, 
1912, now in the possession of the Trempealeau County Historical Society) 
says: "At the head of the lake at Galesville, on the property known as 
the Arctic Springs, is the headstone that marks the resting place of Marie 
Nounka, a granddaughter of One-Eyed Decorah. She died in 1884, and 
in the old Galesville Independent for the week beginning Oct. 5, 1884, 
there appeared the following notice: 'Death of an Indian Princess — The 
Princess Marie Nunka, granddaughter of the great chief Decorah, died on 
the morning of Oct. 4, 1884, at the Arctic Springs, and was buried at 
midnight of the same day on a point of land belonging to the springs 
property. An impressive ceremony was performed with only the light of 
the moon to shadow forth the dusky figures of the red men and the few 
spectators present. Wallace Parker, John Sheely and Charles E. Freeman 
prepared the grave, as the relatives are not allowed to help in this part of 
the cei-emony. G. Y. Freeman wishes to state that any desecration of the 
grave will be resented by him to the full extent of the law.' A good head- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 277 

stone was placed at the head of the grave and the facts of her genealogy 
engraved upon it. In the summer of 1911 the body was removed across the 
little creek and is now resting about a rod south of the road. Mr. Gardner 
and son, Bert Gipple, Dr. Mailer and myself, with one or two others, assisted 
in the transfer of the body to its new resting place. A few years after 
her death, on motion of A. A. Arnold at a meeting of the village board, it 
was decided to christen the little lake at the edge of the village Marinuka, 
which is an abbreviation of the woman's full name, Marie Nounka. Byron 
Olds has written and pubhshed a song entitled, 'By Marinuka's Moonlit 
Shore.' " 

Geographical Landmarks 

Chapultepec Peak is named from Mount Chapultepec, Mexico, at whose 
base, two miles from the City of Mexico, the Battle of Chapultepec was 
fought Sept. 12 and 13, 1847. Charles J. Cleveland, whose father was a 
veteran of that battle, was an early settler of Big Tamarac. In the spring 
of 1856 he located at Big Bend, in charge of the lumber and rafting business 
of Thomas Douglas. In one of his trips to La Crosse in 1856, he purchased 
a rifle, and instead of returning home by the usual route, he sent his team 
by a hired man, and returned by way of McGilvray's Ferry, traveled 
through Galesville, up along Beaver Creek, and crossed the divide into 
Trempealeau Valley. He observed a mountain on the top of that valley, 
which appeared to him to resemble the description of the Mexican mountain 
described by his father. He therefore called it by the name of Chapultepec. 

Chimney Rock is a towering, ragged pile, caused, as other similar 
formations in Western Wisconsin, by the erosive action of the wind, snow, 
frost and rain, wearing away the surrounding formations and leaving the 
rock in its present shape and condition. The work of erosion is still 
going on. The rock is the highest point in the vicinity. It was originally 
called Devil's Chimney and was a landmark to guide the traveler of the 
early days. The rock is now obscured by trees. 

Decorah Peak was named from the Indian dynasty of Decorah, of 
which extended mention is made in the Indian chapter in this work. The 
name is variously spelled, the form "Decora" being possibly in more general 
use in Trempealeau County than the form "Decorah" used in this history. 
Charles E. Freeman writing to Stephen Richmond on Jan. 21, 1912 (manu- 
script in the library of the Trempealeau County Historical Society) says: 
"I remember quite distinctly a visit my parents made to Decorah's encamp- 
ment at the mouth of the Little Tamarack, when I was very small. My 
father saw him and tells me that he was lying down, resting upon his elbow. 
He was naked to the waist, and was the finest specimen of manhood he ever 
saw, tall, big-muscled and having the appearance of a bronze statue. He 
was nearly blind and was very old. There is a legend that a battle was 
fought on the Black River, just south of Decorah's Peak, and that after 
Decorah's warriors were beaten he hid himself in a cave of the peak until 
it was safe for him to make his v/^ay to Prairie du Chien. In confirmation 
of this, Bert Gipple, editor of the Galesville Repubhcan, tells me that when 
a boy attending Gale College, he, with several others, accompanied a man 



278 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

from Washington, D. C, over to the Peak and was there shown a place 
where Indians had been buried. The boys dug into the mound and found a 
confused mass of many skeletons in a very mouldy and decomposed con- 
dition. One skull, however, was well preserved. This they took home and 
gave it to the Winona High School to place in their museum. This mound is 
about 40 rods south of the Peak. Mr. Gipple says he looked for the mound 
some years after this and found it only with the greatest difficulty." The 
Prairie was originally called Scotch Prairie, but gradually assumed the name 
of the Peak. 

Oak Openings, or The Openings, was the name applied by the early 
settlers to a stretch of land embracing parts of Caledonia and Trempealeau 
townships. The name is self-explanatory. The fall and spring fires since 
the earliest time had swept down the valleys and the bluff's and over the 
Prairie from the northwest, dying out when they reached the southern 
part of the Prairie, where they encountered the region of sun-dried and 
wind-swept sands. Thus safe from fires, and protected by the Mississippi 
and Black rivers, the timber made a struggle for life in what was a small 
desert, converting it into a desirable tract for agricultural endeavor. 

Trempealeau Prairie is one of the distinctive geological features of the 
county. The causes that have made the Prairie are explained by George 
H. Squier elsewhere in that work. 

Whistler Pass is one of the remarkable geographical formations of the 
county. The winds from the northwest sweep through it with great force, 
and with a whistling sound that has caused many to make an incorrect guess 
as to the origin of the name. It has been said that Selfus Spain, an early 
settler of Cross Township, in Buffalo County, and later a resident of Foun- 
tain City, gave the name. He and his family crossed the pass in 1856, 
having to chain all the wheels to get his wagon down the bluff. He camped 
at the foot of the bluff on the north side, and during the night noted the 
moaning and whistling of the wind in the depression of the hill over which 
he had just passed. However, the name of W^histler's Pass had been given 
some time previous. Reese Whistler had filed on a claim in section 14 in 
1853, but so far as is known did not then settle there. In 1855 Martin 
Whistler settled in Pine Creek Valley and opened a trail over the hills into 
a branch of Tamarack Valley to meet the road leading to Trempealeau, his 
market-place. This trail became the main road into the upper part of 
Pine Creek Valley and later was the main road from Trempealeau to 
Arcadia. The portion over the divide toward Whistler's place was known 
as Whistler's Pass. Ichabod Wood, also an Englishman, came and settled 
near Whistler within about a year. Of the unusual scenery in this vicinity 
Dr. Pierce has said : "Last August we drove up the west side of Tamarack 
Valley and over Whistler's Pass. It was a lovely day, cool and refreshing, 
and breezy, and the farmers were busy in the spreadiflg harvest fields cut- 
ting grain. From Whistler's Pass it was a beautiful sight down the Tama- 
rack, and off on Trempealeau Prairie. Field after field of yellow grain 
spread out over the country and here and there the grain was shocked. On 
the stubble fields the red wild buckwheat showed its gaudy color. Far 
across the prairie the Trempealeau bluffs loomed green against the blue 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 279 

sky. Then we turned and on the other side of the Pass, in Pine Creek 
Valley, a new panorama opened to view with broad fields of golden grain 
and green meadow lands. What scenes one encounters along the country 
road, among our cozy Wisconsin hills in the summer time. Strange-shaped 
bluffs peering down with their green slopes adorned with grazing herds of 
cattle, rocky peaks with their white limestone, and then the little valleys, 
the woodland haunts and waving grain and rustling cornfields." 

Valleys and Cooleys 

Trempealeau County is filled with valleys and cooleys, all bearing a local 
name, usually the name of the first or most prominent settler in the locality. 
The names of hundreds of these vales are yet to be gathered by the earnest 
historian of future years. The origin of a few of the typical names is here 
presented : 

Abraham's Cooley, six miles north of Galesville, is named from Abra- 
ham Madson, a native of Norway, who came to Trempealeau County from 
Coon Valley, Vernon County, in the spring of 1863 and here spent the re- 
mainder of his life. Following Mr. Madson the early settlers in the valley 
were Andrew Anstensen, Ole Olson Sorgendahl, Johanes Nelson Berge, 
Andrew Lebakken and Christian Breningen. 

Bill Valley was named after one of its earliest settlers. 

Bruce Valley is named for Nathaniel P. Bruce, who settled in the valley 
in the fall of 1867. 

Borst Valley was named after Martin W. Borst, who located several 
sections of land there at an early date and opened up hundreds of acres 
of this choice soil to grain and tame grass. 

Crystal Valley, situated several miles from Galesville, was settled in 
1854 by John Marten. It was named by H. W. Maughmer. 

Fitch Cooley was named from Joseph Fitch, who was frozen to death 
while carrying hay to his oxen in that cooley in the winter of 1863-64. 

Fuller Cooley is so called from a man of that name who settled in the 
cooley and was killed by lightning. 

German Valley was named from several German settlers, among them 
the Coop and Berkanauer families. 

Holcomb Cooley was named after Al and Abe Holcomb, who purchased 
or by homestead claim took up lands there from which they removed the 
timber to their sawmill on the Prairie. A son of Abe Holcomb, Henry 
Hibbard, lived on these lands in the fall of 1870 and for several years 
afterward. 

Hungary Valley, also called Latsch Valley, takes its name from the 
large number of Hungarian Poles who settled in the valley from 1865 to 
1870, the first to come being Frank Pellowski, whose sons, Jake, Frank and 
Barney, are all prominent men in the county. 

Korpal Valley was named from John Korpal, an early settler. 

King Valley was named from James King, long its most prominent 
settler. 

Lake Cooley is named from Henry Lake, who settled there in 1856 and 
secured extensive tracts of land. He was widely noted for his hospitality, 



280 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

keeping open house for all the travelers coming up over the ridge from 
French Creek. 

Latsch Valley was named in honor of John Latsch, a native of Switzer- 
land, who in 1856 settled near the creek at the mouth of the valley which is 
located a few miles above the present village of Dodge. He later became 
founder of the firm of Latsch & Son, wholesale grocers at Winona. From 
1865 to 1870 a number of Polish and Hungarian settlers located in the 
main valley, and the name Hungary Valley came to be applied. By some 
the whole valley is called Hungary Valley, by some it is called Latsch 
Valley, while others apply the name of Latsch Valley to the region where 
Mr. Latsch settled, and the name Hungary Valley to the main portion of 
the vallej'. 

Lewis Valley is named from Captain John D. Lewis, a veteran of the 
Civil War and of the Colorado Indian campaign, who settled in the valley 
that now bears his name, in May, 1866. He lived in the valley the remainder 
of his life and became one of the county's leading men. 

Meyers Valley was named after Nic, Casper and Peter Meyers, who 
settled on farms there in 1856. 

Newcomb Valley was named from Isaac and Harold Newcomb, who 
settled in the main valley in 1866. 

Niffin Cooley, the valley of Niffin Creek, which flows into Lewis Valley, 
is named from Lewis Niffin, who took a claim on the creek, four miles above 
Arcadia, and remained there about a year. 

Niphon Valley was the name originally applied to Lewis Valley. 

Norway Cooley was so named because all its early settlers were of the 
Norwegian race. The first to arrive was Knudt Leofson Strand, who is 
still living there on his old homestead. Mr. Strand, who came to America 
with his wife and one child in 1861, had located in Vernon County, Wiscon- 
sin, where he heard such favorable reports of Trempealeau County that he 
resolved to investigate them. With a friend named John Gunderson he 
came to the county in the summer of 1863 and, selecting a pleasant location 
in Holcomb Cooley, the two men began cutting hay. But hearing of good 
land to the northward they started out on a further trip of exploration and 
after a long tramp reached the mouth of one of the most beautiful cooleys 
they had ever seen. Here Mr. Strand determined to locate, and accord- 
ingly went to La Crosse and filed claims. In the following spring he came 
back and built a hut, also a shed as shelter for some stock he had brough' 
with him. In June of the same year, 1864, he brought his family and began 
in earnest the task of developing a farm. 

Reynolds Cooley, Preston Township, was named from Edmond M. Rey- 
nolds, an early settler. The ridge over which the early settlers came into 
this valley from the Ettrick country is now pierced by a great "cut" to 
allow the passage of the Ettrick & Northern Raib-oad. 

Travis Valley is named from Joshua Travis, an Indian herb doctor who 
settled in the valley at an early date. The valley is often incorrectly called 
Traverse Valley, but the man's own signature shows the correct spelling. 

Tappen Cooley is named from Ole 0. Tappen, who settled in the valley 
in 1857. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY- 281 

Tracy Valley was named from A. D. Tracy, a distinguished early 
pioneer who arrived in 1858, and settled in the valley in 1859. 

Tromp Cooley is named from John Von Tromp, a carpenter by trade, 
who in 1855 settled on what is now the Bernt Peterson farm. He afterward 
sold and secured a farm across the Trempealeau River at the mouth of the 
valley which has since been called in his honor. He afterward moved to 
Iowa. 

Thompson Valley was named after three brothers by the name of 
Thompson, who settled there and opened large farms now the homes of 
their children. 

Vosse Cooley is in the southeastern corner of Trempealeau County. 
Nels Anderson Evangorhougen settled in the valley in 1856. He was known 
as Vosse Nels and the valley took his name. 

West Prairie received its name from its geographical position in regard 
to the Trempealeau Prairie. 

Wickham Valley was named after James Wickham, long its most promi- 
nent settler. 

Zabrinski Valley was named from Joseph and Anton Zabrinski, who 
settled there in 1865. 



CHAPTER XV 
BIOGRAPHY 

The intimate life of the community is best told in the personal stories 
of its citizens. Biographical facts not only provide permanent geneological 
material for the families of which they treat, and valuable information for 
the historical investigator, but also furnish inspiration for worthy emula- 
tion. In so new a county as Trempealeau there are few men who have not 
started as poor boys and attained their success by their own efforts. The 
story of their equipment for the struggle by birth, training, environment 
and experience is of vital significance. So, too, is the story of the men of 
the younger generation, who with better preparation and under more 
favorable circumstances, have taken up the work which their fathers have 
laid down. 

Therefore in supplementing the general county history, the publishers 
of this volume and their staff have gathered biographical data from some 
eight hundred leading families of the county. The list is comprehensive 
and thoi'oughly representative. The research involved in collecting the 
material has extended over a period of two years, and during that time the 
opportunity has been opened to all of those who desired their family story 
thus recorded and preserved. 

It is manifestly impossible to include every family of the past and 
present ; such a task would be beyond human ability. The criticism that 
in such a work many worthy families are omitted is of little force; the 
scope of the book might be trebled, yet still omit many a family whom some 
one would like to see thus honored. And while the story of many of those 
here included is no more worthy of preservation than the story of many 
who are omitted, those here printed are thoroughly typical and represent 
every phase of the county's citizenship. 

These biographical and geneological sketches have been gathered from 
personal interviews, from records and from newspapers. They have all 
been submitted to some member of the family most concerned. While it 
is believed that a high degree of accuracy has been maintained, the respon- 
sibility rests with the families themselves and not with the publishers. 
In a few cases sketches submitted for correction have not been returned. 
In such instances the duplicate has been printed, containing the facts as 
originally gathered. 

The difficulties of gathering such a vast amount of material are many. 
Even brothers and sisters often give widely varying accounts, not only of 
the facts and dates concerning their parents, but even of the rendering of 
their parents' names. In a few instances, where an agreement was impossi- 
ble, both versions are here given. 

All personal estimates of life, character, accomplishments, worth, 

282 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 283 

influence and ability have been added by the board of editors, constrained 
by a desire throughout to avoid extravagant laudations, though in many 
instances such laudations would be most thoroughly deserved. 

John O. Melby, for many years a leader in the business, political and 
financial integrity of Trempealeau County, was born Oct. 15, 1845, at 
Askim, Smaalenenes Amt, Norway. He was reared to farm pursuits and 
received a common school education. As a young man he was employed 
for five years in a clerical position in Christiania, and during this period 
attracted the favorable attention of several prominent citizens. But at 
the advice of his friends, who saw in the young clerk those talents which 
in after years were to be the foundation of his success, he determined to 
seek the wider opportunities of the new world. Accordingly, bidding fare- 
well to his old associates, he embarked for America in 1869, and found 
his way to Omaha, Neb., where he remained but a short time. Thence 
he came to La Crosse, Wis., where he was employed for a short time in 
the saw mills. It was in 1870 that he came to Ettrick, in this county, and 
secured work as a clerk in the general store of Iver Pederson, in whose 
employment he remained for five years. While a resident of that town he 
was elected to the office of town treasurer, a position he held for four years. 
His character as a man, his ability as an official, and his willingness to 
render services to his fellowmen whenever needed made him well known 
throughout the county, and in 1874 he was elected registrar of deeds of 
Trempealeau County, which office he held continuously until 1887. He 
was a conscientious official, and discharged the duties of his office with 
dignity and ability. Especially was his influence marked among his fellow 
countrymen, who, finding themselves in a new land with new laws and cus- 
toms, constantly sought his competent advice. From 1887 to 1888 he was 
cashier of the Bank of Galesville, and it was upon retiring from this office 
that he entered upon his notable career as near the end of the latter year 
he began the operation of a private bank, at Whitehall, which he conducted 
as such until 1894. In 1894 he organized a stock company and incor- 
porated this as a state bank under the name of John 0. Melby & Co. Bank. 
In 1906 the charter of this bank was extended and the capital stock 
increased to $50,000. He was president of this institution from its crea- 
tion to the date of his death, June 12, 1909. The Times Banner, in summing 
up his life and work after his death said of him : "In the death of Mr. 
Melby, Trempealeau County loses one of its leading citizens and White- 
hall its most lofty type of a Christian gentleman. For almost a quarter 
of a century he has been identified with the business, political and social 
life of the county, and perhaps no man in all its history has enjoyed such 
a wide cricle of personal friends as he. From every section of the county 
people came to him with their problems and troubles, and this is especially 
true of those of his own nativity, whose inability to speak the English 
language or whose lack of knowledge concerning our laws made them hesi- 
tate to confide in others. To those he gave his time and the benefit of his 
intimate business knowledge with a patience and kindly interest that early 
in life endeared him to all who knew him. How much of his time he has 
thus devoted gratuitously to others will never be known, nor can we ever 



284 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

estimate what his advice and help thus taken from his busy hfe has done 
for the peace of communities, the tranquilHty of homes, and the upbuilding 
of characters in the county and even beyond its borders. With a modesty 
becoming his generous nature, these are all closed incidents for which he 
made no charge and kept no record. Only once has he held public oi^ice, 
that of registrar of deeds of Trempealeau County, and his services in that 
capacity were so highly appreciated that it was with difficulty that he could 
retire at the end of twelve years of continuous service. Time and again 
in later life he refused the offers of high political honors to devote his time 
to his business and his family. Perhaps no stronger testimonial of his 
clean and rugged character could be written than the record of the birth 
and steady growth of the banking institution that bears his name. For 
twenty-one years this institution has been almost the sole depository for 
the wealth of the county seat and the surrounding territory. During all 
those years it has stood with the strength of a Gibraltar. Whether the 
financial tide ran high or low, the people's faith in this bank never faltered, 
chiefly because of their unquestioned faith in the man at its head. He 
died possessed of a comfortable fortune, and always gave with a liberal 
hand to every worthy charity and to every cause looking to the improve- 
ment of the social and educational conditions in the village of Whitehall. 
In his boyhood he joined the United Lutheran Church of Norway, and 
has always been an earnest Christian worker, giving liberally to the aid of 
church work, regardless of denominations. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Whitehall owes much to his enthusiastic work and hberal sup- 
port. The best epitome of the life and character of John 0. Melby was 
his request, as the end drew near, for a simple Christian burial, and his 
acceptance without fear and with quiet resignation of the infinite decree. 
John 0. Melby is gone, and the light of his kindly presence on the streets 
of Whitehall is dimmed by death, but the influence of his upright Christian 
life will remain with us to cheer and guide the generations yet to come." 
Such encomiums but briefly skim the surface of the real depths of his 
character, his worth and the meaning his life had on the community. He 
furnished backing for several financial and business institutions through- 
out the county ; he encouraged many a worthy business enterprise that had 
a part in the upbuilding of Trempealeau County villages. In Whitehall there 
was scarcely any phase of the village's activity in which he did not have a 
part. His benefactions were widespread, his hand was ever open. The 
blessings which the people of Whitehall will receive from the park which 
he and his wife presented to the village will increase yearly. Mr. Melby was 
especially happy in his domestic life, and in his home and family he took 
his greatest pride. At the beginning of his career Nov. 3, 1875, he married 
Jennie L. Beach, at Ettrick, and her influence and encouragement were 
important factors in his success. Their home was brightened by five chil- 
dren. Two died in infancy. Kathryn F. is the wife of Judge Robert S. 
Cowie of Whitehall, Charles B. is cashier of the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank 
of Whitehall, Marie A. is the wife of Harold W. Dawdy of Onalaska, Wis. 
Jennie L. Melby, the inspiration and companion of her husband in all 
his efforts, was born at Charlotte, Vt., Oct. 9, 1847, daughter of Charles 





^zz^^^. 




CHAELE8 B. MELBY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 285 

Grant Beach and Caroline Barnes Beach. In 1854 the family moved to 
North Ferrisburg, Vt., where she attended the common school. In 1859 
she attended the seminary at Charlotte, and in 1864 the select school at the 
Hollow, in North Ferrisburg. In 1866 she entered the female seminary 
at Middleburg, Vt., remaining there, however, only one year, as her parents 
then left for Wisconsin, where Mr. Beach owned a farm near Ettrick. 
Shortly after coming west she began a term of school in the settlement 
now known as Hegg. The following winter she taught in what was then 
known as the lower district of Scotch Prairie ; then the next two terms in 
Ettrick, and finally a term of school in what is known as the Beach dis- 
trict. At the close of the term she returned to Vermont, where she 
remained about a year, returning to Wisconsin in 1872. On Nov. 3, 1875, 
she was married to John 0. Melby, at Ettrick, Wis. In 1876 they moved 
to Galesville, where they remained until the county seat was moved to 
Arcadia, leaving Galesville in the fall of 1876 for Arcadia, where they 
resided until the fall of 1877. At that time the county seat was moved 
to Whitehall, to which place they came to remain until the present time. 
Mrs. Melby was always active in community endeavors wherever she was 
located, especially in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
she is a leading member. Being deeply interested in music, and possessing 
an unusually sweet voice, she was prominent in all musical organizations 
until late years. She was a charter member of the local Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union and its first president. She was also an active 
member of Ivy Chapter, No. 115, 0. E. S. 

Charles B. Melby, financier and man of affairs, is one of the leading 
citizens of Trempealeau County. His wide experience has admirably fitted 
him for the onerous duties of the position he occupies in the community, 
and his influence has ever been used in behaK of progress of development. 
Every movement that has for its object the betterment of the county finds 
in him a warm friend, and busy though he is with his numerous business 
activities, he is finding time for considerable public service. Born in the 
village where he now lives, March 1, 1883, only son of John 0. and Jennie 
L. (Beach) Melby, he was reared with the special end in view of some time 
assuming control of the extensive Melby holdings. He passed through the 
graded schools, and was graduated froin the Whitehall high 'school with 
the Class of 1899 at the age of sixteen years. Then he attended Lawrence 
University at Appleton, Wis., for three years. In 1905 he became chief 
page in the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C, in which 
capacity he met nearly all of the men prominent in American public life. In 
the meantime he studied law at the George Washington University, gradu- 
ating in 1907 with the degree of LL.B. Upon being admitted to the bar he 
took up the practice of his profession at Washington. April 1, 1909, he 
was called home to take the position of assistant cashier in his father's 
bank. In July, 1911, he was promoted to the oflSce of cashier, which he 
still retains. In addition to his work in this connection he is vice-president 
of the Bank of Eleva, and treasurer of the Central Trading Association of 
Whitehall. His financial holdings include stock in the new Ettrick & 
Northern Railroad Company, of which he has been an enthusiastic and loyal 



286 IIISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

supportex". His public work has included service as a member of the school 
board and of the library board. War activities in the county have given 
him an unusual opportunity for effective help. The sale of the first Liberty 
Bond issue found in him an enthusiastic promotor, and the Defense League 
counts him among its most useful members. His decisions as a member 
of the exemption board have been marked by a discretion which has realized 
the full need of the government, and yet which has taken into due considera- 
tion all angles of local needs and local conditions. Of a fraternal disposi- 
tion, he was a popular member of the Phi Delta Phi while at college, and 
in the Masonic order he has passed through the chairs of the local lodge 
and has also joined the Chapter. Mr. Melby was married April 26, 1W9, ) 
to Frances Gunby Bethune of Washington, D. C, born in Warrentown, Va., 
May 1, 1887, daughter of James A. Bethune, a Washington pharmacist, 
and of Narcissa Garrett Bethune. Mr. and Mrs. Melby have two childi'en : 
John Bethune, born April 5, 1912, and Natalie Grayson, born Jan. 16, 1915. 

Anton O. Melby, president of the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank, White- 
hall, is one of the substantial figures in the financial stabihty of Trem- 
pealeau County. Connected with his present institution since 1888, he has 
worked his way to the top, and his personality and ability have been impor- 
tant factors in its success. He was born in Askim, Norway, Jan. 1, 1858, 
the son of Ole Christianson and his good wife, Maria Olson, farming people, 
the former of whom died in 1871 and the latter in 1896. Of the six children 
in the family three came to the United States and found their way directly 
to Ettrick, in Trempealeau County, John 0. arriving in 1869, Edward in 
1871 and Anton O. in 1873. Upon reaching Ettrick Anton 0. secured 
employment in the store of Iver Pederson, with whom he remained nearly 
six years. Then he spent nine years traveling. In January, 1888, he came 
to Whitehall. In the fall of that year, when his brother, John 0. opened 
his bank, Anton O. became assistant cashier. In 1894 he was made cashier, 
and in 1911 he was elevated to the duties of his present position. With aU 
his busy life, he has found time for considerable- public work, and has 
given excellent service as a member of the village council since 1894. He 
has been a member of the Odd Fellows since 1888. His religious affiliation 
is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a member of the 
official board as a trustee. Mr. Melby was married July 26, 1893, to Delia 
E. Hazard, a school teacher of North Ferrisburg, Vt., who was born in 1865 
and died in 1899, the daughter of Ezra and Caroline (Williams) Hazard. 
This union was blessed with three children: William H., who is engaged 
in the lumber business at De Smet, S. D. ; Sylvia M., who was graduated 
from the La Crosse normal school in 1916, and is now teaching at Norwalk, 
Wis., and Edward C, who lives at North Ferrisburg, Vt. June 11, 1903, Mr. 
Melby married Mrs. Mary E. (McKay) Shane of Modena, Wis. 

Robert S. Cowie, attorney of Whitehall, is one of the best known citi- 
zens in Western Wisconsin, and for many years has taken an active and 
influential part in public affairs. He has held national, state and county 
appointments, and as an attorney has participated in many of the most 
important cases that have been tried in the courts of the Sixth Judicial 
Circuit. He was born in Glencoe, Buffalo County, this state, April 18, 1872, 





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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 287 

son of George and Margaret (Faulds) Cowie, was educated in the public 
schools, and while still a youth became a teacher. By this means he was 
enabled to enter the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from 
which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1894. While in the 
university he took a deep interest in all student activities, and was espe- 
cially prominent in the Columbia Literary Society. In the fall of 1894 he 
located at Arcadia, as a partner of Attorney John C. Gaveney. There he 
successfully practiced until Jan. 1, 1898, when he became district attorney, 
a position in which he did the county most efficient service. While serving 
his second term he resigned to accept an appointment by President Theo- 
dore Roosevelt as deputy auditor in the United States Navy Department, 
in which position he served from 1903 to 1905, when he resigned. In the 
spring of 1905 he was elected county judge, and served with much dis- 
tinction from Jan. 1, 1906, to July, 1909, when he was appointed a member 
of the State Board of Control by Gov. James O. Davidson. At the expiration 
of his term he established himself at Whitehall, where he has since been 
in practice. His business holdings include stock in the John 0. Melby & 
Co. Bank at Whitehall, the Central Trading Association of Whitehall and 
the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence. His fraternal associa- 
tions are with the Masonic, Elk and Odd Fellow lodges. Judge Cowie was 
married Dec. 25, 1897, to Kathryn F. Melby, born in Arcadia, April 1, 1878, 
daughter of John O. and Jennie (Beach) Melby. This union has been 
blessed with one daughter, Janice M., born Dec. 31, 1900. 

George Cowie, an early settler of Buffalo County, Glencoe Township, 
was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 25, 1828, son of George Cowie, Sr., 
and Janet (McDonald) Cowie, both of ancient Scotch Highland ancestry. 
George Cowie was I'eared to the occupation of iron and coal mining in his 
native land, and in 1848, at the age of nineteen years, came to America. 
Landing in Nova Scotia, he engaged in mining there for a time, and then 
went to Pottsville, Pa., where he engaged in the same occupation. Going 
thence to the city of New York, he left that port on Jan. 5, 1850, for Cali- 
fornia. Going via the Isthmus, he landed at Aspinwall, and thence went 
across the Isthmus on foot to Panama on the Pacific side. At that place 
he took the steamer Winfield Scott for San Francisco. This proved a most 
eventful voyage. The vessel was an old one, and both yellow fever and 
cholera broke out on board. The vessel was crowded with 1,000 passengers, 
300 of whom were sick, and seventy-five died before the vessel reached 
the port of San Francisco, and were buried in the sea. On reaching 
California Mr. Cowie went to Nevada County, where he engaged in gold 
mining, and remained on the Pacific coast for about one year, when he 
returned to his home in Pottsville via the Nicaragua route. Soon after 
his return home he removed to Lonaconing, Alleghany County, Md., where 
he engaged in mining. In the spring of 1855 he started for Wisconsin, 
going by rail to West Virginia, thence- by the Ohio River to Cairo, and 
thence by steamer to Fountain City (then known as Holmes' Landing) , an 
Indian trading post. That, it will be remembered, was 62 years ago. 
La Crosse at that time was but a village, and the existence of Winona had 
scarcely begun. Mr. Cowie made his present settlement at once, purchas- 



288 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ipg government land at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Cowie was prominently iden- 
tified with the growth and development of Buffalo County, and was called 
upon to serve in many public positions. He was the first postmaster of 
Glencoe, filling that office very efficiently for twenty-seven successive 
years, and gave the name to the office, which was established in 1862. He 
gave the name Glencoe to his town in honor of a valley in the highlands 
of Scotland called Glencoe, which was the home of the McDonalds, from 
which clan he is descended. He also served as chairman of the town for 
six years, and held nearly all other local offices, and was largely instru- 
mental in the organization of the town of Glencoe. He served in the 
legislature in the sessions of 1871-72, and has the honor of being the first 
Democrat elected to the legislature from Buffalo County. In November, 
1894, Mr. Cowie reluctantly retired from the old farm home and with his 
wife moved to Arcadia, Trempealeau County, where they resided until his 
death. He died on Feb. 17, 1904, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. F. P. 
Taft, at Longmont, Cal. His wife died May 29, 1913, at her old home in 
the town of Glencoe. Mr. Cowie was married at Pottsville, Pa., to Mar- 
garet Faulds, daughter of James Faulds, who, with his son and daughter, 
John and Elizabeth Faulds, came to Wisconsin with the Cowie family. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cowie had twelve children: David, Frank, Nettie, Anna, George 
and Louis (deceased), and James F., George M., Allan J., Albert E., 
Robert S. and Margaret M. 

Eugene F. Clark, legislator, financier and man of affairs, is one of the 
leading citizens of Galesville, where his interests and influence extend to 
almost every phase of village and rural life. As president of the Bank of 
Galesville he has been an important factor in the standing which that 
institution has maintained in the community, and as secretary of the 
Trempealeau County Insurance Company his able administration of affairs 
has made that organization a model of its kind in every particular. For 
twenty-two years his work as clerk of the board of education assisted in 
shaping the careers of several generations of Galesville youth, and his 
voice was ever raised in behalf of progress and efficiency in educational 
and administrative methods. For twenty-three years he helped to guide 
the destinies of the county as a member of the board of supervisors. In 
1916, with a splendid previous record in the assembly, he was elected to 
the state senate from this district, and has by his notable work in that 
body not only increased his popularity in his district, but also won the 
admiration and applause of his colleagues, and the people of the state at 
large. His stand on every public question has been on the side of stauncher 
patriotism, and for a wider helpfulness and benefit to the people in state 
affairs. Desiring to do his share toward every business proposition that 
has for its object the upbuilding of Galesville and vicinity, he has become 
a stockholder in the Davis Mill Company, the Maxwell-Davis Lumber Com- 
pany and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. With all his busy 
public activities he has been regularly faithful to his church duties, and 
has been a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal choir for a period of 
some forty years, 

The career that has brought Mr. Clark to these vai'ied activities has 




■.vxr'i'^.'^^: '..■j!»:i^^si 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 289 

been a most interesting one. Descended from distinguished New England 
ancestry, he first saw the hght of day in the home of his parents, Isaac 
and Emily (French) Clark, at the quaint old hamlet of Kingfield, Maine, 
Aug. 14, 1850. As a small boy he was brought to Wisconsin, living a year 
in Monroe, Green County, before coming to Galesville, Trempealeau County. 
Here he was reared to manhood, learning farming from his father and 
receiving a good education first in the pubKc schools and later at Gale 
College, and at the La Crosse Business College. After his marriage in 
1876 he took up his home on a farm of 100 acres, one mile from Galesville, 
which he had purchased in 1871. In 1895, a few months after his father's 
death, he succeeded him as president of the Bank of Galesville, and dis- 
posing of his own place moved back to the parental farm. That same 
year he began his first term in the assembly. In 1902, while serving a 
second term in the assembly, he sold the family farm and moved to Gales- 
ville. There he has since resided, spending, however, some of his winters 
in the South or West. 

Senator Clark was married Dec. 24, 1876, to Emily Crouch, who was 
born Jan. 13, 1851, in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, daughter of William 
and Susan (Frizzelle) Crouch. This union has been blessed with three 
children : Emily Blanche, Susan Mildred and Ethel Grace. Emily Blanche 
passed through the graded and high schools of Galesville, was graduated 
from the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1901, and for two 
years was assistant principal of the Galesville high school. She was mar- 
ried on Oct. 21, 1903, to Earl E. Hunner, a mining man of Duluth, Minn. 
Susan Mildred passed through the graded and high schools of Galesville, 
took a course in the Columbia College of Music at Chicago became super- 
visor of music at Hibbing, Minn., for two years, also at Marinette, Wis., for 
two years, and then became a music supervisor at Missoula, Mont., hav- 
ing ten schools under her supervision. She was married on Aug. 29, 1916, 
to Leonard Larson, assistant cashier of the Trust and Savings Bank of 
Missoula, Mont. Ethel Grace passed through the graded and high schools 
of Galesville and attended Milwaukee Downer College for two years. She 
then went to Appleton, Wis., where she graduated from both the Con- 
servatory of Music and Lawrence University. After this she taught 
English and music for three years in the schools of Evansville, Wis., and 
a private school near Milwaukee, Wis. She was married on Aug. 29, 1916, 
to George C. Nixon, a business man of Milwaukee. 

Isaac Clark, one of the early settlers in this region, and one of the 
sturdy group of men who had in their hands the shaping of the early 
history of Galesville, was born in Maine, of English descent, Jan. 21, 1826, 
and was there reared, receiving such educational training as the neighbor- 
hood aflforded. Growing to manhood's years, he was married, and settled 
down to quiet New England farm life. But the blood of pioneers was in 
his veins, and in 1854 he brought his family to Wisconsin, to seek the 
wider opportunities of a newer country. For a year they lived at Monroe, 
in Green County. Then leaving his family there he came to Galesville, 
and secured a farm within what are now the corporate limits of the vil- 
lage. On this place a small frame dwelling was standing, and to this house 



290 HISTORY OP" TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY 

he brought his family. Here he made his home for the remainder of his 
days, and followed the occupation of a farmer, taking an interest also in 
many other ventures. In 1883 he organized the Bank of Galesville and was 
its first president. He also organized the creamery company and was 
largely instrumental in having the railroad constructed to Galesville. 
Another important enterprise which he helped to found was the Trem- 
pealeau Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was secretary 
for a number of years. He was also actively interested for many years 
in the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, serving as its treasurer 
and general superintendent. In short, Isaac Clark was one of those men 
of far-sighted enterprise and energy who are the leading factors in advanc- 
ing any community in which they may cast their lot. He saw opportunities 
where other men passed them by and having once started in any enterprise 
he worked hard until it was established upon a sure footing. He was a 
member of the town board in 1861, 1862 and 1863, and served in the state 
assembly in 1870. After a long and useful life he died Sept. 24, 1894, 
widely honored, beloved and mourned. His name will live in the story of 
the institutions he helped to found, and in the hearts of the friends whom 
his sterling worth drew to his side. In 1893 he built the M. E. Church and 
presented it to the M. E. Society. 

Mr. Clark was married in Maine, July 9, 1848, to Emily French, a 
native of that state. She died in 1865, leaving Eugene F., Florence M. and 
Genevieve. By his second marriage, Mr. Clark had two children, Wilford 
and Leslie, and by his third marriage he had one child, who died in infancy. 

William Crouch, a pioneer, spent his interesting life in four states, 
and was a useful and substantial citizen of every locality in which he made 
his home. He was born near Lockport, N. Y., May 3, 1828, of English 
descent, spent his boyhood in much the same manner as other boys of his 
age and period, and as a young man became a miner. Later he came to 
Wisconsin and took up farming at Big Creek, near Sparta, in Monroe 
County. Subsequently he moved to South Dakota and later made his home 
at Ballaton, Minn. He died there Sept. 24, 1908. His wife was Susan 
Frizzelle, of English and French descent, who was born Dec. 31, 1828, and 
died March 7, 1883, on the farm at Sparta, Monroe County, this state. 

Alexander A. Arnold was born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, N. Y., 
Oct. 20, 1833, son of Archibald H. R. and Catherine M. E. Schultz. After 
mastering his primary studies he was sent to Starkey Academy and later 
to an institution known as the Nine Brothers Boarding School. This was 
supplemented with a business course at a college in Poughkeepsie. Thus 
equipped he started out as a teacher, but this profession did not appeal to 
him and he entered the Ohio Law School at Poland, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1855. Fresh from college he added to his knowledge of the law 
and acquainted himself with actual practice in the office of Hon. Theodore 
Miller, then a prominent lawyer of Hudson, N. Y. Six months later he was 
admitted to practice before the supreme courts of that state and Ohio. 
The tide was flowing westward and the young man saw his future in that 
direction. Early in 1857 he set out for Wisconsin, and having relatives at 
Elkhorn that was his first place of residence. Elkhorn also was the scene 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 291 

of his first case as a trial lawyer. Having two cousins located at Gales- 
ville, Mr. Arnold decided to visit them before fixing a permanent location, 
and later in the year 1857 found him in the settlement, which was then 
in its third year and was known as Galesville. There was little demand 
for a lawyer, but there were thousands of acres of land to be entered and 
new settlers were arriving. The prospects looked good to the young lawyer 
and he cast his lot with Galesville, which was destined to be his home to 
the end of his days. There were few frame buildings at this time, and 
one of these (still a part of the W. A. Tower house) had just been com- 
pleted by a Captain Finch. This building was purchased by Mr. Arnold 
and his lawyer's sign was swung to the breeze. The building was small, but 
it provided ample room for his desk and a few books, besides space for the 
postoffice. The late Dr. William M. Young was postmaster. There was 
little mail, and as the doctor was a busy man in his practice the lawyer 
attended to the office most of the time. In 1859 Mr. Arnold returned to 
New York and was married to Hattie E. Tripp, returning with his bride 
to Wisconsin soon after. The young wife died two years later, leaving a 
daughter Blanche. The child died at about three years of age. When the 
Civil War broke out, in 1861, Galesville, along with the rest of the country, 
caught the martial spirit. In August, 1862, the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry was organized and Mr. Arnold enlisted in Company C and 
was chosen captain. He was so commissioned by Governor Lewis. The 
service of this regiment the first year was largely in this state. The second 
year it was stationed on the Indian frontier in the Dakotas. Not until 
the third year was the regiment sent south, and then its operations were 
confined to Kentucky. At the close of the war Captain Arnold returned to 
Galesville. He did not resume his law practice, but turned his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. He had, on his first arrival here, purchased eighty 
acres of land. After the war he added 160 acres to this and continued to 
increase the tract to the 400 acres which make up the present Arnold 
properties. The Arnold place has for years been one of the finest farm 
homes in the state. Farming fifty years ago was carried on on a much 
smaller scale than at the present time, and Captain Arnold found ample 
time to assist in shaping the affairs of the community and to study politics. 
His college education had included a practical knowledge of surveying, and 
few of the original stakes set in this section of the county were not placed 
by him. He held the office of county surveyor many years. He was also 
one of the early district attorneys and was once county superintendent of 
schools. His first prominence in politics was gained in 1870, when he was 
elected to the state legislature. From 1878 to 1880 he served his district 
as state senator. In 1880 he was again sent to the assembly and was 
elected speaker of that body. As an advanced farmer and breeder of pure- 
bred stock Captain Arnold has been known throughout this and in other 
states for forty years. He was one of the organizers of the Trempealeau 
County Agricultural Society in 1859, and served as president and as secre- 
tary at different periods. He was a member of the executive board of the 
State Agricultural Society for a time, and during a long period was one of 
the state's farmers' institute conductors. He commenced the breeding of 



292 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Shorthorn cattle when there was not a pure-bred animal in this part of 
the state outside of those on his farm. The breeding of this particular 
strain has gone on for more than forty years and is continued by his sons. 
Captain Arnold was made a Mason in Trempealeau Lodge fifty-seven years 
ago. When Decora Lodge was organized he was one of its charter members. 
He was a past master of the lodge and one of its faithful patrons to the end. 
He was president of the Trempealeau County Historical Society and vice- 
president of the Bank of Galesville at the time of his death. As one of 
the organizers of the Charles H. Ford Post, G. A. R., he was ever active in 
that body. Captain Arnold was again married Feb. 1, 1869, to Miss Mary 
Douglas of Melrose. The bride came from a family then prominent in 
Jackson County, and was the oldest of five children. She was educated in 
the district schools and at Galesville University, first attending when 
Bishop Fallows was president, and then taking another course of two years 
seven years later. For many years she was president of the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, of which she is still a member. 

Seven children were born to Captain and Mrs. Arnold: Archibald H., 
Roy D., Kittle H., MoUie D., Gerald D., Alex. W. and Beulah. Archibald H. 
is a fruit grower, residing at College Place, Wash., three miles from Walla 
Walla. He married Fannie M. Parsons of Whitehall and has two children : 
Dewey and Douglas. Mollie D. is the wife of S. C. French, Gale Township, 
a farmer and stock grower. They have three children : Henry C, Miriam 
H. and Arnold S. Gerald D., county surveyor, a resident of Galesville, is 
engaged in farming and raising Shorthorn cattle. He married Jayne E. 
Burrows of New Richmond, Wis. They have two children: Wm. A. and 
John B. Alex. W., who resides on the home place, is conducting the home 
farm and is engaged in stock raising. He married Myrtle Smith of Tomah, 
Wis. Beulah is the wife of Gilford M. Wiley, principal of the high school 
at Greensburg, Ind. They have two children : Arnold R. and Mary Esther. 

George Young Freeman was born in the village of Quakerstreet, Schen- 
ectady County, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1827. He was of Puritan and Knickerbocker 
Dutch ancestry. He received an academic education at Union College at 
Schenectady, and in 1843 came to Wisconsin with the family of his Grand- 
father Young and settled at Elkhorn, Walworth County. At Elkhorn he pur- 
sued the study of law with Judge Gale, and in 1852 went to New York and en- 
tered the office of Judge Waterman, then judge of the Marine Court of that 
city. He remained in that city six years, coming to Galesville in 1858 to visit 
his relative. Judge Gale, the founder of Galesville. He remained here a 
short time, returning to New York to sever his connection with Judge 
Waterman before entering upon the practice of law in the west. The spring 
of 1859 found Mr. Freeman admitted to the bar and permanently located 
here. When Mr. Freeman settled in Galesville he found located here 
Romanzo Bunn, engaged in the practice of law. The late Capt. Alex. A. 
Arnold also was installed in an office and united law with surveying. Gales- 
ville was then the county seat, and the old courthouse was the scene of 
many a legal contest with these three as advocates. Mr. Freeman at once 
came into prominence as a lawyer, and his reputation soon spread over a 
wide territory. In 1862 he was elected district attorney for Trempealeau 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 293 

County, but a steadily growing practice demanded most of his time, and 
in the active years of his life he found little time for political office. In 
the earliest years of his life he was a Whig. He voted for Lincoln in 1864 
and Grant in 1868, but after that time he was affiliated with the Democratic 
party. He was once the candidate of his party for congressman in this 
district, and later was named for state senator against the late Senator 
Withee. The district was then comprised of Trempealeau and La Crosse 
Counties. Mr. Freeman carried La Crosse County, but the overwhelming 
Republican majority in Trempealeau County elected Mr. Withee. In 1888 
President Cleveland called Mr. Freeman to Washington as principal exam- 
iner of land claims and contests. Of the dozen lawyers employed in this 
branch of the Department of the Interior, Mr. Freeman was recognized as 
an authority. It was during his service at Washington that the famous 
Oklahoma decision was handed down. The iindings in this case were 
written by him, although the document necessarily appeared over the sig- 
nature of the head of the department. 

Mr. Freeman remained in Washington under President Harrison a 
year after the Democratic administration was retired. A few years later 
he sold his office and equipment. Later he associated with him his son 
Robert, and the firm of Freeman & Freeman continued until 1898. Mrs. 
Freeman died in 1896, and from that time Mr. Freeman gradually lost 
interest in business affairs. Mr. Freeman was ever a man of affairs, and 
he had much to do with the making of Galesville. When the Trempealeau 
County Agricultural Society was founded in 1859 he was the first in the 
movement and piloted it through its infancy. As the first secretary of 
the society the record books show the interest he took in the organization. 
His penmanship in the old secretary's book is like copperplate engraving. 
He was a power in the building of the railroad from Trempealeau to Gales- 
ville, and was secretary of the company that promoted the road. In this 
movement he was tireless in his efforts. When Galesville was incorporated 
Mr. Freeman was its first mayor. Along in the nineties he served in this 
capacity a second time, when he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by 
the death of W. B. Thompson. That was a year when Galesville was a 
dry town, and in after years when he thought the generation that followed 
him extravagant in city affairs he dehghted in saying that when he was 
mayor he ran the town on nothing but the poll and dog tax. Not the least 
of Mr. Freeman's exploits was the development of the Arctic Springs, which 
property passed into the hands of a syndicate a few years ago. While he 
spent considerable money on the springs and in getting the water before 
the public, his peculiarities prevented his interesting capital or winning 
the co-opei"ation of the public in marketing the product. In the early days 
of Galesville University he was prominent in its affairs. He was also one 
of the first to organize a Burns Club here. In fact, in all things for the 
betterment of the community in his active years he was a conspicuous 
figure. Mr. Freeman was a man of fine personal appearance, well groomed, 
polished in his speech, and when in the mood, had the politeness of a cavalier. 
While never a member of any church, he was one of the few men in Gales- 
ville in his time who regularly attended church, and all his life he was a 



294 HISTORY OF TREm^EALEAU COUNTY 

liberal contributor to the Presbyterian society. He was a charter mem- 
ber of Decora Lodge, F. & A. M., but he had not been affihated with the 
lodge for twenty-five years. Mr. Freeman is survived by his three sons: 
Edwin W., a prominent attorney and promoter, living at Los Angeles, Cal. ; 
Robert, also a lawyer and man of public affairs, residing at Corona, that 
state, and Rev. Charles E. Freeman of Galesville, who temporarily retired 
from the ministry some years ago that he might care for his father in his 
helpless condition. 

Joseph Barnes Beach, for some 35 years a distinguished figure in West- 
ern Wisconsin journalism, was born in Charlotte, Chittenden County, Vt., 
May 12, 1853, son of Charles G. and Caroline (Barnes) Beach. He spent his 
early boyhood in his native state, came to Trempealeau County with the 
rest of the family at the age of 13, and was reared to farm pursuits in 
Ettrick Township. At the age of 21 he entered the office of the Gales- 
ville Journal, then conducted by George Luce, and spent two years learn- 
ing the printers' trade. When Mr. Luce sold to B. E. Clark in 1876 Mr. 
Beach established the Galesville Independent, under the auspices of the 
Galesville Printing Association. In 1877 he and E. H. Lowe established the 
North La Crosse Star. Selling this a short time later he returned to his 
father's farm. Frederick E. Beach, a brother, established the Whitehall 
Times in January, 1880, and in December, of the same year, Joseph B. Beach 
bought a half interest, buying the other half and assuming full ownership 
and control five years later. He conducted this paper until March 20, 1915, 
when, owing to failing health, he leased the plant to his brothers, Frederick 
E. and Zachary T., and retired. He died May 3, 1916. Entering political 
Hfe as a young man, he took a deep interest in public affairs. For 14 years 
he was chaii-man of the Republican County Committee. He also served on 
numerous other committees and delegations, and was a member of many 
political conventions. In 1897 he did his district good service as a member 
of the assembly. A Republican of the old type for many years, he later 
espoused the cause of the progressive wing of that party, and labored 
zealously in its ranks. His great joy was in his newspaper work. At the 
time of his death it was written of him : "His was a busy life. Possibly 
he thus overtaxed himself, for it was his delight to be constantly accom- 
plishing some worthy object. Where others found enjoyment in society 
and travel, work at his desk, or at the case, afforded him all the pleasure 
his nature seemed to crave. When the day's labor was over he found 
recreation, in the summer months, in his well-tilled garden, in which he 
took great pride; during the winter months he found life's greatest joy 
with his family, in his comfortable home. He was pre-eminently a home 
man, a devoted husband, a sympathetic and loving father, and the training 
of his children was one of the vital things in his life. Mr. Beach was 
married Sept. 5, 1889, to Hattie M. Olds, born in Pigeon Township, March 
27, 1869, daughter of George H. and Nancy J. (Oliver) Olds, the pioneers. 
This union has been blessed with four children : Kathryn Florence, Joseph 
Barnes, Jr. (first), Joseph Barnes, Jr., and George Harrison. K. Florence 
was born Nov. 9, 1893, and is now a high school English teacher. She 
graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1911 and received the degree 




J. B. BEACH 



HISTOEY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 295 

of B. A. from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis., in 1915. While at that 
institution her scholarship won for Jher the honor of membership in the 
Phi Beta Kappa. Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), was born May 3, 1895, and 
died April 29, 1896. Joseph Barnes, Jr., was born Nov. 10, 1897, was gradu- 
ated from the Whitehall high school in 1915 and is now a student at the 
University of Wisconsin. George Harrison was born July 27, 1901, and is 
a junior in the Whitehall high school. 

Charles Grant Beach, an early settler, was born in Vermont, Aug. 15, 
1815, son of Aaron L. Beach and descended on both sides of his house from 
a long line of Colonial ancestry. He was reared on a farm and in his adult 
years became interested in railroad work. As a young man he married 
Caroline Barnes, who was born in Vermont March 24, 1817, and was like- 
wise descended from the colonists of that state. In Vermont eight children 
were born, of whom one, a girl four years of age, died there. In 1866 the 
family came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in Ettrick. 
There the mother died in 1887, and the father, two years later, moved to 
Whitehall, and took up his home with his daughter, Mrs. John 0. Melby, 
with whom he remained until his death. May 13, 1906. Of the seven chil- 
dren who came to this county with their parents, Charles, who became a 
railroad man, remained in Vermont, where he died in 1903 ; Edgar S., who 
came west some years before the others, died in Mankato in 1874 ; Henry, 
a railroad man, died in Whitehall in 1904 ; Jennie L. is now Mrs. J. 0. Melby 
of Whitehall ; Zachary T. and Frederick E. are newspaper men in Whitehall ; 
Joseph B., who died May 3, 1916, was also a newspaper man for many years. 

George H. Olds, pioneer, was born in Chenango County, New York, 
Jan. 8, 1834, son of William and Marietta (Jackson) Olds. William Olds 
was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., March 1, 1799, and in that state grew to man- 
hood and was married. In 1853 he came to Wisconsin and located in Cale- 
donia Township, where he purchased 40 acres of land from William Cram. 
Later he secured a homestead from the government, and from time to time 
added more land until he owned in all some 520 acres. His wife died in 
Caledonia Township. He died at Rice Lake, Wis., when more than 98 years 
old. George H. Olds came west with his parents and remained with them 
several years. In 1857, with his brother, James D. — who had come west 
in 1851, located in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and there remained until joining 
the family in 1853 — he opened a mercantile establishment at Caledonia. In 
1861 he served for a short time in the Civil War, being discharged on 
account of ill health. He moved to Pigeon Creek in 1863 and in 1874 came 
to Whitehall and secured the first lot sold in the townsite. The same year 
he was made postmaster, a position he held until May, 1889, when he 
retired. He died Sept. 13, 1905. Mr. Olds was married in Pigeon Township, 
June 26, 1864, to Nancy J. Oliver, their only child being Hattie M., who was 
born March 27, 1869, and was married Sept. 5, 1889, to Joseph B. Beach, now 
deceased. 

George Gale, jurist and pioneer, founder of Galesville, founder of 
Gale College, one of the framers of the Wisconsin constitution, and one of 
the organizers of Trempealeau County, was born on the banks of Lake 
Champlain, at Burlington, Vermont, Nov. 30, 1816. His grandfather, 



296 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Peter Gale, was a native of Vermont, and served in the Continental army ; 
his father, whose name was also Peter, was one of the "Minute Men" of 
Barre, Vermont, in the War of 1812 ; his mother, whose name was Hannah 
Tottingham, was of genuine Puritan stock. George Gale lived on a farm 
during his boyhood, and divided his time in working on a farm and attend- 
ing school. His schooling was thorough, and although he was not a 
graduate of any college, he acquired an excellent knowledge of the higher 
branches of mathematics and the sciences. In March, 1839, he com- 
menced reading law at Waterbury Center, Vermont, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1841, having in the meantime served his village as postmaster. 
Soon after becoming a lawyer, he came to the then territory of Wisconsin, 
and located at Elkhorn, in what is now Walworth County, where he prac- 
ticed law, and at the same time continued his studies with great diligence. 
In addition to his professional labors, he was for one year the editor of the 
Western Star, published in Elkhorn, to which he contributed many able 
articles. The Wisconsin Farm Book he first published in 1846, issuing 
revised editions in 1848, 1850 and 1856. Soon after his arrival at Elk- 
horn, he entered public life, and was elected to various town and school 
offices, serving one term as chairman of the county board of supervisors. 
In 1847 the scope of his services broadened, and he was sent to the Con- 
stitutional Convention, in which body he was a prominent and hard work- 
ing member, winning; distinction for his labors on the judiciary committee. 
The same year he was elected district attorney for his county. In 1850 
and 1851, he served in the state senate, being chairman of committee on 
privileges and elections in the first session, and chairman of the committee 
on industry the second session. July 4, 1851, he received from the governor 
of the state, the appointment as brigadier-general in the militia. In the 
fall of that year he moved to La Crosse, and shortly after his arrival was 
elected county judge of La Crosse County, having both common law and 
■probate jurisdiction not only of La Crosse County, which then embraced 
a large area, but also over Chippewa County, which had been attached to 
La Crosse County for judicial purposes. Jan. 1, 1854, he resigned, and in 
April, 1856, he was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial District, composed 
of the counties of Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau, La Crosse, 
Vernon and Crawford, for the judicial term of six years, commencing Jan. 
1, 1857. The duties of this office he discharged with much dignity and 
ability. During Judge Gale's residence at La Crosse, he urged very strongly 
upon the prominent citizens of that place the importance of their estab- 
lishing a college or an institution of learning of a higher order, but the 
country being new, the project did not find favor with the people, and 
nothing was done to carry out this worthy project. He shortly afterward 
decided to found a college and town on his own responsibility. Accord- 
ingly in 1853, he purchased about 2,000 acres of land, including the present 
location of Galesville, with the water power on Beaver Creek, and in 
January, 1854, he procured from the state legislature the organization of 
the new county of Trempealeau, with the location of the county seat at 
Galesville. At the same time he obtained a charter for a university to be 
located at that place. The board of trustees was organized in 1855, and 




ms^:r}mm^'''^ ^ 





HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 297 

the first edifice commenced in 1858. In June, 1854, the village plot of 
Galesville was laid out. Even through the financial crisis, Judge Gale 
carried the university to success, and had the great joy of seeing the first 
class graduated in July, 1865. After eleven years as president of the 
board of trustees and of the faculty, he resigned, and left the worlc in 
other hands, although he never lost his active interest. In 1863 the insti- 
tution conferred upon him the degree of LL.D., the University of Vermont 
having paved the way by granting him the degree of M.A. in 1857. As 
an historical writer. Judge Gale took a high rank. For the Wisconsin 
State Historical Society, of which he was at one time vice-president and 
later an honorary member, he prepared an elaborate paper entitled, "His- 
tory of the Chippewa Nation of Indians," which is included in the pub- 
lished "Collections" of the society. In 1866 he published at Galesville a 
"Genealogical History of the Gale Family in England and in the United 
States, With an Account of the Tottingham Family, of New England, and 
of the Bogardus, Waldron and Young Families, of New York," a volume 
requiring a large amount of patience and persevering investigation. His 
last work, to the preparation of which he devoted many years, was pub- 
lished in 1867 and was entitled, "The Upper Mississippi, or Historical 
Sketches of the Introduction of Civilization in the Northwest," a work 
which was well received and widely circulated. Judge Gale's health par- 
tially failed him in the summer of 1862, and the three following winters 
he spent in the South and West, most of the time in the service of the 
Sanitary and Christian Commissions. During February and March, 1863, 
he had charge of the United States Sanitary Commission Depot, on Morris 
Island, during the siege of Charleston. He departed this life with all the 
consolations of the Christian religion, at Galesville, April 1, 1868. In all 
the relations of life, in which he had been called to take a part. Judge Gale 
was always faithful, honest and persevering, with habits of industry and 
close application. Those who knew him the best esteemed him the most. 
In all respects he was an estimable man, discharging every duty to the 
best of his ability. He retained his mental faculties to the last, his faith 
was strong, and his last days were full of peace. 

December, 1844, Judge Gale married Gertrude Young, born at Schen- 
ectady, N. Y., in 1810, daughter of George and Anna (Waldron) Young. 
She died March 3, 1902. In the family there were three children: George, 
a leading attorney of Galesville ; William, a prominent attorney of Winona, 
who died Aug. 13, 1903; and Helen, wife of H. J. Arnold, who is engaged 
in the drug business at Kansas City. 

George Gale, Jr., a distinguished attorney of Galesville, was born in 
Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin, Sept. 14, 1845, son of George and 
Gertrude (Young) Gale. He was taken to La Crosse as a small boy, and 
was but 12 years of age when his parents brought him to Galesville. Here 
he attended the public schools, and in due time entered Gale College, from 
which he was graduated in June, 1866. Then he studied law in his father's 
office. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin and Minnesota, 
and the following year moved with his mother, brother and sister to 
Winona, where he spent one year in the office of Judge Thomas Simpson. 



298 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

In 1870 he and his brother, William, engaged in the practice of law at 
Winona, under the firm name of G. & W. Gale. In 1880, the partnership 
was dissolved, and George Gale moved to Fairmont, Minn., where he con- 
tinued his practice. He subsequently practiced at Berlin, Wis., and later 
engaged in the lumber and supply business at Merrill, Wis. Because of 
his wife's failing health, he returned to Trempealeau County in 1885, and 
moved onto the old Gale farm. In 1894 he moved to Galesville village, 
where he has since resided. He devotes his time to the practice of his 
profession, and to looking after his farm and village holdings. He is the 
justice of the peace for the village, has been city judge of Berlin, Wis., 
and was county attorney of Martin County, Minn. His fraternal relations 
are with the Knights of Pythias, in the local lodge of which he was an 
officer for a number of years, and in the state lodge of which he has sat as 
a delegate. Mr. Gale was married in 1874, to Myra Johnson, who was 
born in Elkhorn, Wis., daughter of D. R. and Katherine (Pike) Johnson, 
of old Huguenot stock, early settlers of Wisconsin, and natives of New 
York. The father engaged in the furniture business in Elkhorn, Wis., and 
at Berlin, Wis., established a casket factory, which is now the Milwaukee 
Casket Co. By this marriage Mr. Gale had two children, Mamie, who died 
at the age of eight years, and George, who died in infancy. Mr. Gale was 
married Dec. 31, 1903, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Glennie) Stewart, daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Glennie, and widow of Duncan Stewart. She was bom 
in Scotland, came to America as a child, was married at Northbend, later 
moved to West Salem, and there lived for some years. She has a daughter, 
Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Gale have two sons, George Glennie, born Feb. 14, 
1905, and William John, born May 13, 1912. 

Peter J. Enghagen, president of the Hammer-Enghagen Co., Inc., gen- 
eral merchants, of Galesville, was born in Ettrick township, Trempealeau 
County, June 16, 1867, son of Iver and Ingaborg (Jacobsen) Enghagen. 
He attended the common school at French Creek and was subsequently a 
student for two years at Gale University. Residing at home until he was 
21 years old, he then entered the employ of Jordan & Hammer as clerk 
in their general store. After two years in their employ, he worked four 
years for Gilbertson & Myhre. He then purchased the interest of Mr. 
Jordan in the Jordan & Hammer concern and the business was conducted 
under the name of Hammer & Enghagen Mercantile Company, until Feb. 15, 
1917, when they incorporated and Mr. Enghagen became president. He 
devotes all his active hours to the store and is also stockholder in the Bank 
of Galesville. As a public spirited citizen, interested and willing to aid in 
local progress, he has served a number of times as a member of the city 
council. In politics he is independent. 

Mr. Enghagen was married May 22, 1895, to Lena Johnson, who was 
born at Half-way Ci'eek, near Holman, in the township of Holland, 
La Crosse County, Wis., daughter of Louis and Marie (Brudlas) Johnson. 
Both her parents were born in Norway, the father in Laud and the mother 
in Vordal. Her father, who came to the United States during the Civil 
War, enlisted and served in the Union army. At the close of the war he 
engaged in farming, residing in La Crosse County, Wis., until the fall of 




^ ^^^ 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 299 

1915, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville. Mr. and 
Mrs. Enghagen have two children: Inez Minerva, who is a student at St. 
Olof College, Northfield, Minn., and Marie Lucile, who is attending the 
pubhc schools of Galesville. The family are members of the Lutheran 
church. As a business man Mr. Enghagen has been successful, and as a 
man and citizen he is held in high esteem by his neighbors. 

O. P. Larson, for many years a resident of Whitehall, was one of the 
most successful men in Trempealeau County. Coming here as a poor boy, 
and working for many years under the handicap of poor health, he gradu- 
ally built up a series of estabhshments which formed a chain of successful 
houses throughout the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. 
In building his own fortunes, he also aided many another man to achieve 
prosperity, and more than this, his stores and banks have had a part in 
the development of many a rural community. 0. P. Larson was born on 
the estate of Eastern Piltingsrud, Begnadalen, Valders, Norway, April 15, 
1849, and there received such education as his neighborhood and circum- 
stances permitted. In 1866 he came to the United States and found his 
way to Trempealeau County, where he secured employment as a farm hand. 
His inclinations, however, turned to mercantile pursuits, and before long 
he was working in a store. His shrewdness, ability and courtesy won 
recognition, and it was not many years before he was at the head of an 
establishment of his own. The first store he owned was at Independence. 
After a while he looked to other fields, and gradually extended the scope 
of his activities. At the height of his career, he owned an interest in some 
twenty establishments, the most notable of which were the Bank of Eleva, 
Wis. ; the Bank of Melrose, Wis. ; the Churches Ferry State Bank, Churches 
Ferry, N. D., and the J. 0. Melby & Co. Bank, Whitehall, as well as the 
mercantile stores of Larson, Melby & Co., Eleva, Wis.; Larson, Stevning 
& Co., Stephen, Minn.; Larson, Ringlie & Co., Binford, N. D., and Aneta, 
N. D. ; Larson, Gravlie & Co., Adams, N. D. ; Larson, Lander & Co., Fairdal, 
N. D. ; Larson, Dokken & Co., Knox, N. D., and several others. To all of 
these concerns he gave considerable personal attention. His health, never 
robust, continued to fail, and in 1912 he went to Norway, in hopes that the 
land of his birth might bring to him restored vigor. But these hopes were 
not realized, and on Aug. 30, of that year, he died at Christiania, Norway. 
His body was brought back to Whitehall for burial. An obituary notice 
said of him : "Among the many hardy Northmen who have come to this 
country to share the blessings of our prosperous land, few have availed 
themselves of its privileges and opportunities more successfully than 0. P. 
Larson. No one could spend an hour with Mr. Larson without realizing 
the intense energy of his mind, and his keen and almost intuitive analysis 
of any question or situation presented. For more than thirty years, always 
in delicate health, he wrestled with business problems, and the question 
of making his physical strength respond to his ever active mind, and as a 
sedative to his restless mental faculties and a stimulus to his lagging 
physical abilities, he traveled almost constantly. In pursuance of health 
and business he visited nearly every state in our Union. He crossed the 
Atlantic Ocean at least 24 times. He exemplified in the highest degree 



■m) HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the power of mind over matter. He has left behind him sons and daughters 
eminently fitted to successfully carry on the many business enterprises 
which he estabhshed." Mr. Larson married Lina Waller, June 26, 1878. 
She was born in Snartingsdalen, Norway, Aug. 14, 1856, daughter of Ole 
Jacob Johansen and Martha Waller. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have had six 
children: Martha, Ohver, Lewis, Clarence, Julia and Manda. Martha 
married Bent Lander, a merchant of Fairdale, N. D., and they have two 
sons, twins, Bernhart and Reinhart. Oliver died March 27, 1900. Lewis is 
a merchant at Binfoi'd, N. D. He married Florence Ringlie, and they have 
one child, LuciUe. Clarence is a banker at Eleva. Julia married Christian 
F. Zoylner, a business man of New York, where they reside. Manda resides 
at home. Mrs. Larson was the help, encouragement and inspiration of Mr. 
Larson in all his undertakings. A lover of her home, and taking the 
greatest delight in domestic duties and the rearing of her children, she has 
nevertheless found time for much church and charitable work, and has 
taken an especially important and active part in the affairs of the Ladies' 
Aid Society. Few ladies have traveled more than she, her journeys with 
her husband for the benefit of his health having taken her to Norway half 
a dozen times, and to Colorado, the Pacific Coast states, and the gulf states. 
When but a mere child she lost her father in 1876, and was reared by her 
mother, receiving a good education, which her travels and experience has 
since deepened and broadened. In 1877 she came to America with her 
brother, Oliver Waller, and her sister, Kristina Waller, who became Mrs. 
Martin Nelson. She took up her home near Independence, with another 
sister, Ingeborg (Mrs. Sever Amundson), who had come to America some 
years previous, and there lived until her marriage to Mr. Larson. 

Daniel Levi McCallum, who for a number of years was proprietor of 
a small but well cultivated and improved farm in Gale township, was born 
on the same farm. May 19, 1866. His parents were Charles Rodney and 
Abigail (Lindsey) McCallum, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. 
The father, a farmer, came to Trempealeau County in 1859, locating on 
the farm above mentioned, where he resided until a few years before his 
death in July, 1900. He was a veteran of the Civil War and an industrious 
and respected citizen. For many years before his death he had been a 
widower. 

Daniel Levi McCallum was the seventh born in a family of ten 
children. He was reared on his parents' homestead, of which he took 
full charge when 25 years old, later becoming the owner. It consisted of 
80 acres of land, supplied with good buildings and other equipment. Here 
he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred Mai'ch 6, 
1914. He was industrious and enterprising and his efforts were rewarded 
by prosperity. Mr. McCallum was first married to Mamie Wood, a native 
of this township, who died Nov. 18, 1903. She left one child, Vilas, who 
is now residing with his grandfather and guardian, William Wood, of Gale 
township. May 23, 1908, Mr. McCallum married for his second wife Lena 
Olsen, who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole and Mary Olsen. Her 
father came to the United States in 1888, locating in Jackson County, near 
Melrose, where the family lived two years, and where the father still resides. 




Cyl/U^ oLin^c 




•■(^ O' ^ny 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 301 

His wife died in July, 1916. Of Mr. McCallum's second marriage there 
were two children : Arlene Beatrice and Nadine Clara, the former of whom 
is attending school. Mrs. McCallum has recently sold the farm with the 
intention of taking up her residence in Galesville. Her husband was a 
man devoted to his home and family. Politically he owned allegiance to 
the Republican party, but never aspired to official position. He was widely 
respected and had many friends, to whom his death caused grief. 

Ben W. Davis, one of the leading business men of Galesville, where 
he operates a mill and is engaged in other lines of enterprise, was born 
in the house in which he now lives, July 28, 1867. His parents were Wilson 
and Mary E. Davis, the father born March 4, 1827, Kentucky, in which 
state during his earlier manhood he was engaged in farming. Later Wilson 
Davis migrated to St. Mary's Landing, Mo., from which place he went to 
Minnesota, finally coming to Wisconsin. With his father, Timothy, at one 
time congressman from Dubuque, he built a mill at Elkader, Iowa, which 
was the first of several that they erected. The second was built at Pick- 
wick, Minn., in 1854, and this they operated for about 11 years, coming 
to Galesville in 1866. Soon after their arrival here they built the mill 
that- is now owned by the Davis Mill Company, starting it in 1867 and 
completing it in 1869. It was built of limestone found near the village 
and is seven stories high, measuring 98 feet from base to roof, and 50 by 70 
feet ground dimensions. Its capacity is 200 barrels of flour a day. Wilson 
Davis operated the mill until his death in 1898, and was besides a director 
in the Bank of Galesville. He and his wife had four children : Augustine 
A., who resides in New York City, where he is engaged in the acetyline 
welding business ; Ella, wife of Alfred Campbell, a farmer of Hartland, 
Wis. ; Frank G., who is engaged in the retail lumber business at Tarboro, 
N. C, and Ben W., of Galesville. Ben W. Davis acquired his education in 
the school at Galesville, which he attended until he was 17 years of age. 
He then became a traveling salesman and followed that occupation until 
he was about 26 years old. Returning to Galesville in 1892 he became con- 
nected with the Davis mill in the capacity of manager and the business has 
since been under his control. In 1894, soon after assuming the manage- 
ment, Mr. Davis rebuilt and remodeled the mill. In 1898 it was burned 
down, but in the following year he again rebuilt it, its dimensions and 
capacity being each time enlarged, until its capacity has been brought 
up to 200 barrels a day. The company also operate an electric plant fur- 
nishing light for the city of Galesville. The principal brand of flour turned 
out is sold under the name of "Peach Blossom," and commands a good 
market throughout this section and in many of the western states. Mr. 
Davis gives most of his time to this business, but also has other interests, 
being vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, president of the Maxwell- 
Davis Lumber Company of Galesville, a stockholder in the Western Wis- 
consin Telephone Company. He is a member of the Masonic order, the 
Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. In politics a Repub- 
lican, he served as mayor of Galesville for nine years. As a business man 
and pubhc spirited citizen he has proved himself a worthy successor to 
his father and has taken active part in advancing the growth and interests 



302 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the city. Mr. Davis was married in June, 1894, to Leora A. Avery, who 
was born in Seattle, Wash., daughter of the Rev. J. H. and Lucy (Wash- 
burn) Avery, her father being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He and his wife have one child: Katharyne A., who resides at 
home and is attending Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis. 

Ludwig N. Hammer, secretary and treasurer of the Hammer-Enghagen 
Company, conducting a general mercantile business in Galesville, was 
born in Heedmarken, Norway, Jan. 26, 1857, son of Nels Burson and Thrine 
Hammer. Both parents died in their native land, where the father fol- 
lowed the occupation of millwright. Ludwig N. was the sixth born in a 
family of eight children and attended both common and high school in 
Norway. Remaining with his parents until he was 16 years old, he then 
left home and for some years worked at different occupations, chiefly as 
clerk in stores. At the age of 23 he left Norway for the United States, 
locating in Frenchville, Wis., in 1879. In 1881 he came to Galesville as 
clerk for Wilson-Davis, and remained in their employ until 1889, when he 
became associated with W. H. Jordan. In 1895 Mr. Jordan sold his intei-est 
to Mr. Enghagen, since which time the business was conducted under 
the style of Hammer & Enghagen. The firm moved into their present 
quarters in the spring of 1916. They carry a large stock of goods and 
enjoy a wide and growing patronage. Feb. 15, 1917, the firm incorporated 
as Hammer-Enghagen Company, with a $50,000 capital. The officers are: 
P. J. Enghagen, president; Carl Svensen, vice-president; L. M. Hammer, 
secretary and treasurer. Mr. Hammer is a stockholder and director in the 
Bank of Galesville, and also owns business and residence property in the 
village. He was president of the Business Men's Association for a number 
of years and is at the present time one of is trustees. He is also a member 
of the board of trustees of Gale College and has served on the village 
council several terms. In pohtics he is an independent Republican, support- 
ing his party at national elections, but exercising his own discretion on 
other occasions. Mr. Hammer was married Nov. 7, 1885, to Lena Trondson, 
who was born in Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Anders and 
Agnethe Trondson. Her parents were both natives of that province in 
Norway in which Mr. Hammer was born. After coming to the United 
States they lived for some years in Trempealeau County, Wis., later moving 
to Duel County, South Dakota, where, after a number of years spent in farm- 
ing, he died. His wife also died in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer 
have had seven children, of whom two, Nora and Arthur, are deceased. 
The survivors are : Joseph, a bookkeeper in the Bank of Galesville ; Hulda, 
who is engaged in teaching; Margaret, residing at home, who is a graduate 
of the high school class of 1916; and Ruth and Rolf, who are attending 
school. The family are affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church. 

Benjamin F. Gipple, a pioneer merchant, was born in Scipio, Cayuga 
County, N. Y., April 26, 1827, of substantial Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. 
He spent his early life in the East, and after learning farming from his 
father, was apprenticed to a builder, who taught him the carpenter's trade. 
In 1856 he came West, and located at Hokah, Minn., where he was employed 
for a year at his trade. In 1857 he went to La Crosse, and started work for 




BERT A. GIl'PLE 






HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 303 

Mons Anderson, at that time conducting the largest mercantile establish- 
ment in the Northwest. In this concern his promotion was rapid, and in 
a short time he was given charge of all the sales force of the large estab- 
lishment. During his years in this employ, he gained experience and won 
the confidence of the people to the extent that he was enabled to open a 
store of his own. Subsequently he owned stores in Montello, Marquette 
County, and in North Bend, Jackson County, in which latter place he served 
as postmaster. In 1889 he came to Galesville and opened a stoi'e which he 
conducted until 1908, when he retired. He died Jan. 7, 1911. It was one 
of the deep regrets of Mr. Gipple's hfe that he could not serve in the Civil 
War. He enlisted twice, and was twice rejected, and was subsequently 
drafted, but was again rejected, the rejections being due to an injury which 
he had received early in life. While Mr. Gipple was not a practicing attor- 
ney, he took a deep interest in the law from the time of his earliest boyhood, 
and was well versed in legal procedure. He was a justice of the peace for 
some fifty years, and in this time handed down hundreds of decisions which 
met with the praise and approval of many distinguished jurists. 

Mr. Gipple married Mary Ann Snure in May, 1849. She died Aug. 6, 
1862. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living at this 
date. He married Emily Ruth Bradshaw June 2, 1865. She was born in 
Indiana Oct. 9, 1843. There were born to this second marriage three sons, 
Benjamin F., Bert Allen and William B., and one daughter, Mayme, who 
died at the age of 31. Mrs. Gipple died March 21, 1917. 

Bert A. Gipple, journalist and man of afl'airs, editor of the Galesville 
Republican for twenty-five years, has taken an active part in every move 
that has for its object the upbuilding, development and betterment of the 
community. Few men are better known in the county. He is a native 
of this State, born in La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 16, 1870, son of Benjamin F. 
and Emily R. (Bradshaw) Gipple. At the age of seventeen he became 
shipping clerk in a wholesale house in La Crosse. In 1890 he began his 
journalistic career as a printer's assistant on the Galesville Independent. 
His first reportorial work was done under W. R. Finch, on the La Crosse 
Republican and Leader in 1892. In 1893 he took charge of the editorial 
department of the Prairie du Chien Union. Subsequently he was employed 
on the Mondovi Herald, and then returned to Galesville, where he worked 
on the Independent. In 1896 he took charge of the Cumberland Advocate 
in the absence of its publisher. Again returning to Galesville later in the 
same year, he opened a job printing office. He founded the Galesville 
Republican in 1897, and in 1908 on the organization of the Republican 
Printing Company he was the principal stockholder. The company 
absorbed the old Galesville Independent, and now has the only newspaper 
and job printing plant in the village. Mr. Gipple is a high degree Mason, 
belonging to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and the Chapter and Council at 
La Crosse. He was appointed Grand Steward at the communication of the 
Grand Lodge in 1916. He was a charter member of the Galesville Colony 
of Beavers. He was married July 28, 1893, to Emma J. Sagen, daughter 
of Ole N. and Ella (Trondson) Sagen, and they have one daughter, Dorris C. 
Mrs. Gipple was educated in the schools of Galesville, and in Gale College. 



304 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

The daughter graduated from the Galesville High School in 1914, and from 
the La Crosse Normal School in 1916. She has the unusual record of 
having attended school for eleven years without being absent or tardy. 
At this date ahe is a teacher in the public schools of Sparta, Wis. 

Carl McKeeth, who is doing a successful business in Galesville, dealing 
in farm implements, road machinery and automobiles, was born in Gale 
Township, six miles north of the village, Sept. 11, 1878. He is a son of 
John and Lorette (Bigelow) McKeeth, the father a native of New York 
State and the mother of New Hampshire. John McKeeth was formerly a 
well-known man in Trempealeau County, to which he came in 1856. He 
homesteaded a farm in the county, on which in time he made improvements, 
and being elected sheriff served in that office and as deputy for 16 years-. 
He was also chaii-man of Gale Township board for 20 years and for a number 
of years served as mayor of Galesville. During the Civil War he served in 
the First Wisconsin Battery, enlisting as a private. His death took place in 
1908 and was regretted throughout the county. His wife passed away in 
1900. 

Carl McKeeth was the second-born in a family of three children. 
He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Galesville, and being 
20 years old when the Spanish-American war broke out, he enlisted and 
served six months. On his return he engaged in business with his father, 
dealing in farm implements, road machinery, automobiles and other similar 
goods, this association being continued until the father's death, since 
which time Carl McKeeth has carried on the business alone. In his auto- 
mobile department he is now selling the Maxwell, Chalmers, Marion, Hanley 
and Cadillac cars. He is the owner of a considerable business and residence 
property in Galesville. Oct. 17, 1900, Mr. McKeeth was united in marriage 
with Bird Converse, who was born in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau 
County, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Bender) Converse. Her father, 
an engineer by former occupation, is now assisting Mr. McKeeth in the store. 
Her mother is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McKeeth have three children ; 
Gale, Ray and Verna, all residing at home. Mr. McKeeth is independent in 
politics and has served as a member of the village council. He belongs to 
the lodge of Beavers and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

Cyrus Kass, who operates a good farm in Section 27, Trempealeau 
Township, was born in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., Feb. 4, 
1864. His parents, William and Katie (Dextra) Kass, came to the United 
States from Holland in 1856, leaving Rotterdam May 27 and landing at New 
York July 25. From the latter city they came West by rail to Dunleith, 
111., and from there by boat to La Crosse. The parents were both natives 
of Holland, the father born in Friesland State — the home of the Holstein 
cattle — April 23, 1835, and the mother in the city of Leeuwarden, Friesland, 
July 28, 1832. They were married only about three weeks before sailing 
for America — on May 5, 1856. After reaching La Crosse County, Wis., they 
resided there near the village of Amsterdam, until 1868, and then came with 
wagon and team to Trempealeau County, William Kass buying 40 acres of 
land in Section 27, Trempealeau Township. The land was but slightly 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 305 

improved, but there was a small frame house on it, 14 by 20 feet in dimen- 
sions, and a one-story pole stable, with hay cover, which was, however, of 
little account. Lying immediately west of Mr. Kass' 40 acres was a tract 
of uncultivatable bluff land, and of this he homesteaded 120 acres to use 
as pasture land. A few years later he purchased another tract of 40 acres, 
some of which was cultivatable land, lying north of the original 40 acres, 
so that he now had a farm of 200 acres. For the first four years he 
used oxen on his farm, as, being more hardy than horses, they were better 
fitted for pioneer conditions. He and his wife endured many hardships, 
the usual lot of pioneers, but never allowed themselves to become discour- 
aged or relax their efforts. While he was developing his farm Mr. Kass 
cut and hauled during the winters thousands of hoop-poles, which he sold 
in Winona for $8 to $10 a thousand, and in this way maintained his family. 
He also sold quite a number in Pickwick, Minn., having to start from home 
at 3 o'clock in the morning, and cross the Mississippi River on the ice with 
his ox team, returning late at night. In 1869 he built a log barn. For 
many years William Kass continued the improvement of his farm, he and his 
wife at the same time bringing up a family of six children, namely : John 
born July 30, 1857, who died on his parents' farm in February, 1889; Seba, 
born June 16, 1859, who is now living near Eau Claire, Wis., on a farm ; 
Mary, born Nov. 21, 1862, who died on the farm in Trempealeau Township 
in February, 1889; Cyrus, born 1864; Theodore, born March 10, 1866, who 
died in Trempealeau Township in February, 1889; Katie, born September 
28, 1868, who is now Mrs. Fred Weiss, of Rock Island, 111. John, Seba, Mary, 
Cyrus and Theodore were all born in Holland Township, La Crosse County, 
and Katie in Trempealeau Township. The deaths in the same month of 
John, Mary and Theodore were caused by an epidemic of measles, and were 
a heavy blow to the surviving members of the family. Katie, the daughter 
born in Trempealeau Township, was educated in District No. 3, at Gale 
University, and at the Winona Normal School, from which institution she 
was graduated, subsequently teaching school for years. The other children 
in the family attended only the district school. The mother, Mrs. Katie 
Kass, died on the homestead Jan. 14, 1911, and is buried at Evergreen 
Cemetery, at Centerville. Cyrus Kass was brought up on his parents' farm 
and has always remained there. He learned farming from his father and is 
now engaged in it on the old home place, his operations including dairying 
and the raising of orchard and small fruits. He has 11 head of cattle and 
five horses, his cows being graded. He has also a herd of 60 sheep, Shrop- 
shire and Oxford crossed, and a herd of hogs. The house on the farm is a 
story-and-a-half upright, with two wings, and containing nine rooms. His 
hay barn, 32 by 48 by 16 feet in dimensions, has a basement in which he 
keeps his sheep. His other barn, for horses and cattle, measures 28 by 48 
by 24 feet. Mr. Kass was married Oct. 30, 1906, to Stella, daughter of 
Peter and Julia (Wojcie) Chowski, of Winona, Minn. Their children are: 
Mary, born Oct. 8, 1907 ; John Cyrus, born June 26, 1909 ; William Henry, 
born April 27, 1911, and Stanley Peter, born Nov. 18, 1913. Mr. Kass is 
a charter member of Galesville Lodge of Beavers, and he and his wife 
belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is independent. 



306 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

but is not active politically, not having served in public office, but having 
so far devoted his whole attention to the business of the farm, on which 
his father resides with him. 

Rev. Lars M. Gimmestad, pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod 
Church in Galesville, Wis., and also president of Gale College, was born in 
Nordf jord, Bergenhus Amt., the west central province of Norway, Jan. 20, 
1868. He is a son of Mons M. and Anna (Vasenden) Gimmestad, both of 
whom were natives of the same province. The father, a stone mason and 
carpenter by trade, died in Norway in 1878, and his widow subsequently 
came to the United States, settling with her family of five sons in Redwood 
County, Minn., where she died in 1907. 

Lars M. Gimmestad, who was the youngest member of the family, 
acquired his elementary education partly in Norway and partly in Redwood 
County, Minn. By the time he was 14 years of age he was practically earn- 
ing his own living, which he did by herding cattle, and later working on a 
farm for an older brother. In the meanwhile he entered Luther College, 
at Decorah, Iowa, which he attended for seven years, continuing to work 
on the farm during his vacations. After graduating from this institution 
he entered Luther Seminary, at Minneapolis, where he studied theology 
for three years, during this period teaching parochial school and assisting 
other pastors. He was ordained July 22, 1894, at Eau Claire, Wis., and 
for one year subsequently was in charge of a congregation there. From 
that time until the fall of 1901 he had charge of congregations in Dane, 
Columbia and Trempealeau counties, becoming pastor of the church at 
Galesville. In the year last mentioned he took up his residence in Gales- 
ville in order to become president of Gale College, which at that time was 
transferred to Lutheran hands. This office he has since held, devoting 
most of his time to it, though still remaining pastor of the Lutheran congre- 
gation here, thus making twenty-three years of continuous service. Much 
of his life has been devoted to teaching, and he has administered the affairs 
of the college in an efficient manner, maintaining a high scholastic standard 
and a Christian atmosphere conducive to the moral and spiritual growth 
of the students. Politically he is an independent Democrat. 

Mr. Gimmestad was married July 22, 1896, to Amalie Anderson, who 
was born in Dane County, Wis., daughter of Hans and Oline (Hanson) 
Anderson. Her parents, who were natives of Norway, came to America 
about 1873, locating first in Dane County. A few years later they removed 
to Eau Claire, Wis., where Mr. Anderson was employed in a shoe factory, 
and where he subsequently died. His widow is still residing in that city. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gimmestad are the parents of six children: Marie Helen, 
Agnes Olava, Herman, Laura Matilda, Bernard Oscar and Victor Edward. 
Mr. Gimmestad owns his own residence and also a number of acres of land 
in the vicinity of Galesville. 

William E. Bartholomew, a well-known citizen of Galesville, who has 
resided in Trempealeau County for about 47 years, was born in Atwater 
Township, Portage County, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1846. His parents, Albert and 
Minerva (Potter) Bartholomew, were both of Welsh descent, but born in 
Eastern States. The father in early life was a farmer, but in later life 




REV. L. M. GIMMESTAD 

President of Gale College 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 307 

engaged in business as a wagon maker. He came to Elkhorn, Walworth 
County, Wis., in 1850, and he and his wife both died there some years later. 
William E. Bartholomew was the youngest of five children. When left an 
orphan he was still a young child and for some years his home was with 
his older sisters and other relations, who cared for him until 1859. He 
then found employment on a dairy farm at $5 a month, and in five months, 
having saved enough money to pay his fare to Chicago,.he went to that city, 
arriving there without a cent. He succeeded, however, in making his way to 
Elkhorn, Wis., where he had a sister hving, with whom he took up his 
residence. For a number of years he worked for others, at first having 
charge of a horse-power used for threshing. In the summer of 1864 Mr. 
Bartholomew, not yet 18 years of age, enlisted at Spring Prairie Center, 
near Elkhorn, in Company I, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and served with the organization as a private for about four months. On 
his return to Spring Prairie he again worked out for others and continued 
to do so until his marriage in January, 1867, to Alice Bell, who was born 
in Geneva Township, Walworth County, Wis., daughter of Anson and Eliza 
(Chapman) Bell, who were early settlers in that county, but are both now 
deceased. After his marriage Mr. Bartholomew took his wife to Chickesaw 
County, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. He then sold his farm and 
came to Trempealeau County. Here he was engaged in farming until 1903, 
when, on account of impaired health he took up his residence in Galesville, 
and entered the employ of Dr. Jegi, having the care of his stable and other 
parts of his estate. His health improving, in the spring of 1914 he 
entered the employ of the Illinois Oil Company and has since continued 
with them. He is the owner of several lots in Galesville in addition to his 
own residence. In politics Mr. Bartholomew is a Republican, and in earlier 
years was a member of the village board. He and his wife have six 
children: Albert, who is a marble cutter and drafter in Madison, Wis.; 
Walter, a butter maker by trade, who is now engaged in the grocery business 
in Seattle, Wash. ; Mary, wife of N. P. Jensen, of Galesville, a deputy of the 
Order of Beavers ; Belle, wife of Julius Keholer, a barber of Galesville ; 
Edith, wife of Mert Jensen, form maker in a printing plant at Bobells, N. D. ; 
and Ida, wife of Lee Merrill, of St. Paul, who is bookkeeper in the purchasing 
department of the Omaha division of the North Western Railway. 

John Beck, the pioneer, was born in Ekeby, Sweden, in 1815, and was 
there reared. Apprenticed to a carpenter as a youth, he learned the car- 
penter, furniture-making and cabinet-making trades, and in following his 
occupation wandered about the Scandinavian countries for a while. Thus 
he met Christina Anderson, who was born in Kumla, Sweden, in 1815. 
Taking his bride to his home in Ekeby, he was there permanently employed 
for a considerable period. While there he was called to service in the 
Swedish regular army during the time when Denmark was disputing with 
Prussia and the Germanic Federation, the ownership of Schleswig-Holstein. 
Although participating in a number of bloody engagements, he escaped 
injury and wounds. Soon after, he determined to locate in the United 
States. Reaching Chicago in 1853, he found employment at his trade, and 
there remained until June 15, 1857, when he came to Ti'empealeau County 



308 HISTORY OF TREINIPEALEAU COUNTY 

and located on a farm in Gale Township, three miles from Galesville. He 
died there in 1878, and his wife moved to Grand Meadow, Minn. She died 
in 1896 at Northfield, Minn. 

Andrew A. Beck, ice dealer of Galesville, was bom in Ekeby, Sweden, 
Aug. 2, 1843, son of John and Christina (Anderson) Beck, the pioneers. 
He was brought to Chicago in 1853, attended school there for a while, came 
to Gale Township in 1857, and attended school here, later taking a course in 
Gale College. As a boy he was employed by Captain Alex A. Arnold, and 
when the Civil War broke out, enhsted in August, 1862, in Company C, 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which Captain Arnold organized 
at Galesville. Going in as a private, he was soon promoted to corporal. His 
company served about a year in enforcing the draft in Wisconsin, a similar 
period in fighting the Indians on the western plains, and a like interval in 
doing police duty in Louisville, Ky. For a time, because of a scalded foot, 
Mr. Beck was confined to a hospital. Mustered out at Madison, he returned 
to the home farm. After his marriage he moved to another farm near by. 
In 1879 he moved to the village, and a short time later established his 
present ice business. He has an ice house, 40 by 40 by 20, and during the 
summer months disposes of about 100 cakes of ice daily. He also continues 
his farming operations. By reason of his war service he has joined the 
G. A. R. and his wife is a member of the Relief Corps, and was a charter 
member of the 0. E. S. of Galesville. He is also a member of the Knights 
of Pythias of Galesville. Mr. Beck was married April 29, 1871, to Hannah 
B. Ladd, born in Unity, N. H., April 29, 1847, daughter of Lorenzo D. and 
Laura (Bunnell) Ladd. This union has been blessed with one son, Roy 
Russell, born May 21, 1878. 

Lorenzo D. Ladd, an early settler, was born in Unity, N. H., Aug. 23, 
1813, and was there reared and educated. As a youth he devoted his life 
to farm industry in his native State, but in his young manhood he became 
a salesman, traveling from farm to farm, selling general merchandise. 
Later he sold books on the same plan. April 16, 1857, he arrived in 
Trempealeau, and in a few days located on a near-by farm, and while there 
served as justice of the peace. In 1873 he came to Galesville and became 
a general salesman. Here he attained a position of honor and respect in 
the community. He was a member of the Masonic order. He died July 4, 
1893, being buried with Masonic honors. His wife, Laura Bunnell, was born 
in Clairmont, N. H., Sept. 18, 1817, and died Oct. 31, 1900. 

Roy R. Beck, chicken fancier, and owner of the Marinuka Poulti'y 
Yards, the home of the Mammoth Light Brahmas, Galesville, was born in 
the village where he now resides, May 21, 1878, son of Andrew A. and 
Hannah B. (Ladd) Beck. He attended the schools of the village, and is 
now engaged with his father in the ice business, in addition to his poultry 
work. In this line he has won wide recognition, having been awarded 
prizes at Minneapolis, St. Paul, Omaha, Lincoln, St. Louis and Chicago, 
and receiving orders for his birds and eggs from all over the United States. 
The high repute in which his work is held is shown by the fact that he is 
now the first vice-president of the Wisconsin branch of the National Brahma 
Club. He keeps about 500 fowls annually, and issued an attractive booklet 




W. 8. WADLEIGH 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 309 

describing his stock. Mr. Beck is a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 177, 
A. F. & A. M., at Galesville, having served his lodge as Worshipful Master. 

Oscar T. Sagen, secretary and treasurer of the Sagen-Schuster Mer- 
cantile Company, of Galesville, and one of the leading business men of the 
village, was born in Galesville, Wis., April 20, 1879, son of Ole N. and Ella 
T. (Tronson) Sagen. Oscar T. was educated in the public schools of Gales- 
ville. At the age of 18 years he began working for the Galesville Creamery 
and was thus occupied for about two years. He then spent one year as 
clerk in the drug store of F. H. Fiedler, after which he was employed for 
two years in the Galesville postofRce. Then he returned to the drug busi- 
ness and continued in it for seven years. Then becoming postmaster, he 
served five years in the office and, at the expiration of his term of office, 
engaged in the general mercantaile business, in which he still continues. 
He has other business interests in Galesville, but gives his entire time to the 
Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company. In politics Mr. Sagen is a Repub- 
lican. His five years' service in the postoffice followed his appointment 
under the Taft administration. He has also served one year as a member 
of the village board. He is a member of the Lutheran church. The Sagen 
family, of which the subject of this sketch is a typical representative, has 
long been prominent in the affairs of Galesville, and its various members 
have done much to advance the material interests of the village. 

William Samuel Wadleigh, who is engaged in the general practice of 
law at Galesville, Wis., was born in Green Lake County, Wis., Oct. 29, 1869, 
son of Samuel and Lucy (Towne) Wadleigh. The parents were both born 
at Kingsey Falls, Province of Quebec, Canada, the father Oct. 28, 1824, and 
the mother Oct. 3, 1827. They were married in Canada, and came to Wis- 
consin in 1856, locating on a farm in Green Lake County, near Markesan. 
There Samuel Wadleigh engaged in farming, although by trade he was an 
expert blacksmith, and maintained a shop on the farm. He became a 
prominent man in the community, holding various oflflces, and died on the 
farm Feb. 11, 1887. The widow continued to reside on and operate the 
farm until 1906, when she removed to Brandon, Fond du Lac County, where 
she resided until her death, which occurred May 1, 1917. Seven children 
were born of this union, three of whom now survive, the subject of this 
sketch being the youngest of the family. 

William S. Wadleigh laid the foundation of his education in the common 
schools of Green Lake County, and later the High School at Brandon. At 
the age of 15 years he left home, and after further attendance at school, 
taught for a year. He then attended the Oshkosh State Normal, from 
which institution he was graduated in 1891. After this followed a period 
of musical and theatrical work on the road, which was given up for the 
study of the law, and Mr. Wadleigh graduated from the Law Department 
of Wisconsin University in the class of 1894. After his graduation he 
entered the law office of M. P. Wing, at La Crosse, remaining until Mr. 
Wing's death in the spring of 1895. In June, 1895, he located at Galesville, 
forming a partnership with the late G. Y. Freeman, which continued for 
about two years, since which time Mr. Wadleigh has practiced alone. 
Mr. Wadleigh is a stockholder and director of the Bank of Galesville, 



310 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY 

and also interested in other business enterprises in Galesville. He also owns 
valuable farming properties in this State, and in North Dakota. He has 
proven himself a reliable lawyer, and enjoys a large practice, and while 
always a busy man, has at all times found time to interest himself in public 
work. Some six years ago, as a revival of his musical work, he organized 
and became director of the Galesville Concert Band, and under his director- 
ship this organization has made great progress, and acquired more than a 
local reputation as a musical organization capable of interpreting the best 
class of music. Weekly concerts are given during the summer season, and 
have become an institution in Galesville. In politics Mr. Wadleigh belongs 
to the now increasing order of independent voters. As he expresses it, he 
is in politics "An American Citizen." While he has never sought public 
•office, he has served the people of Galesville as mayor for nine terms. Mr. 
Wadleigh is a Mason, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge ; also 
belongs to the Beavers, Mystic Workers, Yeomen and Foresters, in which 
last mentioned order he has been secretary since its organization in 1898. 
Mr. Wadleigh was first married Sept. 30, 1895, to Nellie May Atkins, who 
was born in Sauk County, Wis., daughter of Thornton L. and Caroline (Sim- 
mons) Atkins. Both of Mrs. Wadleigh's parents still survive, living at 
Reedsburg, Wis., where Mr. Atkins is in the employ of the Collins Monu- 
ment Works. Nellie May Wadleigh died at Galesville, April 24, 1909, leav- 
ing five children, Gerald Eugene, Marjorie Rose, William St. Clair, Lucy May 
and Thornton Lee, all of whom reside at home with the exception of the 
eldest son, who is engaged in college work in Chicago, and the youngest, 
who resides with his grandparenuts at Reedsburg. 

On June 30, 1911, Mr. Wadleigh married for his second wife Carrie May 
Collins, who was born at Reedsburg, Wis., daughter of Sanford A. and Allie 
(Thayer) Collins. Mr. Collins, the father, is a dealer in and importer of 
fine monumental work, having an extensive plant at Reedsburg known as 
the Collins Monument Works. One son, John Collins Wadleigh, born July 
22, 1912, is the fruit of Mr. Wadleigh's second marriage. 

Frederick Martin Symonds, rear admiral U. S. N., now retired and living 
in Galesville, Wis., was born in Watertown, N. Y., May 16, 1846, son of 
Charles F. and Louisa (Grannis) Symonds. His paternal grandfather 
was a captain in the United States Army in the War of 1812-15, and took 
part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Charles F. Symonds, father of the 
Admiral, was born in New Haven, Conn., and was a miller the greater part 
of his life. During the Civil War he was marshal of the northern district 
of New York. He and his wife — the latter a native of Long Island — never 
came west of Utica, N. Y. 

Frederick Martin Symonds was the third born in a family of six 
children. He attended school in Watertown, N. Y., and at the age of 16 
years entered the Naval Academy, which during the period of the Civil War 
was located at Newport, R. I. While a member of his class he took part in 
a cruise after the Confederate steamer Tacony and also in a search for the 
rebel ship Alabama. He was graduated with the class of 1867 and went 
to sea as midshipman aboard the U. S. S. Piscataqua, on which vessel, a flag- 
ship, he remained until November, 1868, when he was transferred to the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 311 

U. S. S. Ashuelot. June 9, 1870, he was returned to the Piscataqua, now 
named the Delaware, and which was still the flagship of the squadron. On 
this vessel he came home, being detached from her Nov. 28, 1870, and 
ordered to Washington for examination. He had already been advanced 
two grades, having been promoted June 13, 1869, to the rank of ensign, and 
on March 21, 1870, to that of master. 

After examination he returned home to await orders. March 21, 1871, 
he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and on June 2 was ordered to 
Newport, R. I., on torpedo duty. May 4, 1872, he was ordered to the U. S. S. 
Tuscarora on duty and proceeded to the Pacific Ocean. April 24, 1875, he 
was detached from that vessel and ordered home. Sept. 15, 1875, Lieutenant 
Symonds was ordered to the flagship Minnesota and remained with it until 
he was detached Dec. 18, 1878. April 14, 1879, he was ordered to the U. S. S. 
Jamestown for duty in Alaska, being detached and ordered home Sept. 9, 
1881. From 1882 to 1885 he served on the New Hampshire, and from 1885 
to 1888 on the Mohican. From 1889 to 1892 he was on duty on the Great 
Lakes, during the latter part of that time serving with the rank of lieuten- 
ant-commander, to which he was promoted July 31, 1890. From May 5, 
1893, to October, 1896, Lieutenant-Commander Symonds was inspector of 
ordnance at Mare Island, Cal. He then proceeded to Alaska to take charge 
of the Pinta and was commander of that vessel until 1897, being detached 
Aug. 4 and ordered to the U. S. S. Marietta, and while on this vessel, June 19, 
1897, he was promoted to the rank of commander. In June, 1899, he left 
the Marietta to become inspector of the Ninth Lighthouse District, with 
headquarters at Chicago, until April, 1902. April 7 that year he was pro- 
moted to captain and detached from duty in connection with the lighthouse 
district April 15. May 23, 1902, he was ordered to the Naval War College 
and Dec. 1 that year was placed on the list of retired rear admirals. Later 
he was ordered to the inspection service Oct. 25, 1904, to investigate the 
manner of conducting the steamboat service on Lake Ontario, Ninth Dis- 
trict, and afterward sent to Louisville, the Sixth District, on similar duty. 
June 2, 1905, he was discharged from duty and ordered home, this being 
his last active service. During the Spanish-American War, while in com- 
mand of the Marietta, he traveled 44,000 miles in 22 months, his vessel being 
one of the two — the other being the Oregon — which hastened from the 
Pacific Ocean, making the voyage around Cape Horn, to the West Indies, to 
take part in the operations against the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera. 
After arriving he, with his vessel, took part in the blockade of Havana. 

Admiral Symonds, while holding the rank of master, was married, Jan. 
3, 1871, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., to Anna C. Parker, of that city, daughter of 
George and Fannie Eliza (Wilcox) Parker, both natives of Vermont. Her 
father in early life was a railroad man, but later engaged in the wholesale 
milling business. He was born Feb. 18, 1817, and his wife Nov. 20, 1819. 
Both died in Ogdensburg, N. Y., of which city George Parker was mayor 
for a number of years. Ogdensburg was also the home of Admiral Symonds 
after his marriage and until April, 1906, when he came to Galesville, wishing 
to get in closer touch with rural nature. He had seen 40 years of active 
service in his country's navy, 22 years of which had been spent at sea. 



312 HISTORY OF TREJVIPEALEAU COUNTY 

Here in Galesville he has a small farm of six acres, which he calls "The 
sailor's snug harbor," and where he takes his ease when he does not wish 
to travel. Admiral Symonds is a member of the Loyal Legion of America, 
the First Order, affiliated with the Command of Wisconsin, a member of 
the Mihtary Order of Foreign Wars, at Philadelphia, and member of the 
Society of Naval Commanders of the United States. He has a Civil War 
medal and a Spanish- American War medal for efficient services, both issued 
by Congress. He also belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has 
advanced as far as the Commandery. 

Admiral Frederick M. Symonds and wife have been the parents of four 
children: George Parker, born in March, 1872, who is a mechanical 
engineer in New York City and chief engineer of the Alberger Condenser 
Company ; Frederick W., born June 18, 1876, who is an engineer in Seattle, 
Wash.; Carl, born June 3, 1881, at Sitka, Alaska, who is a constructing 
engineer ; and Ralph W., born in August, 1889, who resides with his parents. 
Admiral Sjinonds in early Ufe was affiliated with the Episcopal church, but 
is now a Christian Scientist. In politics he is a Repubhcan. 

Ole J. Eggum, attorney-at-law and man of affairs, now located at White- 
hall, was born in Dane County, Wis., March 10, 1878, the fifth of nine 
children born to John L. and Martha (Eggum) Eggum. John L. Eggum 
was born in Sogn, Norway, came to America in 1857 and located in Dane 
County, Wis., living for a short time in Norway Grove, and then going to 
Mount Horeb, where he farmed until his death, March 13, 1904. His wife 
Martha, whom he married in 1865, was also born in Sogn, Norway, and 
was brought to Dane County by her parents in 1854, when only 9 years of 
age. She passed away Feb. 9, 1896. Ole J. Eggum passed through the 
common schools, and in 1897 was graduated from the Mount Horeb 
Academy, at Mount Horeb, Wis. After teaching for a while he entered the 
collegiate department of the University of Wisconsin, and graduated in 
1904. He then worked in Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1906 he was 
employed by the Insurance Investigating Committee of the Wisconsin 
Legislature to compile insurance laws, statistics and other insurance 
information, at Madison and Milwaukee. Subsequently he entered the 
Law Department of the University of Wisconsin and was admitted to 
the bar in 1907. For the next two years he practiced at Abbotsford, Wis., 
and did law editorial work for a law book company of St. Paul. In May, 
1909, he formed a partnership at Whitehall with Herman L. Ekern, who 
was State Insurance Commissioner from 1910 to 1915. The partnership 
was dissolved April 1, 1913, and Mr. Eggum has since continued the 
practice alone. He never sought public office, but has taken an active 
interest in pubUc aflfaii's and has been called to various positions of pubUc 
honor and trust. Mr. Eggum was married Feb. 16, 1909, to Alice M. 
Bushey, of Appleton, born at Plainfield, Wis., June 14, 1878. daughter of 
George P. and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Bushey, the former of whom died 
in February, 1917, and the latter of whom died June 30, 1909. Before her 
marriage Mrs. Eggum taught in various public schools of the State, includ- 
ing the State School for Dependent Children at Sparta, and for two years 
was a district representative of the Wisconsin Home Finding Society. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 31^ 

Since coming to Whitehall she has taken an active interest in pubhc welfai'e 
work and is now president of the Trempealeau County Woman Suffrage 
Association. Mr. and Mrs. Eggum have an adopted son, Karl William, who 
was born Nov. 9, 1916. 

Henry E. Getts, first postmaster of North La Crosse, first general store- 
keeper in Whitehall, and for many years owner of the Whitehall Mill, was 
born in Philadelphia, Pa. He came West during the Civil War, and for 
several years kept a grocery store at North La Crosse, where he was 
appointed first postmaster. In 1873 he came to Whitehall, and established 
the first general store in the village. This store he successfully conducted 
until 1892, in the meantime having acquired the Whitehall Mill. In 1892 
he took his son, Edmond C. Getts, as a partner, and for six years, under 
the firm name of H. E. Getts & Son, engaged in the hay and grain business 
at Whitehall. At the end of this period he removed to La Crosse, where, 
for about six years, he was employed as manager of the shoe department 
of the Doerflinger Department Store. Then he retired and resided in La 
Crosse until his death, Sept. 2, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Emma Lambert, now makes her home in Whitehall. 

Edmond C. Getts, produce buyer of Whitehall, was born in La Crosse, 
Feb. 9, 1867, son of Henry E. and Emma (Lambert) Getts, who brought 
him in 1873 to Whitehall, where he was reared and educated. In 1886 he 
and Frank W. Potter started a cheese factory in Whitehall, which they 
operated for two years. In 1888 he and C. E. Evenson started the first 
creamery in Whitehall, and operated it for some four years. In 1892 he 
and his father engaged in the hay and grain business under the firm name 
of H. E. Getts & Son. In 1896 with A. E. Wing became interested in the 
A. E. Wing Company, of which he was made the manager. The firm was 
changed to Wing & Getts in 1908, and since 1912 Mr. Getts has conducted 
the business alone as sole owner, under his own name. Mr. Getts buys eggs 
and poultry on an extensive scale. He also handles coal to some extent. He 
is a prominent man in public aflfairs, having been village president for two 
years and village clerk for four years. In fraternal circles he has taken 
an active part, belonging to the Blue Lodge of the Masons, in which he 
has passed through the chair, and also to the Commandery. Mr. Getts ■ 
was married April 14, 1892, to Pearl Emma Sherwood, of Whitehall, who 
was born Oct. 23, 1872, and died June 30, 1913, the daughter of Charles A. 
and Mary (Barrington) Sherwood, who now live at Whitehall, the former 
being a Civil War veteran and a retired nurseryman. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Getts were born two children : Clark Hallum and Katherine Agnes. Clark 
Hallum was born Aug. 5, 1893, pased through the Whitehall graded and 
high schools, received his degree of A. B. from the University of Wisconsin 
in 1914, and his LL. B. from Columbia University in 1916, and is now asso- 
ciated with the firm of Counselman & Co. in Chicago. Katherine Agnes 
is at home. 

Arthur A, Gibbs, manager of the electric plant of Trempealeau, is a 
man who has had wide experience in various branches of industrial activity. 
He is a native son of the village, as he was born here July 25, 1863, his 
parents being 0. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. As a young boy he attended 



314 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY 

the district school of Caledonia Township, and fi-om 12 to 16 continued his 
studies in the Trempealeau village school. Until 1883 he resided on his 
father's farm, near the village, during the winters, but his summers, begin- 
ning with 1880, he spent on a farm which his father owned in South Dakota, 
near Arlington. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Gibbs became assistant agent for 
the American Express Company at Tracy, Minn., and was thus occupied 
until the spring of 1885. He then returned to Trempealeau and bought 
an interest in the boot, shoe and grocery business with Charles B. Allen, 
also taking care of the express business for both the American and Adams 
Express Companies here. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Gibbs sold out his 
interest in the store to Mr. Allen and in the following summer went back 
to South Dakota and opened a meat market at Arlington. He conducted 
this market until the fall of 1889 and then again returned to Trempealeau. 
He now entered the employ of the "BurUngton" Railroad Company as bridge 
carpenter, and continued in that department until the summer of 1891, 
when he engaged in train service for the same road as freight brakeman. 
In 1893 he was promoted to the position of conductor and ran freight until 
1898. That fall he went into the meat business at La Crosse, Wis., having 
a market on George street, and here he remained in business for about two 
years, selling out in the spring of 1900. He now entered the employ of 
the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad, as conductor, hauling iron ore and logs, 
and continued at this work until the close of navigation, in the winter of 
1900. From that time until the fall of 1902 he was on the police force 
of Two Harbors, Minn., but then resigned and went to Arlington, S. D., 
to take charge of his father's farm there for a season. 

In the fall of 1903 Mr. Gibbs went to Ohio and married Minnie 
McNaughton, a daughter of Harlow and Lucinda McNaughton, of Rutland, 
that State, and who was born there Dec. 12, 1875. After his marriage he 
returned to the South Dakota farm. Adjoining the farm was a tree claim 
of 160 acres, all improved, with good buildings, which Mr. Gibbs purchased 
in the spring of 1904, and which increased the size of the farm to 320 acres. 
In 1906 he bought 80 acres more of adjoining land, and on this farm of 400 
acres he Uved until 1910, when he sold it to John Murphy, of Aurelia, Iowa. 
In the fall of 1910 Mr. Gibbs returned to Trempealeau Village, but did 
nothing until the spring of 1911. He then went to Alberta, Canada, whei'e 
he homesteaded 160 acres of land along the Athabaska River, which lay 65 
miles from a railroad, Whitecourt being the postoffice. The first year he 
broke ten acres and built a log house, and for three successive years he 
broke ten acres each year in order to meet the requirements of the law, 
obtaining a land patent from the government in October, 1914. In the 
winter of 1912-13 he hauled over the country, a distance of 65 miles, a 
100-horsepower sawmill outfit, which he set up at Whitecourt and is still 
operating. In October, 1914, Mr. Gibbs again returned to Trempealeau and 
has since remained here, having charge of the village electric light plant. 
He still ownes 160 acres of land near Highmore, Hughes County, S. D., also 
124 acres on "Sam Noyes Island," Minnesota, opposite Trempealeau Village, 
and is president and manager of the Eagle Cliff Lime Product Company, of 
Trempealeau. His society affiliations are with the Order of Railway Con- 



.1 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 315 

ductors, Division No. 61, of La Crosse, to which he has belonged since 1894 ; 
and Hamilton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of La Crosse. He and his wife 
have four children, all living at home: Grace Helen, born at Adington, 
S. D., Feb. 26, 1905 ; Alice Louisa, born at Adington, Sept. 26, 1907 ; Clara 
Eva, born at Arlington, Nov. 23, 1908, and Frank George, born at Trempea- 
leau, Wis., Sept. 7, 1910. Mr. Gibbs was brought up to attend the Methodist 
Episcopal church, but has never affiliated himself with the church as a 
member. His wife is a member of the Christian church in Ohio. They are 
people well known and esteemed in Trempealeau Village and the vicinity. 

Charles Henry Growt, president and general manager of the Trempea- 
leau Mercantile Company, of Trempealeau Village, was born at St. Charles, 
Minn., May 10, 1867, son of Bateman and Susanna (Hartley) Growt. The 
father was for many years a farmer in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is now 
living retired in Trempealeau Village. Charles H. Growt attended country 
school in his boyhood, and also spent three years in Trempealeau village 
school, and one term in the State Normal School at Winona, finishing his 
studies June 24, 1888. He then immediately entered the employ of E. J. 
Hankey, general merchant of Trempealeau Village, with whom he continued 
as clerk and assistant for 26 years, or until January, 1914, when Mr. Hankey 
sold the business to the Trempealeau Mercantile Company, Mr. Growt 
becoming president and manager. In January the same year the company 
was incorporated by R. H. Parker, Charles H. Growt, Mrs. Minnie Parker 
and Mrs. Nellie Growt. Mr. Parker is secretary and treasurer. The con- 
cern deals in general merchandise, dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries, 
carpets, rugs, linoleum, etc., and the business is prosperous and steadily 
growing. Mr. Growt is also a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Trempea- 
leau and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, in which latter concern 
his wife also holds stock. He was married, April 14, 1897, at the home 
of his bride, to Nellie, daughter of William, Sr., and Charlotte (Dunham) 
Nichols, of Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., the ceremony 
being performed by the Rev. Mr. Griffith, pastor of the Trempealeau Congre- 
gational church, of which he and his wife are both members. Immediately 
after their marriage they began housekeeping in the Bloom residence, on 
West Second street, where they lived for a year and a half. They then 
moved to a home on East Fourth street and resided there until 1909. In 
the spring of 1910 Mr. Growt bought his present residence on East Third 
street — a comfortable and commodious house. He and his wife have one 
child. Glen Nicholls, who is now a student in his third year at the Trempea- 
leau High School. Mr. Growt has served six years on the village school 
board, being secretary at the present time. He is not active in politics, but 
votes the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic 
order, belonging to Lodge No. 117 at Trempealeau, of which he is now 
Master, having passed all the chairs from Senior Deacon. With his wife 
he belongs to the Eastern Star, and is a member of Camp No. 2813, M. W. A., 
of Trempealeau. 

George Grant Gibbs, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, implement dealers, 
of Trempealeau Village, is a man who has had a thorough training in the 
line of work in which he is now engaged, although he has been established 



316 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

here but for about three years. He is, however, a native of the county, hav- 
ing been born in Caledonia Township, Nov. 13, 1865, the youngest son of 
0. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. His father being a farmer, he was early 
initiated into agricultural methods, gradually becoming acquainted with the 
various kinds of machinery used on a farm and the respective value of the 
different types of machines. He attended school up to 19 years of age, 
working on the parental homestead during his vacations, and after putting 
away his class books, continued to do so all the time until he was 23, except 
for the summer of 1887, when he was employed as clei'k on a Mississippi 
River steamboat. March 8, 1890, he was married to Jennie Hudson, daugh- 
ter of Henry and Kate (Stark) Hudson, of Trempealeau County, and Imme- 
diately after went to South Dakota, and until the spring of 1892 was 
engaged in managing his father's farms in the vicinity of Arlington, that 
State. It was just after this that he became connected with the implement 
business, taking a position as local salesman with S. C. Cornell, of Ai-lington, 
for whom he worked one year. In the spring of 1893 he entered the employ 
of the Altman Miller Company, of Akron, Ohio, in the same capacity, 
traveling in South Dakota, but remained with them only one season. His 
next employers were Sherman Bros. & Bratager, wholesale implement 
dealers, of Sioux Falls, S. D., for whom he traveled eight years, at the end 
of which time they went out of business. In 1900 he went with the Janes- 
ville Machinery Company, of Janesville, Wis., and until July, 1911, was 
engaged in selling goods for them in South Dakota. In the year 1900, when 
he went with the Janesville company, he was living in Brookings, S. D., but 
in the spring of the following year he moved to Watertown, that State, his 
next removal being a return to Sioux Falls in the spring of 1903. During 
his last two years in Sioux Falls, 1909 and 1910, he was associated with 
P. F. Sherman, of that city, as proprietor and manager of a wholesale and 
transfer implement house, the business being the jobbing, storing and 
reshipping of agricultural implements. Mr. Gibbs now returned to his 
native county, taking up his residence in the village of Trempealeau, but 
until Jan. 1, 1914, he continued to travel for the Janesville Machinery Com- 
pany. Having saved some money, he now resolved to sell goods for himself, 
and accordingly, taking as partner his brother-in-law, C. S. Ford, he opened 
his present place of business in Trempealeau Village, and his success up to 
date has fully justified this action. He has taken an active part in promot- 
ing the general business interests of the village and has been president of 
the village commercial club since settling here. For the past three years 
he has also been president of the La Crosse and Trempealeau County Imple- 
ment Club — a similar position to that which he held while living in Sioux 
Falls, where he served as president of the Sioux Fall's Implement and Vehicle 
Club. In short, Mr. Gibbs has always endeavored to rise above mere routine 
work, and has proved himself a "\iv6 wire" whenever there was opportunity 
for advancing his personal interests, those of his employers, or of the com- 
munity in which he lived. For the last three years he has rendered good 
service on the county board. In politics he is a staunch Republican. 
Brought up in his youth to attend the Methodist Episcopal church, he aids 
in its support, but is not identified with it as a member. His wife also 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 317 

takes a similar interest in the church. They have a neat and substantial 
residence in the village, provided with modern conveniences. Mr. Gibbs 
has membership in several fraternal orders, including Lodge No. 117, A. F. 
& A. M., of Trempealeau; Lodge No. 838, B. P. 0. E., of Watertown, S. D., 
to which he has belonged since 1902 ; the A. 0. U. W. Lodge at Arlington, 
S. D., which he joined in 1890, and the U. C. T. Lodge, No. 100, of Sioux 
Falls, S. D., which he joined in 1897. 

Oliver E. Gibbs, pioneer, public official and prominent citizen, was born 
at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 15, 1837, son of Israel and 
Charlotte (Wright) Gibbs, the former of German descent and the latter of 
Colonial English stock. The father, who was a building contractor, special- 
izing in bridges, piers and warehouses, came West, bringing the family, in 
1844, and settled at Racine, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his days. 
In the family there were eleven children: Sidney, Melvin, Augustus, Gil- 
bert, Oliver E., Lewis and Hoel, Ruth, Mary and Grace. All are now 
deceased except Oliver E. Of these children, Gilbert was the one who first 
contemplated settling in Trempealeau County. He started out in the fall 
of 1854, with an ox team, provisions, household goods, and a herd of young 
stock. Oliver E., in his brother's employ, drove the stock. After a journey 
of over two weeks they reached their destination, four miles east of Trem- 
pealeau Village. There Oliver E. worked on Gilbert's farm for four years. 
In the meantime, in 1856, he bought 200 acres of wild land in Section 25, 
Caledonia Township, and 40 acres in Section 26, Trempealeau Township. 
In 1858 he built a house on Section 25, and there established his home. 
The succeeding years were busy ones. Land had to be broken, buildings 
erected, equipment secured, fences constructed, and the farm developed. 
Together with general farming on an extensive scale, Mr. Gibbs bought and 
sold cattle, swine and horses, and even shipped horses to South Dakota. 
The opportunity presented itself to acquire more land, so he purchased 30 
acres of heavy timberland in Caledonia Township, which he is still preserv- 
ing, and 50 acres of meadow and pasture land in Trempealeau Township. 
For a while he also owned a quarter section of good land in Ridgeville Town- 
ship, Monroe County, Wis., which he sold in 1860. For several years he 
was interested in South Dakota real estate, though, aside from staying 
long enough to prove upon a claim, he never actually lived there. In 1880 he 
homesteaded 160 acres near what is now Arlington, in Brookings County, 
S. D. The same year he took a tree claim of 160 acres, adjoining the other 
claim, but across the fine in Kingsbury County. On the homestead he 
built a good two-story house, a large barn, a swine house, a granary, and 
other buildings, and set out a fruit orchard. On the tree claim he built a 
good house, a large barn, two granaries, a swine house, a chicken house and 
a large tool shed. The buildings on both places were painted, well furnished 
and well equipped. In 1904 Mr. Gibbs disposed of all his South Dakota 
holdings. In the meantime, in 1882, he had moved his family to Trempea- 
leau Village in order to secure better educational advantages for his children. 
He bought a house and two lots, improved the house, and has there made his 
home since that time. With all his busy life, Mr. Gibbs has found time for 
active public service. For a considerable period he was chairman of the 



318 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

board of supervisors of Trempealeau Township, and chairman of the board 
of supervisors of Trempealeau County. At one time he was master of the 
poor in Trempealeau Village and Township. His distinguished work in 
relation to the establishment of the County Insane Asylum at Whitehall 
is recorded elsewhere in this history. On many different occasions he has 
done jury service in the district court. He has also served on various 
committees and delegations. 

Mr. Gibbs was married at Trempealeau, Sept. 21, 1861, to Louisa Grant, 
who was born in Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, April 7, 1841, and came West 
with her parents. She was an able helpmate to her husband in all his 
undertakings, a faithful wife and a loving and considerate mother. Her 
services in the Methodist church, especially her work in the Sunday school 
department, will never be forgotten. In 1910 her health began to fail, and 
on Dec. 16, 1914, she died. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs was blessed 
with five children: Arthur A., George G., Jessie, Grace B. and Blanche. 
Arthur A. is superintendent of the village electric light plant at Trempea- 
leau. He was married in 1903 to Mary McNaughton, of Ohio, and they have 
four children, Grace, Alice, Clara and Frank. George G. is a member of 
the firm of Ford & Gibbs, of Trempealeau, dealers in farm implements. 
He married Jane Hudson, of Bloomington, Wis. Jessie was married April 
5, 1901, to Chfford Ford, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, and they have four 
children, Neil, Harold, Edith and Jessie. Grace B. and Blanche are at home. 

Tolef Bergeson, a well-known resident of Arcadia Township, where he 
settled at an early date, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Nov. 24, 1847, 
son of Bjorgub and his wife Anna Sigerson. When he was 21/4 years old 
his parents decided upon emigrating to the United States, Bjorgub having 
a brother residing in Dane County, Wis. The father came first, being fol- 
lowed soon after by his wife and their five children,. Tolef, Sigor, Jack, 
Charles and Jennie. After a ten weeks' voyage on the ocean in a sailing 
vessel the party landed and came on to Dane County. Here, a few weeks 
later the children were bereaved by the death of their mother, who had 
been taken sick on the vessel and never recovered. She died without 
having seen her husband in America, as before she and the children arrived 
he had gone on further west seeking a good place in which to locate. He 
found a temporary place in Vernon County, not far from La Crosse. There 
he was rejoined by his children, who, in the meanwhile, had been taken 
care of by friends, some of whom, coming West, brought them to him. 
While residing in Vernon County Bjorgub heard favorable reports of White- 
hall, Trempealeau County, and set out to investigate the prospect. With 
Ole Gottornson he left home with an ox team and on arriving in Trempealeau 
County halted for a short time at Francis Creek. There a Norwegian 
blacksmith advised them to leave the ox team there and proceed on foot in 
search of land, which they did, the blacksmith accompanying them eastward 
and taking them up on a bluft" where they were able to obtain a good view 
of the surrounding country. Looking down Tamarac Valley, they saw good 
opportunities for raising hay, with plenty of timber, and decided on that 
locality as their future home, giving up the idea of Whitehall. Then 
returning to La Crosse they made arrangements for settlement. Mr. 



^^^^^^^ 




1 


^^^^H i 


^^ ^ J 










^^^^^^^^^ 




IB 



TOLEF BERGESON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 319 

Bergeson liked a quarter of Section 28 better than any other claim he had 
seen, but this had previously been selected by Sigor Chastelson. The latter, 
however, gave up his right to Mr. Bergeson and this place accordingly 
became the home of the family and has remained -so to this day. Mr. Berge- 
son cut hay there during the summer of 1863 and built a pole shanty, to 
which he brought his children in the fall. He never remarried, his daughter 
Jennie keeping house for him. Later he built a hewn log house of one and 
a half stories, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, a hewn log barn, 20 by 32 feet, 
and other necessary buildings. With the help of his sons he developed about 
85 acres, the balance of the quarter section remaining in timber. When 
he settled on the place there were no roads and easy access to his farm was 
barred by Big Tamarac Swamp. There were settlements at Trempealeau 
and Galesville, but his nearest neighbor was K. L. Strand, who was also a 
native of Norway, coming from the same locality as himself. Bjorgub 
Bergeson died in 1888, being cared for in his latter years by his son Tolef 
and daughter Jennie, into whose possession the homestead came. There 
was a heavy indebtedness on the place at the time of the father's death, 
but this in time they cleared away, Tolef continuing to improve the place 
and to engage in general farming and dairying, to which latter branch of 
agriculture he has in recent years given special attention with profitable 
results. By the purchase of 40 acres more land he increased the size of the 
farm to 200 acres. He also built a comfortable frame house consisting of 
upright and wing, one and a half stories in height. The farm is watered by 
fine springs. In his early years he had little opportunity for obtaining an 
education, as there was no school here until he had reached working age. 
He acquired as much book knowledge as he needed, however, and when a boy 
and young man learned much about nature from the Indians, who were 
then numerous in this vicinity. His sister Jennie, who always remained 
with him, died in June, 1916, and he and his brother Charles, who is living 
near Leonard, are now the only surviving members of the family. Mr. 
Bergeson is a Republican in politics, but has taken no active part in public 
afl'airs. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Norway 
Coulie, and is a well-to-do and prosperous citizen, having a wide acquaint- 
ance. The memory of his father is well preserved in the neighborhood as 
that of a kind, helpful and honest man, universally respected. 

Hans C. Erickson, a well-known and successful farmer of Ettrick Town- 
ship, is a good example attained by those foreign-born citizens of Trempea- 
leau County who came to this region endowed with the necessary qualities 
of industry and perseverance. He was born in Stange, Hedemarken, Nor- 
way, May 9, 1863, a son of Christopher and Bertha Erickson. His parents 
were natives of the same district in Norway, where the father worked for 
a number of years for wages, but seeking greater opportunities for success, 
in 1869 he emigrated with his family to the United States, locating in 
La Crosse, Wis., where he resided until 1877, working in a sawmill during 
the summers and in the pineries in winter. In the year last mentioned 
he came to Trempealeau County and bought the farm now owned by his 
son, Hans C. Here he remained for about 18 years engaged in its improve- 
ment, in which task he made considerable progress. In 1895 he bought 



320 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

another farm, located on Beaver Creek, to which he moved in the following 
year, and which was his home until his death, Dec. 10, 1916. He had before 
that become an extensive land owner and was recognized as one of the 
successful men of his township. In his selection of stock he favored 
Shorthorn cattle, always kept good horses, and his farm presented an air 
of thrift and prosperity that made a favorable impression upon every 
passer-by. He was an upholder of rehgion, morality and good government, 
and every Sunday, unless he was prevented by sickness or other strong 
reasons, found him in his place, with his family, in the French Creek 
Lutheran church. For many years before his death he was a widower, 
his wife Bertha having died in 1871. They were the parents of seven 
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. 

Hans C. Erickson's education was begun in the Fifth Ward School at 
La Crosse, and he continued his studies later in District School No. 1, at 
French Creek. When 12 years old he began working in a sawmill at North 
La Crosse and was thus occupied for two summers. His connection with 
the lumber business was continued for many years after he came to Trem- 
pealeau County, as he spent 17 winters in the north woods cutting timber. 
At the end of that period, or about 1894, he bought his father's farm and 
has since given his whole time to agriculture and stock raising. The farm 
is known as Crystal Springs Stock Farm, and is now a highly-improved 
piece of property, the most valuable improvements having been made by 
himself. It takes its name from one of the finest springs in the State, 
which is located on it, and contains 217 acres of good, fertile land. Mr. 
Erickson is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and the Ettrick Farmers' 
Telephone Co., and, like his father, is affiliated with the Lutheran church. 

In June, 1900, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage with Dorthea 
Folkedal, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Amund and 
Anna (Meckletuen) Folkedal, the parents being natives of the same district. 
The father, Amund Folkedal, who was for 18 years a surgeon in the Nor- 
wegian army, in 1885 came to the United States, his family joining him 
two years later and setthng in Osseo, this county. After another two years' 
interval they removed to Ettrick, wher both the father and mother died, 
the former March 12, 1913, and the latter April 30, 1915. Their daughter 
Dorthea (Mrs. Erickson) was the second born of eight children. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hans C. Erickson are the parents of seven children, who were born 
as follows: Christopher, June 10, 1901; Eddie Francis, Feb. 2, 1903; 
Anna Birdella, Feb. 17, 1905 ; Haakon Goodwin, Oct. 27, 1908 ; Albert Einar, 
April 15, 1910; Gulena Elizabeth, April 29, 1912, and Donald Ludvik Ber- 
nard, Dec. 26, 1916. 

John Jacob Blue, a representative of the manufacturing interests of 
Trempealeau County as proprietor of the woolen mill at Ettrick, was born 
at Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1844. His parents 
were John and Sarah (Baldwin) Blue, the father being a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, fi'om which State he emigi'ated to Ohio, where he died in 1847. 
Mrs. Sarah Blue was born in Scotland and was granddaughter of Richard 
Baldwin, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812-15 between Great 
Britain and the United States. She died about 1881. John Jacob Blue 




MR. AND MRS. OLE O. ONSRUD 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 321 

was one of the younger members of a family of ten children. He began 
industrial hfe in Ohio at the age of 16 years, at intervals working as clerk 
or as an employe in the woolen mills. After a service of four months in 
the ai-my during the latter part of the Civil War, he moved in 1864 to 
Lincoln, 111., where he was clerk in a hotel for about six months, and also 
dealt in stock. His residence in Lincoln lasted three years and he then 
went to La Crescent, Minn., having been hired to set up the machinery of 
a woolen mill there. After this job was accomplished he became an 
employee of the mill and continued to be so for three years. The end of 
this period found him on the road as a traveling salesman, in which occupa- 
tion he was engaged continuously for 14 years, or until 1884. That year 
witnessed the establishment of the present woolen mill in Ettrick, a work 
accomplished by Mr. Blue, who came here, put in the machinery and began 
the operation of the mill, which is a one-set mill with three looms. He has 
since been engaged continuously in its operation, disposing of his product 
in Wisconsin, Minnesota, lUinois, Indiana, Ohio and other States. The con- 
cern has been a success and is an important factor in the industrial life of 
Trempealeau County. Mr. Blue is also a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick 
and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad now being constructed, and is the 
owner of business and residence property in the village. He belongs to the 
Masonic lodge in Galesville and to Camp No. 2940, Modern Woodmen of 
America. Since taking up his residence in Ettrick he has taken a good 
citizen's interest in the general advancement and prosperity of the com- 
munity, and has not hesitated, when called upon, to serve in local office. 
Thus he was township clerk for eight years, township treasurer two years 
and clerk of the school board 12 years, justice of the peace four years, 
notary public for 12 years. In politics he is a Republican. 

September 26, 1870, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Dora B. 
Ketchum, who was boi-n in the State of New York, daughter of Ambrose 
and Harriet (Burr) Ketchum, both her parents being natives of that State. 
The father, who was a farmer, emigrated about 1853 or 1854 to Houston, 
Minn., during the latter part of his journey having to follow a blazed trail. 
Arriving in Houston County, he took a tract of government land and engaged 
in farming there, which was his occupation until his death in 1881. His 
wife is still living and now resides at Lisbon, N. D., having attained the 
advanced age of 88 years. They had five children, of whom Dora B. was 
the second born. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blue have been eight in 
number, their record in brief being as follows : Effie, now deceased ; Harry, 
who married Minnie Coocher, and resides in Ettrick, being in business with 
his father; Herby, deceased; Inez, residing at home and engaged in the 
millinery business in Galesville; Guy B., engaged in the drug business in 
Roanoke, 111. ; Frank, engaged in the drug business at Tremont, 111. ; Anetta, 
wife of Frank Hewett, who reside in Ettrick Village, and Amy, who lives in 
Tremont, 111., where she is employed in her brother Frank's drug store. 
Mr. Blue is a member of the Presbyterian church and he and the members 
of his family residing here are prominent in the social circles of Ettrick and 
the vicinity. 

Ole O. Onsrud, who died on the old Onsrud farm in Section 28, Ettrick 



322 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Township, was an early settler in this county and township, coming here 
immediately or soon after the close of the Civil War, in which he carried 
arms as a soldier of the Union. He was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 26, 1835, 
son of Ole and Marie Onsrud, the father being a well-to-do farmer. Neither 
of Mr. Onsrud's parents came to this country, both dying in their native 
land. Ole 0. Onsrud was educated in Norway and was there confirmed in 
the Lutheran church. From the time he was 18 until he was 22 years old 
he worked on a farm. In 1857 he took passage on a sailing vessel for the 
United States, among the members of the party being the family of Amon 
Amundson, whose daughter Andrine subsequently became his wife. The 
voyage was long and tedious, lasting seven weeks and three days, and all 
were glad when they set foot on the Land of Promise. Mr. Onsrud at once 
proceeded to the home of his brother Lars, at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., 
which place he made his home until he came to Trempealeau County in 1866. 
During the last year of the war, while in Monroe County, he was drafted 
and served nine months in Company B of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry as 
a private. Though not wounded, he had many narrow escapes and partici- 
pated in some heavy fighting, including seven pitched battles, which ended 
with Appomattox, after which he took part in the Grand Review at Wash- 
ington and was honorably discharged. He then returned to Westby, but 
soon came from that town to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm in 
Section 28, Ettrick Township, on which he settled and began the work of 
improvement. It could hardly be called a farm at that time, however, as 
it was all wild land and he had all a pioneer's work to do in clearing it. This 
work took him many years, but was finally accomplished, and not only was 
the land well cultivated, but good buildings erected and enlarged or rebuilt 
from time to time. The size of the farm was increased from 160 to 240 
acres and the crops indigenous to this region were raised and an excellent 
grade of stock kept. Mr. Onsrud was also a stockholder in the Ettrick 
Creamery, which he assisted in organizing. He also aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Lutheran Church, of which he was for many years a prominent 
member and trustee. He also served on the school board a number of 
years. Mr. Onsrud's marriage to Andrine Amundson took place Feb. 4, 
1862. She was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 22, 1839, daughter of Amon and 
Agnetta Amundson, who were natives of the same district or province 
of Norway. As already narrated, they and their family came to America 
in 1857 on the same ship with the subject of this sketch. On reaching 
Wisconsin they located at Halfway Creek. La Crosse County, where they 
made their home for a number of years. They then came to Ettrick Town- 
ship, this county, settling on French Creek, where they developed a farm, 
on which Mr. Amundson died in 1890. After his death his wife took up her 
residence with her daughter, Mrs. Onsrud, at whose home she died in 1897. 
The latter was the second born of five children, of whom three are now 
living, and was educated both in Norway and in Trempealeau County. Five 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Onsrud : Alfred Oscar, Amos Marion, 
Henry, Frank A., and Orrin Melvin. Alfred Oscar, who is now residing 
in Spokane, Wash., is a retired railroad contractor, and is interested as a 
stockholder in range properties. He married Etta Harris, of Trempealeau 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 323 

County. Amos Marion died in 1907. Henry, who resides in Arcadia Town- 
ship, this county, with his wife Elizabeth, a native of Norway. Frank 
A., who is a farmer in Arcadia Township, married Josephina Lund, 
of Trempealeau County. Orrin Melvin died in California while on the way 
home from Alaska. Mrs. Onsrud, who survives her husband, still resides 
on the old homestead, the farm being rented and operated by E. Anderson. 
She is a lady highly respected throughout this part of the county, having 
made many friends since she arrived in the township over half a century ago. 

Odell S. Bue, a farmer and land owner of Ettrick Township, well 
known and respected, who resides in Section 1.5, east, was born on his 
parents' farm in this section, the same place on which he now resides, 
July 11, 1877, son of Sever and Catherina (Rice) Bue. The parents were 
natives of Hardanger, Norway, but were married In Trempealeau County, 
Sever Bue coming to the United States in 1866 and settling here imme- 
diately on his arrival. After working for others a short time, he home- 
steaded this farm, which was his home practically for the rest of his life, 
though it had become the property of his son, Odell, five years before he, 
the father, died. The date of his death was June 11, 1913, and that of his 
wife June 3, 1910. Sever Bue was a prominent citizen of his locality, serv- 
ing on the school board for a number of years and also as one of the board 
of directors of his church. He and his wife had five children. Odell S. Bue, 
was the fourth born child of his parents. His education was acquired 
in the district school at Hegg and he early received practical instruction 
in agriculture on his father's farm, of which he became the manager about 
1900, when twenty-three years old. In 1905 he bought the farm, consisting 
of 120 acres, and in addition to this property, has 160 acres one-half mile 
distant, and 20 acres more situated near Hegg Schoolhouse, making 300 
acres in all. On this land he is engaged in general farming and dairying, 
keeping a number of good cattle, and is doing a prosperous business. He 
also owns stock in the Ettrick Creamery, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair 
and the Ettrick Telephone Company. Mr. Bue was married March 31, 
1902, to Sarah Underheim, who was born in Norway, daughter of Knut 
L. and Margaretha (Sunde) Underheim, the family coming to the United 
States in 1882 and settling in Jackson County. Mr. and Mrs. Bue's family 
circle has been enlarged by the birth of three children : Sigvart Kenneth, 
born July 20, 1903; Orrin Sanford, Oct. 1, 1905, and Melvin Clarence, Nov. 
3, 1907. Mr. Bue, with his wife and children, are members of the United 
Lutheran Church. Though not active in town affairs, he is recognized as 
a good citizen, always willing to support any practical movement for the 
good of the community. 

Frank Melton Butman, an enterprising and successful stock farmer 
of Section 35, Gale Township, was born in Buckeye County, Ohio, Feb. 25, 
1880, son of Stark and Jane (Lynn) Butman. Frank Melton Butman hved 
at home until 1908, two years after his marriage. When only a lad of four- 
teen years he commenced buying, selling and trading in stock. Later he 
took charge of his father's farm and is now the owner of 80 acres, having 
also a half interest in 170 acres adjacent. He carries on general farming, 
as well as raising horses and cattle, and is now numbered among the sub- 



324 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

stantial citizens of his township. Nov. 12, 1906, Mr. Buiman was united in 
marriage with Janet M. Smith, born Jan. 10, 1882, a native of Melrose, Wis., 
and daughter of Adam and Jean (Love) Smith. Her parents were born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, the father Oct. 16, 1843, and the mother July 29, 1846. 
Adam Smith was a boy of ten years when he accompanied his parents' 
family to the United States. They first settled in the State of Mary- 
land, a few years later coming to Melrose, Wis., where Adam Smith became 
a land owner. He is now retii'ed and is living with his wife in Galesville. 
Their daughter, Janet M., was one of eight children, and was educated in 
Melrose, Wis., and in Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs. Butman have 
had four children born: Dora Vesta, Nov. 22, 1907; Stark Douglas, Oct. 
25, 1909 ; Gerald Henry, Nov. 5, 1912, and Arra Agnes, June 7, 1915. Mr. 
Butman is a member of the Order of Beavers, and the Modern Woodmen 
of America, while Mrs. Butman is a member of the Beavers and the Yeo- 
men and the Presbyterian Church. 

Anton M. Lee, a prominent representative of the farming and stock 
raising industry in Gale Township, comes of that hardy Norwegian race 
that has assisted so largely in the development of the agricultural resources 
of the county. He was born in Trondhjem, in the northern part of Norway, 
Aug. 31, .1860, son of Michael and Anna (Anderson) Lee, both parents being 
natives of the same province. He had the misfortune to lose both father 
and mother when a mere infant, being only three months old when his 
mother died. Not long afterwards his father, who was a fisherman, 
perished at sea. He was reared by relatives and when eight years old came 
to America with his grandmother and uncle, who located at Stevenstown, 
La Crosse County, Wis. With this uncle he resided for two years and 
then, coming to Trempealeau County, worked on farms for different per- 
sons, being in the employ of the Poss family in Gale Township for seven 
years. Later he worked in sawmills and at cutting timber in the woods 
and was thus generally occupied until he was twenty-four years old. He 
then purchased his present farm, on which he has made various improve- 
ments, erecting modern buildings. He has 280 acres of valuable land and 
operates the farm as a general stock farm. In 1916 he started breeding 
Shorthorn cattle, to which line of work he is giving special attention. 
Among the buildings he has erected is a commodious barn, 136 by 40 feet, 
with a wing 26 by 40, an 8-foot foundation and 16-feet stockboards, and 
about 50 feet to the ridge. Mr. Lee is also a stockholder in the Arctic 
Springs Creamery, in the Farmers' Exchange and in the La Crosse Packing 
Company and the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. April 
16, 1884, Mr. Lee was married to Agnes Cook, who was born at Decorah 
Prairie, Gale Township, daughter of David and Anna (Henderson) Cook. 
Her parents, who were born in Scotland, came to Wisconsin and settled 
on Decorah Prairie in 1853, where Mr. Cook, who had been both a farmer 
and miner, followed agriculture for many years, and became a prominent 
citizen of the township, holding various local offices. He died Feb. 4, 1906, 
his wife having passed away Dec. 20, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been 
the parents of four children: Roy D., born Oct. 29, 1886, and died Dec. 19, 
1886; Hollis I., born Sept. 4, 1889, a graduate of the Galesville High School, 




A. M. LEE AND FAMILY 







MB. AND MRS. ISAAC GALLAWAY 
JENNIE GALLAWAY— WILLIAM GALLAWAY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 325 

and is residing at home; Hessa G., born Sept. 17, 1894, also a graduate of 
the Galesville High School, who resides at home and is a teacher in Grant 
School, and Howard A., born Sept. 26, 1898, who graduated from the Agri- 
cultural School at Onalaska, class of 1917. Mr. Lee is a member of the 
Brotherhood of American Yeomen, having served as head officer of his 
lodge since 1908, and also of the American Society of Equity. He served 
as clerk of the school board for sixteen years and at present is a director ; 
for a number of years also, he has been treasurer of the Decorah Prairie 
Creamery Association. He and his family are affiliated religiously with 
the Presbyterian Church. 

Arthur A. Gibson, a successful farmer of Section 34, Trempealeau 
Township, was born in Section 4, near Centerville, this township, son of 
William H. and Mai-y N. (Porter) Gibson. The father was born in Canada, 
July 21, 1850, the mother in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Decem- 
ber 23, 1856. She was a daughter of Langdon Porter, of Trempealeau. 
They were married June 6, 1875, and went to live on an improved farm of 
160 acres, in Section 4, which Mr. Gibson had bought. The place is now 
known as the L. Cook Farm. Here they lived until 1893, when Mr. Gibson 
bought 160 acres in Section 3, this also being improved land. Later he 
added 80 acres adjoining, making 240 acres in the farm, though a house 
was practically the only building, there being no barns. For years he 
followed general farming, also making a specialty of breeding English 
Shire horses until 1909, in the spring of which year he and his wife went 
to Oregon, where they are now residing. They had three children : Kate M., 
born March 4, 1875, who mai'ried A. R. Curtis, of Portland, and died April 
29, 1916 ; Arthur A., of Trempealeau Township, and Winnie, born in this 
township April 8, 1883, who is the wife of A. H. Lea, of Salem, Oregon. 
Arthur A. Gibson was educated in the common schools up to the age of 
fourteen, after which, until he was seventeen he attended the Trempealeau 
High School. He subsequently remained on the farm with his father until 
his marriage, December 2, 1908, to Clara L., daughter of Herman and 
Johanna (Sheehan) Gary, of Trempealeau Township, whose father was a 
native of this township, her mother being born in Ireland. He then rented 
the parental homestead, known as Oakwood Farm, and has since resided 
here, engaged in general farming and in the breeding of Shorthoi'n cattle 
and English Shire horses, keeping about 60 head of the former and 10 or 
12 of the latter. His dwelling is a two-story frame residence of 14 rooms, 
his other buildings comprise three barns, a corn crib, machine shed, milk- 
house, and tank, granary and with poultry house attached. Mr. Gibson 
is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator of Galesville, and 
the Trempealeau Shippers' Association. About 200 acres of his land is 
under the plow, with 40 in pasture and timber. In politics he is independent. 
He served four years as township clerk and five years as clerk of school 
district No. 3. He and his wife have had four children, all of whom are 
living: Elizabeth E., born February 13, 1911; Ruth Evelyn, born October 
26, 1913 ; WiUiam H., born April 28, 1915, and Ethel May, born June 5, 1917. 

William Gallaway, who is conducting Evergreen Lodge stock farm in 
section 16, Gale Township, of which he is part owner with his sister, 



326 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

E. Jennie Gallaway, was born at Penfield, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1855, son of Isaac 
and Fanny (Jacobs) Gallaway. Isaac Gallaway was born in Methwold, 
Norfolk County, England, Aug. 6, 1828, and grew to manhood in his native 
land. In the spring of 1853, with a party of relations and friends, he came 
to the United States. One of the members of the party was Miss Fanny 
Jacobs, also a native of England, to whom he was married in August, that 
year. He and his wife first located in Ohio, where they lived ten years, 
removing to Wisconsin in 1863, and taking up their residence on the 
Andrews farm near Galesville. About seven years later they settled on 
the farm now owned by their son William, and daughter, E. Jennie Gallaway. 
On this farm Isaac Gallaway died, Sept. 22, 1908, his wife having previously 
passed away June 13, 1889. He was a farmer practically all his life and 
was one of the men who assisted in converting this part of Trempealeau 
County into a fertile farming community. A man of sterling worth, warm 
in his friendships and strictly honest in his deaUngs with all men, he was 
honored and respected by all. For a number of years he served as chair- 
man of the township board and also as a member of the school board. He 
and his wife had three children: Elizabeth, William and E. Jennie. 
William Gallaway was educated in the district school of his township and 
at Galesville high school, which he attended two years. He was early 
trained to agricultural pursuits under the mentorship of his father. About 
1900 he engaged in the stock business and has since been occupied in raising 
pure-bred Galloway cattle, in which line of industry he has been very 
successful. The farm is well equipped with good modern buildings and 
all necessary implements, a recent addition to the machinery being a large 
Avery tractor. The farm consists of 200 acres of fertile land. Mr. Gallaway 
is a member of the Galloway Breeders' Association and keeps well up with 
scientific progress in his line of work. In politics he is independent, and, 
while he has never been politically active, he has rendered good service 
to his township as treasurer of the school board. 

William F. Kopp, proprietor of a small but excellent farm of 43 acres 
in section 5, Trempealeau Township, was born in Germany, Nov. 25, 1850, 
son of John and Mary Kopp. Both parents were born in Germany, the 
father May 18, 1819. Mrs. Mary Kopp died when the subject of this sketch 
was a mere infant, and her husband subsequently contracted a second 
marriage. In April, 1857, he. came to America with his familj-, locating 
in Milwaukee, Wis., where he resided until the spring of 1858. The family 
then I'emoved to Richmond, Minn., just opposite Trempealeau Village, 
which was their place of residence until 1861. They then crossed over the 
river into Wisconsin, locating at Big Tamarac, in Trempealeau Township, 
five miles north of Centerville. John Kopp bought 80 acres of wild govern- 
ment land, on which he built a three-room log house, 16 by 24 feet, in 
which he and his family lived until 1865. He also purchased in the vicinity 
320 acres more, which land was partially improved, there standing on it 
a fairly good farm house. Mr. Kopp continued the improvements by put- 
ting up log barns and sheds, and resided on this farm until his death, 
Sept. 20, 1892. His second wife had previously died, March 12, 1888. They 
are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery, near Centerville. William F. Kopp 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 327 

when a boy attended school in Richmond, Minn. He and his brother Charles 
were the only children by his father's first marriage, but he had three half- 
brothers, Henry, George and Frank, who are now living in Trempealeau 
County, and a half-sister, Josephine, who died in 1881. He was trained to 
agricultural pursuits and in time became the owner of a large farm, which 
he later disposed of. He now confines his attention to his farm of 43 acres 
in section 5, which is a very fine piece of agricultural property, under full 
cultivation. Here, besides raising the ordinary crops, he grows apples, 
plums and other small fruits. His residence, barn, granary and other build- 
ings are all in excellent conditions, and for rapid transit purposes, and the 
general convenience of himself and wife, he has a fine automobile. He 
married Annie, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Harris, their wedding 
taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Trempealeau Township, 
Feb. 17, 1880. Mr. Kopp is a Democrat in politics, but has taken no active 
part in local government, except that for some years he served as a member 
of the school board. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and attends the 
church of that denomination at Galesville. 

John N. Brenengen is a member of a family of Norwegian origin that 
has had much to do with developing the agricultural resources of Gale and 
Ettrick Townships. He was born near Christiania, Norway, Dec. 8, 1873, 
son of Nels and Net.tie (Johnson) Brenengen. The father was born in 
the same locality Dec. 27, 1833, and the mother Jan. 10, 1834. They arrived 
in Trempealeau County from Norway, June 10, 1880, locating in Gale Town- 
ship. Nels Brenengen, who was a carpenter, soon found work at his trade, 
which he followed for awhile in Gale and Ettrick Townships, resolving, 
however, to obtain land as soon as possible and seek prosperity through 
the cultivation of the soil. Being industrious and economical, it was not 
long before he found himself in a position to achieve his ambition, and 
accordingly bought a farm in section 8, Ettrick Township, which place 
became the home of the family, and here he resided until his death, Oct. 
30, 1904. Ten days later his faithful and loving wife followed him to the 
grave. Their family numbered in all seven children, of whom the sixth 
born was the subject of this sketch. John N. Brenengen was less than 
seven years old when he arrived with the Brenengen family in Trempealeau 
County, and his schooling, therefore, was only just begun. He became a pupil 
at the Smith school in Gale Township, and there and from his playmates 
picked up a knowledge of the English language. He had no opportunity 
for pursuing advanced studies, for his services were early needed on the 
farm, where he soon acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, stock rais- 
ing, dairying and everything that goes to make up the life of the modern 
farmer. Before he was 20 years old he had saved enough money to begin 
farming on his own account, and with his brother Johannas, he purchased 
the old home farm, which they conducted together for seven years. He 
then sold his share to his brother and bought his present farm, containing 
now 196 acres of valuable land, he having recently sold 40 acres to his 
neighbor, John Erickson. Mr. Brenengen has added materially to the 
improvements on his property, having erected a good barn, a hog-house, 
put up fencing, and did other useful or necessary work. Besides raising 



328 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the usual crops, he is engaged in dairying, having good animals for milk- 
ing purposes ; and he is also a member of and stockholder in the La Crosse 
Packing Company and the Farmers Telephone Company. Success has 
attended his operations and he is numbered among the enterprising and 
prosperous agriculturists of Gale Township. For 14 years Mr. Brenengen 
has been a married man, having been united, Jan. 24, 1903, to Laura 
Thompson, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Lars and Mary 
(Peterson) Thompson. Her parents, who came from near Christiania, 
Norway, settled near Trempealeau, this county, where Mr. Thompson took 
a farm. He was born April 13, 1842, and died in July, 1909. His wife, born 
in 1848, died in 1888. They had six children, of whom Laura was one of the 
youngest. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brenengen also numbers six children : 
Minnie Amanda, Neil Ludwick, Lillian Josephine, Gerald Millard, John 
Leonard and Bernice Vernell, all residing at home. Mr. Brenengen and 
family are members of the Lutheran church. 

E. Jennie Gallaway, part owner with her brother William of Ever- 
green Lodge stock farm, located in section 16, Gale Township, where she 
now resides, was born in Penfield, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1859, a daughter of Isaac 
and Fanny (Jacobs) Gallaway. Coming to Trempealeau County with 
her parents in 1863, she grew to womanhood on the parental homestead, 
where she has always remained. Having strong artistic tastes, she took 
lessons from Sara Birdsall, the well known artist, and has herself achieved 
no little fame, occupying a recognized place in the art world. Her home 
is adorned with some beautiful paintings from her own brush, including 
one of Niagara Falls and one of the Dells of Wisconsin, both instinct with 
fidelity to nature and showing masterly treatment. Like most true artists, 
Miss Gallaway is fond of outdoor recreations and a great admirer of flowers. 
Her rose beds and rose bushes, in the development of which she takes a 
great and active interest, are famous throughout this part of the county, 
and attract many people to the farm, the visitors always receiving a cordial 
welcome. Miss Gallaway is a lady of refinement, tact and good business 
ability and she and her brother are popular members of society in Gale 
Township. 

Arthur Glassford, proprietor of a good farm in section 27, Gale Town- 
ship, was born on this farm, March 10, 1876, son of Walter and Jane 
(Oliver) Glassford. The father was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and 
when quite a young man learned the moulder's trade. When about 18 or 
19 years old he came to America, locating in Illinois and was for some time 
in the employ of the McCormick Company, manufacturers of agricultural 
implements. This was before the Civil War, and when that great struggle 

came on, Walter Glassford enlisted in Company B, Wisconsin 

Volunteers, being at that time a resident of Gale Township. During the 
war, his term of service having expired, he enlisted a second time and 
served until its close. He was never wounded, but was in the hospital for 
awhile as the result of an accidental injury. Returning to Wisconsin at 
the close of his military career, he located on the farm now owned by his 
son in section 27, Gale Township, and lying about a mile and a half east of 
Galesville. Here he devoted his time to agriculture and the improvement 




O 

M 

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a: 

PS 

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 329 

of his property, the farm containing 120 acres, and was thus engaged until 
1892, when on account of his health he had to give up active work. His 
death took place March 14, 1895. His wife Jane, who was born at Augusta, 
Maine, and whom he married in Gale Township, died many years before 
him, about 1876. Walter Glassford was a man highly respected. Though 
he never aspired to public office, he served on the board of education for 
about 20 years, acting as treasurer. He and his wife had three children, of 
whom Arthur was the youngest. 

Arthur Glassford was educated in the district school in Gale Town- 
ship. He was 16 years old when his father's health failed, and from that 
time on he took practical charge of the farm, becoming its proprietor on 
the father's death three years later. He has since operated it continuously, 
with the exception of a period of two years, during which he rented it out 
to a tenant. Some important improvements have also been made by him, 
including the erection of the present fine dwelling, with modern equipment, 
in 1906, and a substantial barn built in 1913. Mr. Glassford is engaged 
largely as a dairy farmer, though raising the usual crops, and he has met 
with good success. He is independent in politics, and is school director 
in his district, but has not otherwise been officially active. He takes, how- 
ever, a keen interest in the welfare and progress of the community, and is 
always willing to do his part as a good citizen. 

Mr. Glassford was married Nov. 26, 1902, to Dora De Young, who was 
born in Holland, May 22, 1883, daughter of Garman and Catherine (Post) 
De Young. Her parents came to the United States with their family in 
1884, settling at Amsterdam, La Crosse County, Wis., where Mr. De Young 
engaged in farming. He is now retired and he and his wife reside at 
La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Gflassford have one child: Beatrice Gertrude, 
born March 6, 1904. 

Henry Kopp, owner and operator of one of the best farms in Trem- 
pealeau County, a 450-acre tract lying in sections 21 and 22, Trempealeau 
Township, was born at Richmond, Winona County, Minn., -July 15, 1858, 
son of John and Mary Kopp. The parents, who were natives of Germany, 
came to America in 1857. Henry acquired his education in the district 
school, and was brought up to farm work in his youth. Coming to Trem- 
pealeau County, he followed his accustomed vocation. Oct. 26, 1886, he was 
married in Trempealeau Village, by "Elder" Owen, Congregational pastor, 
to Avaline, daughter of Nathan and Mary (Bortle) Wilber. For one year 
after his marriage he worked the Wilber farm, and then, in the spring 
of 1887, bought 125 acres of improved land in sections 21 and 22, "Big 
Tamarac" Valley, Trempealeau Township. To this land he has since added 
by purchase 225 acres more, the new property adjoining the old, and now 
has a fine farm of 450 acres, beautifully situated, 150 acres of which are 
plowed land and the rest in timber and pasture. On this farm Mr. Kopp 
has made numerous improvements, including the erection of a two-story, 
seven-room house; a barn (No. 1), 32 by 84 feet, with lean-to 14 by 84, for 
hay and horses; a barn (No. 2), 32 by 64, with basement for cattle, laid 
with cement floors, and equipped with James cow stanchions, and all 
modern fittings ; a granary, a scale house, a machine shed, an engine room. 



330 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Mr. Kopp carries on general farming, and is a breeder of registered Short- 
horn cattle, keeping about 100 head. He also keeps graded Poland-China 
hogs, and has a flock of 300 high grade Shropshire sheep. His farm has 
a roUing surface, the soil being a black loam, with good sub -soil, and is 
well watered. Up to date in his methods, Mr. Kopp has been very success- 
ful and is recognized as one of the most prosperous farmers in Trempealeau 
County. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator at Gales- 
ville. In politics a Republican, he has been active in the cause of good 
government, has served several terms as chairman of the town board and 
has for many years taken a keen interest in whatever was for the good of 
the township or county, whether along moral or material lines. He and 
his wife have had seven children, all born on the home farm, whose record 
in brief is as follows: Ernest, born Nov. 22, 1882, is a farmer in Trem- 
pealeau Township. He married Emma Van Vleet, and has three children: 
Helen, Ralph and Merle. Amy, born March 23, 1885, is the wife of George 
Wilson, a carpenter, and resides at Red Wing, Minn. She has two children : 
Doris and Wendel. Grace, born Oct. 4, 1887, is the wife of Herman Kline, 
a farmer of Trempealeau Township, and has three children: Norman, 
Gladys and Ethel. William, born Jan. 12, 1880, married Josie Severson, and 
is operating a rented farm in Trempealeau Township. John, born May 
20, 1894, is unmarried and resides at home with his father, whom he 
assists on the farm. Byron P., born Sept. 18, 1898, is unmarried and living 
at home. Donald, born Aug. 17, 1901, is also residing at home, a boy of 15 
years. Mr. Kopp was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but is 
not a member of it, attending and supporting the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Trempealeau. He and his family are widely known and highly 
esteemed. 

John O. Gilbertson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 
33, Gale Township, was born in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Jan. 17, 
1859, son of Ole and Olena (Larson) Gilbertson. His parents were born 
in Biried, Norway, the father Dec. 22, 1818, the mother in 1825. They 
were married in their native land and came to the United States in 1856, 
locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Wis. Ole Gilbertson, who was 
a farmer by occupation, soon afterwards bought land, but in 1860 he 
moved with his family to French Creek, in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau 
County. Here he was engaged in farming until his death, which occuri-ed 
in 1898. His wife died Aug. 9, 1888. He was a prominent man and held 
office at various times, being school clerk for many years. 

John 0. Gilbertson was the youngest in a family of four children. He 
attended school in his boyhood at French Creek and afterwards the Gales- 
ville High School. Residing on the parental homestead until 22 years of 
age, he then became a land owner, buying a farm in Ettrick Township, 
which he operated for five years. He then engaged in mercantile business 
at Hale and later in Whitehall, being thus occupied for six years. At the 
end of that time he concluded to go back to farming, and accordingly pur- 
chased his present property at Frenchville, Gale Township, which consists 
of 80 acres of improved land, the improvements having been chiefly made 
by himself. These include his neat and comfortable residence, erected in 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 331 

1910, and barns and other necessary buildings in 1905, the house being 
thoroughly modern in its appointments. Mr. Gilbertson devotes his whole 
time to his farm and is doing a prosperous business in his line. He is an 
independent Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Synod 
Church. 

Oct. 22, 1879, John 0. Gilbertson was united in marriage with Mina 
Helen Nelson, who was born in Biried, Norway, daughter of Borre and 
Bertha (Haslie) Nelson, natives of the same place. The parents were 
married in Norway, where the father was born July 29, 1821. They came 
to America in 1867, locating in Abrahams Valley, Gale Township, where 
he engaged in farming, his occupation in the old country. He died April 
28, 1898. His wife survived him nearly ten years, passing away in Febru- 
ary, 1908. Their daughter, Mina Helen, was the third born in a family of 
six children, and was educated in Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gilbertson have three children : Odell, a mail clerk in the emploj^ of the 
Northwestern Railway, residing in Winona, who married Ida Thompson 
of that city; Ella Josephine, who is a teacher residing at home, and Celia 
Berenice, also residing at home, who has been a teacher for eight years, 
being now in her third year in the Frenchville school. 

Alfred E. Gilbertson, an enterprising and successful farmer of Ettrick 
Township, comes of one of the pioneer families of this township, of which 
he is a native, having been born here May 11, 1873. His parents were Even 
and Antoinette Marie (Ofsdahl) Gilbertson, natives of Norway, who were 
married in Wisconsin, the father being a son of Ole and Oline Gilbertson. 
Even was born in 1843 and when a boy of 13 or 14 years his parents emi- 
grated with their family to the United States. The voyage, made in a 
slow sailing vessel, was long and tedious, but the shores of America were 
sighted at last and a landing effected. Making no stay in any eastern 
city or state, Ole Gilbertson and his family pushed on for the Northwest, 
which he had heard was now the land of opportunity for newcomers. He 
came to a halt at Stevenstown, La Ci'osse County, Wis., but seems not to 
have stayed there long, as soon after we find him homesteading 160 acres 
of land on French Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, and beginning its 
cultivation with an ox team. There were at that time but few settlers 
in the county, he being one of the original pioneers. As such he and his 
family had many hardships to endure and much hard work to perform, 
but in time his energy bore frujts, and with the assistance of sons he 
developed a good farm, and became one of the prominent and respected 
citizens of his township, aiding in the building of a church and taking a 
leading part in other public affairs. He and his good wife have long since 
passed to their final reward. 

Even Gilbertson spent most of his boyhood days in assisting his 
father, when he was not attending school. In early manhood he started in 
for himself, buying a tract of 160 acres, and another of 80 acres, this land 
being situated in section 20-24-13, Ettrick Township. It was all wild land 
and there was not even a road in the vicinity, so that his task was to carve 
a farm out of the primitive wilderness. His first house was a shanty, 
16 by 24 feet, and 12 feet high, and with this beginning he set to work, his 



332 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

labors being hard and strenuous and lasting many years. He was made 
of the right stuff to succeed, however, and gradually the wild appearance 
of this land changed its aspect for one of cultivation, the old primitive 
shanty giving place to a dwelling more suggestive of domestic comfort. 
Barns and outbuildings, too, appeared, and increased in size with successive 
enlargements, or the erection of new buildings, while similar changes went 
on in the neighborhood with the advent of new settlers, until the community 
presented a civilized and flourishing appearance. On this farm Even 
resided to the end of his life, dying at the age of 72 years in 1912. He 
held a leading place among his fellow townsmen, was chairman of the 
township board for many years and served as assessor eight years, being 
well informed as to the value of all real property in the township. In 
politics he was a staunch Republican. A Lutheran in religious faith, he 
and his family helped to start the church of that denomination on French 
Creek, he being one of its officials, acting as trustee, foreman and collector 
of funds. He also aided in the building of the school and served as its clerk 
and treasurer. Among other enterprises which he took an active part in 
starting were the creamery and mill at Frenchville and the insurance com- 
pany. In short, for a number of years there were few important enterprises 
started in the vicinity in which he was not interested in one way or another. 
The insurance company he served as clerk for 20 years, and he also became 
a stockholder in the telephone company. During his active career he 
developed two farms, starting with straw sheds, which he later replaced 
with wooden buildings, hauling the lumber from the old mill at Alma, 
Buffalo County. He kept good stock, favoring Durham cattle and Shrop- 
shire sheep, and his horses were also of excellent quality. His wife Antoin- 
ette was a worthy helpmate to him, and to her he owed much of his suc- 
cess, which he always readily acknowledged. She was about 12 years 
younger than himself and is still living, being now 65 years old. Their 
eight children also are living, namely: Lena, Bertie, Ida, Laura, Sophie, 
Stella, Emma and Alfred E. 

Alfred E. Gilbertson was reared to manhood on the old homestead and 
acquired his education in the district school. In course of time, as his 
father became advanced in years, he took over the management of the 
farm, which he has since operated successfully. For the past three years 
he has been a trustee of the Lutheran Church, but has held no town office. 
Mr. Gilbertson married Oriana Hegge, of La Crosse. Nov. 8, 1902, daughter 
of J. O. and Carrie (Olson) Hegge. He and his wife are the parents of 
one child, Mildred. On his farm are some fine pine trees, which were set 
out by his grandfather, Ole, at a very early date, while others were planted 
by his father. Even, 50 years ago. The development of this place from 
the original wilderness to its present flourishing conditions, with its highly 
cultivated land, neat and substantial buildings and modern equipment, is 
typical of the great changes that have taken place in the county since the 
pioneer settlers first appeared upon the scene with their ox carts and home- 
made appliances some 50 or 60 years ago. 

Edwin R. Wilber, a pioneer settler of Trempealeau County, now passed 
away, was of New England birth, born in the southern part of Connecticut, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 333 

Sept. 5, 1822. He was married in the state of New York, May 28, 1853, 
to Elizabeth A. King, who was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 30, 1836. 
After farming for a few years in New York State, they came west in 
June, 1857, making the journey overland by team to Cleveland, and from 
there by boat by way of the Great Lakes to Sheboygan. They had brought 
teams with them, and from Sheboygan drove over country to Trempealeau 
County, crossing Black River at Gordon's Ferry and spending their first 
night in the county at the home of two bachelors, who lived at the ferry. 
In the party were the grandparents of the subject of this sketch, Samuel 
and Amanda Wilber, who had accompanied them from New York. The 
grandfather died in 1866 and the grandmother passed away in 1876. The 
families first located at a point just east of Centerville, but stayed there 
only two or three weeks until they had located homesteads. The home- 
stead of Edwin R. Wilber consisted of 120 acres of wild land in Big Tamarac 
Valley, sections 17 and 20, there being no improvements on it. Here Mr. 
Wilber put up a log house of one and a half stories and three rooms, which 
is still standing. He soon realized that the horse teams he had brought 
with him were not adapted to rough work amid pioneer surroundings, and 
accordingly traded them for oxen, which he used to clear and develop his 
land. In a few years he had added 160 acres to the original tract of 120, 
buying 80 acres of this new land from the government and the other 80 
from speculators. His four brothers — Samuel D., William M., Acil H. and 
Nathan P. — had come west with him, and Nathan P. settled with him in 
Big Tamarack Valley, while Samuel, William and Acil located in Pine Creek 
Valley, then in Trempealeau but now in Dodge Township, the distance from 
the two farms being about two miles. Nathan took a wild tract of 40 acres 
adjoining that of Edwin R., and cleared and improved it. The latter, with 
his wife, hved in the log house first built but one year, when he erected a 
second log house, larger and more convenient, into which they moved. This 
latter dwelling was 16 by 24 feet, with an upper story, and was erected on 
an "alternate" section, on which Edwin R. Wilber "squatted." It was 
about 60 or 80 rods north of the first location. He also built three frame 
barns, which are still standing. In the second log house they lived about 
18 years, at the end of which time the residence now occupied by the sub- 
ject of this sketch was erected. This is a two-story frame dwelling, with 
upright and wing, containing eight rooms in all. 

Elmer Elsworth Wilber, who is engaged in operating the fine piece of 
agricultural property known as the "Wilber homestead," in sections 17 and 
20, Trempealeau Township, was born in the old Wilber residence in section 
17, Nov. 27, 1860, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. He 
acquired his education in the district school of Trempealeau Township, 
which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after which he continued 
attendance during the winters only until 18. In the meanwhile he assisted 
his father on the home farm, of which he finally became the owner. To 
the buildings which his father erected he has added a frame barn. There 
he resided until his death July 5, 1893, being survived by his wife and 
several children, of whom he had seven: James M., Mary Jane, Francis M., 
Elmer E., Mary A., Samuel and Henrietta E. James M., born in February, 



334 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1855, in New York State, is now living at Rochester, Minn., being a retired 
blacksmith. Mary Jane, born Sept. 19, 1856, also in New York State, died 
Nov. 22, 1861, in Trempealeau Township and is buried in Evergreen Ceme- 
tery. Francis M., born Oct. 24, 1858, in Trempealeau Township, is now 
a prosperous farmer of this township, living near the old homestead. 
Elmer E., born Nov. 27, 1860, is now owner of the homestead and is engaged 
in farming. Mary A., born Nov. 8, 1862, is the widow of Frank Bunnell 
and lives in Minneapolis. Samuel, born Dec. 4, 1870, died Feb. 27, 1871. 
Henrietta E., born Nov. 2, 1872, is the wife of Clarence Bunnell, a real 
estate dealer of Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Edwin R. Wilber died in Minne- 
apoHs, Minn., April 21, 1909. 

Elmer E. Wilber acquired his education in the district school of Trem- 
pealeau Township, which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after 
which he continued attendance during the winters only until 18. In the 
meanwhile he assisted his father on the home farm, of which he finally 
became the owner. To the buildings which his father erected he has added 
a frame barn, with concrete basement, fitted for cattle and horses, the 
distance from floor to ridge being 40 feet. He carries on general farming 
and dairying, keeping Shorthorn grade cattle, of which he has a good herd, 
also Poland-China swine and a large flock of graded Shropshire sheep. He 
is also interested as a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery and the 
Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse. 

March 28, 1886, Mr. Wilber was united in marriage with Cora A., 
daughter of James and Amanda (Towner) Adams of Caledonia Township, 
their marriage taking place at the home of the bride's parents, and the 
Rev. J. R. Chamberlain of the Trempealeau Congregational Church officiat- 
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Wilber have four children : Hazel E., born Oct. 22, 1887, 
who was graduated from the Trempealeau High School, the La Crosse 
Normal School and the State University at Madison, and is now a teacher 
in Madison, Wis. ; Raud E., born March 18, 1890, who lives at home and is 
assisting in the management of the farm, and who married Grace E. 
Dolbier, Jan. 4, 1917; Cora Madge, born April 16, 1893, who was married 
March 8, 1917, to Edwin Severson and resides in Trempealeau Township, 
and Mabel A., born Sept. 21, 1894, who is unmarried and hves at home. 
Mr. Wilber belongs to Camp No. 2977, M. W. A., of Galesville, Wis. He is 
a Republican in politics but not an ofliceholder. 

Francis M. Wilber, one of the enterprising farmers of Trempealeau 
Township, section 20, was born Oct. 24, 1858, at Big Tamarack Valley, this 
township, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. His educa- 
tional opportunities were limited to attendance at the district school, and 
he had to become self-supporting at the time when many boys nowadays 
are thinking of high school and college. The habits of industry he then 
learned have remained with him all his life and have been the main factor 
in his present prosperity. Brought up to farming, he has followed that 
occupation since boyhood, buying and moving onto his present farm of 
207 acres in sections 20 and 21, Trempealeau Township, soon after his 
marriage in 1885 to Emma Bell Bunnell, daughter of George W. and Louise 
(Atwood) Bunnell. Since taking possession of this property Mr. Wilber 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 335 

has made a number of valuable improvements on it. Among them is a 
two-story frame house, erected in 1908, also a fine large barn with modern 
equipments; and in addition he has a good granary, hog house, poultry 
house, machine sheds and other necessary buildings. The farm itself is 
located in one of the richest valleys in Trempealeau County, and has good 
fertile soil, yielding bountiful crops. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilber 
includes five children: Grace, who is the wife of Webster J. Calkins, a 
farmer of Trempealeau Township; Myrtle, wife of Benjamin Rhodes, a 
farmer at Little Tamarack Valley ; Lizzie, now Mrs. William Lakey, whose 
husband is a farmer in Caledonia Township ; Cliffie, who is unmarried and 
resides at home, and Dewey, also unmarried, who is engaged in assisting 
his father on the farm. Mr. Wilber is a Republican in politics, but takes no 
active part in township affairs, being always ready, however, to support 
any practical enterprise for the welfare of the general community. He 
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife to the Royal 
Neighbors, both of Galesvhle. 

George W. and Louise (Atwood) Bunnell, parents of Mrs. F. M. Wilber 
of Trempealeau Township, were natives of New Hampshire. In early days 
they came west to Baraboo, Wis., where they resided for a time, subse- 
quently returning to New Hampshire. In 1860 they came again to Wis- 
consin, this time settling on Trempealeau Prairie, where Mr. Bunnell bought 
60 acres of land and engaged in farming. A little later, however, he sold 
the 60-acre tract and purchased one of 120 acres close by, and there built 
up a good farm, on which he remained until 1878. He then rented the farm 
and went to Farmington in Dakota County, Minn., where he lived for two 
years. The remainder of his life was spent in Minneapolis, his death 
occurring May 2, 1891. Mrs. Bunnell later married George Harold. She 
died at Seattle, Wash., June 6, 1916, to which state they had moved. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bunnell were as follows : Willard, born 
Aug. 30, 1857, who died Feb. 10, 1911 ; Frank, born March 11, 1860, who 
died Aug. 15, 1904 ; Emma Bell, born April 14, 1863, now Mrs. F. M. Wilber 
of Trempealeau County; Clarence, born March 22, 1866, now a real estate 
dealer at Orlando, Florida; Lizzie Rose, born Nov. 24, 1871, residing in 
Spokane, Wash. ; and George Otis, born Dec. 26, 1875, who is the efficient 
chief of police of Seattle, Wash. 

Albert J. Baardseth, proprietor of a general store and feed mill at 
Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, was born at Hardie's Creek, this township 
and county, July 4, 1879. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Hemma) 
Baardseth, both of whom were born in Ringsaker, Norway. Andrew Baard- 
seth came to the United States when 30 years of age, about 50 years ago, 
locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County. For 13 winters he worked 
in the pineries and in the summers on farms. He then bought land near 
North Bend, Jackson County, and was engaged in farming there for seven 
or eight years. At the end of that time he located on the farm on which 
his son Albert J. was born, and where he is still living, though it is now the 
property of his son. His wife, to whom he was married in this state, died 
in 1885, at Hardie Creek. Mr. Baardseth was the fourth born of his parents' 
six children. He acquired his elementary education at the Glasgow school 



338 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

where he is now living retired after a long and successful career as an 
agriculturist, was born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, Gale Town- 
ship, Sept. 3, 1856, son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. He was 
educated in the district school of his neighborhood and resided on the 
home farm until he was 21 years old, assisting his father and acquiring a 
good practical knowledge of farming in all its branches. When he came 
of age he began working in the pine woods at timber cutting during the 
winters, spending the summers in northern Wisconsin. After being thus 
occupied for six or seven years he returned to the parental homestead and 
resumed farming operations with his father, with whom he continued until 
the latter's death. Then buying out the other heirs, he operated the home 
farm on his own account for 12 years, at the end of which time he sold it 
and bought his present residence in Galesville. He still owns land in the 
county and is now in possession of a competence, acquired by years of 
industry. In addition to his land holdings he is a stockholder in the Inde- 
pendent Harvester Company at Piano, 111., and the Arctic Springs Creamery 
of Galveston, Wis. July 5, 1904, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Cornelia A. Fuller, who was born in Michigan, daughter of 
Elijah and Lucinda (Overacker) Brown. Her father was a native of Ohio 
and her mother of Albion, Mich. In 1865 they came to Wisconsin and 
settled at Davis Ferry on the Black River, but the following year moved to 
Wrightsville, and a year later to Jackson County, where Mrs. Brown died. 
Mr. Brown then took up his residence in Neillsville, Clark County, where 
his death subsequently occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have an adopted 
child, Stella, who was born Feb. 1, 1906, and is now attending school at 
Galesville. Mr. Davidson is independent in politics and for six years was 
treasurer of District School No. 2 of Decorah Prairie. He has always taken 
an interest in good local government, and though taking little personal part 
in politics, has ever been ready to support measures calculated to promote 
the general welfare of the community. 

John C. Dopp, who is conducting a good farm in sections 3, 10 and 11, 
Gale Township, known and registered as "Pleasant View Farm," is a native 
of Trempealeau County, having been born near Frenchville, in Gale Town- 
ship, April 17, 1865. His parents were born in Germany, but were married 
in the state of Iowa. The father, John Dopp, born in Mecklenburg, Ger- 
many, Feb. 25, 1837, came to the United States while still a young man 
under 20 years of age, and lived for awhile in McGregor, Iowa. His first 
winter in this country was spent in Prairie du Chien, where he earned only 
25 cents a week as wages, his employer evidently taking advantage of his 
ignorance, as he was unable to speak English. In addition to the anxiety 
caused by his inability to find remunerative employment, he was attacked 
by typhus fever and was very sick, though finally recovering. Later he 
was in the employ of an English family at Iowa, in which were two little 
girls, who taught him to speak English. After a year with this family he 
came to Trempealeau County, crossing the river at Trempealeau in a skiff". 
Here he worked awhile for Mr. Healy, but soon after took a homestead 
near Frenchville, which farm he developed and improved, residing on it 
until his death, Oct. 16, 1908. He married Fredericka Schmidt, who was 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 339 

born in Germany, Jan. 26, 1838, and who survived him and is now living 
in the old home with her daughter, Mrs. Dennis Brophy. They have five 
children, of whom John C. was the first born. 

John C. Dopp in his boyhood attended school at Frenchville. He 
learned agriculture on his father's farm, and at the age of 17 years began 
working out for others, varying this employment with work on the home 
farm at intervals. From the age of 21 to that of 30 he worked by the 
month. He then took his present farm, which at the time had practically 
no improvements. He has 160 acres of land, which is now well cultivated, 
and has erected large well equipped barns, and a good modern brick resi- 
dence. Here he carries on general farming, including the raising of stock, 
and is doing a prosperous business. His breeding operations are confined 
chiefly to Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs and Percheron horses. In 
addition to his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the 
Arctic Springs Creamery Company and the La Crosse Packing Company. 
In pontics Mr. Dopp is independent. While not politically active, he served 
as justice of the peace for two years and as school clerk six years. May 
1, 1898, Mr. Dopp was united in marriage with Anna Margaretha Elizabeth 
Claussen, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 11, 1869, 
daughter of Peter H. and Anna M. (Messer) Claussen, both natives of the 
same province, where the father was born Nov. 7, 1836, and the mother 
Aug. 17, 1837. They came to the United States in April, 1870, and after one 
summer in Chicago, came in the following November to Trempealeau 
County, Mr. Claussen locating on what is now known as the old Claussen 
homestead at Frenchville. He is now practically retired, his son operating 
the farm. At various times Mr. Claussen held local office and for many 
years has been one of the best known and most respected citizens of his 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Dopp are the parents of five children: Esther 
Margeretha, Herman Claussen, Johrl Henry, Mary Magdalene and Anna 
Elizabeth. The three older children are students at the Galesville High 
School, while the two younger ones are attending the rural school of this 
district. Anna Ehzabeth, the youngest, only seven years old, will enter 
the fourth grade September, 1917. Religiously the family are affiliated 
with the Presbyterian Church. 

Peter Thomas, a former resident of Trempealeau County, but now 
deceased, was born in Germany, Oct. 15, 1840. When eight years old he 
accompanied his parents to the United States, they settling at Mineral 
Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, in which locality he was reared. When a 
young man he engaged in mining. About 1880 he and his family settled 
at Onalaska, La Crosse County. About a year later he came to Trem- 
pealeau County and located on a farm about two miles from Galesville, the 
property being now known as the Stoner farm. A few years later he 
bought a farm at Frenchville, where he died August, 1914. Mr. Thomas 
married Leah Ayer, a native of the state of Maine, and they were the 
parents of nine children, one of whom, CuUen A., is now a farmer in Gale 
Township. Another, Leah, married Walter Birchard, who lives on a farm 
on the outskirts of Galesville. Mrs. Leah Thomas died in Galesville in 1909. 

Walter Birchard, a stock dealer, now partially retired, who resides on 



340 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a farm of 57 acres almost adjoining the city limits of Galesville, was born 
at Black River Falls, Wis., Aug. 13, 1854, son of Harrison and Elizabeth 
(Heinick) Birchard. Harrison Birchard was born in Detroit County, New 
York, in 1827, and came to Wisconsin about 1848. After a short stay here 
he returned to New York state, but came back to Wisconsin in 1851, when 
he married and engaged in the lumber business at Black River Falls, which 
place was his home until 1878. At times he followed the occupation of river 
pilot on the Mississippi, his services being so much in demand that he was 
paid at the rate of $10 a day. In 1878 he came to Galesville and conducted 
a lumber yard here for a number of years subsequently. He also engaged 
m the butcher business for awhile, and later became a fai-mer. He died 
Aug. 31, 1905, after having been some years retii-ed. A man of ability and 
force of character, he was prominent in every community in which he lived, 
while a resident of Black River Falls serving on the township board, and 
later as assessor of Gale Township, besides holding other office at various 
times. He was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth, dying in 1866. She 
was the mother of five children, including the subject of this sketch. Of 
Harrison Birchard's second marriage one child was born. 

Walter Birchard when a boy attended school at Black River Falls. 
When 15 years old he became his father's assistant and so continued until 
he married. At that time — 1882 — he settled on the farm where he now 
resides, and engaged in buying cattle for the market. He also for awhile 
operated a butcher business in Galesville. Though now practically retired, 
his son operating the farm, he still buys stock at intervals. Mr. Birchard 
is an Independent Republican in politics, and served as assessor of Gale 
Township for a number of years. Fraternally he is connected with the Red 
Men, Beavers and Guardians of Liberty. Dec. 27, 1882, Mr. Biixhard was 
united in marriage with Leah Thomas, who was born at Mineral Point, 
Iowa County, Wis., daughter of Peter and Leah (Ayer) Thomas, who set- 
tled in Trempealeau County in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Birchard are the parents 
of two children : Mildred G., who is the wife of Ingvald Nelson, a merchant 
of Stoughton, Wis., and Warren E., who is engaged in working the home 
farm. 

Goodwin Toraason, D.D.S., successfully practicing his profession in 
Blair, is a native of this village, born Nov. 4, 1885, son of Peder and Carrie 
(Lovberg) Toraason. He was reared in the village of his birth, passed 
through the graded and high school, and entered the dental department 
of the Northwestern University, at Chicago, graduating in 1908. In the 
fall of 1908 he opened an office here. Dr. Toraason became interested in 
baseball as a young boy, when he played on vacant lots with the other 
youngsters.. His abilities increased and in time he became a professional 
ball player. In 1907 he pitched the town team of Blair to many a victory 
against semi-professional and professional teams, and in 1908 he did excel- 
lent work as pitcher for the Manitowoc team in the Lake Shore League. He 
has since received many flattering offers, but chooses to devote his time 
to the practice of his profession. Dr. Toraason was married Sept. 4, 1912, 
to Theresa Gilbert, daughter of T. I. and Maria (Thirston) Gilbert, the 
former of whom, a merchant of Blair, died in 1904, the latter now making 




ISAAC ARTHUR DUTTON AM) FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 341 

her home in Blair. Dr. and Mrs. Toraason have one son, Goodwin Ernest, 
born Feb. 6, 1914. Peder Toraason, father of Dr. Toraason, was born in 
Soler, Norway, and in 1866 came to this county and located in Blair, where 
he and his wife still reside. They are the parents of ten children: Tena, 
Lena, Ole, Minnie, Palmer, Claus, Goodwin, Clifford M., Stella and Hiram. 
Lena is the wife of James Harvey of St. Paul. Ole lives in Westby, Mont. 
Minnie is the wife of H. A. Lober of Minneapolis. The rest are all in Blair. 

Oscar B. Johnson, of the firm of Hanson & Johnson, hardware and 
implement dealers of Blair, was born in Preston Township, this county, 
Jan. 1, 1880, son of Bent B. and Martha (Otterson) Johnson, the former 
of whom came from Norway and took a homestead in Preston Township 
in 1865. Oscar B. Johnson was reared to farm pursuits and remained on 
the home farm until 1904, when he went to Springfield township, in Jackson 
County, and there farmed until 1911. Then he returned to Blair, and pur- 
chased the blacksmith shop of Ole L. Olson. His connection with his present 
firm dates from Jan. 20, 1915. Mr. Johnson is well known in the com- 
munity, and has served on the city council. The family faith is that of the 
United Norwegian Lutheran Chui'ch. Mr. Johnson was married May 14, 
1903, to Christina Nordness of Lincoln Township, this county, daughter 
of Ole and Bagnild Nordness. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children: 
Bernice and Raymond. 

Isaac Arthur Dutton, proprietor of Maplewood farm in section 9, Trem- 
pealeau Township, was born at Whitewater, Walworth County, Wis., June 
12, 1855, son of John and Delia B. (Huntley) Dutton, who were residents 
of Utica, N. Y. Both parents were born in the state of New York and they 
were married in Utica in May, 1846. In 1850 they moved to Wisconsin, 
going by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, and then overland to 
Whitewater, Wis., by team. Here John Dutton bought 160 acres of unim- 
proved land, and there being jio house on it he and his family spent the first 
six months in a corn crib. In 1857 he built a frame house one and a half 
stories in height, with five rooms below and two upstairs. This house is 
still standing and is now occupied by Mrs. Esther Hanson, a cousin of the 
subject of this sketch. In 1866 the Dutton family moved to Trempealeau 
County, the parents, with their son Isaac A., coming by train to La Crosse, 
while Charles, another son, and Henry Cox, a friend, drove a team across 
the country. Reuniting at La Crosse, they came the rest of the way to 
Trempealeau County up the river on the ice. The father had bought 200 
acres of wild land in section 10, Trempealeau Township, now known as the 
Shumway place ; also 40 acres of timber land near Henry Kopp's present 
homestead in section 22. He now constructed a frame house, consisting of 
an upright and "L," and containing 10 rooms, and a two-story granary. 
Here John Dutton and his family resided until 1880, when he retired and 
moved to Galesville. He died in Galesville March 5, 1907, being survived 
several years by his wife, who died in that village April 4, 1911. Their 
children were : Charles, born in New York state, in December, 1846, who 
is an employee of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and 
resides at Winona, Minn.; Mary Ellen, born in New York state in April, 
1850, who is the wife of the Rev. A. L. Tull, a Methodist minister, now resid- 



■.U2 HISTORY OF TKEllPEALEAU COUNTY 

ing at Atlanta, Ga. ; Lydia Ann, born at Whitewater, Wis., Dec. 25, 1852, 
who married George Tobey of Trempealeau and died in 1874, being buried 
in Evergreen Cemetery; Isaac Arthur, whose name appears at the head 
of this sketch; Alice, born at Whitewater, who died in infancy and was 
buried there; George Ellsworth, bprn at Whitewater, March 13, 1861, who 
died February, 1901, and is buried at "High Cliff," Galesville, Wis.; Cora 
Belle, born Oct. 5, 1866, at Whitewater, and now living at Seattle, Wash., 
the widow of George E. Sanderson; Jennie Euretta, born Sept. 19, 1870, 
who is unmarried and is living at Winona, Minn., where she is matron 
at the Young Woman's Christian Association. 

Isaac Arthur Button resided with his parents on the old Button home- 
stead farm until he was 23 years old. He was educated in district school 
No. 9, Trempealeau Township, which he attended until the age of 16 years, 
then at Wasioja, Minn., and later at the Trempealeau high school. Nov. 
10, 1878, he was married at Centerville, Wis., by Rev. A. L. Tull of the M. E. 
Church (a brother-in-law) to Eveline Lydia, daughter of Zebulon Mantor 
and Minerva Jane (Cook) Viles. She was born in Richmond, Walworth 
County, Wis., and on the father's side is a descendant of John Hancock, 
and on the mother's of the Marquis de Lafayette, and from 1861 up to 
the present time has resided in the same township and within sight of 
the house in which she lived 35 years ago. She was educated in Trem- 
pealeau Township, and as a girl went barefooted to school, church and 
Sunday school over the road she now traverses in an automobile. When 
she first came to this township from Whitewater she made the journey 
by ox team, which required two weeks, but in 1915 she visited her old home, 
going by automobile and thoroughly enjoying the contrast afforded by that 
method of travel with the primitive methods of her younger days, this last 
trip being made in two days. 

After his marriage Mr. Button remained on his farm until 1885, and 
then, in the spring of that year, bought 80 acres in section 9, to which land 
he had added 100 more adjoining it on the west. He has greatly improved 
the house, which was a very primitive dwelling, and has erected several 
other buildings, among them in 1896 the first round barn in Trempealeau 
Township. This barn has an 80-foot drain, with 20-foot studding, and a 
stone basement, with a silo in the center of the barn, 44 by 16 feet, and 
having a capacity of 170 tons. His other buildings include hog, corn and 
hen houses. He keeps a good herd of grade cows and markets about 125 
hogs annually, and is doing a prosperous dairy business. He has thor- 
oughly equipped creamery, turning out annually about 5,000 gallons of 
cream, which he ships to La Crosse. For 25 years he was a breeder of 
Red Poll registered cattle, and attained a high reputation, exhibiting at the 
Chicago International Fat Stock Show, and at the Minnesota, Iowa and 
Wisconsin State Fairs annually. He always carried about 50 head and sold 
and shipped registered stock to Tennessee and other southern states, to 
many western states, and to Canada. For 16 years the entire butter 
product of Maplewood Farm was marketed in Winona, Minn., at a uniform 
price of 25 cents a pound. 

Mr. and Mrs. Button have had three children : Carroll Arthur, Mabel 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 343 

Eva and Mae Belle. Carroll Arthur was born Nov. 13, 1879, in Trem- 
pealeau Township. He attended the district school, Trempealeau high 
school for two years, and Gale College two years, afterwards taking a 
two years' course in the agricultural College of Wisconsin. He resides at 
home and assists his father in the management of the dairy, in which line 
of work he is very competent. While at the agricultural college he was the 
winner of two medals in a class of 101 members, first prize as the best judge 
of horses and the second prize as best judge of cattle, hogs and sheep. 
Mabel Eva, born July 12, 1884, in Trempealeau Township, died Aug. 11, 
1887, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Mae Belle, born Aug. 6, 1889, 
also in this township. She was graduated from the Trempealeau high 
school in 1909, and trained as nurse at Asbury Hospital, Minneapolis. April 
12, 1917, she was united in marriage to H. W. Coit. They reside on a farm 
in Gale Township. Mr. Button is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin 
Telephone Company, and a stockholder in and life member of the Inter- 
national Fat Stock Show, Chicago. He is a Prohibitionist by principle, and 
he and his family are members of the Centerville M. E. Church, of which 
he has been a trustee for years, Mrs. Button being a member of the Ladies' 
Aid Society. Their home, Maplewood Farm, is one of the best pieces of 
agricultural property in this part of the county. The soil is a dark silty 
loam, mixed with fine sand, but without gravel, and the land is sufficiently 
rolling to make perfect drainage. The buildings are located on a gentle 
rise of ground, sloping south, and sheltered on the west by a large grove 
of maple trees, from which the farm derives its name. The equipment of 
machinery and tools is very complete and the best of its kind. Church 
and school are located but three-quarters of a mile away, while two stores 
and blacksmith shop are within a mile and a quarter. The farm has been 
the home of the Buttons for 32 years and has always been operated as a 
combined dairy and general stock farm. Nearly all hay and grain pro- 
duced has been fed on the farm and the manure returned to the land. 

Carl L. Kittleson, a business man of Galesville, was born in Ettrick 
Township, this county, April 6, 1880, son of Lars and Sena (Olson) Kittle- 
son. Lars Kittleson was born in Perry Township, Bane County, this state, 
Aug. 23, 1859. He was brought to Ettrick Township, by his parents, as a 
lad of six years, was here reared, and finally inherited the home place, now 
owning 220 acres, on which he conducts general farming. Carl L. Kittleson 
remained at home until 17 years of age, and then found employment as a 
farm hand. Later he found work in a creamery. Wishing to further per- 
fect himself in this line of industry he entered the Bairy School of the 
University of Wisconsin in November, 1902. With this preparation he 
was successively employed as cheese maker at Kewaunee, Wis., one season, 
and as butter maker at Ettrick, Wis. ; helper, St. Paul, Minn., Salt Lake City, 
Utah, Osseo, Wis. In May, 1909, he purchased a restaurant at Osseo. 
Three years later, his lease having expired, he came to Galesville and pur- 
chased the Hauge & Ragness restaurant, which he has since conducted. In 
addition to operating the restaurant, which he had moved from the Grover 
block to the old Funston building, which he now owns, he conducts a soda 
fountain and ice cream parlor, manufacturing all his ice cream. His estab- 



344 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU uOUNTY 

lishment is equipped with modern devices, and his fountain is of the latest 
design. Mr. Kittleson was married May 12, 1909, to Augusta Frase, 
daughter of William and Charlotte (Geske) Frase. William Frase was 
born in Posen, Germany, in 1855, came to America at the age of 17 years, 
located in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, and there engaged 
in farming until his death, Oct. 28, 1904. He was an influential citizen and 
served on the school board for many years. His wife was born Sept. 22, 
1858, and now lives in Augusta, Wis. 

Ernest H. Butman, who is engaged in farming in section 36, Gale 
Township, was born at Decorah Prairie, on the farm on which his father 
is now residing, son of Stark and Mary Jane (Lynn) Butman. Ernest H. 
Butman was the sixth born of nine children. He was educated in the dis- 
trict school at Decorah Prairie and was brought up to agricultural pursuits. 
He resided with his parents until his marriage and then rented a farm in 
Gale Township, on which he lived for about two years. At the end of that 
time he purchased the farm, in company with his brother Milton, and 
operated it for a number of years, after which he exchanged his interest 
in the place with his father for a part of his present farm and has since 
resided here. He has now 100 acres of highly improved land on Decorah 
Prairie, and carries on general farming. He has made all the improve- 
ments on the place and has modern and convenient buildings. His outside 
interests include the ownership of stock in the Farmers Exchange, the 
La Crosse Packing Company and the Independent Harvester Company at 
Piano, 111. March 15, 1899, Mr. Butman was married to Elizabeth M. Burt, 
who was born in Cross Township, Buffalo County, Wis., daughter of Robert 
and Jeanette (Davidson) Burt. Her parents were natives of Scotland, who 
came to the United States about 1855, before their marriage, the latter 
event taking place in Wisconsin. Robert Burt is now a resident of Winona, 
Minn. His wife, who was a daughter of John and Mary (Young) Davidson, 
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Butman have three children: Lloyd Ernest, 
Burel Stark and Mary Jane, all residing at home. Mr. Butman is inde- 
pendent in politics. He has served on the school board for a number of 
years and is the present clerk of the board of education of his district. His 
fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Beavers. 

Christian N. Brenengen, proprietor of an excellent farm of 274 acres 
in section 11, Gale Township, was born near the city of Christiania, Norway, 
Oct. 31, 1861, son of Nels and Nettie (Johnson) Brenengen, who came with 
their family to Gale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., in June, 1880. 
Further mention of the parents may be found in biographies of other mem- 
bers of the family. Christian N. Brenengen was 18 years of age when 
he arrived in America and was unable to speak English. He had begun 
industrial life at the age of 14 or 15 years in Norway, where he had worked 
in a livery stable for three years. After coming here he found work as 
a farm hand at $16 a month, and was thus occupied for years. He then 
began working in the woods in the winter time, at logging, and in the 
summer was employed on the farm of John McKeeth, his logging operations 
being on the Mississippi River. When 26 years of age he married, and at 
that time entered the employ of the Iver-Pederson Company, at Ettrick, 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 345 

driving a four-horse team for nine years. During all these years he was 
saving his money until at last he found himself able to purchase his present 
farm. Some time after this he gave up his position with the Iver-Pederson 
Company, and, moving onto his farm, began agricultural operations. He 
has since made a number of valuable improvements on his place, having a 
fine modern residence and two separate water systems, and his barns and 
other buildings are substantial and equipped with all necessary appliances. 
Mr. Brenengen started farming with about $500 capital and has since made 
steady strides in prosperity until he is now one of the well-to-do men of his 
township. He has given his whole attention to his farm and is not an office 
holder. In politics he is independent. Oct. 26, 1887, he was married to 
Julia Olson, who was born in Norway, near Christiania, daughter of Ole 
and Johanna (Johnson) Estby, who were natives of the same place. Her 
father dying in Norway, her mother came to this country in 1886, residing 
first in Galesville and afterwards in Ettrick, in which village she died in 
1906. Their daughter Julia was the youngest of three children, and 
attended school in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Brenengen are the parents of 12 
children, all born in Trempealeau County, and all of whom are living, 
namely: Orron, who married Johanna Paulson and is a farmer residing 
near the Brenengen homestead ; Guy, single and residing at home ; Nels, 
who married LiUian Madolin and lives in Blair; George, single and living 
at home; Arthur, who married Selma Osley and lives near Ettrick; and 
Lottie, Amelia, Anna, Norah, Alice, Christ and Joseph, all living at home. 
Mr. Brenengen is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery. He and his family 
are members of the Lutheran Synod church. 

John W. Jones, an enterprising agriculturist of Gale Township, who is 
carrying on general farming and dairying in section 16, was born in Cadiz 
Township, Green County, Wis., Nov. 21, 1854. His father, Kinsey Jones, 
born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1827, was a farmer who located 
in Green County, Wis., where he followed his occupation for some years, 
or until September, 1855, when he came to Trempealeau County, taking a 
farm in Caledonia Township. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary 
Shrake, and who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 9, 1833, accom- 
panied him, with their son John. After their arrival here a daughter was 
born to them, who was the first white girl born in the county. April 17, 
1866, Kinsey Jones and family removed to what is now the Herman farm. 
Gale Township, which was his last place of residence, as he died there Dec. 
22, 1881. He was a steady, reliable citizen, but took no active part in public 
affairs, devoting all his time and attention to his farm. His wife survived 
him about 25 years, dying at Oberon, N. D., Feb. 30, 1907. They were the 
parents of a large family numbering 14 children, of whom John W. was 
the second in order of birth. 

John W. Jones first attended school in Caledonia Township and after- 
wards in Crystal Valley, Gale Township. He resided with his parents until 
he was 21 years old, and worked for his father both during that period and 
afterward until he was 27. He then purchased 100 acres of land, forming 
a part of the farm on which he now lives. There were no improvements 
on it at the time, but since then he has increased its size to 240 acres and 



346 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

erected all necessary buildings, which are modern in construction and equip- 
ment. Besides raising the usual crops, he keeps cattle and hogs and is 
doing a good dairy business. Mr. Jones was married July 13, 1877, to Ida 
McClary, who was born at New Bedford, Hillsboro County, N. H., daughter 
of Daniel and Harriet (Wyman) McClary, her father being a native of the 
same place, and her mother of Grasmere, in the same county, boi-n July 8, 
1827. Daniel McClary, who was a farmer, came to Gale Township, this 
county, in 1856, with his family from Beloit, Wis., where he had resided 
about six months. He located on a farm near Galesville, and the bridge 
known as McClary bridge was named after him and his family. He and his 
wife had six children, of whom their daughter Ida (Mrs. Jones) was the 
second born. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of six children: May, 
wife of William Kribs, a carpenter residing in Trempealeau ; Effie, wife of 
Hiram Warner, a salesman of Coldwater, Mich. ; Rosie, wife of Earl Hall a 
farmer living near Tunnel City, Wis. ; Leonard, Grace and Dean, who are 
unmarried and living at home. Mr. Jones is independent in politics, but 
has not taken any active part in political matters, preferring to devote his 
attention to his farming interests. He and his family are widely known in 
this part of the county and have many friends. 

Sever J, Brovold, who carried on agriculture successfully for a number 
of years in Ettrick Township, and is now living retired on his farm in 
section 20, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 14, 1852. His parents 
were John and Christe (Twite) Brovold, natives of the same place, who 
came to America in 1866, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., where John Brovold purchased a tract of unimproved land. 
This he cleared and developed into a good farm, on which he spent the 
balance of his life, dying in September, 1890. His wife died in March, 1911. 
He was a good neighbor and well liked, but was a man who attended to his 
own business and took no part in public affairs. 

Sever J. Brovold was the second born of five children. He attended 
school in Beaver Creek Valley, and assisted his father until he was 21 
years old, when the management of the farm came into his hands. Two 
years later he bought it and has since operated it on his own account. He 
has made many improvements on the place, having put up modern buildings, 
and has a full equipment of first-class machinery and implements. The 
farm contains 205 acres of highly improved land, and here, though now 
retired, Mr. Brovold expects to reside in the future. He is a stockholder in 
the Ettrick Creamery Company, in the Bank of Ettrick and in the First 
National Bank of Blair. In politics, though not a strict party man, he 
usually votes the Republican ticket. For about 16 years he has served 
as a member of the school board of his district. July 2, 1875, Mr. Brovold 
was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha (Gunderson) Hagestad, daughter 
of Torkel and Anna (Rasmussen) Gunderson, natives of Norway, from 
which country they came with their family to the United States in 1854, 
settling at Lodi, Dane County, where Mr. Gunderson farmed for about five 
years. The family then removed to Jackson County, driving overland with 
an ox team and settling just across the county line, where Mr. Gundei-son 
resumed his farming operations. There both he and his wife died in 1891. 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 347 

They left three children, of whom their daughter Martha was the youngest. 
She was first married to Ole Hagestad, by whom she had one child, Anna, 
now the wife of John Knutson, of Ettrick Township. From her marriage 
with Mr. Brovold four children have been born : Josephine, Amelia, Theo- 
dore, born Aug. 25, 1885, and Archie J., born March 2, 1894. Josephine and 
Amelia are deceased. Theodore resides at home. 

Archie J. Brovold, proprietor of the old Brovold homestead in Ettrick 
Township, was born March 2, 1894, son of Sever J. Brovold and his wife, 
Martha, whose surname was Gunderson. In his boyhood he attended the 
Beach District School and subsequently entered the Scandinavia Academy 
at Scandinavia, Wis., where he completed the four years' academic course. 
In 1915 he was graduated from the agricultural department of the State 
University at Madison, after completing the short course. He is now the 
owner of the parental homestead and intends to engage more extensively 
in the dairy business. He breeds Guernsey cattle, owning a pure-bred sire, 
and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blair, the Ettrick Cream- 
ery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Scandinavian Insurance 
Company, and a member of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experimental Asso- 
ciation and the Alfalfa Order. 

Archie J. Brovold was married Oct. 12, 1915, to Senie Sexie, daughter 
of Lars 0. and Carrie (Bue) Sexie. Her father, who was a native of 
Hardanger, Norway, came to America at the age of 17 years, located at 
Beaver Creek Valley and engaged in farming, which occupation he still 
follows. His wife was born in America. They were the parents of ten 
children, of whom Senie was the second in order of birth. She was educated 
at the Hegg High School and always remained at home until her marriage. 

Samuel Barr, formerly a leading citizen in Trempealeau Township, of 
which he was a pioneer settler, was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 
28, 1818. While still a single man he came with his brother James, via 
the Great Lakes, to Wisconsin. They had intended to land at Milwaukee, 
but owing to heavy weather had to go on to Chicago. There they procured 
ox teams and proceeded to Fort Atkinson, Wis., overland. James Barr sub- 
sequently went to Eau Claire County, Wis., while Samuel bought land in 
Walworth County, this State, and then removed to Dodge County, all this 
territory lying in the southeastern part of the State. He improved his 
land and at the same time worked at his trade of cooper. April 2, 1856, he 
was married in Dodge County to Caroline Lilly, who was born Jan. 13, 1830. 
in Bingham ton, N. Y., daughter of Henry and Anna (Robinson) Lilly. In 
the same year they came to Trempealeau County, Mr. Barr buying 160 
acres of wild land, which now forms a part of the present homestead in 
Trempealeau Township, sections 28 and 29. To this he later added that 
part of the farm now contained in section 32. There were no buildings on 
the land at first, and they spent their first winter in a log house with Thomas 
Sutcliff, whose place lay just east of their farm, but as soon as possible 
Mr. Barr built a frame house of studding, with brick between, sheeted inside 
and boarded up and down outside with boards and batten. This house 
contained three rooms and an attic, and was superior in construction to 
most of the neighboring residences. A barn was also erected by Mr. Barr, 



348 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

he and Daniel Bonumn rafting the lumber down Black River for both 
buildings. He cleared and fenced his land and in time brought it to a high 
state of cultivation. He built other buildings as needed, also the present 
residence, a two-story house of 11 rooms, which is a commodious and com- 
fortable dwelling. Here he died Oct. 19, 1902, after an active and successful 
career, during which he had risen to a prominent place in the community, 
serving as supervisor of the township many years, chairman of the board 
and clerk of School District No. 9. His wife did not long survive him, 
passing away Oct. 24, 1902. They were prominent members of the Trem- 
pealeau Baptist church, of which Mr. Barr was a trustee for years, and 
every Sunday the family might have been seen driving to and from church 
in a lumber wagon — a distance of seven miles. They had a family of 
eight children, whose record in brief is as follows: Eliza Idella, born May 
10, 1857, who died, an artist of some distinction, March 26, 1901; Emma 
Jane, born July 13, 1858, who died in Trempealeau Village, Nov. 6, 1868 ; 
Ira Adelbert, born May 27, 1860, who is superintendent of construction for 
the General Chemical Company of New York ; Clara Lilly, born Aug. 4, 1861, 
who died Feb. 19, 1896 ; Irwin Roscoe, born Sept. 11, 1864 ; Bessie Elsie, born 
March 12, 1868, and Ella Lelia, born Sept. 24, 1869, both of whom are living 
on the homestead, and Rose May, born Oct. 30, 1871, who died Jan. 25, 1886. 
Irwin R. Barr, who operates one of the best farms in Trempealeau 
Township — the Barr homestead, in sections 28, 29 and 32 — was born on this 
farm Sept. 11, 1864, son of Samuel and Caroline (Lilly) Barr, his parents 
having settled here in 1856, the year of their marriage. He attended dis- 
trict school regularly until he was 15 years old, and from that time until 
he was 17 he was a pupil during the winter in the grade school in Trempea- 
leau Village, being employed on the farm in summer. Afterwards he spent 
two winters at Gale College. In 1886 he became attached to the carpenter 
crew of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and was engaged in building 
depots and in other similar work for two years. During the three following 
years he, with his brother Adelbert, followed similar work for the Santa Fe 
road, after which, for about three years, he was with the Northwestern 
Construction Company of Chicago. He also took part in the construction 
of the World's Fair buildings in that city in 1893. In the spring of the 
following year he went to Alaska, in which country he spent about five 
years. Going first to Edmonton, Alberta, he was employed there in build- 
ing river boats, but the firm failing, he, with the other workmen, had to 
take an outfit boat and tug for the wages due them. With that he, with the 
others of the party, went down Athabaska River, through Athabaska Lake 
into Big Slave River, through Slave Lake into the McKenzie River, and 
down that river to Fort McPherson, the last post of the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany, situated north of the Arctic circle. Then they went up Rat River 65 
miles to McDougal Pass through the "Rockies," then through Porcupine 
River to Yukon. In December, 1902, Mr. Barr returned from Alaska and 
took the management of the old Barr homestead in Trempealeau Township. 
He carries on diversified farming and dairying, keeping a good herd of 
Shorthorn cows of the dairy type, a large flock of sheep and a good sty of 
graded swine. He has built a large and commodious barn, the basement 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 349 

being constructed of reinforced concrete, with cement floors. It is equipped 
with the "James" outfit, including "B. L. K." milkers. The horse and cow 
apartments are divided by a 16-foot driveway. On the floor of the barn are 
four grain bins, each of 500 bushels capacity. In connection with the barn 
there is also a large silo, and in the basement of the barn a milk separator 
run by gasohne power. Both house and barn are provided with running 
water. Mr. Barr has also built a machine shed and other necessary build- 
ings. In short, it would be hard to find a better equipped farm anywhere in 
this vicinity. Although a very busy man, Mr. Barr has found time to assist 
in local government affairs, having held the office of town chairman for 
several terms and chairman of the county road and bridge committee. He 
is always willing to aid in promoting the general interests of the community, 
knowing that its advancement along either moral or material lines benefits 
each member of it. In politics he is a Republican. 

J. C. Button, for many years a distinguished figure in the legal pro- 
cedure of western Wisconsin, is now living in retirement in the village of 
Trempealeau, at the ripe old age of 84 years. He has known varied expe- 
riences, has seen the world in many lands and climes, has taken an active 
part in the formation of the policies of several Mississippi valley counties, 
and has lived to see his fondest hopes and ambitions realized. High think- 
ing and clean living have given him a store of vitality which is still unim- 
paired, and the world has brought him a full measure of joy and content- 
ment, his only sorrow being the passing away of his friends and relatives 
whom the changing years have taken one by one. His ruggedness of health 
and staunchness of character are inherited from a long line of worthy fore- 
bears. The father, Charles Button, was of Colonial English stock. As a 
young man he studied medicine, but never engaged in extensive practice, 
choosing rather to spend his life in agricultural pursuits. He was married 
in New York State to Cynthia Watson, who was likewise descended from 
Colonial stock. From New York they went to Lorain County, Ohio, and 
thei-e J. C, the subject of this sketch, was born, June 3, 1830. When he 
was an infant they, went to Oakland County, Mich., and settled on the Stony 
Creek road, not far from Pontiac. In 1836 they moved to Illinois, and 
settled on a farm 12 miles south of Ottawa. From there in 1843 they came 
to Green County, Wis., and took up their home eight miles east of Monroe, 
the county seat. The father died in 1844 and the mother in 1878. Living 
in pioneer communities, and left fatherless at the age of 14 years, young 
J. C. had but meager opportunities for schooling, most of his early education 
being obtained in a little log schoolhouse. In 1848 he entered the Academic 
Department of Beloit College, and was graduated from the Collegiate 
Department in 1852. Then he started out for California in search of gold. 
The parting with his mother was a pathetic one. Standing hat in hand, 
and with his mother's arms about his neck, he promised never to use 
profanity, never to indulge in any game of chance, and never to taste or 
handle intoxicating drinks of any sort. This promise he has kept to this 
day, and to it he attributes his health and happiness. His farewells said, 
he joined his party and continued with them as far west as Salt Lake City, 
Utah. There he and a friend struck out alone, and located in Salem, Ore., 



350 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

for a time. From there young Button went to Portland, and from there 
by ship to San Francisco. After a trip to Sacramento and neighboring 
mines, he embarked on a ship which carried him to the west coast of 
Panama, where he secured a team which took him to Graytown, on the Gulf 
coast. Then, touching at points in Florida and Cuba, he reached New York, 
and returned to his home. Desiring to further perfect his education, he 
went to Janesville, Wis., and entered the offices of Sleeper & Norton, where 
he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. It was in 1858 that he opened 
an office in St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wis., and started housekeeping in 
a home which he erected with his own hands. In the fall of 1859 he was 
elected to the office of district attorney and moved to Osceola, the county 
seat. At the expiration of his term, he moved to Prescott, and entered 
into partnership with J. S. White, a partnership which lasted until 1876. 
Soon after his arrival in Prescott he was elected district attorney of Pierce 
county, a position in which he ably served for a term of two years. Having 
been in continuous practice of his profession for 20 years, part of the time 
as a public official, Mr. Button determined, in 1877, to take a well-deserved 
vacation, traveling in Europe and Asia Minor. Accordingly he set out and 
visited in turn England, Scotland, France, Spain, Egypt, the Holy Land, 
Turkey, Albania, Greece, Italy, Alsace-Loraine, Germany, Russia, Holland, 
Belgium, France, England, Wales and Ireland. Among the many notables 
whom he saw may be mentioned Queen Victoria, and it is remarkable that 
he attended the funeral of King Victor Emanuel, of Italy, who died Jan. 9, 
1878, and of Pope Pius IX, who died in February of the same year. Upon 
his return to America, Mr. Button came to Trempealeau County in the fall 
of 1878, for the purpose of assisting his brother, S. W. Button. S. W. 
Button had been in partnership with Judge Newman, and upon the elevation 
of Judge Newman to the district bench found the woi'k too strenuous for 
his failing health, and so called his brother J. C. to his assistance, going 
himself to the Panhandle country, in Texas, where his health was restored, 
after which he took up the practice of his profession in Sparta, Wis. 
Accordingly, J. C. Button took up his home permanently in Trempealeau 
Village, where he has since resided. For one term he was district attorney 
of this county. He is a man of sincere convictions and is highly honored 
and respected throughout the community. Mr. Button was married, June 
16, 1858, to Charlotte Wheaton, daughter of Cyrus Wheaton, of Green 
County, Wis. Mrs. Button died in December, 1890. Their only child, 
Charles, died at the age of 4 years and 10 months of age. 

Bostwick Beardsley, a pioneer settler of Caledonia Township, now 
passed away, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 11, 1813. On Dec. 
7, 1841, he married Mary Fowler, who was born in East, Pa., Oct. 8, 1820, 
their marriage taking place in Racine Couny, Wis., Dec. 7, 1841. In 185-3 
they moved to Burlington, Racine County, Wis., and in 1854 came to Trem- 
pealeau County, reaching here June 13. Locating in section 29, Caledonia 
Township (then Montoville) Mr. Beardsley purchased 300 acres of govern- 
ment land, consisting of prairie and "burr oak openings," and two years 
later he increased his holdings by buying 200 acres termed by the govern- 
ment "swamp land," making 500 acres, all in Caledonia Township. This 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 351 

land, of course, was wild and without improvements, and the first residence 
of the family here was a one-room log cabin, which he built and in which 
they lived until the fall of 1854, when he erected a frame house of one story, 
with thvee rooms. During their brief log cabin days the members of the 
family, except the father and mother, slept in a covered wagon drawn up 
near the shanty. They had at this time six children, who were born in 
Racine County: Henry D. and Benjamin P., both of whom died in hospital 
while serving as soldiers in the Civil War ; Oscar E. ; Narcissa, who is 
deceased ; Lyra Alice, also deceased ; Elam, who is a resident of Caledonia 
Township. Their subsequent children, who were all born in Caledonia 
Township, were: Huldah, who is the wife of J. 0. Wing (he died in 1915 
and she now resides in the State of Washington) ; Otto, who resides on the 
old homestead ; Rebecca May, and Mary, who are deceased. 

Oscar E. Beardsley, who is operating a good farm in section 29, Cale- 
donia Township, was born in Burlington Township, Racine County, Wis., 
June 28, 1845, son of Bostwick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley. He was in 
his ninth year when he came to Trempealeau County, and was brought up on 
the homestead, where he acquired a knowledge of farming under pioneer 
conditions. When he reached his majority his father gave him 120 acres 
of land, 80 acres of which belonged to the original homestead, the other 40 
adjoining it. From that time up to the present he has carried on general 
farming here and has made great improvements in his property. In 1876, 
about ten years after he started agricultural operations on his own account, 
he erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure, with brick wing, 
the house being one and a half stories high, with seven rooms below and 
four above. The other buildings he has put up include a barn, a stone gran- 
ary, a stone hog house, with poultry house adjoining, a wood house, a corn 
crib, attached to the barn, and a machine shed, all being painted and in 
good condition. For the last 15 years Mr. Beardsley's son Ora has managed 
the farm for him and built in 1903 in the same yard with his father's house a 
substantial brick veneer dwelling of seven rooms. The farm is well stocked 
with horses, cows and hogs of good breeds. His cream is shipped to Winona, 
Minn. Mr. Beardsley was first married, Dec. 8, 1876, to Lena Olson, of 
Trem.pealeau Township, by whom he had two children, Ora, born April 1, 
1878, and Clara, born July 4, 1880. Ora, who married Mary Voss, of Cale- 
donia Township, has one child, Mildred Lena. Clara is the wife of M. E. 
Risinger, of Winona, Minn., and has two living children, Florence and Harold. 
Mrs. Lena Beardsley died July 22, 1892, and on Dec. 9, 1895, Mr. Beardsley 
married for his second wife Betsy Lewis, of Caledonia Township. Of this 
marriage there have been no children. Mr. Beardsley has served one term 
as a member of the school board in District 3, but has otherwise taken no 
active part in public affairs. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin 
Telephone Company and has been a member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, 
A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, since about 1868. As a good citizen he 
takes a keen interest in the progress and development of his township and 
county. 

Weib Andriesen, who is carrying on general farming and stock raising 
on 106 acres of land in section 30, Gale Township, was born in Holland, Jan. 



352 HISTOKY OF TREIVIPEALEAU COUNTY 

30, 1864, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Van Buren) Andriesen. His 
parents were both natives of Holland, the father being a farmer. Neither 
came to America, but both remained and died in their native land. 

Weib Andriesen acquired his education in Holland and began working 
on farms at the age of 9 years, also helping his father. For 17 months he 
served in the standing army of Holland, stationed at Denhaag. After he 
was 22 he continued work as a fai'm hand, but kept and saved his earnings 
except what he used for living expenses. It was in 1903 that he came to 
the United States, locating at once in Trempealeau County, where he had a 
brother already settled. After arriving here he rented a farm for three 
years in Gale Township, subsequently renting another farm for two years. 
Then going to Montana, he bought 120 acres of land, resided there one year 
and then sold out, returning to Trempealeau County. Here he purchased 
his present farm of 106 acres in section 30, Gale Township, and has made 
practically all the improvements on it, having built a modern house, with 
a good barn, silo and other necessary buildings. He is engaged in dairy 
farming, favoring the Durham breed of cattle, his stock of which he is 
gradually increasing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing 
Company. In addition to the farm he is working he owns another, of 130 
acres, near Galesville, on which his son-in-law resides. He now owns from 
40 to 50 head of cattle, with horses enough to work his farm, and all neces- 
sary implements. Although not yet a naturahzed citizen of the United 
States, he has taken the preliminary steps to become one and expects to 
enter into the full rights of a citizen in the near future. Mr. Andriesen 
was married in May, 1887, to Johannah Fan-Wal, who was born in Holland, 
daughter of Henry and Katy (Rondaan) Fan-Wal. Her mother died in 
Holland and the father came to America with his daughter and her husband, 
Mr. Andriesen, in 1903, and died subsequently in Onalaska, Wis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Andriesen are the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, unmarried; 
Katie, married William Boersma, they live in La Crosse, Wis., and have two 
children, William and Annadean ; Annie, wife of Albert Sandbergen, residing 
on Mr. Andriesen's farm of 130 acres, above mentioned, they have one child, 
Johannah ; NeUie, unmarried and residing at home, and Ella, Hessie, Johnnie 
and Johannah, all living at home. Mr. Andriesen and wife are members of 
the Presbyterian church. They are industrious and thrifty people who 
have already reached a prosperous condition in life and whose prospects are 
bright for the future. 

Lars L. Swaim, who for the last 30 years has been engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits on a farm of 300 acres in sections 13, 24 and 14, town 23 north, 
range 8 west. Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 13, 1852. He 
is a son of Lars Larson Sveum by his wife Aganetta Larson, both natives of 
Norway, the father born in 1824. In 1861 the family emigrated to America, 
settling in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where the mother died in 
1863. Lars L. Sveum afterwards continued to reside on his farm, there 
until his death, which occurred in 1896. Lars L. Swaim, the direct subject 
of this sketch, began working out at the age of 16 years and was thus 
employed for some three years. The next two years he spent on the family 
homestead, after which he began working in the pineries. Three years 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 353 

later he took a homestead in Brookings County, S. D., and was there three 
years, from 1878 to 1881. He then resumed work in the pineries and so 
continued until 1886, in which year he bought his present farm from Ole 
Olson Bates and has since resided on it engaged in its cultivation. The 
place is now highly improved and is making a good return for the money 
Mr. Swaim invested in it. In 1901 he built his present residence, of two 
stories and basement, containing ten rooms, which are heated by furnace 
and illuminated with gasohne hghts. The barn was built in 1898, and 
measures 48 by 90 by 12 feet, having cement floors and steel stanchions. 
The other buildings are a granary, 16 by 28 by 14 feet ; a chicken house, 14 
by 28 feet, and a machine shed, 42 by 42 feet. Mr. Swaim keeps Shorthorn 
cattle, having 60 head of graded animals, of which he milks 25. He feeds 
and ships one carload per year. A good woven wire fence surrounds his 
farm. May 8, 1886, Mr. Swaim was united in marriage with Caroline John- 
son, of Ettrick Township, this county, but who was born in Norway, 
daughter of Eric and Bertha Anderson. He and his wife have had six 
children : Arthur, who died at the age of 5 years ; Emil, born Oct. 2, 1888 ; 
Lila, born July 15, 1892, who was married, Aug. 28, 1915, to Sigvart Peter- 
son, a farmer of Hale Township ; Clarence, born May 8, 1895 ; Esther, born 
Sept. 2, 1900, and Lawrence, born Oct. 31, 1902. The three last mentioned, 
with Emil, are residing at home with their parents. Aside from his farm 
interests, Mr. Swaim was president and treasurer of the Pleasant Valley 
Telephone Co., and a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of 
Whitehall, and in the Whitehall Hospital. He has served three years as 
treasurer of the school board. Affiliated religiously with the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church, he holds therein the office of trustee, and it was he who 
gave land for the church of that denomination at Pleasantville. He has 
always been strict in the fulfilment of his duties as a man and citizen, and he 
and his family stand high in the estimation of their fellow townspeople. 

Otto Beardsley, a prominent farmer of Caledonia Township, son of Bost- 
wick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley, was born in this township, Feb. 13, 1860. 
Otto Beardsley was educated in the District School No. 3, Caledonia Town- 
ship, which he attended regularly up to the age of 12 years, and after that 
during the winters until he was 18. He assisted his father on the farm 
until reaching the age of 18. From that time until his father's death he 
rented the farm. It became his property at that time, with the exception 
of a tract of 80 acres which the father gave to his son Oscar E. Later Otto 
purchased 40 acres from his mother that had been given her by his father, 
now 280 acres. The buildings on Mr. Beardsley's farm include a 14-room 
frame house of one and a half stories ; a frame barn, 36 by 100 feet, with base- 
ment and modern equipment; the other outbuildings include a granary, 
poultry house attached to the granary, a corn crib and hog house, with base- 
ment, and a machine shed. Mr. Beardsley and his sons are engaged in 
general farming, having a herd of good grade cattle and horses and Poland- 
China swine. Mr. Beardsley is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin 
Telephone Company. For many years he has been a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Foresters at Trempealeau, also of Trempealeau Lodge, 
No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, and since 1910 of the Mystic Work- 



354 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ers, of Trempealeau. In politics he is a Republican ; though not especially 
active in local affairs, he has served four years as treasurer of Caledonia 
Township and as treasurer of School District No. 3 for six years. Mr. 
Beardsley's farm is fenced and cross-fenced into 40-acre lots, and includes 
120 acres of plow land, 100 acres of pasture land, and 80 acres of timber. 
It is watered by two spring brooks and a well 120 feet deep. Oct. 4, 1886, 
Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of August 
and Dena (Ehlert) Wagner, of Caledonia Township. He and his wife have 
five children: Lester Olna, Henry O., Una May, Archie Lee and Cordelia 
D. Lester 0., born April 16, 1888, is now living on the north 80-acre tract 
of the old farm, which he owns. He married Elizabeth L. McCartney, of 
Caledonia Township, and has two children — Bertha Catherine and Raymond 
Otto. Henry 0., born July 9, 1889, resides on the home fai'm, which he is 
renting. Una May, born April 14, 1891, who was graduated from the 
district school, Trempealeau High School and, in 1912, from Winona Busi- 
ness College, is now employed as stenographer in Koch's Vegetable Tea 
Company, of Winona, Minn. Archie L., born July 18, 1893, lives on the 
home farm, being associated with his father and brother Henry in its opera- 
tion. Cordelia D., born June 14, 1899, is residing at home. Mr. Beardsley 
and his family attend the Congregational church at Trempealeau, though 
he is not a member. As a farmer he has been successful, and the Beardsley 
family in general have contributed their full share to the agricultural devel- 
opment of Caledonia Township. 

Lars K. Underheim, one of the leading merchants in the southern part 
of Trempealeau county, proprietor of a general store at Hegg, Ettrick Town- 
ship, was born in Norway, Dec. 10, 1878, son of Knut L. and Margretha 
(Sunde) Underheim. It was in 1882 that the family came to the United 
States, settling first in Roland, Iowa, where Knut L. Underheim, who was 
a carpenter, followed his trade for one season. He then removed with his 
family to Jackson County, Wis., where he was not only engaged in carpenter 
work for many years, but also bought land and became a farmer. In the 
spring of 1916 he moved to Trempealeau County and has sold his farm, but 
still works at his old trade. In Jackson County he served as treasurer of 
his township for five years and as assessor for four years and was a man 
highly regarded for his industry, honesty and other personal characteristics. 

Lars K. Underheim, who was the second born of his parents' children, 
attended school in Frankhn Township, Jackson County, after which, under 
his father's direction, he acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade, 
and at the age of 16 or 17 was working with his father as a journeyman in 
Jackson County. After this association had lasted eight years he came 
to his present location at Hegg, in Ettrick Township, as manager of. the 
store of A. Anderson, who resided at Blair. He continued with Mr. Ander- 
son for four years, at the end of which time the business was sold to A. B. 
Pederson, and for two years subsequently Mr. Underheim conducted the 
store for the new owner. At the end of that time he bought out the busi- 
ness, with the stock and buildihgs and has since conducted it on a profitable 
basis, keeping a complete line of general merchandise, including groceries 
and country produce, and is drawing patronage from a wide extent of rich 





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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 355 

surrounding territory. He has also other financial interests, being a stock- 
holder in the Bank of Ettrick, the Home Bank of Blair, the Blair Farmers' 
Exchange, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Ettrick Creamery Company 
and the Ettrick Lumber Company, besides being half owner of a valuable 
farm, known as the K. S. Knutson farm. Mr. Underheim has shown good 
business foresight in the conduct of his business, being careful to give first- 
class service and make his prices as low as can be found in any of the sur- 
rounding towns, and as his store is conveniently situated, it is patronized by 
many farmers to save making longer trips to other places. 

June 27, 1906, Mr. Underheim was united in marriage with Josephine 
Olson, who was born on the Olson homestead at Beaver Creek, this county, 
daughter of Anve and Kari (Gunderson) Olson, who were natives of Norway. 
Anve Olson was one of the early settlers of Trempealeau County, breaking 
land and spending many years in developing a good farm. During the last 
10 months of the Civil War he served as a private in Company E, Thirty- 
second Wisconsin Infantry, and while in the service received a gunshot 
wound. He survived that great struggle for half a century, however, dying 
in the fall of 1915, having lived retired for some 12 years previous to his 
death. His wife is still living and is a resident of Ettrick. Their daughter. 
Josephine (Mrs. Underheim) was among the younger members of a family 
of nine children and was educated in Trempealeau County. Three children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Underheim : Margaret Cornelia, who died 
in infancy; Caspar Arnold, born January 21, 1912, and Margaret Louise, 
born Oct. 1, 1914. The family are memb(;rs of the United Lutheran church. 
Mr. Underheim, who is in politics a Repubhcan, has served one year as 
treasurer of the school district and has held the same office in his church 
for three years. He is a director in the Bank of Ettrick and for five years 
has been a notary public. 

Clif Ford, who in company with his brother-in-law, George G. Gibbs, 
is engaged in the implement business in Trempealeau Village, was born in 
this village Sept. 9, 1868, son of Alfred P. and Lizzie D. (Heald) Ford. His 
education was acquired in the graded school of Trempealeau, which he left 
at the age of 16 years, after passing the grades, in order to learn the 
printer's trade in a local office. After working at that trade for five years 
in the village, he went to La Crosse, Wis., where he was employed for two 
years on the Daily Chronicle. At the age of 23 he entered the employ of 
the Chicago, BurUngton & Northern Railroad as bridge builder and was 
thus occupied until the spring of 1900. In the meanwhile, April 5, 1891, he 
had married Jessie J. Gibbs, daughter of 0. E. and Louise (Grant) Gibbs, 
at Trempealeau Village. In the year 1900 he went to South Dakota, to the 
farm of his father-in-law, 0. E. Gibbs, near Arlington, on which he resided 
four seasons. He had already homesteaded a tract of 160 acres of land 
near Pierre, S. D., on which he lived eight months to meet the requirements 
of the law. This land he subsequently sold without improving it. In the 
fall of 1904 Mr. Ford went to Sioux Falls, S. D., and worked for Sherman & 
Bratager, a transfer house handling farm machinery. Here he did general 
work, both as clerk and in the shipping department, remaining until the 
following year. He then returned to Trempealeau Village and was unem- 



356 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ployed until the spring of 1906, when he again entered the service of the 
Burlington Railroad as bridge builder, remaining with them until October, 
1913. He then engaged in his present business in Trempealeau Village, in 
which he is meeting with good success. Aside from this he is a stockholder 
in the Trempealeau Lime Products Company, and has also subscribed for 
stock in the proposed creamery. In pohtics he is a Republican, but has 
held no political office. His fraternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 2813, 
Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is clerk at the present time. 
Reared a Baptist in religion, he supports church work, but is not a member 
of any religious body. He and his wife have had five children: Arthur 
Neil, born May 25, 1892, at Trempealeau, who is unmarried, and is engaged 
in the auto repair business at Omaha, Neb. ; Harold George, born in Novem- 
ber, 1894, also at Trempealeau Village, who is unmarried, and a civil engi- 
neer by profession ; Edith, born at Ai-hngton, S. D., in 1901, who is attending 
the Trempealeau Village school ; a child that died in infancy, and Jessie, born 
July 10, 1909, at Trempealeau, who is attending school in the village. 

Mrs. Lizzie D. Ford, now living retired in the village of Trempealeau, 
Wis., of which she is a highly respected resident, was born in Norridgwock, 
Maine, Nov. 13, 1841, daughter of William and Esther (Cutler) Heald. The 
pai'ents were married, Dec. 29, 1840, at Farmington, Maine, where they 
resided for some years subsequently, the house in which they lived being 
still standing. William Heald was born Sept. 24, 1816. He was of a roving 
disposition and finally came west to Trempealeau County, Wis., settling in 
Trempealeau Village, where he died Oct. 6, 1896, at the age of 80 years and 
12 days. For the last 18 years of his life he was blind. His wife Esther 
was born Nov. 24, 1814, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ford, in 
Trempealeau Village, Dec. 6, 1890. She was a charter member of the 
Trempealeau Congregational church. To William and Esther Heald wei-e 
born two children: William E., Oct. 15, 1846, and Lizzie D., the date of 
whose nativity has been given above. William E. Heald was a fanner all 
his active life and died Jan. 4, 1916, at Mendota, Wis., leaving a wife and 
one daughter, Gertrude, who is now living in Trempealeau Village. Lizzie 
D. Heald acquired a good education and in early womanhood taught seven 
terms of school in Trempealeau County. She was married, April 4, 1866, 
to Alfred P. Ford, of Trempealeau, the marriage taking place at Galesville, 
Wis. Mr. Ford was a native of New Hampshire, born at Haverhill, that 
State, Aug. 27, 1829. At the age of 26 years, in 1855, he came West, settling 
in Trempealeau Village, this county. For many years he served as county 
surveyor of Trempealeau County. In 1857 he built the residence to which 
after marriage he took his bride. From 1876 to 1883, the year of his death. 
he was engaged in the furniture business in Trempealeau, after which Mrs. 
Ford carried it on for several years, but finding the care of her family and 
the management of the business together too much for her powers, she sold 
the business to her son Clif and has since lived retired. She has four 
children: Clif, Fred C, Nora and William, all of whom are living but 
William, who died at Arlington, S. D. Fred, Mrs. Ford's second son, mar- 
ried Mabel Graves, of Trempealeau Village, and has six children : Lester, 
Ruth, Lynn and Lytle (twins), Fred, Jr., and Charles H., all of whom are 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 357 

living. Nora, Mrs. Ford's only daughter, married Thomas Growt, of Trem- 
pealeau Village, and has one child, William, who is now a student. Mrs. 
Ford, though not a member of any church, is greatly interested in church 
work, in which she gives active aid and assistance, her closest affiliations 
being with the Methodist Episcopal church. 

George A. Trim, who is engaged in farming in section 35, Trempealeau 
Township, was born in this township, in section 34, Aug. 2, 1866, son of 
William and Martha R. (Robinson) Trim. He remained with his parents 
until his marriage, and as a boy acquired his education in the common school 
of District No. 3. Dec. 3, 1891, he was married at the home of his wife's 
parents, by the Rev. E. Trimm, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
of Necedah, Wis., to Alta, daughter of Nephi and Elma Nichols, of Trempea- 
leau Township. Immediately after his marriage he moved with his bride to 
his present home in section 35, which was his father's old homestead, and 
began farming on his own account. April 2, 1900, Mr. Trim's first wife 
died. She had been the mother of five children: Lulu, born Nov. 7, 1892, 
who is unmarried and is living with her sister, Mrs. Nichols, in section 34 ; 
Willard, born Jan. 6, 1894, who is married and is a traveling salesman, resid- 
ing in Chicago ; Harry, born Feb. 29, 1896, who is unmarried and is living at 
Galesville, Wis., where he is occupied as a grocery clerk; Edward, born 
March 5, 1898, who is a carpenter residing at home, and Albert, born March 
22, 1890, who died in infancy. Oct. 23, 1901, Mr. Trim married his second 
wife. Marie Baumgardt, of Fountain City, BulTalo County, Wis., their 
wedding taking place in the German Lutheran church of Winona, Minn., 
presided over by the Rev. Mr. Von Rohr. The children of this marriage are : 
Grace, born Dec. 31, 1902 ; Earle, born July 3, 1905 ; and Archie, born March 
7, 1909, all residing at home. Mr. Trim is engaged in general farming and 
dairying, keeping 20 grade Shorthorn cows and about 50 head of Poland- 
China hogs. His farm contains 302 acres, of which 170 acres are plowed 
land and the balance in pasture and timber. He has also a large apple 
orchard of well-selected varieties. In 1915 he remodeled the house, which 
is now a two-story, 12-room frame residence, with bath, laundry, hot and 
cold water, and general modern equipment. His father's original residence 
is still standing on the farm, a one and a half story upright, with wing 
— a frame building — built over 50 years ago, and now occupied by his family 
of hired help. The outbuildings include a barn, 40 by 120 feet, with a 
poultry house attached ; a buggy shed, and cattle shed, 24 by 100 feet. The 
barn was built in 1885 and in 1906 was remodeled and enlarged. There is 
a sheep shed with barn attached, on stone basement ; a hay barn attached, 
a horse barn, built in 1887, a granary with hay loft overhead, a milk and ice 
house combined and a concrete silo, all the buildings being well painted and 
in good shape. Mr. Trim's farm is known as Hillhurst Dairy and is an 
excellent example of the up-to-date dairy farm of this region. Mr. Trim is a 
stockholder in the Exchange Elevator at Galesville, and in the Farmers' 
Co-Operative Packing Company, of La Crosse, Wis. Since 1898 he has been 
a member of Lodge No. 2977, M. W. A., of Galesville, and since 1902 of the 
Mystic Workers' Lodge at Trempealeau. He has been treasurer of School 
District No. 3 for the past 15 years, but in politics is independent. 



358 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

James Irvine, for many years a prominent citizen of Trempealeau 
County, was born in Maryland, in 1853, and early determined to devote his 
life to farm pursuits. When a mere lad he accompanied his parents to this 
county, and here grew to manhood. As soon as he was able he acquired land 
and was soon numbered in the ranks of the successful agriculturists of the 
county. At different times he owned and operated various farms here until 
the spring of 1911, when he moved to the vicinity of Bowman, S. D., and 
engaged in farming and stock raising there. While living in Gale Township 
he served a number of years as township treasurer and as a member of the 
school board. His wife, Agnes Dick, was the first white child born at 
Decorah Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine were the parents of five children: 
John Quinton, Nellie (deceased) , WilUam Walter, Myrtle Beatrice and Rose 
Irene. 

John Quinton Irvine. The name of Irvine is familiar to those ac- 
quainted with the agricultural development of Trempealeau County, as for 
many years members of the family have been engaged here in the tilling of 
the soil, in stock raising, or kindred occupations. The subject of this sketch 
was born at Decorah Prairie, in Gale Township, Sept. 7, 1877, oldest of the 
five children of James and Agnes (Dick) Irvine. In his boyhood he attended 
the district school at Decorah Prairie, there acquiring the elements of 
knowledge before settling down to the more serious business of life. His 
first 25 years were spent on the parental homestead as his father's assistant, 
and he then came to his present farm in section 23, which contains 160 acres, 
and on which he has made practically all the improvements. His buildings 
are modern and well constructed and he has an ample supply of tools and 
implements for both general and dairy farming, to which he devotes all his 
time. 

June 4, 1902, Mr. Irvine was united in marriage with Tillie Olson, who 
was born in Pickwick, Minn., fifth of the eleven children of Thomas and 
Sarah Olson. The other children were Mattie (deceased) , Rena, Oluf , Ida, 
Tommy, Hannah, Helmer, Eddie, Hilda and an unnamed infant. The 
parents, who were born in Norway, came to Minnesota at an early date and 
are still residing in the vicinity of Pickwick. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine have had 
two children. The first born died in infancy. The other, Thomas James, 
born Dec. 16, 1904, is attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members 
of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican. 

Almon Everett Cram, who is engaged in raising fruit and nursery stock 
on his farm of 72 acres in section 34, Gale Township, was born near Belfast, 
Maine, March 27, 1856. His parents, Nathan and Esther (Bucklin) Cram, 
were also natives of that State. The family came to Wisconsin in 1860, 
locating about three miles west of Galesville. While the Civil War was 
in progress Nathan Cram enlisted in Company J, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin 
Regiment, and was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor. He had followed 
the occupations of miner and farmer. His wife survived him nearly half 
a century, dying about 1910. They had four children, of whom Almon E. 
was the eldest. 

Almon Everett Cram was a child of 4 years when he accompanied his 
parents to Trempealeau County, and his earliest boyhood recollections are 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 359 

associated with pioneer conditions. The Indians were numerous, but nevei 
gave them any trouble, and when he grew older he kept on good terms with 
them, avoiding them as much as possible without the appearance of doing 
so, but always treating them in a just and friendly manner when he had 
occasion to meet them. The woods in those days were full of game. Deer 
could be shot at almost any time on the bluffs, and bears were not uncom- 
mon. As for pigeons, they were so numerous as to be a serious pest to 
the farmers, eating the grain as fast as it could be sown. When 16 years 
old young Almon began to work out for others and continued to do so until 
he was 22, when he bought land and began farming for himself in Stearns 
Valley, Trempealeau County. About 1879 he took up his residence in 
Galesville, where he resided for 12 years, engaged in teaming. He then, 
in 1891, began operations on his present farm, which he had previously 
purchased, making a specialty of the fruit and nursery business, in which 
he has been successful. He was a charter member of the first fire company 
in Galesville and for three years has served as president of the Burns 
Curling Association. Mr. Cram was married in 1876 to Isabelle Gunderson, 
who was born in Norway, daughter of Michael and Betsy Gunderson. She 
came to America with her parents when a child of 7 or 8 years, they settling 
in Bear Creek Valley on a homestead five miles north of Ettrick. After 
residing there a number of years they moved across the river into Minne- 
sota, near Bear Park, where Mrs. Gunderson is now living, her husband 
being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cram have had seven children, one of whom 
died in infancy. The others are : Blanche, wife of Thomas Hunter, a hard- 
ware merchant of Galesville; Lela, wife of Harry Bennett, a farmer of 
Centerville, Wis. ; Ray, who married Eunice Tucker, and resides in Gales- 
ville ; Mabel, wife of Milton Merwin, a farmer of Centerville ; and John and 
Vilas, who reside at home and are assisting their father in operating the 
farm. Mr. Cram is a Democrat in politics, but has taken no active part 
in local government affairs. He is warmly interested, however, in the 
progress and development of the community in which he lives, and always 
ready to aid in advancing its interests. 

M. N. Hammer, proprietor of Fair View Farm, in section 17, Gale Town- 
ship, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, son of Nels Burson and Thrine 
Hammer. His parents, who died in their native land, were born in the 
same province, the father Nov. 22, 1820, and the mother Jan. 12, 1817. 

M. N. Hammer attended school in Norway until he was 17 years of age, 
when he began to learn the moulder's trade, which he followed for some 
four years or more, in Norway, and for seven years in the United States, 
to which country he came in 1881. He located first in Frenchville, Trempea- 
leau County, and then went to Clay County, Minn., where he took up land 
and resided three years, subsequently i-eturning to this county and settling 
in Galesville. For some years thereafter, however, he worked in various 
places, and then bought his present farm, but in the same year, 1891, began 
working in the flour mill of Wilson Davis at Galesville. He continued to 
work in the mill for 16 years, at the end of which time he moved onto his 
farm of 40 acres, where he has since been engaged in breeding Jersey and 
Holstein cattle. He has made a number of improvements on the place, 



360 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

greatly increasing its value, and is doing a profitable business. He is also 
a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery. For a number of years 
he has served as superintendent of roads. In politics he is a Republican. 

Mr. Hammer was married May 28, 1882, to Marthea Larson, daughter 
of Lars Keos and Alice Sather, who was born March 24, 1853, in the same 
province in Norway that the Hammer family came from. Her parents 
died in their native land. He and his wife have had five children : Nels N., 
residing at home and engaged in the lightning rod business ; he married 
Josephine Brenengen ; John M., who is connected with the J. I. Chase Com- 
pany, of Racine, Wis. ; Elmer and Alice, residing at home, and Thorval, who 
is deceased. Mr. Hammer is fraternally connected with the I. S. W. A., of 
Galesville. The family are members of the Lutheran church. 

Thomas W. Bibby, who is engaged in agriculture in sections 22 and 26, 
Gale Township, was born on his present farm, Nov. 7, 1869, son of Joshua 
and Jane (Allan) Bibby, who were natives of Scotland. Joshua Bibby was 
born at Airdrie, Scotland, Aug. 5, 1838, and his wife in Lanarkshire, Jan. 
22, 1840. After marrying in their native land, they came to America in 
1859, settling in Gale Township, this county, and soon afterwards locating 
on the farm now owned by their son Thomas, which, however, then con- 
tained but 100 acres of land. Here Joshua Bibby died May 15, 1889. having 
made fair progress in the development and cultivation of his farm. His 
wife survived him nearly nine years, passing away Jan. 9, 1898. They had 
a family of 11 children, born in the following order: Janet (1), Janet (2), 
Margaret Allan, Jemima, Thomas W., Alexander, Mary Fauls, Agnes Janet, 
Ruth Ora, Joshua and Ross. All are now deceased except Thomas W., and 
his sister Jemima, who resides with him. Thomas W. Bibby attended 
school at Glasgow, Gale Township. When he was 20 years old his fathei 
died and he took charge of the estate and has since resided on it, carrying 
on general farming and dairying. The farm now contains 240 acres, and 
is well provided with good buildings and all necessary equipment, Mr. 
Bibby having made many improvements on it since his father's death. He 
is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Independent 
Harvester Company of Piano, 111., also in a company operating a thresh- 
ing machine. In politics he is an independent Democrat, but has not par- 
ticipated in local government affairs. He and his sister Jemima attend 
North Bend Presbyterian Church. The latter was also educated in the 
Glasgow school, and afterwards attended Trempealeau high school and 
Gale University. She presides over the domestic arrangements of the farm 
and she and her brother are popular members of the community of Gale 
Township, and for ten years was a proficient teacher in the rural schools 
in Trempealeau County, teaching mostly in her own district, where she 
attended when a girl. 

Thomas Bibby, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, who is engaged in 
market gardening and chicken raising, is a native son of this county, born 
at Glasgow, Oct. 10, 1858. His parents were John and Mary (McMillan) 
Bibby, both born in Scotland, the father Aug. 15, 1832, the mother a year 
or two previously. John Bibby came to the United States in 1853, settling 
in Maryland. Later he removed to Kentucky and from there to Ohio, 




MR. AND MRS. JOSHUA BIBBY 










3 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 361 

subsequently returning to Maryland, and was there married. In 1856 
they came to Trempealeau County, where Mr. Bibby was engaged in farm- 
ing until his death in February, 1912, his farm being located nine miles 
northeast of Galesville. He had been a widower for some 14 years, his 
wife having died in September, 1898. He was a man of prominence in 
the township, and at different times held local office. Thomas Bibby was 
the second born in a family of six children. His education was begun in 
the old Glasgow schoolhouse of his father's farm and he subsequently was 
a student for three terms in Gale University. He began assisting his 
father on the farm when 14 years of age, and the management came into 
his hands a few years later, on account of the father's health failing. 
When 30 years old he and his brother James rented the farm and operated 
it on their account for three years. He then purchased a farm adjoining 
the old home on the north, which he operated eight years. Then selling 
this farm, he moved to Galesville and two years later — 1904 — purchased 
the place where he now resides, although he did not move onto it until 
1909. This is a tract consisting of 12 lots, all inside the city limits, and 
here Mr. Bibby devotes his time to truck farming, raising vegetables and 
similar produce, finding a ready market in Galesville. He also keeps about 
60 White Leghorn chickens, to which he devotes most of his time in the 
winter. In politics Mr. Bibby is a Prohibitionist. He has served as village 
treasurer two years and in 1916 was a candidate for county treasurer. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the order of Beavers. 
Mr. Bibby was married June 16, 1893, to Anna Pryse, who was born in 
New London, Ohio, daughter of James M. and Mary (Morgan) Pryse, who 
were natives of Wales. Her father came to America when a child, his 
family settling near Palmyra, Ohio. He became a Presbyterian minister 
and came to Wisconsin about the time the Civil War broke out, or pre- 
viously. From this state he went to Lawrence, Kansas, where he was living 
at the time that place was attacked and raided by the notorious rebel 
guerrilla Quanti'el. Later he returned to Wisconsin and made his home 
at North Bend, where his death occurred, he having been active in church 
work until the last. His wife, who subsequently made her home with her 
son-in-law, Thomas Bibby, died Nov. 7, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby became 
the parents of two children: Gwynifred Jane and Mary Edna, both of 
whom are students at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis. Mrs. Thomas Bibby 
died July 14, 1900. 

John M. Bibby, who has a highly improved farm of 160 acres in sec- 
tion 20, Gale township, where he is successfully carrying on dairying and 
stock raising, was born in the locality now known as Glasgow, May 8, 1860, 
son of John and Mary (McMillan) Bibby. His parents were natives of 
Scotland, the father coming to the United States in 1853, when 21 years 
of age, and settling in Maryland, where he was mari-ied. Subsequently he 
and his wife removed to Kentucky and from there to Ohio, after returning 
to Maryland. They settled in Trempealeau County in 1856, locating nine 
miles northeast of Galesville. Here John Bibby died in February, 1912. 
His wife died in September, 1898. John M. Bibby in his boyhood attended 
the school at Glasgow, this county. He remained at home until he was 22 



362 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

years of age. He was married Nov. 24, 1884, to Louise Emerson, who was 
born at French Creek, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Henry and 
Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. Her parents were natives of Norway, who 
came to this country in the early fifties, locating at Lewis Valley, La Crosse 
County. In 1868 Henry Emerson engaged in farming at North Bend, 
Jackson County, until his death, March 13, 1911. His wife died May 2, 
1917, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Bibby. They had six chil- 
dren, of whom their daughter Louise was the eldest. When he was 22 
years old Mr. Bibby began working for his future father-in-law, Mr. Emer- 
son, and was thus engaged for 18 months. Subsequently for two years he 
was employed in hauling cream to the creamery at Galesville. He then 
went into the creamery as a butter maker, and was manager of the estab- 
lishment, now known as the Arctic Springs Creamery, until Jan. 15, 1915, 
his period of service being little short of 25 years. Subsequently to 1902 
his family resided on his present farm, which he had previously purchased. 
Here he is now engaged in breeding Holstein cattle, milking 18 cows and 
having 20 head of young Holsteins. He is also a stockholder in the creamery 
and in the Farmers Co-operative Packing Company at La Crosse. Mr. 
Bibby was so long in the creamery that, since going back to his land, he 
says he has had to learn farming over again. He has made some important 
improvements on his place, one of the most recent being a fine barn, 72 
by 40 feet in dimensions. He has also a good residence and other necessary 
buildings, all in good condition. While residing in Galesville he served on 
the village board. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
In politics Mr. Bibby is a Republican. His fraternal afliliations are with 
the Beavers and Yeomen. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are the parents of six 
children : Dwight H., residing at home ; Irwin J., who married Ruth Erwin 
of South Dakota, and for four years was a teacher in the State Agricultural 
College of Pennsylvania. He is now in the employ of the government, 
manufacturing cheese from the byproducts of the creamery, such as whey 
and buttermilk. Harold F., who married Ida Alstrom and is employed in 
the creamery at Centerville; Joseph W., Mary V. and Mildred L., who are 
residing at home. 

Odell Hanson, a general farmer in sections 26-27, Gale Township, 
where he has 295 acres of land, was born in this township, March 14, 1881, 
son of Ole P. and Carrie (Peterson) Hanson. His parents were natives of 
Norway, the father born in Krageru, March 13, 1843, and the mother in 
Biri, Oct. 3, 1851. Their marriage took place in this country. Ole P. 
Hanson came to the United States during the Civil War and settled in 
Wisconsin. For a number of years he worked in a saw mill near Black 
River Falls. At the time of his marriage, about 1876, he located on a farm 
on Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, Trempealeau County, where his son 
Hans now hves and with whom Mr. and Mrs. Hanson now reside. 

Odell Hanson was the fourth born of his parents' eight children. He 
attended the Grant school in his boyhood and began working out for others 
at the age of 16 years and was thus occupied for about nine years. For 
one year he was engaged in hauling cream, after which he farmed for 
seven years. At the end of that time he bought his present farm, which 




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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 363 

was known as the old Hardie farm, and on which he raises most of the 
crops cultivated in this section. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' 
Exchange and the La Crosse Packing Company. Nov. 7, 1910, Mr. Hanson 
was married to Clara Anderson, who was born in Long Coolie, La Crosse 
County, Wis., daughter of Anton and Agnes (Evenson) Anderson. Her 
parents, natives of Norway, came to this country in 1880, locating on 
Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, where Mr. Anderson engaged 
in farming and where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have three chil- 
dren : Elmer Oscar, Kelmer Alton and Clinton, all residing at home. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hanson is 
independent. 

John Hunter, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 35, 
Gale Township, was born on the farm of his parents at Decorah Prairie, 
which adjoins his present farm, April 4, 1871. John Hunter was educated 
in the district school at Decorah Prairie. He resided with his parents, 
assisting on the home farm, until he was about 27 years old and then went 
to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, remaining 
four years. He then sold out his interests there and returned to Trem- 
pealeau County. In 1908 he purchased his present farm and has since 
been engaged here in general farming. He has made practically all the 
improvements on his place ; his farm is fertile, giving good yields of the 
ordinary crops, and his buildings are in good condition. He is also a stock- 
holder in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Hunter was married, 
Dec. 21, 1898, to Effie Bidwell, who was born in Easton, Adams County, 
Wis., daughter of Jacob and Julia (Vanhooser) Bidwell. Her father, who 
was born Nov. 15, 1845, in Easton, Adams County, N. Y., was a soldier in 
the Civil War, going to the front as a member of Company K, 38th Wis- 
consin Volunteers. At the end of his military service he settled at Easton, 
Wis., and engaged in farming until some time before his death, which took 
place in 1884. His wife died Nov. 16, 1913, at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. John Hunter, where her last years were spent. They had six children, 
of whom their daughter Effie was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter 
have two children : Maud Arleen, born Oct. 29, 1904, and Edith Margaret, 
born July 5, 1907, both of whom reside at home. In politics Mr. Hunter 
is independent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the Order of 
Beavers. 

Levi L. Odell, a well to do citizen of Galesville, who is now living 
retired after a long and active career, which included military service in 
the Civil War, was born in Elizabethtown, Essex County, N. Y., Dec. 18, 
1833, son of R. F. and Harriett (Lobdell) Odell. His parents were natives 
of New York state, the father being a son of Robert Odell, also a native of 
New York state, whose father, also named Robert, was born in Scotland 
and after coming to America took part in the Revolutionary War, as a 
member of the Continental army, which he joined from the colony at 
Albany, N. Y. Robert Odell. second, the grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, fought against Great Britain in the War of 1812. R. F. Odell, 
father of Levi, late in life migrated westward with his family, settling 
in Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death. He 



364 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Levi L. was the 
third born. Levi L. Odell attended school for a limited period in Elizabeth- 
town, N. Y. He resided at home until he was 21 years old, working in his 
father's iron business from the age of 14. On coming of age he began 
teaching school, receiving a salary of $16 a month, which was the highest 
paid in the county. He then went into a forwarding house in Westport, 
New York, handling expressage and doing similar work for eight months. 
He then came to Chicago, and, starting Dec. 1, 1854, drove from that city 
to Green Bay, Wis., passing through Milwaukee. After arriving there he 
worked in the pineries around Green Bay and in Marinette County until 
September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 12th Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry, as a private, being one of 68 men who enlisted the same 
night. Mr. Odell was elected first lieutenant and for three years had com- 
mand of the company's drill. He was never wounded or confined to the 
hospital, and up to the time of the surrender of Vicksburg had never been 
off duty. Mr. Odell continued his military career until December, 1864, 
when he was mustered out at Madison, Wis. His brother had purchased 
a farm for him near Galesville, Trempealeau County, and this he resided 
on from 1865 to 1889, engaged in agriculture. He was then appointed 
postmaster of Galesville and moved into the village, serving in the office 
until President Cleveland's second administration, when that administra- 
tion going out he was superseded. Four years later, however, he was 
reappointed and served three terms longer. He has a comfortable home 
in Galesville, and still owns his farm of 160 acres. He belongs to the 
Grand Army of the Republic and has been a delegate to the Encampment. 
In early life Mr. Odell was a Whig, but later became a Republican, which 
he has since remained. He and his wife are the parents of one child: 
Harlan B., who is a railroad contractor, doing an extensive business in 
Ohio. He married Josie Bryant, and they have three children : Harlan W., 
Aulis L. and Robert E. 

Thomas R. Hunter, one of the pioneers of Trempealeau County, who 
came here more than 60 years ago, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 
about eight miles from the city of Glasgow, Nov. 26, 1836, son of John 
and Agnes (Ferguson) Hunter, his parents being natives of the same 
locality. In 1842 John Hunter came alone to the United States, his family 
following in 1848. For about a year he operated a mine at Bloomsberg, 
Pa., then moved to Clinton County, Pa., and from there to Maryland, where 
he remained about 18 months. In the summer of 1853 he came to Wis- 
consin, locating in La Crosse County, where he remained about six weeks. 
He then came to Decorah Prairie, near Galesville, Trempealeau County, 
which locality was then, however, a part of La Crosse County. In the fol- 
lowing year Trempealeau County was organized and John Hunter became 
the first treasurer of Gale Township. He had obtained land, which he set 
to work to develop and improve, and was thus engaged when his death 
occurred in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of ten childi-en, of 
whom the youngest and the only one now living is Thomas Russell, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Thomas R. Hunter was a lad of 17 years when he accompanied his 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 365 

parents to Trempealeau County. He assisted his father on the farm until 
the latter's death and then became its owner, his father leaving it to him 
by will. Here he has since resided, carrying on general farming. He has 
180 acres of highly improved land, all a part of the original homestead, 
which is now operated by his youngest son Robert. The nearest trading 
point when he came to this farm was La Crosse. The Indians frequently 
came to the vicinity, but never molested him. In fact he had some warm 
friends among them, frequently gave them shelter over night and was 
thanked by them for his favors. Mr. Hunter was the instigator and prime 
mover in having the bridge across Black River constructed, on the main 
Galesville-La Crosse road, this improvement being accomplished in 1895. 
It is known as "Hunter's bridge," this name being given to it by the 
La Crosse County board. When a young man living in the state of Mary- 
land, Mr. Hunter was a member of the denomination known as Bible Chris- 
tians. He has never joined any church in Trempealeau County, but for 
over 50 years has been connected with the Sunday school at Decorah 
Prairie. In politics he is independent. He was township chairman two 
years and was two years a member of the side board. Thomas R. Hunter 
was married Oct. 31, 1862, to Agnes Grant, who was born in Lanarkshire, 
Scotland, May 28, 1842. When a child of six years she accompanied her 
parents to the United States, the family settling on Big Sandy River in 
Kentucky. After residing there until 1855 or 1856 they came to Wisconsin, 
traveling by rail to Prairie du Chien, from there by boat to Trempealeau, 
and by team to Gale Township. Here Mr. Grant bought land and engaged 
in farming. He died on his homestead about 1871 and his wife about 1877. 
They had four children, of whom their daughter Agnes was second in order 
of birth. Thomas Hunter and wife have 11 children: Walter, residing 
on an adjoining farm, who married Jeanette Oliver of Gale Township and 
has eight children : Elizabeth, wife of Andrew McCall, a farmer and exten- 
sive land owner in Rock Island County, 111., who has three children; Agnes, 
residing with her parents; Thomas, a resident of Galesville; John, living 
on an adjoining farm, who married Effie Bidwell, and has two children; 
Ellen, wife of Henry Shoffell, a farmer in Nebraska; Ruth, wife of Fred 
Docken, a farmer and ranchman in Montana; Mae, residing with her 
parents; Jennie, wife of Talmadge Vicery, a lumber dealer of Sheridan, 
Wyoming; Isabelle, residing at home, and Robert, who is operating the 
home farm. 

Walter Hermann, a well known farmer in sections 27 and 28, Gale 
Township, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., July 8, 1884, son of Jacob 
and Augusta (Yootic) Hermann. The parents were natives of Germany, 
who came to the United States when children, the family of Jacob Hermann 
setthng at Smith's Cooley in La Crosse County. Wis., where he later engaged 
in farming. He continued there until 1908, when he retired and took up 
his residence in the city of La Crosse. He and his wife celebrated their 
golden wedding there in the fall of 1915. Of their family of nine children 
their son Walter was the youngest. Walter Hermann when a boy attended 
district school in Smith's Cooley, La Crosse County. He assisted his 
father until his marriage, and then located on his present farm in Gale 



366 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Township, which consists of 160 acres of highly cultivated land. Here he 
is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in raising pure-bred 
Guernsey cattle, his other live stock including hogs and horses. He is also 
a stockholder in a threshing outfit owned in the vicinity. Mr. Hermann 
was married, March 24, 1909, to Minnie Beyer, who was born in Smith 
Cooley, La Crosse County, July 7, 1883, daughter of August and Minnie 
(Hoffman) Beyer. Her parents were natives of Germany. Mr. Beyer came 
to the United States at the age of 7 years and mother came at age of 14. 
They are now retired from farming labor, but still reside on the farm. 
They had a family of 12 children, their daughter Minnie being the third 
in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Hermann have one child, Alice Dorothy, 
a bright girl, born Feb. 3, 1914. The family are members of the Lutheran 
Church. In politics Mr. Hermann is independent. He has never sought 
office, but has always taken an interest in good government and cast his 
vote accordingly. He has always, too, shown a willingness to support any 
practical movement for the general good of the community. He and his 
family are well known and respected in this part of the county. 

Gilbert Olson Herreid, a pioneer settler in Ettrick Township, now 
deceased, was born in Hardanger, Norway, June 23, 1836. He was married 
in his native land to Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde, who was born in Vosse 
Naugen, Norway, March 20, 1832, Mr. Herreid being then engaged in 
operating a rented farm in that county, near the village of Lodi. In 1863 
he and his family started for Trempealeau County, arriving here with one 
of the first teams ever seen in the county, hitched to a home-made wagon. 
They settled on the farm now owned by their son Gilbert M., and on which 
the original log house is still standing. Mr. Herreid at once began clear- 
ing the land and was thus engaged when, in 1865, he was drafted to serve 
in the Civil War. He had only proceeded as far as Madison, however, when 
the war came to an end and he was allowed to return home. When he 
first arrived here he had but $6 in money and was destitute of provisions 
or supphes, but having an old army musket he made use of it to shoot 
prairie chickens and other game, on which he and his family chiefly lived 
for awhile. About a year after his arrival he bought a cow from his 
brother, but the animal was stolen before he had had a chance to milk it, 
the thief at the same time taking the halter of one of his horses and putting 
it on the cow to lead it away with. The cow was never recovered, nor 
ever afterwards heard of. At that time there were plenty of Indians in 
this vicinity, and they often came to the cabin begging, but were not 
unfriendly. Mr. Herreid worked hard and in course of time began to 
prosper. He increased the size of his farm until he had 360 acres of land 
in it, and from time to time made improvements in his buildings. That 
he was an enterprising man may be gathered from the fact that he bought 
the first steam engine used on any farm on Beaver Creek, with which he 
did work for others for a number of years. He also kept his eyes open for 
other opportunities, was a stockholder in the Hegg store, helped to organize 
the first creamery at Blair and also the Ettrick creamery. He owned stock 
in the first Norman horse ever brought to Ettrick Township, and assisted 
in organizing the Farmers' store in Blair, keeping up his varied activities 









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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 367 

until a year before his death, which took place Jan. 29, 1914, when he was 
in his seventy-eighth year. Although so active in business matters Mr. 
Herreid would never accept office of any kind. His wife assisted him not 
only in the household, but also practicing as a midwife throughout all this 
part of the county, and was so efficient in this profession that she was 
frequently called to render service not only in Galesville, Whitehall, Center- 
ville, Blair, and other places in this county, but also sometimes in La Crosse. 
She is still living and makes her home with her son, Gilbert M. Herreid. 

Gilbert M. Herreid, a prosperous representative of the agricultural 
interests of Ettrick Township, was born on his present farm, and in the 
same house in which he now lives, in section 16 E, May 10, 1872. His 
parents were Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde Herreid, 
farming people near the village of Lodi, who came to America, and settled 
in Ettrick Township, this county, in 186.3. Gilbert M. had limited educa- 
tional opportunities, but in his boyhood attended school for awhile in 
Ettrick Township. Under his father's instruction he acquired a good 
knowledge of agriculture and began working for his father by the year 
when he was 21 years old, becoming a partner in the farm when he was 25. 
Jan. 1, 1906, he purchased the entire farm, which now consists of 160 
acres, he having recently sold 40 acres. He is engaged in the breeding of 
registered Shorthorn cattle and since 1902 has also been breeding Poland- 
China hogs. Aside from his immediate farming interests Mr. Herreid is 
a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Co-operative Packing 
Company of La Crosse, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Tele- 
phone Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company. 

Oct. 10, 1900, he was married to Ida Gilbertson, who was born at 
French Creek, Ettrick Township, daughter of Even 0. and Maria Antoinetta 
Gilbertson. The parents, natives of Biri, Norway, came to Ettrick Town- 
ship at an early date and engaged in farming. Mr. Gilbertson, who was a 
brother of J. 0. Gilbertson, became a prominent citizen of the township, 
serving as chairman of the township board and a member of the county 
board and in other local offices. He was also president and secretary of 
the Scandinavian Insurance Company, a stockholder in the Ettrick 
Creamery, and as manager of a stock company organized here, bought two 
fine Clydesdale stallions, the first of the kind brought to Ettrick Township. 
He also took a prominent part in church work. His death occurred 
Sept. 26, 1913. His wife, who survives him, is a resident of CenterviUe, 
Wisconsin. 

Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of two children : Eugene Guy, born 
Aug. 18, 1902, who is attending the agricultural college at Onalaska, and 
Irene Marcella, born May 31, 1905, who is attending school. Mr. Herreid 
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the United 
Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong. In politics he is a 
Republican, and while never ambitious to hold pubhc office, as a good citizen 
he has several times consented to serve, and was supervisor for three 
years and school clerk six years, after which he declined further service. 
A list of his parents' children, living and deceased, is as follows : Tosten G., 
born Oct. 31, 1857 ; Ole, born April 5, 1863 ; Thomas, born April 27, 1865, 



368 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

now residing near Galesville; Carl, born July 21, 1868, who died June 8, 
1879; Sena R., wife of A. M. Hellekson, born May 31, 1870; Gilbert M., 
born May 10, 1872 ; Iver, born April 5, 1874, now a resident of Galesville ; 
and Emma Marthina, born April 7, 1877, who died Jan. 15, 1879. 

Thomas Harmon. In i-eviewing the history of the notable pioneers 
of Trempealeau County those who have passed away must not be for- 
gotten. Among them was Thomas Harmon, whom the older residents of 
Ettrick Township still remember as a good neighbor and reliable citizen, 
as well as the founder of one of the flourishing homesteads in the town- 
ship. Mr. Harmon was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1822, and was a 
young man when he came to the United States, being as yet unmarried. 
After a long voyage in a sailing vessel, he reached port. Landing at New 
Orleans his first work was turning a hand corn sheller at $3.00 a day, but 
on account of the cholera he removed to Illinois, where he worked in a 
factory. From there he proceeded to Walworth County, Wis., where, not 
long after, he was married at Lake Geneva to Julia Rafter, a native of 
Kilkenny, Ireland. About 1861 he came with his wife and two children, 
Andy and Katie, to Trempealeau County, making the journey in a covered 
wagon with ox team. Arriving here he located on land in Ettrick Town- 
ship, which he owned in partnership with his brother John. Later he 
homesteaded 80 acres more. On his farm he built a frame shack and later 
a house of hewed logs, 16 by 24 feet, which was so well and substantially 
made that it is still occupied by the family. Here Thomas Harmon passed 
the rest of his life engaged in improving his farm, his death taking place 
May 3, 1887, when he had reached the age of 66 years. He served some 
time on the school board, and as a good Catholic helped to build the first 
church at Ettrick. His wife died March 6, 1904. Their children were: 
And], born, Sept. 14, 1857; Kate, now Mrs. James Kennedy of Morris, 
Minn.; James, born April 3, 1863; Mary, who is Mrs. S. Thompson and 
resides at Nome, Alaska; Bridget, wife of Tom Whalen of Ettrick Town- 
ship, and Julia, who died Dec. 8, 1908. She always remained at home, assist- 
ing her mother, and after her mother's death she became housekeeper for 
the boys until her death. James and Andy are now the proprietors of 
the old homestead, on which they have made some valuable improvements, 
among other things erecting a good basement barn, 34 by 60 feet. Like 
their father, they are devout members of the Catholic Church. Neither 
have ever married. 

Thomas P. Herreid, a farmer of section 14, E. Ettrick Township, is a 
native of this township, having been born near Hegg, Nov. 26, 1886. His 
parents, Peter 0. and Segried (Larsdatter) Herreid, were both born in 
Hardanger, Norway, and were married in that country, coming to America 
while still a young couple. After arriving in Trempealeau County, Wis., 
they resided with Peter Herreid's brother, K. 0., for one year. Peter then 
bought land in Ettrick Township and began farming, in which occupation 
he continued for the rest of his life, his death taking place in December, 
1911. He had learned the trade of stone mason in his younger days and 
followed it here at times when work was slack on the farm. He was a 
member of the United Lutheran Church. His wife, who survived him, still 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 369 

resides on the old farm. They were the parents of eight children, of whom 
Thomas P. was the seventh in order of birth. 

Thomas P. Herreid was educated in the district school at Hegg. At 
the age of 16 years he began working out on farms, and continued to work 
for others, besides assisting his father, until two years before he mar- 
ried. He then settled on the farm which he and his wife now own and 
which contains 180 acres of land. Mr. Herreid has added to the improve- 
ments and the property is now well supplied with suitable buildings and 
a good equipment of machinery and implements. It is registered as Meadow 
Brook Farm and is a good piece of agricultural property. Sept. 10, 1911, 
Mr. Herreid was married to Ella Amelia Augeness, who was born in Ettrick 
Township, where she now lives. Her parents were Peter J. and Martha S. 
(Nelson) Augeness, the former born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 28, 1864. 
Mr. Augeness came to this country two or three years before he was mar- 
ried, locating in Trempealeau County, Wis., and working at first for others. 
After his marriage he lived on the farm of his wife's father until his early 
death at the age of 27 years. His wife subsequently continued to reside 
with her parents until her own death, June 16, 1900. One year previous to 
that event the family moved from the farm to Ettrick, where the mother 
died. Mrs. Herreid was the first born of two children, and the only one 
now living. In her girlhood she attended the district school at Hegg, where 
her husband was a fellow pupil and a member of the same class, and sub- 
sequently her education was continued in the school in Ettrick Village and 
at Gale College, which latter institution she attended a part of a term only, 
being obliged to give up her studies on account of the illness of her grand- 
mother. Simon Nelson, her grandfather, was one of the first settlers in 
Trempealeau County. She was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Synod 
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of one child, Stanley Mirald 
Palmer, who was born April 29, 1913. The family are members of the 
Lutheran Synod Church. Mr. Herreid is a Republican in politics, but takes 
no active part in township affairs, devoting his whole attention to the farm. 
He is a prosperous citizen and he and his family are well known and 
respected in this part of Trempealeau County. 

La Verd Ernest Hardie, proprietor of a good farm in sections 20 and 
29, Gale Township, was born at Mindoro, La Crosse County, Wis., Nov. 
2, 1880, son of Andrew and Catherine (Becker) Hardie. The father, 
Andrew Hardie, who was born in Scotland, came to the United States 
in 1854, locating first in Maryland. He then came to Trempealeau County, 
Wisconsin, settling at Glasgow, Gale Township, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. After residing there for a number of years, he returned to Mindoro, 
but later coming back to Trempealeau County, he settled in Ettrick Town- 
ship. Still later he returned to the old farm in Glasgow and lived there 
until 1912, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville, where 
he and his wife ai'e now living. 

La Verd E. Hardie was the second-born child in a family of four. He 
attended school in Ettrick and Glasgow, and also was a student for two 
years at the State Agricultural College at Madison. He resided on the 
home farm until 1905, in which year he purchased his present property — 



370 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a farm of 157 acres — on which he has made all the improvements now 
standing, having also brought the land into a high state of cultivation. 
In addition to general farming, he engaged in dairying, keeping high grade 
Guernsey cattle, which he breeds from pure-bred bulls. Mr. Hardie is 
also a stockholder in the Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse and 
in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Galesville. He is a member of sev- 
eral fraternal orders, including the Beavers, Yeomen, Odd Fellows and 
Modern Woodmen of America. He was married June 5, 1907, to Sara F. 
Daniels, who was born at Plymouth, Pa., daughter of Frederick and Agnes 
(Noble) Daniels, her father being a native of Pennsylvania and her mother 
of Scotland. Frederick Daniels was connected with the coal mining busi- 
ness in his native state, and while employed as hoisting engineer was acci- 
dentally killed when his daughter Sara was a child of 14 months. His wife, 
the latter's mother, is still living and resides in Plymouth, Pa. The family 
stood high in the community in which they lived, Mrs. Daniels being super- 
intendent of the Pi-esbyterian Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Hardie have 
many friends and acquaintances in this part of the county. They are 
members of the Presbyterian Chui'ch, and in politics Mr. Hardie is an inde- 
pendent Republican. He has never sought public office, but has always 
supported good candidates in the local field and been ready to lend his aid 
and influence to any movement calculated to advance the general interests 
of the community. 

Christian J. Hogden, who is engaged in farming in Ettrick Township, 
having two farms of 80 acres each, in sections 26, 27, 15, was born in 
French Creek Valley, this county, Oct. 8, 1862. His parents were John 
Anderson and Oliva (Anderson) Hogden, born in Vardar, Norway, the 
father July 4, 1832, and the mother April 14, 1830. They were married 
in Norway and came to the United States in 1854, residing for about a 
year near Holmen, Wis., whence they removed to Trempealeau Valley. 
Three years later John A. Hogden and his family removed to the farm, 
where he now lives in section 23, Ettrick Township, having resided hei'e 
over 60 years. As a pioneer settler of the county he had to endure many 
hardships in early days, among other things being obliged to carry flour 
on his back from La Crosse to his home near Blair. The Indians were 
then numerous, and often came to his cabin begging. By humoring them 
and treating them in a friendly manner he got along with them without 
any trouble, and often traded with them for buckskins, blueberries or other 
wild products. His farm contained 120 acres, to which he later added 100 
acres more. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and gradu- 
ally became prosperous. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran Con- 
gregation Church in this valley, and also assisted in organizing the Ettrick 
Creamery Company. He was also a member of the township board in early 
days and assisted in organizing the schools and in building the first school- 
house. Bearing in mind his own early difficulties and trials, he was always 
glad to extend a helping hand to new settlers, giving them food and shelter 
and showing them how to build their cabins, break their land and do other 
work to which many of them had been unaccustomed. During the Civil 
War he sent a substitute to serve for him, not being able to leave his family. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 371 

His wife died April 11, 1909, after many years of happy married life. Their 
family included eight children, as follows : Andrew, Carolina, John, Anna 
(deceased), Christian J., Peter, Julia and Ole. 

Christian J. Hogden in his boyhood attended school in district No. 1, 
French Creek Valley, and resided at home until he was 21 years old. After 
that he worked two winters in the pineries. Being now ready to begin 
farming for himself, he rented his father's farm and operated it on that 
basis for three years. At the end of that time he purchased his father- 
in-law's (Hans Madson) farm. He has since continued to reside here and 
has prospered. He has spent several thousand dollars in improving the 
place. The two parts of the estate, each consisting of 80 acres, are sepa- 
rated about a mile and a half from each other. They are provided with 
good buildings and are fully equipped for all the purposes of modern farm- 
ing. Mr. Hogden is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and also in the 
Farmers and Merchants' Bank at Galesville. He was also formerly inter- 
ested in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, in which, however, 
he has sold out his stock. Mr. Hogden was first married. May 18, 1889, to 
Oleana Madson, who was born on this farm Oct. 30, 1864, daughter of Hans 
and Johanas (Olson) Madson. Her parents were natives of Norway and 
were early settlers in this township, coming here from Vernon County, 
where they had resided one summer. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Oleana 
Hogden died Feb. 19, 1899, leaving three children: Josephine, born April 
5, 1890, wife of Gust Erickson (her issue, Kilmer, Oleana and Goodwin), 
a farmer residing one mile north of Ettrick ; Hans, born Feb. 5, 1895 ; 
Oscar, who is single and lives on the home farm ; and Clara Otillie, born 
June 17, 1897, residing at home. On Dec. 5, 1907, Mr. Hogden married 
for his second wife Miss Anna Larson, who was born at Hardie's Creek, 
Gale Township, this county, daughter of Matt and Agnes (Larson) Larson. 
Her parents, both natives of Norway, came early to Trempealeau County, 
settling on Hardie's Creek, where the father died, after a career of many 
years engaged in farming and stock raising. The widow still resides on 
the farm. They had ten children, of whom their daughter Anna was the 
third in order of birth. Of Mr. Hogden's second marriage there are no chil- 
dren. The family church is the French Creek Lutheran. 

.Knudt P. Hallanger. Among the flourishing and well kept farms of 
Ettrick Township is that of the subject of this sketch, Knudt P. Hallanger, 
a practical agriculturist, who has achieved prosperity chiefly through his 
own efforts and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of this 
township. Like many other successful farmers of the county, Mr. Hallanger 
is of Norwegian birth, having been born in Handanger, Norway, July 31, 
1860, son of Paul and Guri (Johnson) Hallanger, natives of the same 
country and locality, where Paul Hallanger was born Jan. 9, 1837, and his 
wife Nov. 2, 1834. On July 5, 1867, the family made their appearance in 
Beaver Valley, this county, locating on the farm now owned by Knudt P. 
Hallanger. It was not then a farm, however, but merely a tract of wild 
land awaiting the plow of the pioneer. With a pair of oxen Mr. Hallanger 
began the work of cultivation and for years thereafter he was an extremely 
busy man. The original tract consisted of 80 acres, and for awhile this 



372 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

was all he owned, but in time he doubled the size of the farm, so that it 
contained 160 acres at the time of his retirement in 1893. For a number 
of years he continued to use oxen for his plowing and other farm work, 
changing to horses as conditions improved and he became more prosperous, 
the horse being the less hardy animal. On retiring, as above mentioned, 
he took up his residence in Hegg, but after spending some years there he 
returned to the farm, where he died Jan. 19, 1913. He took no active part 
in town affairs, but was a man well known and respected for his industry, 
intelligence and good neighborly qualities. His wife survived him a little 
over two years, dying Feb. 2, 1915. They were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living : Knudt P., who was the eldest ; Breta, 
wife of Eri'ick Sime, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Louisa, wife of John 
Shoblom, a farmer and ranchman in Montana; and Martin, who resides 
at Chippewa Falls, Wis. 

Knudt P. Hallanger acquired the elements of an English education 
in the district school of his present neighborhood. Like other farmers' 
boys he had to make himself useful at an early age and was up in the 
morning doing chores long before the average city boy crawls reluctantly 
from bed. The hard work and fresh air did him no harm, however, but 
strengthened his lungs and his muscles, and at the age of 18 years he 
began to work in the woods during the winter time, resuming his farm 
work on the family homestead in the summer, and in this way he was 
occupied for eleven years. Later he purchased the old homestead, on which 
he has since resided and which now contains 140 acres of land. Here he 
carries on general farming very successfully and according to up to date 
methods, having good barns and all necessary buildings and equipment, 
and in 1915 he erected a new and handsome modern residence, which is 
the comfortable home of a large family circle. Though devoting all his 
business hours to his farm, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery 
Company, the Farmers' Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick Telephone 
Company. 

Mr. Hallanger began domestic life on his own account over 25 years 
ago, when, April 20, 1891, he was united in marriage with Betsy Johnson, 
who was born in Franklin Township, Jackson County, Wis., daughter of 
Nels and Jorand (Erickson) Johnson. Her parents were born and married 
in Hardanger, Norway, and came to America in 1867, setthng in the 
location above mentioned, their dwelHng being near the county line divid- 
ing Jackson and Trempealeau Counties, so that it was not far from the 
Hallanger farm. Mrs. Johnson died when her daughter Betsy was a mere 
babe, her husband surviving her until 1901. Mrs. Hallanger was the 
youngest member of the family, the other children being: Lesa, wife of 
Andrew Lee, who resides in Frankhn Township, Jackson County; Aleck, 
also residing there, in a part of the old Johnson home; and Nellie, who 
is the wife of C. K. Lein, a farmer in Robinson, Kidder County, N. D. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hallanger have had a family of 13 children : Palmer Nicoli, 
Joseph Gilbert, Helmer and Christian, who are deceased ; Helmer Bertram, 
residing at home ; Cornelia, deceased ; Cornelia Martina, Elvin Sigvort, 
Evelyn Jose, Carl Johan, Bernice Louisa, residing at home, and Edward 




MR. AXIJ MKS. KM T K, HALLANGER 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 373 

Julius and Esther Juliet, who are deceased. The family are members of 
the United Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hallanger is a Republican. 
He has served 16 years as a member of the school board, was township 
assessor five years and was again elected in 1917, and has also served as 
school clerk and treasurer and as trustee of his church. As a man of varied 
activities he is energetic and I'esourceful, using good judgment in business 
matters and conscientiously performing every piece of work that comes to 
hand, whether it is for himself or pertaining to the community at large. 

Knut K. Hallanger, one of the earliest settlers in Beaver Creek Valley, 
Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, in June, 1833. He 
came to the United States in 1854, settling on Koshkanong Prairie, near 
Stoughton, Dane County, Wis. In 1858 he located in Beaver Creek Valley, 
Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, and engaged in farming, taking 
up government land and acquiring more by purchase. The land he obtained 
was wild, but he cleared and cultivated it, and after many years of hard 
labor had developed it into a good farm. It was his residence until 1910, 
in which year he retired and moved to Galesville, where he is now living in 
a comfortable residence which he bought at the time he left the farm. 
As one of the first settlers in Beaver Creek Valley, and a resident of it for 
more than half a century, Mr. Hallanger witnessed many changes and 
improvements in the township. For a number of years he served as post- 
master at Hegg, being appointed in 1873 by President Grant. He was 
also for a number of years township assessor and for one term supervisor. 
A Lutheran in religion, he became one of the founders of the church of 
that denomination at Hegg, and assisted in building a number of other 
churches in the county. When he arrived here from Norway he could 
speak no EngUsh, but soon acquired such a good knowledge of the language 
that he used to act as interpreter for the early Norwegian settlers. 

Knut K. Hallanger was married in Wisconsin to Symoa Bgotveit, who 
also was a native of Hardanger, Norway, and who died Oct. 22, 1906. They 
had a family of seven children : Alexander, John (first) and John (second) , 
who are deceased ; John B., a farmer of Hegg, Ettrick Township ; Helland 
Louis and Carl, both residing in Galesville, and Helena Bertina, who is 
now Mrs. C. G. Pains, of Ettrick Township. 

John B. Hallanger, a well known farmer of Hegg, Ettrick Township, 
was born in this township, Feb. 5, 1866, son of Knut K. and Symoa 
(Bgotveit) Hallanger. He acquired a district school education in Ettrick 
Township and at the age of 18 years began to work out for others at thresh- 
ing, sawing lumber and whatever he could find to do. He also spent some 
of his winters cutting timber in the woods, and with his brother operated 
the homestead farm for a number of years. In 1909 he made a trip to the 
Pacific coast, for pleasure only, spending the time in sightseeing. The 
following winter he bought his present farm at Hegg, consisting of 204 
acres, in addition to which he has 20 acres of timber land lying six miles 
farther east. Mr. Hallanger, besides raising various crops, is engaged in 
dairying, keeping good cows for milking purposes, and is conducting his 
farm on a profitable basis. He is also a stockholder and director in the 
Ettrick Lumber Company, a stockholder in the Home Bank at Blair, the 



374 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Ettrick Telephone Company and the Farmers' Exchange at Blair. He 
belongs to the United Lutheran Church at Hegg, and in politics may be 
termed an independent Republican. He has never married. 

George M. and Walter R. Hass, who together are operating a good 
farm in section 19, Gale Township, are sons of Samuel and Marie (Dieko) 
Hass, natives of Germany. The father, Samuel Hass, born in Pommern, 
Germany, Dec. 9, 1844, was the son of a clergyman, and came to this country 
when 12 years of age, settling in Mormon Coolie, La Crosse County, Wis. 
where he was reared to manhood. For many years the family lived near 
the city. In 1874 Mr. Hass was married to Marie Dieko, who was born in 
Germany, Jan. 9, 1845. He continued to reside in La Crosse County until 
1905, in which year he moved with his family to Trempealeau County, set- 
tling on the Duncan Wright farm, where they lived and prospered, a happy, 
thrifty family, until Mr. Hass's death in November, 1910. Mr. Hass was 
a man of sterling character and was esteemed wherever known. While 
residing in La Crosse County, he served as assessor for nine years and as 
supervisor one year. He and his wife had eight children, seven of 
whom are now living: John and Mary Hass, Mrs. Anderegg and Mrs. 
Adolph Schilling live in or near La Crosse, George, Walter and Sophia 
are at home. 

George M. Hass was born in Shelby Township, La Crosse County, 
March 18, 1875, being the third born of his parents' family. He attended 
district school No. 3 in his native township and the German school in that 
locality one winter. Until 1911 he resided at home with his parents and 
then he and his brother, Walter R., purchased the farm on which they 
now Uve, and which contains 155 acres of land. They are engaged in general 
farming and dairying, keeping a number of high grade cattle and various 
other kinds of stock. Their farm is well equipped with suitable buildings 
and is kept in excellent condition. The brothers also own a threshing 
outfit and engage in threshing and silo fiUing for others, devoting their 
eniSre time to agricultural work in its various branches. Their mother 
resides with them on the farm. The family faith is that of the Lutheran 
Church. 

Walter R. Hass was boi-n Oct. 30, 1887, was educated in the rural 
schools of La Crosse County, resided at home until 1911, when as above 
stated he purchased with his brother, George M., their present farm. 
Sophia was born June 6, 1885, and attended the rural schools of La Crosse 
County and the La Crosse high school, and for six years was a proficient 
teacher in the rural school of La Crosse County. She is now keeping house 
for her brothers and mother. 

Ole O. Helstad, a prosperous farmer of Ettrick Township, whose farm 
of 160 acres is located in section 11, was born in Norway. Jan. 15, 1856, son 
of Ole Larson and Bertha Simonson. There were 12 children in his parents' 
family : Christ, Martha, Sam, Lars, Mat, Sena, Bernt and Ole 0. growing 
to maturity and the others dying young. All the members of the family 
who survived came to the United States, but not all together. Sam was the 
first to emigrate, and was followed by the parents. Then Bernt and Sena 
came, and after them Ole O. ; then Martha and Mat and lastly Lars. The 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 375 

parents arrived in 1872, locating in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, 
on the farm now operated by their ijon Ole, and which contained 160 acres. 
The land had previously been pre-empted by Ole Halvorson, who had built 
a small log house on it, but as there was no barn Ole Larson built one of 
straw. He had little but his hands with which to begin work, and it was 
two years before he was able to obtain an ox team. Such merchandise as 
he needed he had to carry on his back from Galesville. The market was at 
Trempealeau and there was no road, the journey to Trempealeau with the 
ox team occupying two days. He had to use the jumper for a wagon, as he 
then had no wheeled vehicle. He succeeded, however, in getting a cow 
the first year. The rest of Mr. Larson's life was spent on this place, and 
he died in the old log cabin at the age of 84 years, his wife passing away 
at the same age. In early days their home was often the scene of religious 
meetings, the Lutheran congregation, then small, holding their services 
there. Later Mr. Helstad helped to build the church at French Creek, of 
which he was a member until his death. 

Ole 0. Helstad, the direct subject of this sketch, was 18 years old when 
he came to the United States. For a number of years he assisted his 
father in clearing and improving the homestead, and finally, in 1881, 
bought the farm and cared for his parents until their death. The present 
frame residence was erected by him, also the basement barn, 34 by 64 
feet in size, and other buildings. He is engaged in general farming and 
raises good stock, and his operations have resulted profitably. Like his 
father, he assisted in building the Lutheran Church, of which he has been 
a trustee for many years. He also served on the school board nine years 
as clerk. Mr. Helstad married Kittie Jorgenson, who was born in Norway 
and accompanied her parents to America at the age of two years. He and 
his wife have had 12 children: Bernt, who died at the age of 26 years; 
Nick ; Odell, who married Gena Olson and resides on the home farm ; Albert ; 
Olof, who married Siverna Redsten of Preston Township; Eiml; John; 
William; Carl; Gena, who married Christ Redsten of Ettrick Township; 
Clara, wife of Anton Nelsestuen of Ettrick Township; and Anna, who is 
the wife of L. 0. Belland of Los Angeles, Cahf. 

Charles Francis Holmes, a pioneer, was born in Norway, Maine, Jan. 
25, 1823, and spent his boyhood and young manhood in the New England 
states. In 1850, leaving his wife at Slaterville, R. I., he came west, looking 
for a new home. Reaching La Crosse, May 1, 1850, he came directly to 
Ti-empealeau Village, then called Reed's Landing, and after looking about 
for a while, secured a farm in Caledonia Township. In the spring of 1853 
he returned to Rhode Island, where his young wife had died, and in the fall 
of that year came back to Trempealeau County, bringing with him his child 
Corintha that had been born during his absence, and his father, mother 
and two sisters. Some time later he married Lucy Atwood, who died in 
November, 1866, leaving two children: Herman and Arthur A. In 1868, 
Mr. Holmes sold his farm to his brother-in-law. Royal Atwood of Waupun, 
Wis., and took up his home with relatives in Trempealeau Village. While 
living here he was elected sheriff of the county. Late in the fall of 1874, 
when his term had almost expired, he went to Cahfornia. The next spring 



376 HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

he came back, and continued to reside in the village until 1878. Then he 
purchased a farm in Trempealeau Township, where he followed agricultural 
pursuits until his death, Jan. 25, 1900. 

Arthur Atwood Holmes, deputy state game warden and former sheriff 
of Treampealeau County, was born in Caledonia Township, this county, 
Feb. 23, 1862, son of Charles Francis and Lucy (Atwood) Holmes, natives 
respectively of Norway, Maine, and Addison, Vermont. He lost his mother 
as a boy of four years, and for several years was passed about among 
various relatives. For a time he lived with an uncle, Roj^al Atwood, in 
Waupun, Wis. Then he lived with Amos Whiting, another uncle, at West 
Prairie, Wis. For one year he was with Dr. Olson Atwood, an uncle living 
in Trempealeau. When about fourteen he went to Vermont, and lived with 
Norman Brooks, of the Brooks Edge Tool Company, Brooksville, manufac- 
turers of fine tools. Then he came back to Trempealeau County, and after 
living in the village a while went on the farm with his father. Until 17 
years of age he attended the Trempealeau Village schools, driving back and 
forth to the farm, or else riding a pony. After completing his schooling 
he remained on the farm until 1897, and then moved to Trempealeau Vil- 
lage, where he and his family took up their residence in the old home of 
Judge A. W. Newman, where they still live. After moving to the village, 
Mr. Holmes still continued to operate the farm for two years. For a time 
he served as deputy under Sheriff Elmer Immel, and on Jan. 1, 1903, became 
sheriff, an office he efficiently held for one term, during which time he lived 
at Whitehall. In the winter of 1905 he moved to Trempealeau. In 1907- 
08-09 he was a member of the county board. His appointment to his 
present position as deputy state game warden dates from March 30, 1910. 
Mr. Holmes has a variety of interests and holds stock in the Citizens' State 
Bank of Trempealeau, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, the 
Arctic Spring Creamery of Galesville, Wis., and the Trempealeau Lime 
Products Company, of which last named company he is vice-president. 
Mr. Holmes was manned April 5, 1883, to Nettie E. Booher, daughter of 
William T. Booher, a general merchant of Trempealeau. This union has 
been blessed with four children, Cyril Theodore, Lucy, Charles Arthur and 
Harold Frederick. Cyril Theodore was born May 20, 1884, and was married 
June 11, 1912, to Zella Case, of Cashton, Minn. Lucy was born Jan. 9, 1887, 
and teaches in the Trempealeau schools. Charles Arthur was born Feb. 1, 
1892, graduated from University of Wisconsin and is now a civil engineer. 
Harold Frederick was born Aug. 19, 1897, graduated from the University 
of Wisconsin, and is now a civil engineer. 

Albert Halderson, a well known and respected resident of section 1, 
Caledonia Township, was born at Valders in the northern part of Norway, 
Nov. 25. 1847, son of John and Gertie (Olson) Halderson. The father was 
born in the same locality in 1817 and his wife in 1816, their marriage tak- 
ing place in 1841. While in his native land John Halderson lived under a 
landlord named Eric Strand and worked a certain number of days in each 

season spring, summer, fall and winter — for home privileges on Strand's 

property. Mr. Strand finally sold out all his interests in Norway and came 
to America, and by arrangement with Mr. Halderson brought him and his 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 377 

family with him. While on the journey between New York and Wisconsin 
the two men became accidentally separated, but in Dane County, Wis., 
Mr. Halderson subsequently learned through a cousin, Ole Brown of 
La Crosse, that Mr. Strand had located in Bostwick Valley, La Crosse 
County, and so he came on with his family. This was in 1858. To pay 
his indebtedness to Mr. Strand, Mr. Halderson, who was a carpenter by 
trade, worked for him in that capacity at intervals, Mr. Strand assisting 
him and his family when it was necessary until the account was settled 
between them. The first home of the Halderson family in Wisconsin was 
a dugout in the side of a hill in Bostwick Valley, and in this they lived for 
the first year or two. In 1860 Mr. Halderson bought 120 acres of wild land 
from the government, on which he built a two-room log house, and in 1870 
he erected a more substantial and convenient log house, hewn inside and 
out, also sided and plastered. It was of two stories with basement and 
contained six rooms, and is today occupied by Knute Halderson, a brother 
of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Halderson, the father, cleared and 
developed all the plow land on the 120-acre tract, using oxen for his first 
team, the money for which he obtained by splitting rails at 75 cents per 
hundred. To accomplish this he had to walk three and a half miles every 
morning and back at night, working all day without dinner. Being a power- 
fully built man, Mr. Halderson was popularly known in the neighborhood 
as "Big John." In 1881 he sold this farm to his brother Knute, and moved 
to Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where he bought an unimproved 
farm of 80 acres, this place being his home until the death of his wife 
Gertie in 1891. He then sold the farm to his son Peter and spent the rest 
of his life with his children, his death occurring Dec. 2, 1897, at the home 
of his daughter, Jane Nelson, near Viroqua, Wis. The children of John 
and Gertie Halderson were six in number: Jane, born in Norway, who 
resides in Spokane, Wash. ; Albert, whose name appears at the head of 
this sketch; Ole, born in Norway, April 8, 1853, who now resides in 
Willamette Valley, Oregon; Knute, born on shipboard while on the trip 
to America in 1857 ; Peter, born in Bostwick Valley, La Crosse County, in 
1861, who died at La Crosse during the winter of 1915-16, and a daughter, 
born in Bostwick Valley, who died in infancy. Albert Halderson was 
brought up on his parents' farm and adopted agriculture for his occupation. 
He was married in 1868 to Mary Gaarder of Bostwick Valley, La Crosse 
County, Wis., of which union there was one son, J. 0. Halderson, now a 
furniture dealer in Galesville, Wis. Mrs. Mary Halderson died in August, 
1873, at the age of about 26, she having been in Norway in 1847. Mr. Hal- 
derson contracted a second marriage with Rachael Larson, who was born 
in Norway Sept. 22, 1850. She was killed in the summer of 1886 in a run- 
away accident. Their children are: Melvin of Holmen, La Crosse County, 
Wis. ; Louis of Treampealeau County, Wis. ; Elmer and Frank, who reside 
with their father. Mr. Halderson was married the third time April 24, 
1887, to Rosa Caswell. Their children are: Gertrude, resides at home; 
Raymond, county agent, living at Elkins, W. Va. ; Grace, a teacher at 
Bangor, Wis.; Carrol, a student at Galesville high school. The family 
church is the Methodist. 



378 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

E. J. Hankey, who for a number of years was the leading merchant of 
Trempealeau Village, where he is now living retired, was born in Czarnikow, 
Province of Posen, Prussia, Germany, Nov. 17, 1844, and there resided until 
he was 10 years old. When he was 5 years old his father died, and about 
1852 his mother married for her second husband a Mr. Maschke. In 1854 
the family came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which city 
they came directly to Wisconsin, locating at Beaver Dam, Dodge Countj'. 
Here Mr. Maschke found work at his trade of cabinet-maker, and was thus 
employed there for the rest of his life. When no longer able to work he 
went to live with his daughter Celia, who was the wife of Charles Owen, a 
farmer, living near Fox Lake, and there died about 1899, when 80 years 
of age. This daughter and her husband are still living, Celia being 58 years 
old. There was another daughter, Minnie, who died about 1892 or 1893, at 
Beaver Dam, Wis. 

E. J. Hankey was the first-born son by his mother's first marriage. He 
attended common school in Germany from the age of 5 to that of 10 years, 
and being an apt pupil, was well advanced in the common branches for his 
years when he came to America. Subsequently he attended school at 
Beaver Dam, in which city he resided until he was 24 years old. At the 
age of 17 he began working as clerk for J. H. & D. Newman, who kept a 
general merchandise store in Beaver Dam, dealing, however, principally in 
dry goods, and he continued in the employ of this firm until he came to Trem- 
pealeau early in 1868. On arriving here he at once formed a partnership 
with Thomas Veltum, and under the firm name of Hankey & Veltum they 
started business on Front street, dealing in groceries, crockery and notions. 
This partnership continued until 1873, when Mr. Hankey sold out to Mr. 
Veltum. A year later, however, the partnership was renewed and con- 
tinued until 1878, in which year the subject of this sketch bought out his 
partner, the latter going to St. James, Minn. Mr. Hankey remained on 
Front street until 1888, and then moved to a new store he had erected on 
the west side of Main street, one block north of the river. This was a two- 
story brick block, with basement, 34 by 70 feet in ground dimensions. It 
was built by Charles Thomas, of Trempealeau, and was the best and largest 
block in the village. While on Front street, however, Mr. Hankey had 
made a removal from his first location, a block east of the Melchoir place, 
to a double building about half a block further east, so that this was his 
second removal. When he took possession of his Main street store he 
enlarged his business, and it continued to grow during the many subsequent 
years that he was its proprietor. During the winter of 1913-14 Mr. 
Hankey's health began to decline, and as he no longer felt able to give that 
close attention to his business which he felt it required, he resolved to retire, 
and accordingly sold out in January, 1914, to the Trempealeau Mercantile 
Company, though retaining ownership of the building. Throughout his 
long commercial career he strove not only for personal success, but also 
to advance the general interests of the community, taking a leading part 
in every progressive movement, and it is largely owing to him and to a 
few other men of like public spirit that Trempealeau is today one of the 
most prosperous villages of its size in this part of the State. During his 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 379 

business career Mr. Hankey passed through two serious fires, having to 
move his stock both times, but sustained no material loss. He adheres 
to t)ie principles of the Republican party, but was never personally 
active in poHtics. As a good citizen, however, he rendered service for a 
number of years as a member of the board of education, and was its 
secretary at the time the high school addition was made to the village 
school. 

Mr. Hankey was married, Dec. 16, 1868, to Mary Frances, daughter 
of Thomas and Caroline McCune, of Beaver Dam, Wis., at which place their 
wedding occurred. She was born there July 14, 1848, and died at Trempea- 
leau, Wis., March 4, 1900, after a happy married life of over 31 years. After 
coming to Trempealeau, which they did immediately after their marriage, 
they boarded for a short time, subsequently beginning housekeeping on 
East Third street. They had two sons: WiUiam T., born Oct. 10, 1869, 
and Adelbert G., born Feb. 4, 1876. The latter died April 7, 1887. WiUiam 
T. is now engaged in the drug business in Cleveland, Ohio, to which city he 
went in 1894. He married Nellie Barker, of Cleveland, and has four chil- 
dren : Howard B., Ruth, Helen and William T., Jr. 

Mr. Hankey was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as trustee. He is a mem- 
ber also of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, 
having joined the order while living in Beaver Dam. He resides with an 
adopted daughter, Mrs. J. W. Johnston, who is the wife of John W. John- 
ston, a pioneer in telephone construction work in western Wisconsin, their 
marriage taking place June 24, 1901. Mrs. Hankey during her life was very 
active in church work and benevolent enterprises, and was a woman loved 
and respected by young and old. 

Iver Pederson, founder of Ettrick, merchant, manufacturer, Indian 
fighter and veteran of the Civil War, was a splendid example of the 
descendants of the Vikings who fought their way to America, and with 
no other assistance than their native ability and capacity for hard work 
established for themselves an enviable position in this new country. He 
was born in Biri, Norway, March 13, 1842. He was there reared amid 
rugged conditions, and acquired such education as the parish afforded. In 
1859 he came to America and located in Westby, Vernon County, this State, 
where a number of his countrymen had preceded him. Only three years 
later, in 1862, he responded to Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to defend 
the Union and enlisted in the now-famous Company K, Twenty-fifth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. 
Immediately after its organization the company was sent to the frontier 
to defend the white settlers against the Sioux Indians. In 1863 the regi- 
ment was sent to Columbus, Ky., and joined the expedition against Vicks- 
burg under command of Gen. Jeremiah Rusk. From Vicksburg the regi- 
ment was sent to Jackson, Mo., later returning to Vicksburg, and from there 
being sent to join Sherman's army in its march to the sea. After the 
general review at Washington, Veteran Pederson returned to Vernon 
County. From there, a short time later, he moved to Coon Valley, La 
Crosse County. It was in 1867 that he began his career in Trempealeau 



380 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

County by establishing a store at Frenchville in company with Ole Skow. 
Two years later he sold this store to Mrs. Skow and moved to what is now 
the village of Ettrick. After homesteading a farm, which now includes 
the village site, he opened a store in 1870 and engaged in the general mer- 
cantile business. Later he platted the village and increased its material 
prosperity by erecting a flouring mill and woolen mill and a creamery. 
Here he continued to spend the remainder of his life. After a long and 
useful career, in which he had done much to increase the material prosperity 
of his village and county, he died Sept. 29, 1914, and was sincerely mourned 
by a wide circle of friends and associates. Mr. Pederson was married at 
Ettrick to Mary Nelson, who was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 15, 1852, 
and came to this county with her father in 1861. Mrs. Pederson, who 
proved a loyal helpmate and faithful mother, still resides at the family 
home at Ettrick. Their union has been brightened with five children. The 
oldest, Peder, died in infancy. Albert M. is still conducting the store and 
mill at Ettrick. Emma is the wife of P. M. Benrud, of Frenchville, Ida is 
the wife of Carl Aaby, who is associated with Albert M. Pederson in the 
mercantile business. Anna is the wife of Morris Berge, a druggist at Elk 
Mound, Wis. 

Albert M. Pederson, merchant, miller and leading citizen of Ettrick, is 
a native of the village where he still resides, having first seen the light of 
day Aug. 27, 1874, in the home of his parents, Iver and Mary (Nelson) 
Pederson, the pioneers. As a boy he attended the school of his neighbor- 
hood, and later was accorded the advantages of a course at Galesville 
University, now Gale College. Still later he rounded out his education with 
a year at the Wisconsin State Normal School at River Falls. From his 
earliest boyhood he assisted his father in his numerous business ventures, 
and in 1898 became a partner in the business. After the father's death, 
the estate was incorporated as the Iver Pederson Company. The subject of 
this sketch is president and manager. This concern, which conducts the 
store and the flour and grist mill, is in a flourishing condition, and is one 
of the strong commercial assets of the village. In addition to its holdings 
in Ettrick, it owns various tracts of valuable land throughout the county, 
especially in the Ettrick Valley. Mr. Pederson is a public-spirited citizen, 
and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, Bank of Galesville and the 
Wisconsin Telephone Company. He has done valuable service as a member 
of the school board for twelve years, and has served on numerous com- 
mittees and delegations. His fraternal association is with the Modern 
Woodmen of America. He and his family are staunch supporters of the 
Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Pederson was married May 17, 1898, to 
Emelia Evenson, also a native of Ettrick Township, daughter of Bernt and 
Lena (Ekern) Evenson, also natives of Biri, Norway, who came to America 
in the winter of 1868 and located in Gale Township, where Mr. Evenson is 
engaged in farming. Mrs. Evenson died in 1907, and Mr. Evenson now 
makes his home with his daughter. 

Eugene A. Sorenson, dealer in leaf tobacco and inventor of the Victor 
Piston Ring, is one of the genial, energetic young men of Whitehall, and his 
work in developing the tobacco industry has been an important feature 




EUGENE A. SORENSON AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 381 

in the modern agricultural progress of Trempealeau County. He was born 
in Dane County, Wis., March 16, 1876, second of the six children of John 
and Ellen (Otteson) Sorenson, was reared on the home farm, and left 
school at the age of 13 years. Starting out for himself at the age of 22, he 
worked a little over a year for the Utica Creamery Co., Utica, Wis. ; about 
four years for the Wheeler Prairie Creamery at Stoughton, Wis.; and a 
little over two years for Jokum Johnson, general store keeper at Utica, Wis. 
It was in 1905 that he came to Whitehall and for five years was one of the 
firm of R. Holtan & Co., dealers in and packers of leaf tobacco. In 1910 
he engaged in business for himself as buyer and packer, and two years 
later purchased the warehouse of the Home Tobacco Co. at Whitehall. In 
November, 1916, the business was incorporated under the name of the 
Mabbett Leaf Tobacco Co., with a capital of $30,000 and with W. F. Mabbett 
as president, E. A. Sorenson as vice-president, and C. W. Birkenmeyer as 
secretary and treasurer. The company has large warehouses at Whitehall 
and at Edgerton. Mr. Sorenson is in full charge of the large Whitehall 
warehouse. This establishment is fully equipped for the best work, em- 
ploys from 30 to 40 people during the busy season, and has a yearly output 
of from 200,000 to 500,000 pounds. In addition to his position of honor 
in the tobacco world, Mr. Sorenson is widely known as the inventor of the 
Victor Piston Rings, for automobiles, aeroplanes, motorcycles, steam 
engines, marine motors, compressors, gas engines and pumps. The rings 
are manufactured by the A. E. White Machine Works, of Eau Claire, Wis. 
Mr. Sorenson was married Feb. 15, 1900, to Emma Johnson, daughter of 
Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) Johnson, born June 4, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sorenson have two children, Adehne, born Feb. 20, 1904, and Eldora, born 
Aug. 18, 1908. 

Ludwig L. Solsrud, part owner of the Solsrud Mercantile Co. and 
president of the People's State Bank, both of Whitehall, was born in Chris- 
tiania, Norway, Sept. 24, 1864, son of John and Anna 0. (Halvorsen) 
Solsrud, the former of whom died in 1900 and the latter in 1872. The 
subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the old country. He 
came to America in 1883, locating in Spring Valley, Minn., June 9, of that 
year. A little over two years later, in December, 1885, he came to White- 
hall. For a time he was variously employed. In August, 1900, he entered 
the store of his uncle, L. L. Solsrud. By attention to business and intel- 
ligent effort, he gradually mastered the business, and in 1895 became a 
partner, the firm at that time taking the name of Solsrud, Kidder & Co. 
In 1899 Mr. Kidder retired, and the firm became Solsrud & Solsrud, a name 
which was retained until the present name and organization was adopted 
in 1901. The building, which is of solid brick, two stories, with basement, 
is one of the sightly business houses of the village. It was erected in 1895. 
The firm carries a good stock, and does a large business, its reputation for 
fair prices, honest dealing and high quality having been deservedly gained 
through its many years of existence. When the People's State Bank was 
organized, Mr. Solsrud as one of the leading business men of the city was 
selected as its president, and in that capacity he has since continued to 
serve. A thorough believer in the brotherhood of man, Mr. Solsrud has 



382 IJISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

allied himself with several fraternities. In the Masonic order he is a member 
of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Consistory and Shrine. In the 
I. 0. O. F. he has passed through all the chairs of the lodge and is a popular 
member of the Rebekah degree. In the Independent Order of Foresters 
he is also a valued member. His public work has included efficient work 
on the village council for eight years. His religious affiliation is with the 
United Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he has been the treasurer 
since 1914. Mr. Solsrud was married June 9, 1897, to Lena Larson, who 
was born in Hale Township, Jan. 21, 187.5, daughter of Martin and Marie 
(Bjorke) Larson, the pioneers, the former of whom makes his home with 
Mr. and Mrs. Solsrud, and the latter of whom died in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. 
Solsrud have had five children: Mary (who died in 1909 at the age of 11 
years), Louise, Alice, John and Dorothy. 

John McKivergin, the efficient superintendent of the Trempealeau 
County Asylum, is a native of this county, having first seen the light of 
day in Preston Township, June 18, 1864, a son of James and Ann (Conway) 
McKivergin. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of 
his neighborhood, and thoroughly learned agricultural pursuits from his 
parents. After his father's death, he and his brother Thomas took charge 
of the old homestead. A few years later the two brothers, in connection 
with their farm work, began buying and shipping live stock, and this busi- 
ness grew to such proportions that in 1903 the subject of this sketch moved 
to Blair in order to devote his attention exclusively to this line of industry. 
In 1910, in company with W. E. Kidder, under the firm name of Kidder & 
McKivergin, he engaged in the hardware business at Galesville for several 
months, after which he assumed the duties of his present position. Under 
his administration the institution has undergone many improvements, and 
he has made it one of the model asylums of Wisconsin. Aside from his 
present position, Mr. McKivergin has seen considerable public service. For 
a time he was a member of the board of Preston Township, and for about 
ten years he was a member of the school board. His business holdings 
include stock in the Home Bank of Blair. His fraternal affiliation is with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. McKivergin was married Dec. 
31, 1902, to Minnie H. Bigham, who was born in Arcadia Sept. 9, 1872, 
daughter of John and Grace (Gardner) Bigham. Mrs. McKivergin is a 
lady of many accomplishments and has ably assisted her husband in his 
splendid work at the asylum. She was educated in the Arcadia High 
School and the Winona State Normal School, and for some nine years was 
efficiently engaged as an educator, specializing in primary department work, 
at Arcadia and Galesville, in this county, and at Wadena, Minn. 

James McKivergin, pioneer, was born near Banbridge, in the north of 
Ireland, in 1818, and came to America as a young man about 1839. After 
living in the Eastern States for a number of years, he came to Trempealeau 
County in 1862 and located on section 18, Preston Township, about three 
miles west of the present village of Blair. There he successfully farmed 
until his lamented death in 1886. A man of considerable ability, he 
possessed a strong influence over his fellow citizens, and did good service 
on the township and school boards. His wife, whose maiden name was 




Mli. AND MRS. D. L). ClIAri'KLL 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 383 

Ann Conway, was born June 20, 1830, and still resides on the old homestead. 
They were the parents of eight sturdy children. 

John Bigham, an eai'ly settler, was born in Brewsters, N. Y., and was 
there reared and educated. In 1855 he was brought to Wisconsin by his 
parents. For several years he worked as a stationary engineer in some 
of the pioneer mills of the county, and in 1859 homesteaded a tract of land 
about one and one-half miles southwest of Arcadia. He served during 
the Civil War, and after that conflict returned to his farm and devoted his 
life to agricultural pursuits until his retirement in 1899, when he moved 
to the village of Arcadia, where he has since resided. He was married 
Jan. 9, 1868, at Arcadia, to Grace Gardner, who was born in Indiana, Sept. 
9, 1850. Their happy union was blessed with five children. 

The Trempealeau County Asylum, widely famed as a model institution 
of its kind, is located in the town of Lincoln about one mile west of the 
village of Whitehall. Its story is told elsewhere. Buildings were erected 
in 1899, and the institution opened April 6, 1900. J. A. Johnson, the first 
superintendent, was succeeded by P. H. Johnson, who in turn was followed 
on April 1, 1911, by John McKivergin as superintendent, and Mrs. McKiv- 
ergin as matron. The institution has accommodations for about 130, the 
average number of patients being about 112. 

Darius D. Chappell, a pioneer of Trempealeau County, who for the past 
18 years or more has resided in Galesville, was born in Warren County, Pa., 
Dec. 8, 1833, son of Chubil D. and Mary Ann (Palmeter) Chappell. The 
father, Shubil, son of a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Herkimer 
County, N. Y., and a carpenter and joiner by occupation. With his wife, 
who was born near New York, he removed to Walworth County, Wis., in 
1854, and engaged in contracting and building and also in farming. He 
remained in that locality until 1862, in which year, with his family, he came 
to Trempealeau County, locating in Caledonia Township, where the rest of 
his life was spent. 

Darius D. Chappell, who was the eldest of ten children, in his boyhood 
attended school in Warren, Pa. He resided at home until he was 19 years 
of age, and then, with but little money, he came West to Wisconsin, locating 
in Walworth County. After working through the harvest season, he 
returned home for the rest of the family, and brought them to Walworth 
County. Here he worked for others and for his father, assisting the latter 
as carpenter, and in the winter worked in the Eau Claire woods. At the 
time of his marriage in 1857 he came to Trempealeau County, settling in 
Caledonia and entering into business as carpenter and builder, in which 
occupation he continued until the summer of 1862, when, on Aug. 15, he 
enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment, as a private. He 
was appointed first lieutenant and was later promoted to the rank of captain 
of Company E in the same regiment, and served as such until the close of 
the war. Though never wounded, he was seized with sickness and confined 
to his bed for several weeks at Fort Rice, where Bismarck, N. D., now 
stands. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and 
returned to Caledonia Township, where he engaged in farming. This occu- 
pation he followed without intermission until 1898, when he purchased his 



384 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

present residence in Galesville and retired from active life. Previous to 
settling in the village, however, he, accompanied by his wife, took a trip to 
his old home in Pennsylvania, from which they made trips, visiting the 
battle grounds of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Chick- 
amauga and others, subsequently taking a far western trip to Tacoma, 
Wash., and California. 

Mr. Chappell was married June 21, 1857, to CaroUne F. Fowler, who 
was born in Racine, Wis., before that town was named. Her parents were 
Benjamin and Martha (Kocher) Fowler, both natives of Pennsylvania, the 
father born in Harrisburg and the mother in Philadelphia. The former 
was a farmer, capitalist and real estate dealer who came to Wisconsin in or 
about 1833, settling on the site of the present city of Racine. Subsequently 
he sold his last business holdings to the J. L Case Company and moved to 
Walworth County, where he died Dec. 26, 1874. His wife died at Hart 
Prairie, Wis., in 1876. Mr. Fowler was a busy man during his active career 
and never sought to mix largely in politics, but at different times he held 
local office. He and his wife had a family of 13 children, of whom Caroline 
F. was the eleventh in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell have three 
children: Elmer Elsworth, Ella Swarthng (an adopted daughter), and 
Daniel Earl. Ehner Elsworth, born July 8, 1861, died March 21, 1916, at 
Lawton, Okla., where he was engaged in business as a contractor and builder. 
He married Jennie Dunlap and left two children, Carrie E. and Carl D. Ella 
(Swartling) Chappell is now Mrs. Henry Marsh, of Caledonia Township, and 
has three children, Glenn, Ray and Ethel. Daniel Earl, born May 29, 1869, 
resides on the old home farm in Caledonia. He married Nellie Gilbert, and 
they have two children, Alice Myrl, a teacher at Kewaunee, Wis., and Giles 
Earl, residing at home. Mr. Chappell is the owner of considerable land in 
Trempealeau County. He belongs to Charles H. Ford Post, No. 258, G. A. R., 
of which he has been commander several times, and is a member of the 
county commission for the soldiers' indigent fund, which he has served as 
secretary since its organization. He and his wife have many warm friends 
throughout this part of the county. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
their wedding they were given a surprise party by about 200 of their friends, 
who presented them with many beautiful and costly gifts, and a similar 
event took place on their fiftieth anniversary. On the latter occasion Mrs. 
Chappell was presented with a gold-headed umbrella and Mr. Chappell with 
a gold-headed cane, a golden clock and other beautiful gifts. In thanking 
their friends Mr. and Mrs. Chappell said that they might have accumulated 
more of this world's goods, had they tried to do so, but they doubted if 
they would have seen so much real happiness and would not exchange the 
high esteem of their friends for all the gold in Alaska. Mr. Chappell is a 
Republican in politics and when a resident of Caledonia Township served as 
town treasurer for a number of years. 

Glaus 0. Mitskogen is a native of this county, having been born in 
Lake's Coulie, five miles south of Blair, Jan. 6, 1873, son of Ole 0. and Lisa 
(Hendrickson) Mitskogen. The father, Ole 0. Mitskogen, was born in 
Sweden, in 1822, came to America in 1867, followed by his family in August, 
1868, worked as a farm hand one year, homesteaded a farm in Lake's Coulie, 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 385 

section 2, range 8, township 20 (Preston), and there lived until his death 
in 1900. The mother, Lisa Hendrickson, was born in Sweden, in 1834, and 
died in the spring of 1914. Glaus 0. Mitskogen was reared on the home 
farm, and remained with his parents until 1896, when he purchased his 
present farm of l60 acres in section 34, range 7, township 22 (Preston). 
Since coming here he has made many improvements, and has d-^veloped as 
good a place as is to be found in the community. His home, a frame struc- 
ture, two stories high, with eight rooms and a basement, was erected in 
1908. The barn, 28 by 56 by 14 feet, with cement floors, and modern 
equipment, was erected in 1905. The farm is well fenced, and the imple- 
ments, machinery and tools are of the best. In carrying on general farm- 
ing, Mr. Mitskogen makes a specialty of raising a good grade of Holstein 
cattle for beef and dairy purposes. A prominent man in the community, 
Mr. Mitskogen has served on the township board, and has been a member 
of the school board since 1910. Since 1906 he has been secretary of the 
Synod Norwegian Lutheran church (now united). Mr. Mitskogen was 
married June 8, 1894, to Nellie Haug, who was born in Ettrick Township, 
Jan. 11, 1874, the daughter of John 0. and Nina Haug, and died Jan. 11, 
1900. Odin, a child of this union, was born Oct. 15, 1897. Of the other 
two children, Olava died at the age of 2 years, and Julia at the age of 10 
years. On May 4, 1901, Mr. Mitskogen married Amanda Anderson, who 
was born in Pigeon Township, Aug. 17, 1878, daughter of Halvor and Chris- 
tian (Benson) Anderson, natives of Norway. 

Moses E. Ladd, a well-known and respected resident of Whitehall, 
retired farmer, former county official, and now engaged in the insurance 
business, was born in Unity, N. H., July 2, 1843, son of Philander J. and 
Ruth (Adams) Ladd. Philander J. Ladd was born in New Hampshire, and 
in 1857 came to Trempealeau County, where he engaged in agriculture until 
his death in 1896 at the age of 75 years, his wife Ruth, whom he married 
in his native State, having died in 1886 at the age of 54. Moses E. Ladd 
was 14 years old when his father brought the family to Wisconsin. He 
worked as a clerk and bookkeeper at Trempealeau for four years and taught 
school an equal length of time, in the meanwhile improving his education by 
attending Gale College. Turning his attention to agriculture, he then 
engaged in farming in Caledonia Township until 1899. Appointed county 
treasurer. May 8, 1899, he moved to Whitehall and gave his attention to 
the duties of that office, in which he served so efficiently that he was elected 
in 1900 and served an additional term. In 1903 Mr. Ladd bought the insur- 
ance agency of Herman L. Ekern, of Whitehall, and has since carried on the 
business successfully, writing fire, tornado, automobile and accident insur- 
ance. For many years Mr. Ladd has given a considerable part of his time 
to public service. He was a member of the county board in 1896, 1897 and 
1898, was township clerk of Caledonia Township for seven years, and clerk 
of his school board there a similar period. In Trempealeau Township he 
was township clerk for two years. Since coming to Whitehall he has been 
village clerk two years. While still farming, he was also one of the organ- 
izers of the Galesville Creamery, serving seven years as director. Relig- 
iously, he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, holding the 



386 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ofRce of trustee and steward. For half a century he has been a member 
of the Masonic order. It will thus be seen that his life has been one of 
activity and useful effort in various directions, and in whatever position he 
has been placed he has shown efficiency and fidelity to his duties. Mr. Ladd 
was married, March 30, 1870, to Libbie J. Bagley, who was born in Hayfield, 
Crawfoi'd County, Pa., Oct. 26, 1849, daughter of Phineas and Phoebe 
(Williams) Bagley. Her father was a farmer who came to Trempealeau 
County in 1856, and died in 1892 at the age of 85 years, after a long and 
industrious career. Her mother died in 1890. Mrs. Ladd passed away 
April 22, 1917. An obituary notice said of her : 

"Mrs. Ladd may well be called a pioneer of the county. In her girlhood 
days the life of Trempealeau did not have the comforts and blessings of 
the hfe of today. But it had a delightful and wholesome Christian atmos- 
phere, and Miss Bagley early took advantage of this great blessing and took 
an active part in the church work of the neighborhood. At the age of 25 
she joined the Methodist Episcopal church and has been a very faithful 
member ever since. After moving to Whitehall Mrs. Ladd became an im- 
portant link in the social, civic and religious life of this village. She has 
been especially industrious in the temperance cause, church work. Ladies' 
Aid and in work of the relief corps. In the death of Mrs. Ladd her husband 
mourns the loss of a loving, devoted wife, and the community suffers the 
loss of a diligent worker for the higher things of life." 

The Central Trading Association, of Whitehall, conducts the "Model" 
store, and handles general merchandise, shoes, clothing, dry goods, 
groceries, notions and the like. The store occupies the basement, first floor 
and part of the second floor of a sightly modern building which the company 
has remodelled. It is constructed in the shape of an "L," 30 feet wide and 
120 feet long, with a rear of 60 feet in width. The company also owns two 
lots near the store, whereon have been built sheds for the accommodation 
of teams. The Association was incorporated Sept. 25, 1913, with a capital 
stock of $50,000. The first officers were : President, P. H. Johnson ; vice- 
president, D. Wood ; secretary, C. P. Larson ; treasurer, C. B. Melby ; direc- 
tors, P. H. Johnson, R. S. Cowie, C. P. Larson, C. B. Melby and F. D. Hopkins. 
Immediately upon organization, the company bought out the general store 
of Torgerson & Sons, and estabhshed its present business. 

Peter H. Johnson, president of the board of directors of the Central 
Trading Association, conducting the "Model" department store at White- 
hall, is a man of wide interests and varied experiences. Aside from his 
position with the Trading Association, he is vice-president of the John O. 
Melby & Co. Bank, of Whitehall, and a stockholder in the State Bank of 
Galesville, the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank, of Stanley, the Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company, of Whitehall, and the Farmers' Co-Opera- 
tive Elevator Company, of Whitehall. He was born in Biri, Norway, April 
2, 1862, second of the seven children of Hans and Martha (Halvorsdatter) 
Johnson. Hans Johnson came to America in 1864, lived in La Crosse 
County, this State, a year, homesteaded in 1865 a farm in section 5, town- 
ship 19, range 7, Ettrick, and there farmed until his death in 1896, his 
good wife dying in 1894. Peter H. Johnson attended the common schools 




HENRY A. COX AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 387 

and Gale College at Galesville, taught school for a while, and helped his 
parents with the work of the farm. In 1884 he became grain buyer and 
bookkeeper for Wilson Davis, the Galesville miller. Ten years later, in 
1894, he and J. E. Wilberg, under the firm name of Johnson & Wilberg, 
opened a hardware store at Ettrick. While still a member of this firm, he 
was elected county clerk in the fall of 1896, and took office Jan. 1, 1897. He 
was re-elected, and served until Jan. 1, 1901. March 1, 1901, he was named 
as superintendent of the Trempealeau County Insane Asylum, at Whitehall, 
and served in this capacity for ten years. Then he was idle for a while, 
and then became manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company, at Whitehall, 
assuming the duties of his present position Sept. 25, 1913. Aside from his 
business interests, Mr. Johnson is notary public and justice of the peace, 
and has served as court commissioner since 1914. Mr. Johnson was mar- 
ried June 13, 1891, to Mary 0. Heram, born in Norway, Feb. 16, 1862, 
daughter of Ole C. and Mary (Haakenson) Heram, who brought their 
family in 1869 to Trempealeau County, where the father still lives, the 
mother having died in 1914 at the age of 80 years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson 
have three children, Hughitt, Mae and Miles. Hughitt is a student in the 
Chicago Dental College. Mae is studying music in the music department 
of the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis. Miles is doing well at his 
studies in the Whitehall High School. 

Henry A. Cox, a retired farmer residing on his old farm in section 11, 
Trempealeau Township, was born at Whitewater, Walworth County, Wis., 
Dec. 12, 1845, son of Jeffry and Elizabeth (Cox) Cox. His parents were 
natives of Somersetshire, England, and came to the United States in 1844, 
locating at Whitewater, Wis., where the mother died about a year after the 
birth of her son Henry. The father, who was born in 1798, survived his 
wife many years, dying in 1882 at the advanced age of 84. 

Henry A. Cox was educated in the district school at Whitewater, Wis., 
which he left at the age of 15 years. At the age of 17 he enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He took part in 
several battles and his regiment was with the Union troops when they took 
possession of Little Rock, Ark., but Mr. Cox was in the hospital at that time. 
After serving three years and two months, he was mustered out at Browns- 
ville, Tex., and returned to his home in Whitewater. In 1866 he came to 
Trempealeau Township, locating near Centerville, on a farm of 80 acres 
which he had bought of Hollister Wright, where he remained for five or 
six years, after which he sold that farm and bought his present home of 
120 acres in section 11, on which he built a one and a half story frame house, 
together with a barn, silo and other necessary buildings. All the land is 
under the plow. In 1909 Mr. Cox turned over the farm to his son Frank, 
who now operates it. In the summers he resides on the farm and in the 
winters he lives with his son Clarence at La Crosse. In politics Mr. Cox 
has always been a Republican. He formerly served two terms as clerk of 
School District No. 13. His rehgious affiliations are with Centerville 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been an active member for a 
number of years. He is a man highly respected throughout this part of 
the county as a reliable citizen and good neighbor. He was united in holy 



388 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

bonds of matrimony to Jennie Ladd, who proved a loyal wife and loving 
mother. She passed away Jan. 16, 1895, leaving the following children: 
George H., born in 1876, who is married and is engaged in farming in Iowa; 
Frank, born in 1879, who is also married and is operating the home farm, 
and Clarence, born in 1883, who is married and lives in La Crosse, Wis., 
where he is engaged in the hardware business. 

Thomas P. Huleatt was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of 
Thomas and Jane (Harden) Huleatt, who brought their family to America 
in 1850, and after iiving in Rock Island, 111., for a year, settled in Pepm 
County, this State, taking up their home in Bogus Valley. There the 
parents spent the remainder of their days, having achieved by hard work 
and frugality a position of influence and importance in the community. 
Thomas P. Huleatt spent his youth on the home farm, and as he grew to 
manhood determined to devote his life to farming. As a young man he 
acquired a good farm, which he successfully conducted for many years. He 
was well thought of in his neighborhood, and occupied a number of local 
offices in the county and on the school boai'd. After a long and useful career 
in Pepin County, he came to Whitehall, in 1899, and here resided until his 
lamented death in 1906. Mr. Huleatt was married, in 1865, at Pepin, Wis., 
to Maria A. Clarke, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1845, and died in 
1905. Mr. and Mrs. Huleatt had two children: Clarence F., a merchant 
of Whitehall, and Eva, the wife of Watson Leach, a carpenter at Zion 
City, 111. 

Clarence F. Huleatt, secretary and treasurer of the Huleatt Mercantile 
Co., and a leading merchant of Whitehall, was born in Bogus Valley, near 
Pepin, Wis., March 30, 1866, son of Thomas P. and Maria A. (Clarke) 
Huleatt. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of Pepin 
County, and graduated from the River Falls State Normal School, in 1892. 
Thus prepared, he taught school for several years, part of which time he 
was principal of the Whitehall schools. In the spring of 1897 he and L. M. 
Ekern became owners of the hardware and furniture store of Peterson & 
Ekern, at Whitehall, under the firm name of Huleatt & Ekern. In 1899 
Mr. Huleatt bought out his partner's interest, and with his uncle, Samuel 
Huleatt, established the firm of Huleatt & Huleatt. In 1900 the Huleatt 
Mercantile Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $6,000, the 
officers and owners being: President, Thomas F. Huleatt; treasurer, 
Samuel H. Huleatt, and secretary, Clarence F. Huleatt. Clarence F. Huleatt 
is now the secretary and treasurer, and his wife is the president. The firm 
does a large business in furniture, hardware and appliances, and has a 
large business in installing heating plants and doing general plumbing 
work. Mr. Huleatt also conducts a funeral directing department, having 
taken lectures on undertaking at Milwaukee and St. Paul under the leading 
embalmers of the country. The building, erected in 1900, occupies a promi- 
nent place on Main street, and is of modern construction, 30 by 80 feet. Mr. 
Huleatt has been a member of the village council for two years. He has 
passed through the chairs of the local I. 0. 0. F. Lodge. His religious affili- 
ations are with the Whitehall Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a 
trustee. Mr. Huleatt was married Dec. 23, 1896, to Mary E. Shane, of 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 389 

Modena, county superintendent of schools, Buffalo County, Wis., born March 
20, 1864, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McEldowney) Shane, natives 
of Ireland. 

Peter T. Herreid, a prosperous hardware merchant, of Blair, Wis., was 
born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Oct. 13, 1867. His 
parents were Thomas 0. and Brita (Bue) Herreid. The father was born 
at Hardanger, Norway, and came to America in 1854, locating in Dane 
County, Wis., where he remained until 1858. He then came to Trempealeau 
County and homesteaded a farm in Ettrick Township, which place was his 
home for the rest of his life. He died March 20, 1898, when 69 years old. 
His wife died Aug. 14, 1914, at the age of 87. Peter T. Herreid at 16 years 
of age began work as a carpenter in Pigeon Township and was thus occupied 
until 1893. In 1895 he bought the hardware store of A. B. Peterson, at 
Blair, being associated with his brother Thomas, under the firm name of 
Herreid Brothers. The firm has since continued in business and has built 
up a good trade. Their building is a one-story frame 24x100 feet. They 
carry a general line of hardware, operate a tinshop and conduct heating 
and plumbing departments of their business. Peter T. Herreid has been a 
member of the village council five years, having served as its president for 
two years. He has also served on the school board ten years. He is a stock- 
holder in the First National Bank of Blair. His religious afliliations are 
with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, which he has served as 
treasurer since about 1900. He also had charge of the building of the 
church. December 27, 1895, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with 
Hanna B. Hanson, of Blair, whose father, Martin Hanson Skyrud, was a 
pioneer farmer of Trempealeau County. To him and his wife five children 
have been born: Myron, Berdelle, Leon, Francis and Lyla. Myron is on 
the flagship Pennsylvania in the navy ; Berdelle is a proficient teacher ; Leon 
is with the L. C. Hyde & Britton Bankers, at Beloit, Wis. ; Francis and Lyla 
are at home. 

John H. Crosen, an elderly resident of Trempealeau Village, one of the 
surviving veterans of the Civil War, was born in Wheeling, Va., Aug. 22, 
1833. His parents were William and Adelaide (Israel) Crosen. The 
father, born in Virginia about 1790, learned the cooper's trade, which he 
followed in Wheeling for a number of years, and afterwards in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. He was of Dutch descent. His wife, Adelaide (Israel) Crosen, was 
born in Pennsylvania of Scotch descent, and was nearly 90 years of age 
at the time of her death. 

John H. Crosen had but limited educational opportunities in his boy- 
hood, attending the common schools during the winters from the age of 7 
to that of 16 years. He remained at home until he was 18 years old, 
assisting his father in coopering, and then worked out to some extent on 
farms, though still assisting his father at times. It was his desire to learn 
the machinist's trade, but could find no one to take him as an apprentice 
on account of his slight build. Through the influence of an uncle, however, 
he found an opportunity to learn boot and shoe making, which he started 
to do at the age of 22 years, and he continued his apprenticeship until he 
could make any kind of footwear, pegged or sewed. Then he went to Alle- 



390 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

gheny, Pa., where he entered the employ of James Spratley, a manufacturer 
and dealer, for whom he worked four years. 

In 1856 Mr. Crosen came West to Wisconsin, traveling by rail by way 
of Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat up the river to Trem- 
pealeau, then known as Montoville, arriving the 13th of November, 1856. 
Here he went to work as clerk for J. P. Israel, who had come West with him 
and established a grocery and dry goods business. Israel had bought 
goods in St. Louis, which were delivered to the Packet Company at Dubuque, 
Iowa, but as the river was frozen over so as to prevent navigation, they 
were not delivered at Trempealeau until the spring of 1857. After working 
for Mr. Israel a few months, Mr. Crosen bought him out. Not long after 
doing so he discovered that the goods bought in St. Louis had not been 
paid for, and as he was unable to pay for them, the St. Louis people closed 
him out. He then opened a boot and shoe shop, there being at this time 
only three business houses in Trempealeau, and resided at the hotel kept 
by D. W. Gilfillan. There was plenty of work to be had and he was kept busy 
in his shop, but business was done largely on credit and there was plenty 
of "wildcat" money in circulation, sound money being scarce. Mr. Crosen 
often had as much as $250 of this more than doubtful currency in his pocket, 
but couldn't pay a week's board with it. There were scores of banks organ- 
ized and existing on an unsound financial condition and failures were fre- 
quent. These conditions lasted until the Civil War, by which time Mr. 
Crosen found himself in bad financial condition, and with prospects no 
better. There was one thing every able-bodied young man could do, how- 
evei' — serve his country; so on June 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, 
Sixth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, better known as the "Iron Brigade." 
He was mustered in at Madison, Wis., July 17, 1861, with rank of sergeant. 
Three days later the command arrived in Washington, D. C, and was 
stationed at Kalorama Heights, D. C, near the capital. Early in the fol- 
lowing March they took part in McClelland's advance on Bull Run, subse- 
quently returning to Alexandria, Va., where they were held for the protec- 
tion of Washington. They, however, cleared the State of the rebels as far 
down as Fredericksburg, the enemy burning all bridges and shipping. 
After the bridges had been rebuilt the command crossed the Rappahannock 
in the night, going to the vicinity of Orange County Courthouse. From 
there they marched to Spottsylvania Courthouse, and on to Waller's Tavern 
and Frederickhall Station on the Richmond Railroad. On this raid they 
destroyed "Stonewall" Jackson's commissary supplies and the station at 
Frederickhall, together with three miles of the railroad track. Making 
use of a "ground wire," they telegraphed General Jackson (the message 
purporting to come from Richmond) : "Send troops to protect railroad." 
Jackson's reply was : "Pope giving me enough to do here ; railroad must take 
care of itself." Having accomplished this work, the command returned to 
camp at Fredericksbiii-g. The next movement was a feint attack made to 
deceive the enemy, so that the troops at Fredericksburg could rejoin the 
main army. This movement was successful, but in making it a New York 
regiment lost their entire supply train, and sent back a courier with an 
order demanding horses — everyone that could be picked up. This order was 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 391 

delivered to Colonel Cutler, of the Wisconsin troops, and was very thor- 
oughly obeyed, the command gathering in a large number of horses. This 
was one of the biggest infantry raids during the war, and was accomplished 
by Wisconsin troops. It lasted four days, and as the men had but three 
days' rations, the last 24 hours they were without food. On their return 
they were complimented by General Gibbons, who issued to Sergeant Crosen 
the following orders: "Find two rows of tents at right. Occupy these. 
Cook and eat to your heart's content. Pay no attention to taps, and I'll send 
up a present." The present was four buckets of whiskey, of which the last 
drop was drunk, though there was not an intoxicated man. They then 
turned in and were just asleep when an order came to Sergeant Crosen to 
notify the colonel to prepare three days' rations and make an immediate 
advance to Cedar Mountain, 50 miles distant, to the Rapidan River. Accord- 
ingly rest had to be postponed to a future occasion, the troops took up their 
march and in 48 hours were at Cedar Mountain ready for battle. On this 
occasion the subject of this sketch was a messmate with Major Charles 
Ford, they sharing half rations together, as he had none. The battle 
was a hard contest and the iield was so piled with the bodies of men and 
horses that it could not be passed over. It was suspended by a truce. Two 
days afterward outriders came in reporting that the Confederate army of 
different divisions of 40,000 each were "advancing from every direction." 
The troops were immediately drawn up in line of battle on the Rappahannock 
River to prevent the rebels from crossing, and they held this position from 
4 o'clock p. m. on one day to 10 o'clock a. m. the next. As the enemy did 
not appear, they took up the line of march back through Culpepper to the 
Rappahannock railroad station, and then up the river. This four days' 
march was made from Aug. 20 to 23, 1862, inclusive. Aug. 26 the "Iron 
Brigade" went to White Sulphur Springs, where they defeated a flank 
movement of the enemy. They then took up their march for Bull Run, on 
a report that the Confederates had got around their right. Reaching Gaines- 
ville, Aug. 28, 1862, they marched through the town. About a mile beyond 
the enemy suddenly opened fire on them, the attack being quite unexpected. 
Quickly forming line, they fought for three hours, the brigade losing 800 
killed and wounded. Among the latter was Mr. Crosen, who was shot in 
the left thigh. Left on the field, he lay there nine days and on the tenth 
day was taken to Gainesville and laid beside the road to be parolled with 
others. The second battle of Bull Run took place as he lay on the field 
between the opposing forces, unable to get away. By the terms of an 
armistice the wounded were released, the Union wounded being conveyed 
to Washington, 39 miles distant, in 700 ambulances, holding from two to 
twenty-five people each. Mr. Crosen remained in the hospital until the 
spring of 1863 and was then transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, as 
being disabled for active service, and he continued as a member of this 
corps until his discharge, July 13, 1864. He took part in the battle of Fort 
Stevens, July 8, 1864, and at this time was brevetted first lieutenant of the 
Second Battalion of Veteran Reserves. 

In the fall of 1864 Mr. Crosen returned to Trempealeau and reopened 
his shop. He was in bad physical condition, but his health slowly improved 



392 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and he continued in the shoe business until about 1881. He then engaged 
in raising small fruits on a five-acre tract adjoining the village, erecting 
on it a settler's shanty to avoid having to pay rent. Here he lived six years, 
at the end of which time he took up his abode in his present residence, which 
he had built, a six-room house, with upright and wing. Mr. Crosen was 
married, November 15, 1866, to Cornelia F. Melhorn, at Washington, D. C. 
She was born at Harpers Ferry, Va., April 26, 1836, her father being Francis 
Melhorn, an old-time Virginian, who was for years an inspector at the 
Harpers Ferry arsenal, his connection with the arsenal being severed when 
the war broke out, owing to his sympathy with the South. He then took 
up his residence in Washington, where he engaged in the meat business, 
never taking up arms. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Crosen brought 
his wife to Trempealeau, where she is still living, though in somewhat feeble 
health, as she is now in her eighty-first year. Six children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Crosen: Luella, who married James B. McManus, of Trem- 
pealeau, and died leaving two children ; Francis, who is married and engaged 
in the auto livery business in Trempealeau ; Cornelia, wife of Edward 
Carpenter, a farmer of Hope, N. D., who has six children — four sons and 
two daughters ; William, married, who is a barber in Trempealeau Village ; 
Warren, who was drowned several years ago in the Mississippi River, near 
Trempealeau, and Harry, who died when young. Mr. Crosen has never 
been active in politics or held any public ofiice. Religiously he is in accord 
with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, though not a member 
of any church. Still at one time he was a class leader of the Methodist 
church and has professed Christianity for 32 years, during which time he 
has been a Bible student. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 
1866, being connected with Lodge No. 117, of Trempealeau, of which he 
was secretary for several years. Although in his eighty-fourth year, he 
is still strong and fairly vigorous, enjoying good health. 

Elmer L. Immell, live stock dealer and automobile agent of Blair, has 
seen considerable public life. From 1889 to 1893, under President Benjamin 
H. Harrison, he was postmaster at Blair. From 1901 to 1903 he was sheriff 
of Trempealeau County. From 1903 to 1908 he was deputy State game 
warden. Since its organization he has served on the village council all 
except four years, and during a part of this period he was president of that 
body. He has also been village treasurer and township treasurer. In 
all of these positions he has done most excellent woi'k, and has demonstrated 
his efficiency and ability in whatever line of effort he has been called upon to 
undertake. He was born in Alma Township, Jackson County, Wis., May 10, 
1863, son of Francis M. and Anna (Storley) Immell, and spent his boyhood 
on the farm, coming to Blair with his parents in 1876. For a number of 
years he was occupied in drilling wells and installing pumps and windmills. 
During this period he operated a number of steam threshers. Gradually he 
became interested in stock buying, in which line he has since continued. In 
1910 he purchased the hardware store of A. B. Peterson. In 1913, having 
sold this establishment, he became treasurer and part owner of the White- 
hall Auto Sales Company, of Whitehall, assuming the position of agent at 
Blair. He has built up a good business and is widely known for his honor- 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 393 

able dealing. Fraternally, Mr. Immell is connected with the Modern Wood- 
men and the Beavers. He was married Nov. 19, 1885, to Rose McKivergin, 
and this union has been blessed with four children: Hugh E., who is in 
the hardware business in Appleton, Wis. ; Russell H., who is at home ; Clin- 
ton B., who is a student at the La Crosse Normal School, and Ralph M., who 
is studying law in the University of Wisconsin. 

Knut S. Knutson has been one of the leading citizens of the county for 
many years. As an agriculturist he developed a good farm in the Beaver 
Creek Valley, as a merchant he assisted in the progress of Blair by building 
up an important store, and as county, village and school official he has done 
most efficient service to the community at large. Mr. Knutson is a native 
of Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway, born Feb. 20, 1856, the son of Urians and Brita 
(Severson) Knutson. The parents, born, respectively, July 6, 1823, and 
Dec. 13, 1830, brought the family to America in 1869, and settled on a home- 
stead in the Beaver Creek Valley, in Ettrick Township, where the father 
died Feb. 15, 1901, and where the mother now makes her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. 0. T. Johnson. As a young man Knut S. Knutson secured a 
farm in the Beaver Creek Valley, which he owned and operated for a number 
of years. Having attained success in this line, he determined to seek 
broader fields of opportunity, and- in 1903 moved to Blair, where, with his 
sons, Julius 0. and Edwin B., he purchased the hardware and implement 
store of Charles Johnson and estabhshed the firm of K. S. Knutson & Sons, 
which was succeeded in 1909 by the son, Julius 0. Knutson. The subject of 
this sketch now devotes his time to looking after his various interests and 
to public service. As a member of the county board he has the advantage 
of eight years' experience, and he is regarded as one of the influential men 
of that body. For twenty years in Ettrick and for three years in Blair he 
has been a member of the school board. For two years he was on the village 
council of Blair. His fi'aternal relations are with the Independent Order 
of Foresters. His business holdings include stock in the Home State Bank, 
of Blair, of which he is a director, and in the Minneapolis (Minn.) State 
Bank of Commerce. Mr. Knutson was married June 8, 1878, to Anna Skaar, 
who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 23, 1858, daughter of 0. N. and 
Engeborg Skaar, the former of whom was born June 27, 1822, and died Oct. 
16, 1909, and the latter of whom was born Feb. 10, 1822, and died July 12, 
1908. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Knutson has been blessed with four 
children: Julius 0., Edwin B., Irvin N. and Ida. Juhus 0. is the leading 
hardware and implement dealer in Blair. Edwin B. organized the State 
Bank of Commerce at Minneapolis and of this institution he is now cashier. 
On June 23, 1903, he married Adah Pooler, of Onalaska, Wis. Irvin N. is 
cashier of the Coon Valley (Wis.) State Bank. He married Minnie Neprud, 
of Coon Valley, and they have two children, Genevieve and Irvin N., Jr. Ida 
is the assistant cashier of the Coon Valley State Bank. In addition to his 
holdings in this county, and in Grant County, N. D., Mr. Knutson and his two 
sons, Julius 0. and Edwin B., own a 240-acre farm in Imperial County, Cal. 

Nathan H. Carhart, who owns and operates an ideal farm of 156 acres 
section 36, township 19, range 10 west (Trempealeau Township), was boi'n 
at Broome, Schoharie County, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1848. His parents, Isaac D. 



394 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and Nancy A. (Bangs) Carhart, were married at Kortright, Delaware 
County, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1830, which place was their home for a number of 
years. In the fall of 1855 they came West to Milwaukee, by way of the 
Great Lakes. From that city they proceeded by train to Fox Lake, Dodge 
County, Wis., where they lived until 1861, Mr. Carhart renting and working 
land there. Leaving Dodge County in the year last mentioned, they set 
out for Fillmore County, Minn., but on reaching Trempealeau County, Wis., 
they camped one Sunday on the land now owned by Mr. Carhart. The loca- 
tion and surroundings proved so fascinating to him that he went to La 
Crosse, met the owner, and closed a bargain for 156 acres, all of it being 
wild land. On this, for a first residence he erected a board shanty, 12 by 12 
feet in dimensions, and here he and his wife, and their family, then num- 
bering eight children, lived for some years. His first barn was a shed 
with hay roof. He later enlarged the shanty, as it was too small a dwelling 
for so large a family, and it served as a residence until 1869, in which year 
he built the present house, a two-story with basement, built of lime and 
sand brick, with hollow walls. 

Sept. 2, 1885, Isaac D. Carhart died on the homestead. His wife sur- 
vived him until May 7, 1889, when she, too, passed away. They were quiet, 
industrious and worthy people who had worked hard to obtain what few 
comforts they possessed, and who were held in esteem by their neighbors 
for their sterling qualities. They are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, which 
Mr. Carhart had platted on the farm, and of which for many years he was 
treasurer. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Centerville, which he served for many years as treasurer. Their 
family, in addition to the subject of this sketch, consisted of four sons and 
five daughters, or five sons and five daughters in all, the other sons being 
Lewis Henry, John McKendree, Andrew R. and Isaac W., and the duaghters 
Mary L., Delia Elizabeth, Emma Frances, Charlotte Ophelia and Clara 
Josephine. All but Clara Josephine were born in New York, Clara being 
born in Dodge County, Wis. 

Nathan H. Carhart was trained to farm work at an early age, attend- 
ing school as he had opportunity, and he has been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits ever since. His farm is one of the best in this part of the county, 
120 acres of the land being under the plow and 36 acres in timber and 
pasture. Through the farm flows Big Tamarack Creek, furnishing an 
abundant supply of running spring water all seasons of the year. He is a 
stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Citizens' 
State Bank, of Trempealeau, Wis., and for years has been president of the 
Farmers' Trempealeau County Mutual Insurance Company. In politics he 
is a Republican and for a long time has been more or less active in local 
government matters, having served many years as supervisor of Trempea- 
leau Township, and for some years as a member of the school board, both 
as clerk and treasurer. Oct. 24, 1883, Mr. Carhart was married at the home 
of his bride to Mary Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Rhodes) Brown- 
sell, of Fond du Lac, Wis., the Rev. John P. Hale officiating. She became 
the mother of three children: Thomas Brownsell, born Oct. 2, 1884, who is 
engaged in railroad business at San Antonio, Tex. ; Clarence Nathan, born 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 395 

April 1, 1886, who died Oct. 1, 1886; and Clara Ellen, born Aug. 18, 1888, 
who is now Mrs. Franklin Dickman, of Pine Island, Minn. 

Mr. Carhart was married, secondly, April 12, 1893, to Emma Towner, 
daughter of John and Margaret Towner, of Caledonia Township, this county, 
their marriage taking place at his bride's home, and being presided over by 
the Rev. W. A. Allen, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. The 
children of this second marriage were : Mildred, born Jan. 26, 1894, who is 
a graduate of the high school and the Winona Normal School and is now a 
teacher, residing at home; Emma, born April 29, 1895, who died Aug. 2, 
the same year; Nathan Towner, born Dec. 6, 1897, and now residing at 
home; Lawrence Harvey, born Aug. 1, 1901, who is a high school student 
living at home, and Carroll Curtis, born Jan. 17, 1903. Mr. Carhart and his 
wife are members of Centerville Methodist Episcopal church, of which he 
is a trustee. His children, Mildred, Lawrence and Carroll, are also members 
of the church, and Mrs. Carhart is active in the Ladies' Aid Society con- 
nected with it, and is president of the Harmony Circle of King's Daughters, 
of West Prairie. 

Julius 0. Knutson, a leading business man of Blair, was born on the 
homestead in Ettrick Township, this county, Sept. 2, 1878, son of Knut S. 
and Anna (Skaar) Knutson. In 1903 he became a member of the firm of 
K. S. Knutson & Sons, and on Jan. 1, 1909, he purchased the business and has 
since conducted it under his own name. He carries on a general hardware 
and implement business. The modern building which houses the estab- 
lishment, is owned by his father, K. S. Knutson. It is a two-story structure 
with full basement, 60 by 60 feet, of brick veneer. It is equipped with an 
elevator and other conveniences. In the spring of 1917 Mr. Knutson erected 
a modern brick garage 33 by 70 feet adjoining the store building. This 
he conducts in connection with his other business. Handling a good line of 
automobiles and accessories, the garage is fully equipped, where auto repair- 
ing is done by expert mechanics. Mr. Knutson is a stockholder in the Home 
Bank of Blair, and in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Co. of Arcadia. 
With his brother, Edwin B., and his father, K. S., he owns a large farm in 
Imperial County, Cal. His public work has included service as village clerk 
for five years and school treasurer five years, being now president of the 
village council. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of 
Foresters. Mr. Knutson was married, May 23, 1906, to Alice B. Thompson, 
who was born in Jackson County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1875, daughter of Reier and 
Brunhild (Haugland) Thompson, of North Dakota. This union has been 
blessed with three children : Kenneth Ralph, born July 5, 1907, and died 
Sept. 2, 1907; Kermit Russell, born Aug. 22, 1911; and Blanche Annabel, 
born March 21, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran church. 

Edwin T. Mattison, the present postmaster of Blair, Wis., was born 
in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1882. He is a 
son of Mattis Mattison, a native of Sweden. Edwin T. Mattison was reared 
on his parents' farm and remained at home until reaching the age of 24 
years. He then married and began farming for himself in Preston Town- 
ship, staying there till June, 1915. On July 1 of that year he assumed his 



396 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

present duties as postmaster of Blair. He is a stockholder in the First 
National Bank of Blair, a member of the United Norwegian Church, serv- 
ing as secretary of the same, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
America. Mr. Mattison was married, Aug. 4, 1906, to Ida Thompson of 
Preston Township, a daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Brekke) Thompson, 
her father being a native of Sweden and a pioneer farmer of this county, 
who died June 25, 1916, at the age of 75 years. Her mother still lives on 
the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mattison have been the parents of six children: 
Magnus, Delbert, Victor, Alvin, Ralph and Esther. Alvin died in December, 
1914 at the age of one year and eight months. 

Ole Mork, M. D., who for the last eight years has been engaged in 
the practice of medicine and surgery in Blair, Wis., was born in Thele- 
marken, Norway, July 14, 1873, a son of John and Anna (Landsverk) 
Mork. His father and mother are both living in Norway, the former at 
the age of 70 and the latter at that of 65 years. Ole Mork attended school 
in his native land and was subsequently graduated from the University 
of Norway, at Christiania, with the degree of M. D. For six months he 
was assistant physician at the asylum at Throndlijem. From 1901 he prac- 
ticed medicine in Ulvvik, Hardanger, and was thus occupied for seven 
years. In 1908 Dr. Mork came to the United States, and located in Port- 
land, Ore., where he remained several months or until the fall, when he 
came to Blair. Here he has since been engaged in practice, many of his 
patients being his own countrymen. He is a member of the county, state 
and national medical societies, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Sons of Norway. Dr. Mork was married Feb. 2, 1900, 
to Karina Grotevik of Solum, Thelemarken, Norway. Her father, Halvor 
Grotevik, was a farmer, who died in his native land. Her mother, whose 
maiden name was Bertha Thorson, still resides in Norway. Dr. and Mrs. 
Mork have been the parents of nine children : Anna, Kaare, Madli, Hjordis, 
Bjarne, Martha, Olga, John, who died in 1914 at the age of one year, and 
Ella. 

Smith Molstad. Among those engaged in developing the agricultural 
resources of Gale township, and whose efforts have met with success, must 
be taken into prominent consideration the subject of this sketch. Mr. 
Molstad is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in La Crosse County, 
July 17, 1867. His parents were Ole and Martha (Peterson) Molstad, both 
born in Ringsock, Norway, and who were married in that country. Desir- 
ing to better their condition and give their children a better prospect in 
life, they emigrated to the United States, the voyage being made on a 
sailing vessel, settled in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis. Here 
Ole Molstad acquired a homestead and set at work to till the soil. He was 
not, however, destined to long life, as he died in 1875, when his son Smith 
was a boy of eight years. His wife, who was constitutionally more hardy, 
or more fortunate, survived him about 37 years, passing away at an 
advanced age in 1912. Their family was large, numbering eleven chil- 
dren, their son Smith being the eighth born. Smith Molstad's schooling 
was obtained in a district school in Long Coolie, La Crosse County, and his 
agricultural training on his father's farm in that locality. After he was 




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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 397 

21 years old he worked on other farms for two or three years, and then 
tried raih-oad work, at which he continued for about two years. He then 
married and about this time went to work in a lumber mill at Onalaska, 
and was thus occupied for four years. Then he took a farm near Onalaska 
and operated it for a year, after which he changed the scene of his activ- 
ities to Pine Creek, Minn., being engaged in agriculture there for four 
years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm near Brownsville, 
Minn., where the next six years of his life were spent at his old occupation. 
He then tried farming in Winnishiek County, Iowa, and was there six years, 
after which he came to his present farm in Gale Township, Trempealeau 
County, in 1914, which is a good piece of agricultural property of 290 
acres, equipped with good modern buildings and everything- essential in 
up-to-date farming. Here he raises the usual crops indigenous to this 
region and keeps a fair amount of stock. His farm is kept in excellent 
condition and he is doing a good business as an agriculturist. 

Mr. Molstad entered into the bonds of matrimony in October, 1893, 
choosing as his wife Miss Dorthea Peterson, a native of Norway and 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Peterson. Her parents remained in 
Norway. She came to the United States in 1890 and resided at Onalaska 
until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Molstad have had seven children : Oscar, 
Melvin, Selmar, Emma, Lula, Lillie and Paul. Lula and Paul are deceased, 
the latter dying in infancy. All the others are residing at home. In 
addition to his farming interests Mr. Molstad is a stockholder in the 
La Crosse Packing Company and also has some business interests in other 
enterprises. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. In 
politics he is a Republican. He has, however, served two terms on the 
school board of his township. 

John A. Perkins, who owns and operates a fine farm of 272 acres in 
section 25, Trempealeau Township, was born at Prairie Du Chien, Wis., 
Feb. 13, 1850. His parents were Charles and Mary (Farnham) Perkins, 
the father born in Prairie du Chien, March 25, 1824, and the mother at 
Rock Island, 111., October, 1826. They were of French and English descent, 
Charles Perkins being a farmer by occupation. In the fall of 1850 the 
family came to Trempealeau County, the father buying 160 acres of wild 
land in section 35, North Ti-empealeau Township, but instead of moving 
onto it at once, they took up their residence in Trempealeau Village, where 
they remained two years. Then the whole family moved back to Prairie 
du Chien and spent one year there on a rented farm. In the fall of 1854 
they returned to Trempealeau County and moved onto their farm here. 
As there were i^o building on the land, the father built a shanty and pole 
stable. He cleared and broke quite a number of acres and in time erected 
a good frame house, residing on the place until his death, Nov. 7, 1906. 
His wife died May 15, 1886, on the homestead, where she was living. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perkins were as follows: John A., sub- 
ject of this sketch ; Charles, born in Trempealeau Village, May 28, 1851, 
who was killed while walking on the tracks of the Chicago, Burhngton & 
Quincy Railroad; Timothy, born June 30, 1853, at Prairie du Chien, who 
died in infancy: Mary Agnes, born at Prairie du Chien, Aug. 5, 1854, who 



398 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

is now Mrs. Edward House and lives in Trempealeau Village; Nicholas, 
born in Trempealeau Township, June 9, 1856, who was a farmer and is 
now living in Trempealeau Township and is an invalid; Joseph, born in 
Trempealeau Township, Oct. 10, 1858, who resides at the old home, in 
section 35; EUzabeth, born in Trempealeau Township April 22, 1861, now 
living at Cando, N. D. ; Victoria, born in Trempealeau Township, Jan. 24, 
1864, became the wife of Nason Grover, she died in November, 1916 ; Solo- 
mon Robert, born July 15, 1867, in Trempealeau Township, who is now in 
Iowa; Ida E., born in Trempealeau Township, Oct. 3, 1869, who is unmarried 
and resides at Cando, N. D. John A. Perkins when a boy attended dis- 
trict school No. 3, Trempealeau Township, regularly until he was 14 years 
old, and afterwards during the winters until he was 18. He remained at 
home until he was 24, but pi-evious to this, in 1871, he purchased 40 acres 
of wild land in section 25, north, Trempealeau Township, this being the 
land on which his present residence stands. Oct. 28, 1874, he was married 
to Victoria, daughter of John and Victoria La Vigue of Cedar Creek, Minn., 
their marriage being solemnized at the Catholic church in Trempealeau 
Village by Rev. Fr. Gongal. The young couple at once took up their resi- 
dence on the farm and began housekeeping. Being poor, they could at 
first make few improvements, and for some time the house remained in 
an unfinished state, but Mr. Perkins jinally built an upright to it, which 
gave them more commodious quarters. He had but one horse to begin 
farming with, but his father loaned him another to make a team, and it 
was more than two years before he was able to buy a second horse. He 
made gradual progress, however, and added to his original 40 acres of land 
from time to time until the farm now contains 272 acres, 100 of which is 
plowed land, the rest being in pasture and timber. The farm is in a favor- 
able location, lying on the east side of the beautiful Little Tamarac Val- 
ley, and is 14 miles from Winona, five from Galesville and seven from 
Trempealeau. For 36 years Mr. Perkins has marketed butter, the product 
of his farm, at uniform prices for the year to regular customers. His son 
WiUiam now operates the farm. The present house is an upright, two- 
story and a half building, with two wings, nicely finished and well fur- 
nished. In addition there is a barn with stone basement, having dimensions 
of 36 by 86 by 20 feet above the basement, the latter having a cement floor. 
The basement has a capacity of 73 heads of cattle and 12 horses. On the 
farm there are also corn cribs and granary, with a garage attached, a 
machine shed, with an extension, a milk house and ice house and engine 
house, all the buildings being painted and in excellent shape. Mr. Perkins 
carries on general farming and dairying, and also has a good orchard of 
15 acres, the trees all bearing, and the varieties being well selected. He 
keeps grade Shorthorn cows and Poland-China hogs. Aside from his per- 
sonal farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange 
Elevator of Galesville, and the Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company 
of La Crosse, Wis. His thorough knowledge of farming in all its branches 
was acquired from his father, who in 1847 and- 1848 was employed by the 
Government to assist James Reed in instructing the Sioux Indians in the 
vicinity of Winona in agriculture. Sept. 9, 1913, Mr. Perkins' wife died 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 39a 

on the old homestead after a long illness and was buried in the Catholic 
cemetery in Trempealeau Village. She had borne her husband two chil- 
dren : Mary Louise and William J. Mary Louise, who was born Oct. 28, 1878,. 
is now Mrs. Stanford Bortz, a resident of Trempealeau Village. William J., 
born Oct. 24, 1882, is unmarried, and, as before stated, is working the farm 
for his father. Mr. Perkins is independent in politics and has held no pub- 
lic office. He is a member of the Mystic Circle at Trempealeau Village, 
having been connected with that organization for the past 16 years. He 
and his family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's 
at Galesville. 

Everett MeWain. Among those who have helped to develop the soil 
and promote the agricultural interests of Caledonia Township is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was born near the famed Green Mountains of 
Vermont, in the town of North Dorset, that state, Dec. 17, 1850, his parents 
being John W. and Helen (Parker) McWain. The family, including Everett, 
came to Wisconsin in 1854, locating on a farm in Outgamie County, near 
Stevensville, in which locality they spent about four years. They then 
moved onto David Parker's farm (grandfather of Everett McWain), near 
St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis. From there they returned for 
one winter to Outgamie County, coming to Trempealeau County in March, 
1864, and settling on the land on which Everett now resides. The father 
after a long career as an agriculturist, spent his last years in retirement,, 
dying at the home of his son Bert, in Winona, Minn., at the venerable age 
of 91. His wife, who was born in Vermont, in April, 1833, died at her own 
home in Gale Township, near Galesville, Feb. 8, 1904, at the age of 71 years. 

Everett McWain was a child of less than four years when he came to 
Wisconsin. His educational opportunities were not great, but he attended 
district school until he was 14 years old and learned to read, write and 
cipher. When 15 he began working for himself at threshing, being asso- 
ciated for 12 years in this branch of farming with Frank Bender, and dui'- 
ing the latter part of this period they owned their own machine. In this 
business Mr. McWain continued until he had reached the age of 45 years, 
owning his own outfit and using horse-power before the days of steam 
threshing. He bought his first land on section 6, Caledonia Township, it 
being a tract of 80 acres, to which he has since added by purchase until 
he and his two sons now own 240 acres — 200 acres in one body, and 40 acres 
one mile south of his home. On the original farm in section 6, some land 
was broken when he bought it. He now has 160 acres under the plow and 
40 acres in pasture. On the original tract he has built a substantial one- 
story and a half frame house, consisting of upright and wing ; also a good 
barn, a milk house and a silo of 120 tons capacity, all the buildings being 
painted and in excellent condition. Mr. McWain is carrying on general 
farming very successfully and is numbered among the prosperous citizens 
of his township. He is also a stockholder in the Galesville Ci'eamery. 

Sept. 26, 1875, he was married to Johanna, daughter of Thomas and 
Ellen (Brophy) Roach of Gale Township, this county, and to him and 
his wife have been born the following children : Ethlyn, born June 17, 1878, 
who married Ernest Post, and has two living children — Verna and Gladys 



400 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

May, another child, Delia May, being deceased; Roy, born Sept. 28, 1882, 
who married Beulah Cook, and hves on a farm in Caledonia Township, his 
children being Gerald, Vilas and Evelyn Lucille; Lloyd, born May 2, 1887, 
who is unmarried and resides on the home farm ; and William, born March 
16, 1896, also unmarried and living on the farm. In politics Mr. McWain 
has always been a Democrat and has given some of his time to assisting 
in local government matters, having served many terms as a member of 
the township board, and having also been assessor. As a prosperous farmer 
and good reliable citizen he is well known in his township and with his 
family occupies a respected position among its inhabitants. 

William Davidson, a prosperous farmer residing in section 36, Gale 
Township, was born on his father's farm at Decorah Prairie, Jan. 15, 1861, 
son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. His parents were both natives 
of Scotland, the father born at Strathaven, Oct. 24, 1820. John Davidson 
came to the United States when a young man, locating first in Mai-yland, 
where he engaged in mining and other occupations. After awhile he went 
back to Scotland on a visit, then returned to Maryland with his wife, whom 
he had married in his native land, where she was born in 1824. In all he 
made three trips across the ocean. He and his family removed from Mary- 
land to Kentucky, and after residing there awhile came in 1855, or there- 
abouts, to Trempealeau County, Wis., and took a farm on Decorah Prairie, 
Gale Township. The rest of his life was spent in the development of this 
property, which he improved considerable before his retirement from active 
work. He Uved to be over 80 years of age, his death taking place in 1901. 
His wife Mary passed away in middle life, in 1863. She was the mother 
of eight children, of whom William was the seventh born. 

William Davidson acquired his education in the district school at 
Decorah Prairie. He leai'ned the science of agriculture from his father, 
whom he assisted on the home farm until he was 23 years old. In the spring 
of 1884 he went to Wyoming, and later, in 1885, to western Nebraska, where 
he homesteaded land and remained until he had fulfilled the requirements 
of the homestead law and obtained a full title to his property. He was 
engaged in the stock business there for several years, but finally gave it 
up and went to South Dakota, still, however, retaining possession of his 
land for the time. In South Dakota he purchased land in Deuel County, 
near Revillo, and resided there most of the time for a number of years, 
going back and forth between his various holdings as occasion required. 
In 1905 Mr. Davidson purchased his present farm and soon after sold his 
lands in Nebraska. In 1909 he sold also his Dakota lands and is now con- 
fining his attention to his farm of 160 acres in Gale Township, which is a 
highly improved piece of property, provided with substantial modern 
buildings and everything necessary for up to date farming. He is also a 
stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Independent Harvester 
Company of Piano, 111., and the Farmers Elevator Exchange at Galesville. 
Feb. 25, 1914, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Mi's. Anna John- 
son, a native of Kansas and daughter of William and Alice (Bonum) Leh- 
mann, who are now residents of Trempealeau County, Mr. Lehmann being 
a farmer in Trempealeau Township. By a former marriage to Frederick 




WILLIAM DAVIDSON AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 401 

Johnson Mrs. Davidson is the mother of one child, Harry Johnson, who 
resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have had two children: Wilma, 
who died at the age of 15 months, and Dorothy Helen, born Feb. 6, 1917. 
Mr. Davidson is a member of the order of Beavers and of the American 
Society of Equity. The family are members of the Presbyterian church 
and he is independent in politics. 

William Bartle, an early settler of Trempealeau County, was born in 
Devonshire, England, Jan. 12, 1823, and came to America as a young man. 
He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, May 16, 1856, to Ellen Seary, who was 
born in Inniskillian, Ireland, in May, 1830, and came to America in 1849, 
locating in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1862 Mr. Bartle and wife, with three chil- 
dren, came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in Ettrick Town- 
ship, where he followed farming until 1876. He then moved to Trem- 
pealeau and for the two years following worked at burning lime. In 1878 
he received a stroke of paralysis, which rendered him unable to perform 
heavy labor during the balance of his life. He passed away May 29, 1888. 
Just seven years to the day his good wife followed him, dying May 29, 
1895. They were the parents of nine children, as follows : Sarah, born May 
19, 1857, who is now Mrs. George Tibbitts of Keddleston, Canada ; Emma, 
born in June, 1859, who died at the age of eleven years; Ellen, bon^ in 
November, 1860, who died in 1904; Mary, born in 1863, and now Mrs. 
Thomas S. Bramwell of La Crosse, Wis. ; William, born June 10, 1865, now 
a resident of Trempealeau ; Charlotte, born April 1, 1868, now Mrs. Ed 
Huttenhow of Trempealeau Village; Margaret, born April 12, 1870, now 
Mrs. John C. Towner of Trempealeau Township ; John, born Nov. 19, 1872, 
who is living at Keddleston, Canada, and Harriett, who was born Dec. 17, 
1874, and died Sept. 1, 1913. 

John C. Towner, a successful agriculturist of Trempealeau Township, 
is a native of this county, having been born in Caledonia Township, Aug. 
1, 1869. His parents were John C, Sr., and Margaret (Carleton) Towner, 
who setlted in section 19, Caledonia Township, in 1859. John C. Towner 
in his boyhood attended district school No. 3, Caledonia Township, until he 
was 14 years of age, and one or two terms afterwards during the winters. 
At the age of 17 he began working away from home, but contributed to 
home expenses until he was 21. April 12, 1893, he was married to Margaret, 
daughter of William and Ellen (Seary) Bartle. The day after his wedding 
they moved to Pickwick, Minn., where he had rented a farm. After a 
year there he came back to Trempealeau Township and for five years there- 
after operated a rented farm. In 1900 Mr. Towner bought 110 acres in 
sections 22 and 23, this township, the land being under plow but destitute 
of buildings, so to remedy this deficiency he erected that year a two-story 
frame dwelling, consisting of upright and wing. In October, 1902, his resi- 
dence was destroyed by fire, but was replaced at once by a seven-room, 
frame house, of one and a half stories, with upright and wing. In 1910 
he built a barn, with a lean-to on the east and south; also a corn crib, 
machine shed and cream house. A cyclone in 1913 demolished his barn, 
machine shed and windmill, but he has since replaced the barn and built 
a tool shed, a granary and a silo, all good substantial buildings. Mr. Towner 



402 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

has now 105 acres of plow land, with five acres of waste land, one mile out 
of Trempealeau, and does general farming, keeping a good grade of stock, 
both cows and hogs, also having sufficient horses for his farm work. He 
finds a ready market for his produce and is one of the thriving farmers of 
his township. For 19 years he has been identified with Camp No. 2813, 
M. W. A., at Trempealeau, and holds the office of camp advisor. He is also 
manager of the Trempealeau Farmers Shipping Association. He and his 
wife are the parents of four children: Lloyd E., born Feb. 3, 1894, who is 
a fireman on the C. & N. W. Railroad ; J. Carleton, born Aug. 6, 1896, now 
a student at the La Crosse. State Normal School; Elmer R., born Oct. 5, 
1898, who was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in the class 
of 1917, and is assisting his father; and Hazel Margaret, born Oct. 24, 
1901, who is student at the Trempealeau high school. Mr. and Mrs. Towner 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau. 

Ebert K. Stutlien. Among the choice farms of Preston Township is 
that known as "Springdale," in section 10, a 234-acre farm belonging to 
the subject of this sketch, who also owns 160 acres in Welch Coolie, this 
township. Mr. Stutlien was born in Houston County, Minn., Nov. 23, 1866, 
son of Arne Knudson Stutlien and wife Mary, whose maiden name was 
Hellekson. The father, born in Norway in 1832, came to this country in 
1854 and resided first in Dane County, Wis., moving from there to Houston 
County in 1858. Ten years later he and his family settled in Welch Coolie, 
Preston Township, Trempealeau County, which was his home until his 
death. His wife still resides in Welch Coolie, being now 76 years old. Ebert 
K. Stutlien was reared to agricultural pursuits and has been thus engaged 
since he was old enough to begin industrial life. He has been proprietor 
of his present farm since 1915, and is conducting it with profitable results. 
Nov. 25, 1893, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Scow, who was born 
in Arcadia Township, Aug. 2, 1874. Her parents. Matt 0. Scow and Isabel 
Larson, were both born in Norway, the former in 1832 and the latter in 
1834. Mr. Scow died in Arcadia Township, July 7, 1904, and his wife July 
21, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Stutlien are the parents of ten children : Ingwald, 
assistant bank cashier at Bowman, N. D. ; Alfred, Leona, Emil, Palmer, 
Alma, Lester, Eunice, Florence and Sidney, all but Ingwald living at home. 

Stanley Clark French, one of the leading stock fai'mers of Ti'empealeau 
County, and a business man widely known throughout this section, his 
farm being located in section 29, Gale Township, was born on this farm 
Oct. 3, 1869. His parents were Henry and Parmelia E. (Clark) French, 
the father born at Kingsfield, Maine, in 1834. The mother was a native 
of the same place and was somewhat older than her husband. Henry 
French was trained to agi'iculture in his youth, but subsequently worked 
in a sawmill in Pennsylvania, to which state his parents had removed. He 
came to Wisconsin in 1856, driving a yoke of oxen from Monticello, Green 
County, Wis., to Trempealeau County, his father having arrived here in 
the previous year. The latter bought 400 acres of land from Judge Gale, 
of which land Henry purchased a part and started to break it up, using his 
team of oxen for that purpose. His tract consisted of 170 acres adjoining 
the village limits of Galesville, and here he resided until his death in April, 




MR. AND MRS. HENRY FRENCH 
STANLEY C. FRENCH AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 403 

1898. He became a prominent man in this locality, serving as assessor 
and chairman of the township board for a number of terms, and also 
assisted in founding the Bank of Galesville. He served two terms as 
county treasurer and was serving his third term at the time of his death. 
His wife survived him some years, dying Jan. 12, 1905. They were the 
parents of three children: Lunette, now Mrs. D. C. Burns; Clinton H. of 
Concord, Calif., and Stanley C. Stanley Clark French acquired a good 
practical education, after attending the Galesville high school, spending 
one year at Galesville University and one year at Winona Business College. 
Previous, however, to taking the commercial course, he taught school at 
Decorah Prairie one year, beginning at the age of 16 years. After leaving 
the business college he returned to the farm for the summer. Subsequently 
he was employed in the Bank of Galesville for about eight months and then 
went to Minneapolis, where he worked the next summer. He next removed 
to Grand Forks, N. D., where, however, he remained only a short time, 
returning to Minneapolis, where he passed the next winter. The summer 
following was spent on the farm, after which he spent a winter at Gale 
University. When the warm weather again came around, he joined a 
surveying expedition bound for the Missouri River, leaving Williston, 
N. D., and going to Bismark in the same state. On the completion of this 
work he was at home for 18 months. The summer following was that of 
1893 and Mr. French obtained a position as guard at the World's Fair held 
in Chicago, serving until the fair closed. From Chicago he went to Phila- 
delphia, where he spent six months. After this he was superintendent 
for a brush contractor in the state reformatory at Huntington, Pa., until 
the following year, when he returned to Galesville and took charge of the 
homestead. His father dying in the following April, he has since remained 
here as proprietor of the estate, which now contains 343 acres. In addition 
to general farming Mr. French makes a specialty of breeding Guernsey 
cattle and Shropshire sheep, besides hogs, and keeping a large stock of 
each on hand, making extensive shipments every year. Mr. French is also 
vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, secretary of the Galesville Farmers 
Exchange, treasurer of the Trempealeau County Farmers Mutual Insur- 
ance Company and a director of the Farmers Packing Company of La Crosse. 
He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company and was 
its president for ten years, besides having been connected with various 
other local enterprises, including the Trempealeau County Fair Associa- 
tion, and organizations of wide scope, among which may be mentioned the 
Wisconsin Fine Stock Breeders' Association, the Shropshire Register Asso- 
ciation and the Western Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders' Association. Mr. 
French has made valuable improvements on his farm, among things having 
rebuilt the old family dwelling, which he has turned into a fine modern 
residence, installed with every convenience. The Farmers Exchange, men- 
tioned above, of which Mr. French is secretary, is now doing a business of 
$75,000 a year, but his executive ability enables him to attend to his official 
duties in connection with it, in addition to managing his own large business, 
which has grown from year to year. His farm is recognized as one of the 
best stock farms in the county and he is continually adding to its equip- 



404 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ment and facilities. Mr. French was married July 27, 1898, to Mollie D. 
Arnold, daughter of Capt. Alexander A. and Mary J. ((Douglas) Arnold, 
her father being for many years a prominent citizen of Galesville and Gale 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. French have been the parents of three children: 
Henry Clinton, born Jan. 1, 1901 ; Miriam Helene, born April 12, 1902, and 
Arnold Stanley, born April 1, 1905. In poUtics Mr. French is a Republican 
but has not held office, having preferred so far to devote his time solely 
to his various business interests. 

William K. Towner, owner of a flourishing farm in section 30, Caledonia 
Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Oct. 15, 1874, son 
of John C. and Margaret (Carleton) Towner. The father was born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1830, and his wife Jan. 17, 1833, at Big 
Flat. Mr. and Mrs. Towner came as young people with their parents from 
New York to Wayne County, Michigan, and in that county were married. 
In 1859 they came west, setthng in Trempealeau County, Wis., taking land 
in section 19, Caledonia Township. John C. Towner had come to the county 
a short time previously and selected his land and then returned to Mich- 
igan for his family in the winter of 1858-59, the early part of the latter 
year being the time of their settlement. The farm in section 19 was their 
residence until the fall of 1864, at which time John C. Towner bought 80 
acres of wild land in section 30, Caledonia Township. On this he built a 
temporary shanty, in which he and his family lived during the winter of 
1864-65. In the year last mentioned he erected the present residence, an 
upright, two-story dwelling of five rooms, to which a few years later a 
wing was added. After a long career of nearly 40 years as an agricul- 
turist in this township, he died Feb. 2, 1905, at Eau Claire, Wis., his wife 
having preceded him, passing away Sept. 9, 1902, at West Prairie, Trem- 
pealeau County. They are both buried in Trempealeau Cemetery. Their 
family numbered eight children : Mary, Emma, Elmer, Clara, Milton, Lena, 
John and William K. With the exception of Mary all the children were 
born in Caledonia Township. 

William K. Towner attended district school No. 3 until 12 years of 
age and subsequently spent one year in the graded school at Winona, Minn. 
From the age of 14 to that of 16 he attended winter school at Trem- 
pealeau Village, and then laid aside his school books to take up the active 
duties of life. He had ali-eady gained some knowledge of agriculture and 
remained on the farm with his father, from whom he leased it in 1896, con- 
tinuing as a renter or lessee until 1900, in which year he bought the prop- 
erty. Feb. 23, 1898, he was united in marriage with Rennie S., daughter 
of Orlando M. and Laura F. Robinson, the ceremony being performed at 
the home of his mother and sister in Minneapolis, after which he brought 
his bride home to Caledonia Township. He is engaged in general farm- 
ing and dairying, having a herd of grade Holstein cows, and selling his 
cream to the Galesville Creamery. His swine are of the Poland-China 
breed. The buildings on his farm are substantial and convenient and include 
a barn, corn crib, machine shed, hog house and a silo. Aside from his farm 
duties he is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery. He has devoted some 
part of his time to public affairs, having served three years as treasurer 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 405 

of school district No. 3 and eight years as clerk. As a progressive citizen 
he is alive to the best interests of the community and is one of those who 
may be counted upon to support a worthy cause, whether of a moral or 
material character. Since Jan. 25, 1900, he has been a member of Lotus 
Court, No. 3346, L 0. 0. F., of Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Towner have 
had three children born to them : Cary W., June 7, 1902, who is a student 
living at home ; Albert R., April 12, 1907, also a student, and Laura Mar- 
garet, born May 19, 1913, who died in infancy. The family are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trempealeau, of which Mr. Towner 
is a trustee, his wife being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that 
denomination. 

Horace N, Tobey, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying 
in section 8, Trempealeau Township, was born in Tioga County, Pa., April 
17, 1840. He resided in his native place until 1842, when his parents 
removed to Kalamazoo, Mich. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, 
worked at his trade there and in Galesburg, in that vicinity, until 1850, in 
which year he returned to Tioga, Pa., on account of his wife's health. 
Aug. 16, 1863, Horace N. Tobey, who was now of age, enlisted at Wilhams- 
port, Pa., for service in the Civil War. He had an adventurous career as 
a soldier, taking part in 14 engagements, including the battle of the Wil- 
derness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, and the North Anna, the capture of 
the Weldon Railroad, Hatches Run, both battles and charge on Petersburg, 
which were among the bloodiest of the war. He was fortunate, however, 
in that he was never wounded and never in a hospital, but was discharged 
from the service in good health at Elmira, N. Y., June 29, 1865, the war 
being then over. In 1868 he returned to the west with his parents, locating 
in Trempealeau Township, Trempealeau County, on what is now the Thomas 
Gibson farm. This property, which was improved, having good buildings, 
including a house and barn, he bought in company with his brother George, 
and subsequently they purchased together the A. Button farm in section 
4, which was an unimproved tract of 80 acres. In 1884 Mr. Tobey and his 
brother dissolved partnership and Horace in 1885 bought his present home- 
stead of 80 acres in section 8, Trempealeau Township. The place was 
partially improved, but in 1898 he erected the present residence, and in 
1915 built a frame barn, 32 by 52 by 16 feet, and a silo, 12 by 38 feet. 
He has also improved the farm materially and brought it into a good 
state of cultivation, and besides general farming and dairying pays special 
attention to butter making, in all of which branches of farming he has 
been successful. 

Mr. Tobey was married Oct. 28, 1866, to Harriet 0. Beach of Tioga 
County, Pa., and of this union were born three children: Minnie, Sept. 
23, 1867, at Tioga, Pa., who died in April, 1868; Raymond, Sept. 15, 1873, 
at Trempealeau, who married Ada Spalding and resides in Trempealeau 
Township ; and Harriet, December 13, 1877, also at Trempealeau who mar- 
ried Frank Edwards and resides near Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Tobey died 
Dec. 13, 1877. Feb. 16, 1879, Mr. Tobey married for his second wife Lillie 
A. Merwin of Trempealeau, by whom he has had two children : Hazel, born 
Sept. 16, 1885, in Trempealeau, who is unmarried and living at home ; and 



406 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Glenn, born March 5, 1890, at Trempealeau, who is also unmarried, and is 
manager of his father's farm. Mr. Tobey was reared in the Baptist faith, 
but is not identified with any church ; his wife and daughter, however, are 
affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pohtics Mr. Tobey is 
a Republican, but holds no public office. He is highly esteemed as a prac- 
tical farmer and a good neighbor. For his services in the Civil War he 
receives a pension. He is a member of Ford Post, G. A. R. 

Lars Quammen, a well known and respected citizen of Ettrick Town- 
ship, was born in Hardanger, Norway, April 26, 1841, and came to America 
when a lad of 17 years, settling in Dane County, Wis. After working a 
while for others he became a land owner and farmer, and was there mar- 
ried to Anna Leland, who was born in Voss, Norway, Dec. 13, 1844. In 
1875 they came to Trempealeau County, locating on the farm now owned 
by Eward L. Quemmen, where the father and mother are still living, though 
he has been retired since 1901. During his years of activity he was a 
prominent citizen of the township and served at various times in local office. 
On July 1, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Quammen celebrated their golden wed- 
ding. They have been the parents of seven children : James, now deceased ; 
Edward L., the present proprietor of the old homestead ; Andrew and Louis, 
residing in Montana; Caroline, now Mrs. Henry Legreid of Ettrick Town- 
ship ; Albert, who is manager of the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, Wis., and 
Sena, who is a visiting nurse in Chicago, having formerly been nurse at the 
Cook County Hospital there. 

Edward L. Quammen, proprietor of Elm Grove Farm of 123 acres in 
section 14, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, Feb. 
23, 1869, son of Lars and Anna (Leland) Quammen. He was the second 
born of his parents' children and was a child of six years when he came 
with the family to Trempealeau County in 1875. He was educated in 
the district school and eai'ly gained a knowledge of agriculture, helping 
his father as soon as he became old enough. When 18 years of age he 
began working in the north woods during the winter, continuing work on 
the home farm in the summer. In 1901, on his father's retirement, he 
bought the homestead, which consists of 123 acres of valuable land, and 
which he is operating as a general stock farm, making a specialty of Short- 
horn cattle, of which he has about 40 head. He is also a stockholder in the 
Ettrick Creamery, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Telephone 
Company, the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick Lumber Company and the 
Ettrick & Northei-n Railroad Company. 

June 12, 1901, Mr. Quammen was united in marriage with Emma 
Rogne, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, daughter of Ole and 
Eli (Grae) Rogne, both natives of Voss, Norway, who came to Trempealeau 
County before the Quammens located in Shake Hollow, Jackson County. 
Mr. Rogne, who was a farmer in Frankhn Township, has been dead a num- 
ber of years, but his wife is still living and resides on the old homestead. 
Mr. and Mrs. Quammen are the parents of three children : Lloyd Rogne, 
Alice Evelyn and Clifford Ernest, all of whom ai-e attending school. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church. In politics Mr. 
Quammen is a Republican, but has not been active in local affairs. As a 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 407 

stock farmer he is doing a prosperous business and is regarded as one of the 
substantial men of his township. 

Joseph C. Stellpflug, a general farmer on 120 acres of land in section 
25, Gale Township, was born in this township, Nov. 23, 1870. His parents 
were John and Sarah (Shonet) Stellpflug. The father, John Stellpflug, who 
was born in Germany, was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United 
States in 1853, resided in Milwaukee about seven years, and then, coming 
to Ti-empealeau County, located on Decorah Prairie, Gale Township, 
where he bought land and developed a farm. For a number of years he 
served as a member of the township board. His death, which took place 
about 1906, deprived the township of a worthy citizen and a good public 
official. His wife is still living and resides on the old home farm. Their 
family was a large one, numbering 14 children. Joseph C. was the third 
born in his parents' family. In his boyhood he attended the Grant school 
in Gale Township, where his future wife, Elizabeth Grant, was also a pupil. 
To her he was married Jan. 8, 1902, having spent the intervening years in 
working on his parents' farm and acquiring a good knowledge of agricul- 
ture. Miss Grant was a daughter of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant, whose 
farm is located on Trempealeau Prairie, this county. 

At the time of his marriage Joseph C. Stellpflug moved onto his 
present farm, on which he has since made numerous improvements, so 
that it is now a good piece of agricultural property, consisting of 120 acres 
of land, with substantial modern buildings and a full equipment of 
machinery and tools. Mr. Stellpflug carries on general farming and is also 
a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers' Exchange 
Elevator Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company. He and his wife 
have one child, Ehzabeth, who was born Nov. 15, 1914. The family are 
affiliated religiously with the Roman Catholic Church, and he and his wife 
with the order of Yeomen. He also belongs to the C. 0. F. In politics 
Mr. Stellpflug is independent and has not been active in local government 
matters, leaving that to others while he has devoted his entire attention 
to his farm. As the result of his industry he is prospering and he and 
his family are in comfortable circumstances. 

Ole Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 30, Gale Township, 
was born in Sesvold, Norway, near the city of Christiania, March 6, 1865, 
son of Martin Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the father being a 
farmer. The parents, who never came to America, are both now deceased. 
Ole Sesvold was the second born in a family of eight children. He attended 
school in his native land and began to contribute to his own support when 
only 14 years of age as a worker on farms. When he was 22 he came to the 
United States, locating in Trempealeau County, where he found work on the 
farm of Ben Dale, and continued at that kind of work, and also as an 
employee in the brick kiln and lime kiln for 16 years. He then worked one 
year for the city of Galesville, after which he purchased his present farm 
of 60 acres on which he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. 
He has made some valuable improvements on the property. In 1903 he 
erected his present residence, which is a two-story brick building, con- 
structed of brick, which he himself burned in the Dale brick yards, situated 



408 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a mile from his home. He also did the carpenter work himself. The house 
is a good modern building installed with all necessary equipment and con- 
veniences. Ole Sesvold was married Dec. 26, 1902, to Mary Tronson, a 
native of the same locality in Norway as himself, and daughter of Andreas 
Tronson. Her mother died when she was a child of four years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sesvold have four children : Minnie, Josephine, Esther and Oscar, all 
residing at home. Since coming to this country Mr. Sesvold has prospered 
as the result of industry and thrift, and has visited his old home in Norway 
a number of times. The family church is the Norwegian Lutheran. 

Joshua Rhodes, a pioneer, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 21, 
1827, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Rhodes, also natives of that 
shire. He was there reared and in the summer of 1840 set out with his 
parents for America. After a voyage of several weeks aboard a sailing 
vessel they landed in New York, and found their way to Wisconsin, where 
they settled in Brighton, Kenosha County, in which place the parents 
spent the remainder of their lives, the town of Brighton being 
named in honor of the several Rhodes families that settled there, they 
bringing the name "Brighton" from England, a town by that name being 
in Yorkshire, where they migrated from. Joshua Rhodes lived in Kenosha 
County in 1850, and then went to Marquette County, where he took up 
a farm with a land warrant presented to him by his father. In 1853 he 
came to Trempealeau County, and settled in section 12, Caledonia Town- 
ship, founding the locality which was afterward known as Rhodes' Station. 
Aside from this tract of 200 acres he secured various other tracts in Cale- 
donia and Trempealeau Townships. At once upon his arrival he started 
developing the farm in section 12. He first erected a log cabin, 10 by 12, 
and lived a pioneer's life for a time with Wilham Hanson as a companion. 
Then for a while, until his marriage in 1855, he lived alone. Bringing his 
bride to his cabin, he started life with new energy, and as time passed, he 
developed one of the best places in the community. He was prominent in 
community, township and county affairs, and he was highly honored by all 
who knew him. He was a man of broad sympathies, gentle toward the faults 
of others, but unswerving in the rules he made for his own conduct. Honest, 
upright, with a wide understanding of human nature, he left his impress 
on the life of the region in which he lived, and his family will never cease 
to cherish his memory. His death in Trempealeau Village Oct. 6, 1907, was 
sincerely mourned. As treasurer and chairman of the township, as clerk 
of his school district, as master of Burr Oak Grange during its entire exist- 
ence, as treasurer of the Decorah Farmers' Alliance, and as president of 
the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, his services were highly 
valued. Reared as an Episcopalean, he was a friend of all churches, and con- 
tributed liberally to their support. He was ever a faithful attendance upon 
church services, and required the same attention to duty on the part of 

his family. 

Mr. Rhodes was first married Feb. 1, 1855, to Susan E. Stevens, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Lydia Stevens, natives of Vermont, and pioneers of North 
Bend, Jackson County, Wis. Mrs. Rhodes taught in the Bigelow school, 
district 2, the first school in Caledonia Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 409 

were the parents of eight children: Mary A., Byron S., Ida J., Henry A., 
Albert J., William L., Charles W. and Cora N. Mary A. was born Nov. 14, 
1857, married Charles Nelson, a native of Indiana. They have one son, 
Robert. They live on a part of the old home farm. Byron S. was born 
July 28, 1859, and died Feb. 27, 1879. Ida J. is the widow of John C. Poly- 
blank, and hves in Caledonia Township. Her sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work. Henry A. was born April 14, 1863, and is now the proprietor of 
a department store in Tacoma, Wash. He married Birdella Booker of 
Ottawa, 111., and they have two children: Vera and Edward, both living. 
Albert J., born Dec. 31, 1865, is the proprietor of a department store in 
Seattle, Wash. He married Harriet Williams of that state. William L. 
was born Oct. 14, 1867, married Claudia Altenberg of Trempealeau, is the 
proprietor of a five and ten-cent store at Seattle, Wash., and has two chil- 
dren: Florence and William. Charles W. was born April 7, 1871, married 
Lizzie Van Ingen of Trempealeau Township and is associated with his 
brother Henry in the department store at Tacoma. He has three chil- 
dren : Glen, Catherine and Kenneth. Cora N. was born Nov. 22, 1873, and 
died at the age of three years. Mrs. Susan F. (Stevens) Rhodes died Jan. 
14, 1890, and in 1893 Mr. Rhodes married JuHa Mabie, who survives and 
resides in Trempealeau Village. 

John C. Polyblank, for many years a successful farmer of Caledonia 
Township, was born in Devonshire, England, July 16, 1855, son of J. C. and 
Mary (Lakeman) Polyblank. He was reared in England and came to 
America and Trempealeau County in 1871. About 1877 or 1878 he pur- 
chased 176 acres of land in section 36, Caledonia Township, from John 
NichoUs, who obtained it from the government. To this place he brought 
his bride in 1881, and here he lived until his lamented death, July 27, 1914. 
He was an active, vigorous man, and built up a good farm. To the original 
house he added until it is now a two-story structure with a large wing, and 
containing twelve comfortable and commodious rooms. The barn is 32 
by 50 feet, the machine sheds 20 by 30, the two poultry houses 10 by 12, 
the milk house 8 by 10, and the ice house 12 by 14. The silo is 40 feet high 
and 121/2 feet in diameter. There is also a swine house, corn crib and 
other structures. The farm is well fenced and cross fenced. One hundred 
acres are under the plow, while 76 acres are in timber and hay land. A 
specialty is made of breeding graded Guernsey cows. Since the death of 
her husband, Mrs. Polyblank has rented the place, but still continues to 
reside on it. 

John C. Polyblank was married March 21, 1881, to Ida J. Rhodes, born 
in section 12, Caledonia Township, June 30, 1861, daughter of Joshua and 
Susan (Stevens) Rhodes. The ceremony was performed in the old home 
by the Rev. Grafton T. Owen, then pastor of the Congregational church at 
Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Polyblank have had five daughters : Cora M., 
Ruth M., Mabel L., Nina D. and Evelyn I. Cora M. was born Dec. 31, 1881, 
married Frank Bain, who holds a very responsible position in the A. J. 
Rhodes' department store in Seattle, and has one son, Albert. Ruth M. 
was born May 16, 1884, and has been a teacher for some twelve years past. 
She is now living with her mother and teaching in district 3. Mabel L., 



410 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

born March 13, 1886, was graduated from the high schools of Trem- 
pealeau and Winona, State Normal school, and has been a teacher for some 
six years. She now teaches at Elmore, Minn. Nina D. was born June 17, 
1887, married Asa Gibbs, a farmer of Caledonia Township, and has two 
children : Ethel and Jack. Ethel I., born May 3, 1899, was graduated from 
the Treampealeau high school. She is now the wife of Lars Gjeide. 

Mrs. Polybank is a lady of many accomplishments. After passing 
through the district schools, she attended the Trempealeau high school and 
the Gale College. She has been prominent in the affairs of the Congre- 
gational church, has reared her family to that faith, and has taught in the 
Sunday school for many years. 

Mark R. Hewitt, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in sec- 
tion 2, Gale Township, is a man who has had an active and interesting 
career. He was born at Midway, La Crosse County, June 14, 1879, son of 
John Charles and Margaret (Stilts) Hewitt. Mark R. was educated in 
schools at Midway and La Crosse, Wis. At the age of 17 years he began 
working in a saw mill and lumbering in the woods. In 1898, when he was 
still under age, the Spanish- American war broke out, and he enlisted, though 
without his parents' consent, in Company C, Twelfth Minnesota Volunteer 
Infantry, at Winona, Minn., and was stationed at New Ulm and St. Paul 
about five weeks, going later to Georgia and Tennessee. His service lasted 
six months and he was then mustered out at New Ulm. During the fol- 
lowing winter he worked on the farm, and was then engaged in rafting on 
the river for about three months, with headquarters at La Crosse. After 
this he spent some time in harvesting and threshing in North Dakota, the 
next winter working in the woods of northern Wisconsin. His next employ- 
ment, during the summer, was log driving on the upper Chippewa River; 
then lumbering again in the winter at Mountain Iron, 100 miles north of 
Duluth. Mr. Hewitt then changed the scene of his activities to the Hood 
River, Oregon, where he spent some time lumbering in the woods at the 
foot of Mt. Hood. About July 4, 1903, he returned to Trempealeau County, 
but left soon for North Dakota, where he worked in the harvest fields. In 
the fall of 1903 he and his brother Charles purchased the old home farm, 
the winter, however, being spent by him in the lumber woods. The cold 
weather over, he returned to the farm in Gale Township, where he has 
since remained, engaged for the most part in agricultural work, with the 
exception spent in carpentering and three summers in hauling freight 
between Galesville and Ettrick. He has 160 acres of land highly improved, 
with modern buildings and every necessary or desirable convenience. The 
size of his bai-n is 36 by 80 feet, with 24-foot posts, it too being equipped 
with all necessary apparatus. Aside from his general farming operations, 
Mr. Hewitt is engaged in raising pure-bred Chester-White hogs and is a 
members of the Chester-White Association. He also carries on dairying 
successfully, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and in the 
Ettrick & Northern Railway. In 1906 he homesteaded land in North 
Dakota, which he sold a year later. In that same year, in the month of 
March, he was married to Stella Casey, who was born in Ettrick, Trem- 
pealeau County, Wis., daughter of Morris and Helen (Daily) Casey. He 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 411 

and his wife have one child: Vivian E. They are both members of the 
Eastern Star lodge, Mr. Hewitt being also a member of the Blue Lodge 
of Masons at Galesville, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Spanish- 
War Veterans' Association. In politics he is an independent Republican, 
his rehgious affiliations being with the Presbyterian church. He has held 
some local offices, having served as constable two years and as road super- 
intendent of Gale Township. 

Charles F. Hewitt, proprietor of a good farm of 200 acres, 140 acres 
of which lie in Gale Township, and the balance in Ettrick, his residence 
being in section 2, Gale township, was born at Nelson, near Alma, Buffalo 
County, Wis., Feb. 4, 1875, son of John Charles and Margaret (Stilts) 
Hewitt. Charles F. Hewitt was the third eldest in a family of six children. 
In his youth he attended district school in La Crosse County, and after- 
ward the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. He accompanied 
his parents to the farm in Gale and Ettrick Townships and has resided on 
it ever since. In 1901 he took charge of the property and has continued 
to operate it up to the present time, with the exception of three years, 
during which time he had it let out to a renter. The land is valuable and 
produces good crops, and Mr. Hewitt has added from time to time to the 
improvements, until it now has all necessary buildings. He is also a stock- 
holder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and the Ettrick & Northern Rail- 
way Company. Mr. Hewitt was married, April 5, 1899, to Jerusha Casey, 
who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Maurice and Helen (Daily) 
Casey. His fraternal affiliations are with the Blue Lodge of Masons and 
the Modern Woodmen of America, Mrs. Hewitt belonging to the Royal 
Neighbors. He is now State oil inspector. 

Charles Adolph Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 35, Gale 
Township, was born near Christiania, Norway, July 15, 1871, son of Martin 
Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the parents being farming people. 
He was educated in his native land and at the age of 18 years came to 
America, locating in Trempealeau County, where he and his brother Ole 
settled. Here he entered the employ of Ben Dale of Gale Township, for 
whom he worked for three and a half years. At the end of that time, hav- 
ing saved some money, he purchased a farm near the Dale homestead and 
engaged in agriculture for himself. This place was Mr. Sesvold's home 
until 1915, and on it he made extensive improvements. In August of the 
year last mentioned he purchased a residence property in Galesville, mov- 
ing his family to it for the winter in order that his children might have 
good school advantages. In the spring of 1916 Mr. Sesvold bought his 
present farm, moving onto it in April and beginning improvements which 
in time will greatly increase its value. The farm contains 131 acres and 
Mr. Sesvold is engaged thereon in general farming, of which he has a 
thorough knowledge. It is his intention that his family shall reside in 
the village during the winters for the sake of the school and other advan- 
tages. Aside from his immediate farming interests he is a stockholder 
in a company operating a threshing outfit. June 27, 1896, Mr. Sesvold was 
united in marriage with Ragna Hougstad, a native of Norway, and daughter 
of Hans and Gunel (Bratsven) Hougstad. He and his wife have eight 



412 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

children: Herman and Melvin, who are in the employ of Ivan G. Dale; 
Gustave, Melva, Agnes, Marion, Alfred and Laura residing at home. Mr. 
Sesvold and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. In 
poUtics he is a Republican, but has not been active in public affairs, nor 
taken any part in politics beyond casting his vote. 

Parley Stoner, an early resident of the town of Gale, and a veteran 
of the Civil War, whose death was a loss to the community in which he 
lived, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, Aug. 25, 1843, son of David 
and Ann (Dean) Stoner. His parents were both born in Bedford county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1817. The father was a practical farmer, and very suc- 
cessful at his chosen occupation. He with his wife and family came to 
Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Mineral Point, Iowa County, where he was 
subsequently engaged in farming until his death in 1895, his wife having 
died some years before. They had a family of nine children, of whom 
Parley was the second in order of birth. Parley Stoner in his boyhood 
attended school at Linden, Iowa County, Wis., and resided at home' until he 
was 19 years of age. Then, in 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh 
Wisconsin Volunteers, with which organization he served until the close 
of the war. He was never wounded, but was confined to the hospital for 
awhile as the result of a fall. His regiment formed a part of the Army 
of the West, and with it he participated in some fierce battles. His period 
of service ended with the close of the war and he then returned home. 
Sept. 2, 1866, he was married to Elizabeth Ayer, who was born at Mineral 
Point, Wis., June 26, 1847, daughter of Jonas and Leah (Nutting) Ayer. 
Her parents were natives of Maine, who came to Wisconsin about 1840, 
locating at Mineral Point, where Mr. Ayer engaged in farming, in which 
occupation he continued there until health failed, when he moved to 
La Crosse County and lived with his children. He died in April, 1879, and 
his wife in 1893. They had 12 children, of whom their daughter Eliza- 
beth was one of the younger. After his marriage Parley Stoner settled 
with his wife in La Crosse County, which was his home for 16 years. He 
followed the river until 1884, being engaged in logging, in which work he 
became very expert, knowing all the ins and outs of the business, and 
being familiar with Black River from its sources to its mouth. In 1884 
Mr. Stoner purchased the farm in the southern part of Gale Township, 
which has since been known as the Stoner, or Black River View Farm, and 
where his wife is now living, and here he settled down to agriculture. This 
farm, which contains 200 acres, he operated until his death. May 21, 1916. 
Severe campaigning in the army, followed by exposure on the river, had 
made him an early victim of rheumatism, and the trouble grew more aggra- 
vating with advancing years, until about ten years before his death he 
became incapacitated for active work. Occasionally he rode to town in his 
crippled condition and visited old friends, but in his last years he was con- 
fined to his home. His sufferings at the last were intensified by a diseased 
foot, resulting in gangrene. For this an operation was performed at the 
Lutheran hospital in La Crosse, but his case was hopeless. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stoner were the parents of nine children : Jessie, wife of John Smith, a 
railroad engineer residing at Ottumwa, Iowa; Esther, now deceased, who 




GEORGE HAMMOND AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 413 

was the wife of Edward De Pooler of Minneapolis, also deceased; Clara, 
now living, who was the second wife of Edward De Pooler; Susannah, 
unmarried, residing in Trempealeau County; Polly, wife of Bert McQuain 
of Minneapolis; Charles, baggage master for the Northwestern Railway 
Company at Galesville; Harley, who is operating the home farm, his 
mother residing with him, and Clifford, residing in Galesville and in the 
employ of William Hegge, bridge contractor. Parley Stoner will long be 
remembered as a man of sterling qualities. In his younger days he was 
an athlete. He could hold his own with any of the strong men on the river. 
He was courageous to recklessness and in every way was a friend worth 
having. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
Mrs. Stoner joined the same church before she was 16 years of age and has 
always remained a faithful member of it. 

George Hammond, proprietor of an excellent dairy farm of 176 acres 
in sections 19 and 20, Gale Township, was born at Barnbydun, Yorkshire, 
England, Feb. 25, 1856. His parents, George and Mary Ann (Wittels) 
Hammond, were natives of the same place, the father being a farmer. They 
came to America in 1858 and after residing in Canada for 18 months came 
on to Trempealeau County in 1860, locating in Big Tamarac Valley. Here 
George Hammond, Sr., bought land and in course of time developed a farm, 
which he later sold, moving to Jackson County. Three years later he 
returned to Trempealeau County and took a farm in Gale Township, on 
which, however, he lived only 18 months. He then returned to Little Tamarac 
Valley, settling on another farm, which was his home until a short time 
before his death, as the last three months of his life were spent at the home 
of his son George. He died in October, 1907, and his wife about two years 
later. His life was devoted to farming and he took no part in public affairs, 
but was esteemed as a good neighbor and reliable citizen. George Ham- 
mond, second, the direct subject of this sketch, was the third born in a 
family of nine children. His schooling was somewhat limited and was 
obtained in Galesville and in Melrose, Jackson County. He began to work 
out on farms at the early age of ten years, living at home a part of the time, 
and continued to do so for a number of years. At the age of 22, having 
saved money, he bought land. When 25 he married and later purchased a 
farm near Ettrick, which he operated for about four years. He then 
sold it and bought his present place of 176 acres, less than two miles from 
the city limits of Galesville. On this he has made a number of valuable 
improvements, having erected modern buildings, including a fine barn, 
which is one of the best in this locality. He is carrying on a good dairying 
business and is also engaged in breeding Guernsey cattle successfully, hav- 
ing selected this as his favorite stock. 

Nov. 8, 1883, Mr. Hammond was united in marriage with Mary Speier, 
who was born at Spring Prairie, Wolworth County, Wis., daughter of 
Jacob and Josephine (Langenohl) Speier. Her parents were natives of 
Germany, who came to Trempealeau County from Walworth County, hav- 
ing previously resided at Green Bay. On coming here they settled in Gale 
Township, about four miles from Galesville, and farmed for a number of 



414 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

years before their death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of seven 
children : Mary Josephine, wife of George Kells, a contractor and builder 
residing in Gale Township; Christine G., wife of Ben Deeren, proprietor 
of a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop in Winona, Minn. ; Lois Jeanette, 
unmarried, and a teacher in Trempealeau County; Lawrence Jacob, who 
married Nellie Eng and resides on the Hammond farm, assisting his father ; 
Warren Lewis, unmarried, and living at home; and John and Vilas, who 
died in infancy. Mr. Hammond and his family are affiliated with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is an independent Republican, 
but, like his father, has never taken an active part in public affairs, being 
content with casting his vote. 

John Sutcliffe, a well known resident of section 33, Trempealeau Town- 
ship, was born in the old log house on his father's farm, Feb. 19, 1858, son 
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Sutcliffe. His parents were both born 
in England, the father in Halifax, Yorkshire, Aug. 9, 1821. They came to 
this country single and were married in Marquette County, Wisconsin. 
Between 1852 and 1854 they came to Trempealeau County, Thomas Sutcliffe 
buying 160 acres of unimproved land in section 33, Trempealeau Township. 
As there were no buildings on it, he put up a log house and barn, later 
building a second log house, hewn inside and out and sheeted inside and 
out with lumber. It was one and a half stories in height and is still stand- 
ing, being now used as an ice house. It was in this building that the subject 
of this sketch was born. In 1866 Thomas Sutcliffe built a square brick 
house, two stories high and with 10 rooms, which is still standing and is- 
now occupied. He also purchased an additional 80 acres of land adjoining 
the home farm, making 280 acres in all. He cleared, fenced and developed 
this farm until he had transformed it into a good piece of agricultural prop- 
erty, and here he died Feb. 19, 1903. He had been a widower for some 
years previous to his death, his wife having passed away on the home farm. 
They are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Their family was not large, 
consisting only of five children, one of whom died in infancy. The others, 
who are living, are: Phoebe Ann and Sarah Jane, both unmarried, and 
John. Franklin died at the age of 33 years. Phoebe Ann, who is John's 
senior by four years, resides in Galesville, Wis. Sarah Jane, who is two 
years younger than John, lived in Winona, Minn., several years, but is now a 
resident of Plainview, Minn. 

John Sutcliffe acquired his education in district school No. 9, Trem- 
pealeau Township, which he attended from the age of seven to that of 14, 
regularly, and afterwards during the winters until he was 20 years old. 
With the exception of about one year, six months of which he spent in 
North Dakota and the other six months in Chicago, he has resided all his 
life on the home farm, of which he became the owner at his father's death, 
purchasing the interests of the other heirs. When he took possession of it 
there were 250 acres of the farm under the plow, the balance of 30 acres 
being in pasture and timber land. After carrying on this farm until Febru- 
ary, 1911, the subject of this sketch sold it, except a small tract of four 
acres, on which stands a comfortable house, which is his present residence. 
In March, 1917, he bought back IO5V2 acres of the old farm, which he 




►J 



a 
z 



K 

O 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 415 

now operates. This makes him 109 1/2 acres. Here he lieves alone, having 
never married. He is practically retired and is a great lover of the woods 
and their inhabitants, taking pleasure and recreation in the study of 
Nature and her works. In politics he is a Republican, but has not held 
office. 

George B. Shonat, a well known farmer residing in section 1, Gale town- 
ship, was born in Oswego County, New York, Dec. 31, 1844, son of George 
and Abigail (Like) Shonat. The father was born in Germany Feb. 3, 1810, 
and came to America when a young man. In his native land he had learned 
the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, so was well equipped to succeed 
in a country where skilled labor was in demand. In New York, however, 
where he stayed for a while, he at first found the labor market somewhat 
crowded, and not being able to find remunerative work immediately at 
either of his trades, he took the first employment he could find, which was 
in New York City, that of gathering bones for a sugar refinery with a 
wheelbarrow. Later he worked on a farm for $7 a month and his board. 
After some experience in this kind of work he went to Madison County, 
New York, where also he worked for farmers and continued to do so until 
he was able to purchase a small farm in the town of Monroe, Oswego County, 
having previously, however, worked for awhile in Columbia County. After 
awhile he gave up farming temporarily to become engineer in a sawmill. 
In 1852 he joined the westward tide of emigration, arriving in Milwaukee 
July 1 of that year. There he hired two teams to take him and his goods 
to Waupun, Wis., where on arriving, he rented land and worked for others 
for two years. Then, in the fall of 1853, he came to Trempealeau County 
and entered land that now forms a part of Mr. Shonat's present farm, 
moving onto it in the fall of 1855, November 24. During the intervening 
years he was engaged in farming in Dodge County, Wisconsin. After 
beginning farming on his own place he spent his winters in hauling logs 
and such other work as he could do during the cold season, so kept busy 
all the year round. This farm was his home for the rest of his life, his 
death taking place here in 1887. He served as assessor in his township 
for a number of years and in early days was a member of the school 
board. His wife survived him about eleven years, dying in 1898. They 
had two children: George B., subject of this sketch, and Sarah F., who is 
now the widow of John Stellpflug. 

George B. Shonat first attended school in his native state of New 
York, afterwards the district school of Decorah Prairie, this county, and 
subsequently Gale University, now Gale College. He resided on the home 
farm until his marriage, which event, occurring Nov. 11, 1868, united him 
with Nettie Dewar, who was born in Scotland, Jan. 21, 1844, daughter of 
James and Anna Gordon (Harriss) Dewar. Her parents, who were also 
natives of Scotland, came to America in 1853, settling first in lower Canada, 
near Montreal, from which place in a short time thy came to the United 
States and located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Dewar 
engaged in agriculture. In 1861 he and his family came to Trempealeau 
County, locating in Big Tamarac Valley, where the mother died in the 
spring of that year. James Dewar subsequently left the county and died 



416 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

finally in St. Louis. His daughter Nettie was engaged in teaching previous 
to her marriage. A year after that event Mr. Shonat built a house on a 
recently purchased farm in Gale Township, and he, with his wife and 
family, resided there for 24 years. He then purchased his present farm, 
adjoining his old home, and located in section 1. Here he has resided since 
1894, having at present 145 acres of land. His farm was formerly much 
larger, as he has sold 185 acres to his son, W. R. Shonat. He is a stockholder 
in the La Crosse Packing Company and was one of the first stockholders in 
the Galesville Creamery at Arctic Springs. In 1889 Mr. Shonat engaged in 
buying stock and in June, 1892 shipped the first carload of stock bred by 
himself. Since that time he has been engaged practically all the time in 
buying for himself or others and dealing in and shipping stock, and has 
been very successful in these various enterprises. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and is now serving in his ninth year as assessor of Gale Township, 
having also served on the township board for a number of years and as school 
clerk for 10 years. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: 
Warner R., who resides in Galesville; Anna May, wife of Robert S. Cook, 
residing in La Crosse county ; Abbie E., wife of A. D. Burnett, a hardware 
merchant at Spooner, Wis.; Catherine A., residing at home; N. Blanche, 
also residing at home, who was also a teacher; Mary Esther, a teacher 
residing in Spooner, Wis. ; Archie, who is a civil engineer in the employ of 
the Northwestern Railroad Company, and who is a graduate of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin; and George Martin, who died at the age of 14 months 
in 1883. 

Andrew M. Hellekson. One of the best improved farms in Ettrick 
Township is that of Andrew M. Hellekson in section 21, a farm of 240 acres, 
with buildings and equipment indicating even to the casual eye the enter- 
prise and thrift of its owner. Mr. Hellekson is a native of Wisconsin, 
having been born in the city of Racine, Aug. 21, 1870, son of Ellef and 
Christe (Nelson) Hellekson. His father was born in Kragero, Norway, 
Sept. 21, 1832, his mother being a native of the same place. The latter died 
when the subject of this sketch was 1 year old, and Ellef Hellekson subse- 
quently married for his second wife Mrs. Johanna Halverson. From the 
age of 14 years he had followed the occupation of a sailor, before the Civil 
War on the ocean, during which period he visited most of the maritime 
countries of the world. He was still a young man when he came to the 
United States, and here he remained, for some time sailing the Great Lakes. 
The gi'eat city of Chicago, which he visited, attracted him and he made it 
his home, residing there until about 1887, in which year he made a sudden 
change in his occupation and manner of life, coming to Trempealeau County, 
Wis., and settling on the farm now owned by his son Andrew M. On a part 
of this farm he and his wife are still living, after spending many years in 
the cultivation of the soil, though now retired. 

Andrew M. Hellekson was the youngest of four children. His boyhood 
was largely spent in the city of Chicago, where he attended the Maplewood 
school. At the age of 14 years he began industrial fife in Chicago, first as 
a door boy in a furniture store, from which position he was advanced to 
that of collector for the same firm. He remained with the concern until 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 417 

1887, in which year he came to Trempealeau County with his father, with 
whom he remained practically all of the time, except for three winters, when 
he again worked in Chicago. While at home he was practically the man- 
ager of the farm from the time he came here, and is now its owner. It 
consists of 240 acres, 60 acres of which he has cleared. He gives particular 
attention to raising seeds of barley, rye, corn and oats from selected plants 
for market purposes and for a number of years he has been engaged suc- 
cessfully in breeding Guernsey cattle, milking 20 cows. Aside from the 
immediate profits of his farm, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, 
the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, the Farmers' Elevator 
in Blair, of which he was a former director, the La Crosse Packing Company, 
the Ettrick Lumber Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company, of 
which he is president. In 1916 Mr. Hellekson built a fine modern residence, 
both commodious and attractive in appearance and provided with practically 
all modern facilities and conveniences, and most of the important improve- 
ments on the farm, including the neat and substantial buildings, have been 
put up by him. He has served as county secretary of the American Society 
of Equity, and was one of the organizers of the society in this county, and 
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics indepen- 
dent, he has performed some pubhc service, including two years as super- 
visor and three years as clerk of the school board. June 27, 1893, Mr. 
Hellekson was united in marriage with Sena Herreid, daughter of Gilbert 
and Ingeborg Herreid. He and his wife are the parents of six children: 
John Andrew, who is official tester at the State Agricultural College at 
Madison ; Ida Josephine, residing at home ; Ella Gertrude, who is attending 
the La Crosse School of Agriculture, at Onalaska; Charles Edgar, Emma 
Sophia and Lawrence Goodwin, residing at home. Mr. Hellekson and his 
family are members of Beaver Creek United Lutheran church. Through 
his own enterprise and industry, coupled with good judgment, he has 
achieved prosperity and attained an honorable place in the community as 
one of its substantial and reliable citizens. His children are receiving the 
advantage of a good education to qualify them to make their own way in 
life and all promise to be a credit to the family name. 

Tosten G. Herreid, who owns and operates Pleasant View Farm of 200 
acres in section 17, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County., Wis., near 
Stoughton, Oct. 31, 1857, son of Gilbert and Ingaborg Torgersdatter 
(Twinde) Herreid. His parents were natives of Norway, the father born 
at Hardanger, Bergenstift, June 23, 1836, and the mother at Vosse Nangen, 
March 20, 1832. Gilbert Herreid came to the United States in the spring 
of 1857, locating in Dane County, Wis., where he engaged in farming, and 
in 1863 came to Trempealeau County, locating in Ettrick Township, where 
he homesteaded land and improved and developed it into a good farm. 
There his death took place in December, 1914. His wife is still residing on 
the homestead. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Tosten G. 
was the oldest. Tosten G. Herreid acquired his education in the local 
schools of Ettrick Township. He resided at home until he was 25 years 
old and then bought land in Ettrick Township, farming that place for 13 
years. He then sold it and purchased his present farm, which consists 



418 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of 200 acres of valuable land and which he is operating in a general way, 
raising various crops and breeding Hereford cattle from pure-bred sires. 
He has greatly improved the property, having erected modern barns and 
other necessary buildings, and is doing a successful business. Feb. 19, 
1880, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Ragnhild Bue, who was born 
in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of To.sten and Anna (Kjarland) Bue, her 
parents being natives of the same place. Tosten Bue was born March 6, 
1820, and his wife in 1824. They came to the United States in 1866, and 
within one week after landing in this country the wife died. Mr. Bue 
continued west to Winnesheik County, Iowa, where he remained some years, 
or until 1873, when he came to Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, 
Wis., and home.steaded land on which he resided until his death in 1886. 
He and his wife had a family of nine children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have been the parents of seven children : Gilbert 
Theodore, unmarried and now living in one of the more Western States; 
Anna Emclia, wife of John Instenes, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Carl 
Alfred (the second born), who died in infancy; Clara Martena, wife of 
Louis Instenes, a farmer residing at Hegg, this township; Andrew Julius, 
residing at home ; Selmer Imanuel, who died in childhood, and Selma Regina, 
who graduated at the Galesville High School and is now a teacher in Trem- 
pealeau County. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
church. 

John H. Schaller is one of the enterprising farmers oj" Gale Town.ship, 
where he has resided about eight years, following agriculture and raising 
stock, and is doing a prosperous business. He was born at Freeburg, 
Houston County, Minn., Sept. 14, 1866, son of John C. and Katherine (Fetz- 
ner) Schaller. Both parents were natives of Germany, the father born at 
Heidelberg June 30, 1838, and the mother at Oberkronbach, Germany, June 
30, 1843. When a lad of 6 years John C. Schaller came to America with his 
parents, George and Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, who settled in Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from Brook County, W. Va., and a few 
miles above Wheeling, that State. George Schaller was a miller and oper- 
ated a mil! there for a number of years' coming toMinne.sota with his family 
in 18.'55. In the latter State John C. was reared, and after learning the 
miller's trade from his father, followed it there until the fall of 1889, when 
he moved to La Crosse County, Wis., and engaged in the .sawmill business. 
After being thus occupied for some three years, he returned to flour milling, 
for seven or eight years operating a mill in Mormon Coolie, La Crosse 
County. He then went to Fairmont, Minn., where he followed the same 
business for two years. At the end of that time he purchased an interest 
in the Hartford Milling Company, of Hartford, S. D., where he is still 
engaged in that business with the same company. His wife died May 30, 
1914. They were married April 12, 1863, and celebrated their golden 
wedding April 12, 1913. The grandparents of our subject, George and 
Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, celebrated their golden wedding in 1879. 

John H. Schaller was the second born in a family of eight c;hildren. 
At the age of 17 years he was employed in the capacity of wheat buyer for 
the mills in South Dakota, and, not being able to follow the miller's trade. 







W. A. SMITH AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 419 

continued buying grain until his marriage in 1890. He then entered the 
service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, being employed as 
fireman for some seven years, running between La Crosse and Milwaukee. 
At the end of that time, on account of defective hearing, he was obliged 
to give up railroad work, but found a position as watchman and fireman in 
the Federal Building at La Crosse, which he held for nine years and two 
months. He then took a farm on Silver Creek, Trempealeau County, and 
operated it for three years. For two and a half years following he operated 
other farms, and then took his present place, where he has 138 acres of 
good land and is engaged in dairy and stock farming, doing a profitable 
business, the advantage of which accrues to himself, instead of working for 
others. In politics, while usually voting the Republican ticket, he exercises 
the right of independent judgment. He has served for a number of years 
as clerk of School District No. 6. In religion he is a Catholic. 

June 3, 1890, Mr. Schaller was married to Josephine Schwarzhoff , who 
was born in Highlandville, Minn., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pep- 
per) Schwarzhoff. Her father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Oct. 5, 
1836, and was a miller and merchant. He came to this country in 1853, 
settling at Highlandville, where he grew to manhood and was engaged in 
business for some ten years. He then removed to Burgen, Iowa, where the 
rest of his life was spent in the milling and mercantile business. His wife, 
who was born in Kleinraken, Germany, Sept. 5, 1843, is now living in Gales- 
ville. They were the parents of four children, of whom Josephine was the 
youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Schaller are the parents of six children : Alletta 
Marie, born March 25, 1891, wife of Rainnie Lun, a farmer residing on 
Silver Creek, Gale Township; Arthur Joseph, born Sept. 1, 1892; Charles 
Leo, born Sept. 13, 1894 ; Herman John, born June 29, 1896 ; George Dewey, 
born May 15, 1898, and La Verne Alexander, born Aug. 30, 1908, the last 
five mentioned all residing at home. Mr. Schaller belongs to the Modern 
Woodmen of America and also to the B. of L. F. & E., being the oldest past 
president of this lodge. 

William A. Smith, who is engaged in farming in section 34, Gale Town- 
ship, was born in Walworth County, Wis., June 26, 1864, son of William 
and Mary (Wagner) Smith. His parents were born and married in Ger- 
many and came to the United States in the early '50s, locating in Walworth 
County, Wis., where William Smith engaged in farming. Subsequently he 
and his wife came to Trempealeau County and for the first two years occu- 
pied a rented farm. He then homesteaded land three and a half miles 
north of Galesville and resided on that farm until his death, which took 
place in the latter '80s. He was of a well-to-do family in Germany, and 
when a young man had run away from home to enter the German army, 
in which he served seven years. His wife survived him a number of years, 
dying in 1911. Their family numbered six children, of whom William A. 
was the fifth in order of birth. William A. Smith attended school in the 
George Smith District in Trempealeau County and was reared on his 
parents' farm, where he worked when only 14 years old. He remained at 
home and assisted his parents until he was 26, at times working out at 
teaming and other work in order to keep busy earning something, these 



420 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

industrial activities being carried on mostly in the neighborhood of Gales- 
ville. Being thrift}'- and economical, he saved money, so that at last he 
was able to purchase a house in Galesville, where he took up his residence 
and engaged in the dray and transfer business, being thus occupied until 
1914. He then bought his present farm, consisting of 48 acres of valuable 
land, on which he has made practically all the improvements, and to which 
he now devotes practically all of his time, though still retaining possession 
of his property in Galesville. Mr. Smith was married, July 1, 1899, to 
Bertha Olson, who was born near Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wis., 
daughter of Targe and Bertha (Olson) Olson. Her parents were natives 
of Norway, the father born in 1834 and the mother Dec. 29, 1849. They 
came to the United States when young and unmarried and settled in Trem- 
pealeau County, Wis., about seven miles west of Galesville in Big Tamarac 
Valley, where Targe Olson engaged in farming. He died 1901, but his 
wife is still living and resides on the old farm. They had a large family, 
numbering eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one 
child, Roy Theodore, who was born June 15, 1901. The family are attend- 
ants of the Lutheran church. Mr. Smith is a member of the Order of 
Beavers, while Mrs. Smith is a member of the Royal Neighbors. 

Edward Christian Elliason, who is conducting a farm of .300 acres in 
section 25, Gale Township, was born in Layton, Norway, Jan. 31, 1865, son 
of Peter and Martha (Christenson) Elliason. His parents, also natives 
of Norway, came to America in 1869, locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse 
County, where Peter Elliason, who was a tanner by trade, engaged in 
farming, residing there until his death, April 7, 1915. His wife died in 
June, 1896. Edward C. EUiason, subject of this sketch, was the eldest of 
five children. He attended school in Farmington Township, La Crosse 
County, and also had the advantage of some home instruction. Residing 
at home practically all of the time until his marriage at the age of 22 years, 
he then worked on a farm for one year, and afterward went to La Crosse, 
where for three years he was employed at the Wheland Cedar Works. Sub- 
sequently he went on a farm near Holman, where he resided five years, at 
the end of which time he came to the vicinity of Glasgow, Trempealeau 
County, and in 1908 purchased his present farm of 300 acres, on which he 
is carrying on general farming. He is also a stockholder in a threshing and 
shredding outfit, in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the La Crosse 
Packing Company and the Independent Harvester Company, of Piano, 111. 
On Nov. 23, 1887, Mr. Elliason was united in marriage to Katherine Wilson, 
who was born in La Crosse Valley, La Crosse County, daughter of James 
and Jeanette (Barkley) Wilson, her parents being natives of Scotland. 
James Wilson was born Nov. 22, 1817, and his wife in 1832. They were 
married in their native land and came to La Crosse County, Wis., at an early 
date, Mr. Wilson taking a homestead, on which he was engaged in farming 
until his death in 1878; his wife died in 1882. Their family numbered 
nine children, of whom their daughter Katherine was the second in order 
of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Elliason are the parents of three children : Wilson 
Peter, born June 12, 1889 ; Malcolm Howard, born Dec. 28, 1893, and Edward 
Kilmor, born Aug. 16, 1896. Mr. Elliason is a member of the American 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 421 

Society of Equity, and, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church. 
In politics he is independent, but usually votes the Republican ticket. 

Bernt O. Evenson, who is engaged in general agriculture on a farm of 
154 acres in section 33 E, Gale Township, was born in Ringseger, Norway, 
Nov. 25, 1864, son of Ole and Mary (Hovey) Evenson, who were natives of 
the same place. The parents came to America with their family in 1867, 
locating in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., where the father 
died about 18 months later. His wife remained in La Crosse County until 
1888, buying land in Stevens Township, that county, in 1875. From 1888 
to 1895, in which year her death took place, she resided in Trempealeau 
County with her two sons, Andrew and Bernt O. 

The subject of this sketch was the third born of four children. He 
attended school in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, and began indus- 
trial life at the early age of 9 years, being employed by neighboring farmers 
to herd cows and do other jobs of which he was capable, and in time he 
became a regular farm hand. When 22 years old he began working on 
Black River, having charge of a log driving crew. After being thus occu- 
pied for two summers he and his brother Andrew bought a farm in Gale 
Township, which they operated together until the death of their mother. 
Bernt 0. then sold his interest in the property and bought his present farm, 
which was partly cultivated, and on which he has cleai'ed 35 additional 
acres. He has also made a number of improvements on the place, his 
buildings being modern in construction and equipment. He is a stockholder 
in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the Arctic Springs Creamery and 
the Independent Harvester Company at Piano, 111., also a stockholder in the 
Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank at Galesville. 

Sept. 26, 1890, Mr. Evenson was united in marriage with Anna Ekern, 
who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Andrew and Olena 
(Emonson) Ekern. Her parents were born in Biri, Norway, the father May 
19, 1834, and the mother Aug. 8, 1838. Andrew Ekern came to the United 
States when a young man, settling in Coon "Valley, Vernon County, Wis., 
where he bought land. Later, while yet a single man, he moved to Lewis 
Valley, Holland Township, La Crosse County, where he engaged in farming 
and was there married. Coming subsequently to Trempealeau County, he 
homesteaded land adjoining the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Mr. 
Evenson. Andrew Ekern developed the farm which is now operated by his 
son, Gustav Ekern. He was a man of intelligence and force of character 
and at different times held local office. He died Nov. 18, 1916, and his wife 
died March 29, 1914. They were the parents of six children, of whom their 
daughter Anna was the fourth in order of birth. She was educated in the 
Norwegian parochial school. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have five children: 
Odell Augustus, Orville Milford, Arthur Marvin, Emma Augusta and Roy 
Chester. Mr. Evenson belongs to the Order of Beavers. He has served 
as treasurer of the school board for six years and for a number of years as 
road overseer, rendering good service in each capacity. In politics he is 
independent, with a leaning towards the Republican party. He and his 
family are members of the Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek. Indus- 
trious and enterprising, he is one of those who have the ability to extract 



422 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

wealth from the soil, and is doing his full part in developing the agricul- 
tural resources of his township. 

Alfred Edward Emerson, a well-known agriculturist of Gale Township, 
was born at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., July 8, 1880, son of Henry 
and Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. His parents were natives of Norway, 
but were married in Wisconsin. Henry Emerson was 12 years old when 
he accompanied his parents to the United States. They settled in Wis- 
consin, in which State he grew to manhood. In time he purchased land 
at North Bend and engaged in farming, which was his occupation 
for many years. He died on his farm in April, 1911. His wife died 
May 2, 1917. They had six children, of whom Alfred E. was next to the 
youngest. 

Alfred E. Emerson resided with his parents until he was 26 years old, 
at which time, a year or two previous to his marriage, he bought his 
present farm and engaged in agriculture on his own account. He has 220 
acres of improved land, with good modern buildings and equipment, prac- 
tically all the improvements having been made by himself. He carries 
on general farming very successfully and is now one of the prosperous 
and substantial citizens of his township. Besides this, he is a stockholder 
in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Emerson was first married in 
1908 to Katie Stellpflug, who was born in Gale Township, a daughter of 
John and Sarah (Shonat) Stellpflug. She died Nov. 5, 1909, leaving one 
child, Bernard, who is now attending school. 

In March, 1911, Mr. Emerson married for his second wife Abbie 
Stellpflug, a sister of his first wife. By her he has had two children, 
Valeria Frances and Flavian John, both of whom are living. Mr. Emerson 
is a member of the Order of Beavers and of the Foresters, and is a Catholic 
in religion. 

James A. Marsh, one of the up-to-date and thriving farmers of Trem- 
pealeau Township, was born at Waukegan, 111., Jan. 24, 1861, son of John A. 
and Catherine (Haynes) Marsh. The father was born in the County of 
Kent, England, in 1835, and came to the United States in 1857 at the age 
of 22 years. Stopping for a while in Michigan, he went on to Waukegan, 
111., where he remained until 1863. In the year 1860 he met and married 
Catherine Hayes, of Kenosha, Wis. It was in 1863 that he made his advent 
in Trempealeau County, making the journey with a wagon and two yoke 
of oxen, settling on a tract of wild land at Big Tamarac Valley, section 15, 
Trempealeau Township. There were no buildings on the land, but he 
remedied that defect as best he could by building a one-room log cabin, 
which had a blanket in place of a door. This primitive dwelling was the 
family residence for about two years, or until 1865, when Mr. Marsh 
erected an eight-room log house, which indeed seemed a palace in compari- 
son with his previous abode, and in this house he resided until his death 
in 1873. His remains rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Centerville, Wis. 
His wife still survives him, now residing at Centerville. John A. Marsh 
cleared and developed the homestead and increased its size by purchasing 
200 additional acres. The children in the family were: James A., born 
in 1861 ; J. H., born in 1863, now a farmer residing at Centerville, Trempea- 




MR. AND MBS. LARS M. HANSAASEN 




NICHOLAS ENGHAGEN AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 423 

leau County; Sumner W., born in 1866, who is now living in Western 
Canada, and Katharine, born in 1871, who is now Mrs. WilHam McDonah, 
of Centerville. James A. Marsh acquired his education in the old log 
school house, which he attended until he was 14 years old. After his 
father's death the work of the farm devolved upon him more and more 
as he grew older, until he was bearing the whole responsibihty. In 1892 
he purchased the homestead from his mother and since then has made 
numerous improvements on it. In 1906 he erected a fine two-story frame 
house of 12 rooms, and has also built a large horse and cattle barn, with 
basement, a sheep barn, a hog house of two stories, with a shop above. He 
has also a granary and corn crib and a poultry house. Mr. Marsh carries 
on general farming, keeping a good herd of cattle, hogs and sheep, graded 
animals. He has added to the size of his farm until it now contains 427 
acres, 200 of which are under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture 
land. He has also a small orchard. In addition to his farming interests 
he holds stock in the Farmers' Co-Operative Packing Company, of La 
Crosse, Wis. A Republican in politics, he has served as member of the 
town board four terms and has been school director three years. Jan. 31, 
1898, Mr. Marsh was married to Agnes, daughter of Michael and Augusta 
(Collins) Sizons, of Trempealeau Township, their wedding being celebrated 
at Sacred Heart Church, Pine Creek. Their children, with dates of birth, _ 
are: John, Nov. 24, 1899, who resides on the farm with his father; 
Blanche, 1901; Musey, 1902; James, 1904, who died in November, 1909; 
Agnes, 1906; Daniel, 1909; Garrett, 1911, and Leone, 1914. Mr. Marsh 
and his family are Catholics in religion, attending the Church of the Sacred 
Heart at Pine Creek. Fraternally he has been affiliated with the Yeomen 
at Centerville since 1906, and with the Mystic Workers, of Centerville, 
since 1908. 

Lars Mikkleson Hansaasen, an early settler in Ettrick Township, 
where he is now living, was born in Ringsaker, Norway, April 27, 1837. 
He was married in his native land in September, 1858, and with his wife. 
Goner, who was born in the same part of Norway in March, 1836, came 
to the United States in 1862, locating on a farm in Lewis Valley, La Crosse 
County, Wis. About three years later they removed to Ettrick Township, 
Trempealeau County, Mr. Hansaasen homesteading a farm on Beaver 
Creek, where he is still living, after spending half a century in its culti- 
vation and improvement. The farm is now owned by his son-in-law, Alex- 
ander J. Ekern, who bought it. Mr. and Mrs. Hansaasen reared six chil- 
dren, their daughter Clara being the wife of Mr. Ekern, above mentioned, 
and another daughter, Lena, marrying Nicholas Enghagen. 

Alexander J. Ekern is a successful agriculturist of Ettrick Township, 
his flourishing farm of 207 acres being located in sections 7 and 8, south. 
He was born in Gale Township, this county, July 19, 1863, son of Andrew 
and Oline (Amundson) Ekern. The parents were both natives of Biri, 
Norway, the date of the father's birth being May 19, 1834, arid that of his 
wife Aug. 8, 1838. Andrew Ekern came to this country unmarried in 1852, 
locating on Coon Prairie, Vernon County, Wis. After working for others 
for awhile he engaged in farming in that locality, from which he removed 



424 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

later to La Crosse County, where he and his brother Gilbert bought a farm, 
on which he lived for a few years. In La Crosse County he also married. 
In 1860 he came with his wife to Trempealeau County and filed on a home- 
stead in Gale Township, which place was his home for the remainder 
of his life. He made important improvements on his property and 
did his full share in helping to develop the agricultural resources of the 
township. His death occun-ed Dec. 18, 1916. His wife died March 29, 
1913. They had a family of nine children, Alexander J. being the 
first born. 

Alexander J. Ekern was educated in the district school at Glasgow, 
Gale Township, and at the same time was taught farm work, assisting his 
father out of school hours, and all of the time after he laid aside his school 
books. At the age of 15 years he was practically self-supporting, and 
when a little older and stronger worked as a regular farm hand in the 
summer and at lumbering in the winter. This sort of life continued for 
about seven years, during which time he saved a part of his wages with a 
view to future independence. At the end of the period referred to he 
rented a farm in Gale Township for three years and then moved onto the 
farm which he now operates, purchasing the property at that time. Since 
then he has made many improvements in it, erecting new buildings, includ- 
ing barns and granaries, and has added considerably to the acreage of 
tilled land. His farming operations include dairying, and his prosperity 
has increased from year to year with the enlargement of his farm and 
herd. Mr. Ekern is also president of the Ettrick Creamery Company, and 
a stockholder and one of the incorporators of the Ettrick & Northern 
Railroad Company, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, and the 
Bank of Ettrick, also a director and president of the Scandinavian Insur- 
ance Company, having foi'merly held the office of vice-president. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. Although a busy man, he has devoted a part of 
his time to town and county affairs, having served as chairman of the 
township board two years, being at the same time a member of the county 
board, as supervisor ten years and as clerk of the district school board two 
years. He was a member of the building committee that erected the new 
Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek, and has served as trustee of the 
church, to which he and his family belong. Mr. Ekern was married Nov. 
11, 1885, to Clara Larson, who was born in Lewis' Valley, La Crosse 
County, Wis., daughter of Lars and Goner (Mikkleson) Hansaasen, both 
natives of Ringsaker, Norway, where they were married. Mrs. Ekern's 
father was born April 27, 1837, and her mother in March, 1836. After 
their marriage in September, 1858, they continued to reside in their native 
land for several years, but about 1862 emigrated to America, locating on a 
farm in La Crosse County, Wis. From there they removed later to Ettrick 
Township, Trempealeau County, where Mrs. Ekern's father homesteaded 
the farm now owned by Mr. Ekern, on which he is still living, being 
practically retired from active labor. He and his wife reared six children, 
Clara being the fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Ekern are the parents of two 
children: Alfred L. and Gertrude 0. Alfred L., who, after attending the 
local schools, took a course at the State Agricultural College at Madison, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 425 

is now operating the home farm. He married Margaret Knutson, who 
was born at Beaver Creek, this county. Gertrude O., who is unmarried, 
resides at home. 

Lars P, Larson, who is now living retired on his farm of 160 acres in 
section 11, Ettrick Township, after a long and active career, both as a 
pioneer and modern farmer, was born in Biri, Norway, Feb. 24, 1847. His 
parents were Peter and Carrie (Nelson) Larson, the father born Aug. 1, 
1820, and the mother Dec. 9, 1819. In 1857 they arrived in the United 
States with their family and, proceeding westward, settled in Coon Valley, 
Vernon County, which was their place of residence for four years, or 
until June, 1861. They then came to Trempealeau County, making the 
journey partly by boat and partly on foot, bringing with them an ox team. 
Arriving in Ettrick Township, Peter Larson located on a piece of land in 
section 11, about half a mile from his present home, the present townships 
of Ettrick and Gale being then known as Gale. Building a log cabin, Mr. 
Larson began at once the work of improvement. This work, like that of 
aU the pioneers, was strenuous, but he was already used to hard labor, as 
for some time after settling in Vernon County he had to get a living for 
himself and his family by splitting rails at 50 cents a day, boarding him- 
self, and had also swung a cradle all day long for 75 cents a day. Now, 
in addition to his heavy work on the homestead, he had to carry flour on 
his back from Lewis' Valley to Hardie's Creek, crossing Black River on a 
raft logs. His homestead consisted of 160 acres, which he took under the 
first homestead act. Later he sold this property to his son Lars P., and pur- 
chased a farm nearer Ettrick, which was his home for the remainder of his 
life, his death occurring Aug. 7, 1893. He was a prominent citizen of his 
township and was active in church work, also taking an interest in every- 
thing calculated to benefit the community in which he hved. His first 
wife, Mrs. Carrie (Nelson) Larson, died April 18, 1870, and he subsequently 
contracted a second marriage to Aynet Hugelus. Of the first union four 
children were born and of the second four: Lars P. Larson, who was the 
eldest son of his parents, attended school in Coon Valley and later in Beaver 
Valley, there being no school in Ettrick Township when the family first 
came here. When a boy he had few idle hours, at the age of 11 or 12 years 
being employed in driving a breaking team of oxen, for which he received 
10 cents a day. He resided with his father until about 23 years of age, 
during that time acquiring an intimate knowledge of farming, especially 
under pioneer conditions. He was an expert ox teamster and during the 
early days skidded logs enough to build a village as large as Galesville. At 
the age of 23 he bought land and became a farmer on his own account. 
He also engaged in threshing, and drove breaking teams of from three to 
six oxen on a plow. His trading was done at Trempealeau, where also he 
sold his produce. There was at that time plenty of game in the vicinity ; 
deer were quite common and prairie chickens might be seen by thousands. 
Since those days Mr. Larson has made many improvements on his property 
and has advanced in prosperity with the years that have passed. He was 
married March 16, 1871, to Grace Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Leeds, 
England, daughter of George and Alice (Wilford) Smith, natives of the 



426 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

same city. The family came to the United States in the early '50s, settling 
in Walworth County, Wis. In 1864 they moved to Beaver Creek Valley, 
where Mr. Smith engaged in farming and was thus occupied until his death, 
in or about 1896. His wife died in 1878. Their daughter, Mrs. Larson, was 
the second born of four children. She died Feb. 5, 1915, after a long and 
happy married life of nearly 44 years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Larson were three in number: AUce C, Emma Josephine and George Wil- 
ford. Alice C. is now the wife of Lud Emerson, a farmer living at North 
Bend, Wis. She has six children: James, Allan, Floys, Harold, Lila and 
Mary. Emma Josephine is the wife of Gustave Fillner, a salesman residing 
in Madison, Wis., and her children are: Laverne, Alice, Glenn, Layton, 
Vera and Mildred. George Wilford, the second member of the family, 
resides on the old homestead, which he is operating, his father being now 
retired. He married Pauline Emerson, of North Bend, and they have five 
children: Grace Annadine, Verna Lorena, Stanley George, Leslie Pearl 
and Robert Milton. Mr. Larson was reared in the faith of the Lutheran 
church, but the church he now attends is the Presbyterian. He is a staunch 
Republican politically, but never aspired to political office, though always 
taking an interest in good government, both National, State and local. As 
one whose early recollections extend back to pioneer days in this county, he 
is an authority on most matters connected with those early times and can, 
when he desires, narrate many interesting stories of the hardships formerly 
endured, the perils encountered, and also the compensations met with by 
the men and women who laid the foundations of Trempealeau County's 
present prosperity — among whom he, himself, was numbered. 

Thomas A. Whalen, proprietor of a fine dairy farm of 200 acres in 
section 32, Ettrick Township, was born on his present farm, Sept. 3, 1866, 
son of Darby and Ann (Riley) Whalen. Darby Whalen was born in Con- 
naught, Ireland, Jan. 13, 1824, and came to America with his parents in 
1833, they being among the early settlers of Ettrick Township, this county. 
Here in time he became an extensive land owner and farmer, spending his 
life in cultivation of the soil, raising stock and other farm work. He was 
a prominent citizen of the township and was at various times called upon to 
serve in public office, being a member of the township board and school 
board and also serving as justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1894. 
His wife, who was born in Fall River, Wis., Jan. 13, 1824, is still living and 
resides on the farm with her son Thomas. She was the mother of two 
children, Thomas and Mary, Mary being also a resident of the home farm. 
Her education in part was obtained at the Winona Normal School, where she 
made good progress in advanced studies. 

Thomas A. Whalen in his boyhood attended District School No. 8 in 
Ettrick Township, where he completed the education afforded the boy of 
those days. At an early age he learned the rudiments of farming and 
assisted his father until the latter's death, becoming its manager a number 
of years previous to that event. Subsequently becoming the proprietor, he 
has continued to develop and improve the property until it now ranks as 
one of the best dairy farms in the township. The buildings are sub- 
stantial and include a barn, 90 by 34 feet in dimensions, with a 9-foot base- 




MH.s IVKR 1'. KXGHAGEN, B. I. ENGHAGEN, IVEB P. ENGHAi.KN, BAKV ENGHAOEN" 
(). O. KXGKX, MRS. H. I. ENGHAGEN, MRS. O. O. ENGEN 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 427 

ment and 14-foot stockboards and cement floor. Both the barn and resi- 
dence are hghted with electricity and the latter with other modern con- 
veniences desirable for a comfortable home. On the farm there is also 
a first-clas silo, with an ample supply of machinery and implements neces- 
sary for up-to-date dairy farming. Mr. Whalen is also a stockholder in 
the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. 

Jan. 10, 1906, Mr. Whalen was married to Bridget Harmon, who was 
born in Ettrick Township, about a mile from the Whalen farm. She at- 
tended the district schools, the Galesville High School and completed her 
studies with a term at the Gale College, after which she became a proficient 
teacher, teaching four years in Wisconsin and five years in Illinois. Her 
parents were Thomas and Julia (Rafter) Harmon. Mr. and Mrs. Whalen 
have one child, Thomas Harold, who was born Feb. 21, 1907. The family 
are members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Whalen is indepen- 
dent. He is now serving as president of the school board and is a man 
whose interests and sympathies are not confined to the limits of his own 
family circle, but who is always ready to do his part as a good citizen, and 
render aid when necessary to promote some worthy cause with the object 
of bettering the community at large. 

Iver P. Enghagen, who was for many years, until his death, Dec. 17, 
1914, one of the leading citizens of Ettrick Township, where he was an 
early settler, was born in Lillehamer, Province of Faaberg, Norway, and 
came to the United States in 1860 when a young man, unable to speak 
English. He resided for about two years in La Crosse County, Wis., but 
subsequently moved to Trempealeau County, where he was married to Inge- 
borg Jacobson, who was born in Hadeland, Norway. Buying a farm on 
French Creek, in Ettrick Township, he engaged in agriculture and continued 
to improve his property for the rest of his life, which came to an end Dec. 
17, 1914. He was also interested in other business enterprises. He as- 
sisted in organizing the Scandinavian Insurance Company, of which he 
was cashier until his death ; was financially interested in the Ettrick Cream- 
ery Company, the Bank of Ettrick, the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of 
Galesville, and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, of which he 
was a director for a number of years. Mr. Enghagen was also assessor of 
Ettrick Township for seven or eight years and served on the township board 
for a number of years. Though he had never gone to school a day in his 
life, he was a natural mathematician and could figure as rapidly and accu- 
rately as any college student. As cashier of the Scandinavian Insurance 
Company he handled for many years all the money of the company — a large 
amount annually — and was always correct in his accounts. He also helped 
to organize the Lutheran church, becoming its treasurer, and at a later 
period was presented with a fine gold watch as a reward for his faithful 
services. His wife, who survives him, still resides on the old homestead, 
now owned by their son, Bernt I? Enghagen. Their family numbered six 
children, as follows : Peter Julius, now a merchant in Galesville ; Amelia, 
now Mrs. Martin Madson ; Nicholas, a farmer in Ettrick Township ; Minnie, 
who is deceased; Bernt I., proprietor of the old home farm, and Josephine, 
who is now Mrs. Gilbert Hogden. 



428 1II8T0RV OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Bernt I. Enghagen, who is engaged in farming the old Enghagen home 
in section 27 (west), Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 27, 
1878, son of Iver P. and Ingeborg (Jacobson) Enghagen. In his boyhood 
he attended school both in Ettrick township and Ettrick Village. From his 
early youth until reaching the age of .35 years he was associated with his 
father in the operation of the home farm, and has always resided on it. 
On his father's death he purchased the property and now has 160 acres of 
land, which he devotes to general farming. The estate is well improved 
and shows the results of the care that has been lavished on it for so many 
years. Mr. Enghagen is also a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Tele- 
phone Company, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad and the Hammer-Eng- 
hagen Company, Inc. (general merchants), at Galesville, of which his 
brother, Peter J., is a member. In politics he is a Republican, but not active 
in public affairs. His rehgious affiliations are with the Lutheran church 
at French Creek. 

Mr. Enghagen was married Oct. 25, 1913, to Miss Julia Engen, who was 
born in Arcadia Township, daughter of Ole and Helena (Haakensen) Engen, 
both natives of Norway, the father born in Ringsaker, Oct. 31, 1841. Ole 
Engen emigrated to the United States when a young man, in 1868. He 
worked in La Crosse County, Wis., one summer, and then came to Ettrick 
Township, Trempealeau County, teaching parochial school for several years, 
and also being engaged in farming. He was married in this county, June 9, 
1871, to Helena Haakensen, who was born in Norway, Jan. 2, 1840, and died 
Oct. 31, 1911. After being occupied as above mentioned for several years, 
he moved to Big Tamarac, where he and his family made their home for ten 
years, and then retuined to the farm which is now the home of Nicholas 
Enghagen, and where he resided from 1883 to 1914. In the latter year he 
took up his residence with the subject of this sketch, on whose farm he is 
now living retired. He taught Norwegian school here and was an active 
officer in the Lutheran church, being secretary of the congregation for 27 
years. He and his wife had four children, of whom the only one now sur- 
viving is Julia (Mrs. B. I. Enghagen). She acquired her early education in 
the district school in Ettrick Township and subsequently attended the 
Ladies' Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., being graduated with the 
class of 1900. Later she taught parochial school for four years near 
Westby, Vernon County, Wis., and two terms of school in Beaver Creek 
Valley, Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Enghagen have one child, Helena 
Ingeborg, who was born July 2, 1915. 

William Willinger, who is engaged in operating a good farm in section 
36, Gale Township, was born in Holland, Oct. 10, 1857, son of Abe and Clara 
(Kuik) Willinger, who also were both natives of Holland, in which country 
his mother died. In 1882 the father came to the United States, settling 
in Amsterdam, La Crosse County, Wis., where he died about 1901. 

William Willinger was the youngest'member of a family of four chil- 
dren. He was educated in Holland and was 31 years of age when he came 
to this country. For a number of years subsequently he worked for his 
brothers in La Crosse County, and also for others, and then came to Trem- 
pealeau County, renting a farm near Ettrick, where he remained three years. 



IIISTOKY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 429 

At the end of that time he bought a farm in Gale Township, above Decorah 
Prairie, and operated it for five years. He then sold it and purchased a farm 
in Silver Creek Valley, where he lived and worked for four years. Then, 
selling that farm, he bought the old John Davidson farm, on which he now 
resides. The farm contains 80 acres, and in addition to this Mr. Willinger 
owns 201/0 acres of woodland on Black River. He practices general farming 
and is doing a prosperous business. 

In May, 1882, Mr. Willinger was married to Katherine De Groot, a 
native of Holland, by whom he had four children: Abe and John, both 
single and residing at home ; Clara and Susan, who are both deceased. Mrs. 
Katherine Willinger died in 1895, and on March 14, 1899, Mr. Willinger 
married for his second wife Katherine Grassma, who was born in Holland 
Township, La Crosse County, Wis. Her parents, Bouke and Clara (Tickler) 
Grassma, were born in Holland and at an early date, now forgotten, came 
to the United States in a sailing vessel, locating immediately in La Crosse 
County. There Mr. Grassma worked for various people in different lines 
of industry, including that of clerk. Later he engaged in farming and 
also conducted a truck business for a while. He was a veteran of the Civil 
War. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They had a large family 
numbering 13 children, of whom their daughter Katherine was the eighth 
in order of birth. Mr. Willinger and his family attend the Presbyterian 
church, of which, however, he is not a member. His son John belongs to 
the Order of Beavers and Yeomen. 

Nicholas Enghagen, a farmer in section 34 W., Ettrick Township, was 
born in French Valley, Ettrick Township, Dec. 2, 1869, son of Tver P. and 
Ingeborg (Jacobson) Enghagen. In his boyhood he attended the school at 
French Creek. He resided on his parents' farm until he was 39 years old, 
assisting in its cultivation. Then purchasing a farm on the South Branch of 
Beaver Creek, he operated it until about two years ago, when he sold it 
and bought his present farm of 83 acres, at the mouth of French Creek. 
Here he carries on general farming and is also a stockholder in the Ettrick 
Creamery. Sept. 30, 1909, Mr. Enghagen was united in marriage with 
Lena Larson, who was born on the South Branch of Beaver Creek, in Ettrick 
Township. Her parents, Lars and Goner (Mikkleson) Hansaasen, were 
born in Norway and came to the United States in 1862, locating first in 
Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where they spent three years. They then 
came to Trempealeau County, the father taking a farm on Beaver Creek, 
where he is still living, having spent half a century in its cultivation and 
improvement. Their daughter Lena was the youngest of the six children 
they reared and was educated in the district school of Ettrick Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Enghagen have one child, Ingred Genevieve, who was born 
June 19, 1910. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in 
politics Mr. Enghagen is a Republican. Though his farm is not one of 
the largest in the township, it is well equipped with everything necessary 
in the way of buildings and machinery and he is doing a profitable business. 

Mrs. Thomas D. Wilcox, a widely-known and highly-respected resident 
of Trempealeau Township, was born at Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., April 
15, 1848, daughter of John and Euphemia (Thompson) Gillies. In the 



430 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

spring of 1849, while yet a babe, she accompanied her parents to Fond du 
Lac County, Wis., they settUng on a farm near Waupun. John Gillies, 
who was a miller by trade, divided his time between farming and milling, 
following the latter occupation in mills at Fairwater and Waupun. In the 
spring of 1855 Mr. Gillies started with his family for Minnesota, but falling 
in on the way with some other people who were seeking a good location for 
settlement, he decided, after talking the matter over with them, to halt on 
the east side of the Mississippi River, and accordingly stayed in Buffalo 
County a few days. Not being satisfied with that region after a short stay, 
he returned south to Trempealeau County, which he had passed through on 
his way up the river, and settled in section 7, Trempealeau Township, where 
he bought 160 acres of wild government land. With this to begin with, 
he started in to develop a good homestead, and from time to time added to 
his farm until he had in all some 400 acres, part of this property being what 
is now known as the Wilcox and Jones farm. On this land he built the 
present residence, which it was his intention to enlarge ; but having traded 
a yoke of oxen for 14,000 feet of lumber, he gave the lumber away at 
different times to neighbors who wished to build shanties, until he had none 
left, and. as most of his sons went to the war, he never rebuilt or enlarged 
the old home. He died Nov. 7, 1908, at the home of his son Richard, in 
Trempealeau Township. At the time of his death he had been a widower 
for some ten years, as his wife had passed away Jan. 25, 1898, at the old 
home in section 7. For many years before her death she had suffered 
from the affliction of blindness. Her remains now repose with those of 
her husband in the cemetery at Trempealeau Village. 

Their daughter, Mary Gillies, subject of this sketch, was brought up 
on the parental farm, where she lived until she was 29 years old, assisting 
in the care of the home, and for a number of years taught in the rural schools 
of Trempealeau County, and also taught one term in Buffalo County, Wis., 
and one term in Winona County, Minn. June 14, 1877, she was married 
there to Thomas D. Wilcox, the ceremony being performed by Elder Owen, 
pastor of the Ti-empealeau Congregational church. Her husband at the 
time of their marriage owned an undivided half of the Thomas Gillies place 
in section 17, Trempealeau Township, and as a bride she went to this place 
to begin housekeeping for herself. Mr. Wilcox had fought for the Union 
in the Civil War and came home with very poor health, but he continued 
farming operations for many years, dying in Trempealeau Township, April 
8, 1908, near the village of Trempealeau. He was buried in the village 
cemetery. He belonged to the Gi'and Army of the Republic, but was not 
a member of any other fraternal societies. In politics he was a Republican, 
but held no political offices. For many years he was a member of Trempea- 
leau Methodist Episcopal church, which his wife attended with him, 
although reared a Congregationalist. Their only son and child, Dean G. 
Wilcox, was born on the Booth place in Trempealeau Township, July 8, 1882, 
and is now one of the proprietors of the Wilcox and Jones farm, in Trempea- 
leau Township. 

Dean G. Wilcox, one of the proprietors of the Wilcox and Jones farm 
in section 7, Trempealeau Township, was born at Trempealeau Prairie, 




J. A. BERG AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 431 

Trempealeau County, Wis., July 8, 1882. He was educated in Trempealeau 
village school, passing through the grades and then taking two years at 
the high school, at the end of which time he had to give up his studies on 
account of the illness of his father. He remained with his parents until he 
was 20 years old, and then went to Oelwein, Iowa, where he obtained 
employment as shipping clerk in a railway store house of the Chicago & 
Great Western Railroad. After working there for a while he went to St. 
Paul and was clerk in the Robinson & Cary office, selling railway supplies. 
His father's condition becoming worse, he had to return home and take 
care of the home farm for some time, but on his father's improvement he 
again entered railway service, becoming time keeper for the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad. His railroad experience covered in all some 
three years, but his lot was finally cast as a farmer. 

April 3, 1906, Mr. Wilcox was married to Delia, daughter of Griffith 
and Martha Jones, of Bangor, Wis., the ceremony being performed by the 
Rev. John E. Jones, a Methodist-Calvinistic pastor. After the marriage 
he and his wife resided in Bangor for two years, at the end of which time 
he bought the old homestead formerly owned by his grandfather GilUes, 
consisting of 120 acres in sections 7 and 8, and at the same time he entered 
into partnership with Roger Jones, his wife's brother, to operate the farm. 
This partnership has since continued and he and his brother-in-law are 
among the thrifty and prosperous young farmers of the county. Besides 
raising the usual crops, they have successfully experimented with alfalfa 
for the last five years, and at this writing have four acres which is an 
excellent stand. They keep 12 head of Guernsey cows, 10 head of young 
cattle and have 50 head of Duroc-Jersey hogs. Their annual production of 
butter fat is about 3,000 pounds. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have three children : 
Stanley, born Feb. 8, 1907 ; Lawrence, born Sept. 11, 1909, and Ruth, born 
Aug. 19, 1916. Mrs. Wilcox, who was born in Bangor Village, July 16, 1879, 
was a teacher in the Trempealeau school for three years. Though reared 
in the faith of the Methodist-Calvinistic church, of which she is a member, 
she attends the Methodist Episcopal church with her husband and children. 
Mr. Wilcox is independent in pohtics and has held no public office. In 1903 
he joined Lodge No. 2813, Modern Woodmen of America, and became a Blue 
Lodge Mason in 1906, being a member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, 
A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau. 

John A. Berg, a well-known banker and business man of Galesville, 
was born in La Crosse County, Wis., Nov. 16, 1873. His parents were 
Benjamin and Petrina (Aas) Holman, both natives of the northern part 
of Norway, but who were married in Wisconsin. The father came to the 
United States at an early date, stayed here awhile and then returned to 
Norway. Later he came again to this country, about 1871, and remained. 
Both he and his wife died when the subject of this sketch was a mere child 
and the latter was adopted and reared by a man named Berg, whose surname 
he has since borne. John A. Berg was educated in a grammar school at 
Halfway Creek, Wis., and in a business university at La Crosse. When 23 
years old he opened a general store in Vernon County, Wis., and carried it 
on for two years. He then returned to La Crosse County and conducted a 



432 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

store at Holmen for about nine years. In 1908 he came to Galesville and 
organized the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of which he became cashier. 
This position he has since retained, having an interest in the bank as 
stockholder, besides a similar interest in other banks in La Crosse County. 
He is also interested in the Galesville Building and Realty Company and 
served as chairman of the building committee in the erection of several 
different public buildings, including the one above mentioned, of which he 
is president. He has served as treasurer of the Holmen Milling Company, 
for several years, also treasurer of the Holmen Creamery for five years, and 
for four years served as president of the La Crosse County Fair Association. 
In 1916 he was elected pi'esident of the board of trustees of Gale College, 
succeeding the Hon. K. K. Hagestad in that office, which he still retains. He 
has been an active member of the board since the college was transferred 
to the Lutherans, and was its unanimous choice as Mr. Hagestad's successor. 
As a member of the executive committee he devoted his time unstintedly to 
the interests of the school. He was at the head of the movment to erect 
the new dormitory and gymnasium and successfully conducted the cam- 
paign for funds for that building, as well as giving the closest attention 
to the work of construction. Mr. Berg is an extensive land holder in North 
Dakota, having holdings in Burk and Morton counties, besides having land 
in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, which he rents out to tenants. 
As an enterprising business man and public-spirited citizen he has been a 
strong factor for advancement in every community in which he has lived, 
or with which he has had anything to do, and his aid and influence have 
greatly aided in their development. In politics he has been a Prohibitionist 
since he cast his first ballot, and has been a candidate for different offices 
representing his party. July 7, 1898, Mr. Berg was united in marriage with 
Matilda Molstad, a native of La Crosse County, Wis., and daughter of Ole 
and Martha (Hough) Molstad. She has been a faithful worker in the 
Lutheran church, as well as Mr. Berg. Her parents, who were both born 
in Norway, settled in Wisconsin many years ago, the father being a farmer. 
Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have one adopted child, Mildred 
E., who is now a student at St. Olaf College, of Northfield, Minn. 

Christian Raichle, who for many years was actively engaged in farming 
in Gale Township, though now retired, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, 
Nov. 6, 1840, son of Jacob and Barbara (Koenig) Raichle, natives of the 
same province, who remained in their native land, not coming to America. 
He was educated in Germany and was in his twenty-ninth year when, in 
April, 1869, he came to the United States. Locating at once in Trempealeau 
County, Wis., he found work on the farm of his brother WiUiam, who was 
already settled in Gale Township, and in whose employ he remained for 
one season. He then purchased the farm on which he now lives, consisting 
of 90 acres, and on which he has made all the improvements. Here he still 
makes his residence, though retired, renting the farm to his nephew. In 
May, 1871, Mr. Raichle was married to Mary Barbara Schott, who was 
born in Wittenberg, Germany, daughter of Conrad and Mary Barbara 
(Stark) Schott, natives of the same province, who died in their native land, 
which they never left. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have an adopted daughter, 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 433 

Josephine, wife of Fred Raichle, who rents and operates the farm. Mr. 
Raichle is a stockholder in the creamery at Galesville. When a young man 
he served in the German army and is therefore well able to take an appre- 
ciative interest in the momentous events now taking place in Europe. 

William Raichle, one of the older residents of Gale Township, of which 
he was a pioneer settler, was born in Germany in 1831 and came to America 
in 1854, locating first in the State of New York, where he spent two years 
engaged in farm work. In 1857 he came to Trempealeau County, Wis., 
taking a homestead in Gale Township which now forms a part of the farm of 
his son, William F. Raichle. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising 
and continued in those occupations until 1906, when he retired. Four years 
later he sold the homestead to his son, but is still living on it. He served 
formerly on the school board and in other local offices and since pioneer days 
has been one of the best known and most respected citizens of the township. 
He was married in 1869 to Emma Messer, who was born in Germany in 1848 
and came to America in 1868, locating in Winona, Minn., whence she removed 
a year later to Trempealeau County, Wis. They had eight children : Anna, 
Chris, WilUam F., Freada, Carl, Ella, Emma and Fritz, of whom Freada 
and Ella are now deceased. 

William F. Raichle, who is engaged in operating a stock farm of 200 
acres in section 10, Gale Township, is one of the prosperous and represen- 
tative farmers of this township. He was born on the farm on which he 
now resides Nov. 2, 1878, his parents being William and Emma (Messer) 
Raichle, natives of Germany, further mention of whom is made elsewhere 
in this volume. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the district 
school of his neighborhood and subsequently took a two years' course in the 
agricultural department of the State University at Madison. Beginning 
work for his father on the homestead at the age of 18 years, he continued 
to be thus occupied until 1904, when he took entire charge of the farm and 
operated it in the same way until 1910, when it became his property by 
purchase. Since his father bought the original land many years ago the 
size of the farm has been increased to 200 acres, and the land is now well 
cultivated. Mr. Raichle makes a specialty of raising pure-bred Guernsey 
cattle. His buildings are modern and substantial and his business has 
grown from year to year, his work on the farm keeping him busy so that 
he has had little time for anything else. He is at present, however, serving 
as a member of the school board, in politics being a Republican. 

Mr. Raichle has led a domestic life for over ten years, having been 
married, Aug. 22, 1906, to Myrtle Irvine, who was born in Gale Township, 
daughter of James and Agnes (Dick) Irvine. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have 
one child, Margaret Agnes, who was born June 22, 1910. Mr. Raichle, in 
addition to his farming interests, is president and a stockholder of the 
Arctic Springs Creamery, and he and his wife both belong to the Order of 
Beavers. They are in prosperous circumstances and have many friends in 
this part of the county. 

John Raichle, proprietor of a farm of 230 acres in section 17, Gale Town- 
ship, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 23, 1836. His parents, 
Jacob and Barbara (Koenig) Raichle, were natives of the same province. 



434 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the father being a farmer. Neither ever came to the United States. John 
Raichle was the fifth born in a family of eight children. He attended school 
in his native land and in 1854, at the age of 18, came to this country, locating 
first in New York State, where for two years he was employed on farms. 
In 1856 he came to Galesville, Trempealeau County, Wis., and during his 
first year here was employed on a farm at Trempealeau Prairie. At the 
end of that time he took a claim in section 15, Gale Township, where he was 
engaged in farming for himself until 1862, during which time he made a 
number of improvements on the property. August 20, that year, he enlisted 
in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteers, as a private, and served 
until he was mustered out in September, 1865. He was fortunate in his 
military career, as he was never wounded or confined in the hospital. About 
a month after his return home Mr. Raichle went to Missouri and the next 
four years of his life were spent in that State, working on farms in various 
places and watching out for any advantageous opportunity. As, however, 
he saw nothing better than he could find at home, he returned to Trempea- 
leau County and bought the farm where he now -lives and which now con- 
sists of 230 acres of land. It is still his property, though now operated 
by his sons. He is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Farmers' 
Exchange at Galesville. Mr. Raichle was married in December, 1880, to 
Bertha John, who was born in Schwartzberg, Germany, daughter of Carl 
and Rosalie (Share) John. The John family came to America in 1872, 
locating on a farm in Caledonia Township, this county, which was their home 
for the rest of the parents' lives. They had five children, their daughter 
Bertha, now Mrs. Raichle, being the first born. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have 
three children: Fritz C, who is living on the home farm, and John and 
Lena, also at home, all being unmarried. Mr. Raichle is a member of the 
Lutheran church and is an independent Republican in politics. He has 
never aspired to public office, but served one term as a member of the school 
board of his district. 

John Bohrnstedt, formerly a well-known and esteemed citizen of Gales- 
ville, Wis., was born near Stateen, Germany, April 24, 1833. When a youth 
he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family first settling 
in Milwaukee. About 1859 they settled on a farm near Trempealeau, this 
county, and John Bohrnstedt worked for some time on the Ben Healey 
farm for Mr. Healey, and in that locality, until he was able to purchase 
land and engage in farming for himself. It was after he had thus made 
an independent start in life that, in August, 1862, he enhsted in Company C, 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served 
until he was mustered out in December, 1865. While in the army, he was 
married, Sept. 10, 1863, to Mary Frohmader, who was born in Syracuse, 
N. Y., March 9, 1843, daughter of Lawrence and Margaret Frohmader. Her 
parents were natives of Biron, Germany, in which country they were mar- 
ried, coming to America in the third decade of the Nineteenth Century. 
After their arrival here they lived for three years in New York, migrating 
thence to Jefferson, Wis., and from that place to New Lisbon, Juneau 
County, Wis., where they both died. Mr. Frohmader was a farmer by 
occupation. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 435 

When Mr. Bohrnstedt concluded his military service, his health was 
somewhat impaired. On returning to Wisconsin he located at New Lisbon, 
but a short time later with his wife joined the Bohrnstedt family at the old 
two-mile house on the Trempealeau road. Later they settled on the farm 
in the town of Trempealeau, which was their home for so many years. Mr. 
Bohrnstedt continued on this farm until 1902, when he retired and moved 
to Galesville. In 1908 he bought several lots on Clark street in Galesville 
and erected a comfortable home, which was one of the best residences in 
town. Mr. Bohrnstedt was a man of thrift, and whatever he did, he did 
thoroughly, and his farm, after he had spent a few years on it, was one 
of the best pieces of agricultural property in the county. He was a stock- 
holder in the Bank of Galesville and at one time was a land owner in North 
Dakota ; this land, however, he disposed of. That he was highly esteemed 
by a wide acquaintance was evidenced by the multitude that gathered on 
the occasion of his funeral, to pay tribute to his memory. He died June 4, 
1909, and his funeral services were in charge of the Masonic fraternity. 
He was ex-senior warden and tyler in his lodge and was also a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, in which he had held minor offices. He and his wife were the 
parents of four children: George Frederick, Henry Lawrence, William 
Charles and Albert C. George Frederick, who is proprietor of the Arcadia 
Wagon Shop, married Naomi Rathburn, and has four children: Russell, 
Gale, Catherine and Lucia. Henry Lawrence married Naomi Langley, and 
resides on the old homestead. He and his wife have one child, Leo. Will- 
iam Charles, who is a hardware dealer in Arcadia, married Elsie Muir. 
Albert C, who is a real estate dealer and insurance man in Oregon, married 
Elizabeth Trestel. He has an adopted daughter, Alberta. 

Olof Rindahl. Though most of the original pioneers of Trempealeau 
County have passed away, their work in the development of the county is 
being carried under more favorable conditions and with still more pros- 
perous results by the sons and grandsons they have left behind them. One 
of the prominent members of the second generation in Gale Township is 
Olof Rindahl, a farmer in section 22 east, who was born in a log house 
erected by his father in this township, Dec. 8, 1863. The father was Otto" 
Rindahl, who was born in Lillehammer, Norway, in 1818, and who came to 
the United States in the fifth decade of the last century, locating first in 
Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Wis. His wife, born April 28, 1828, was 
a native of the same district in Norway. After farming a few years in 
La Crosse County, Otto Rindahl removed to Gale Township, buying the 
farm on which one of his sons, Mat 0. Rindahl, now lives. On this he 
built a log house and began the work of improvement, continued by him for 
many years, and that original farm was his home until his death, which 
occurred in 1902. Though his experiences in early days were hard, like 
all the pioneers, he in time prospered and was able at a later period to donate 
land for the site of the Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek, and he also 
assisted in building the church. To official position in his township or 
county he never aspired, devoting his time and energies to the care of his 
homestead and to providing for his family. His wife, whose maiden name 



436 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

was Oleia, died on June 13, 1909. They had seven children, of whom Olof 
was the fifth born. 

Olof Rindahl acquired the elements in the Glasgow schoolhouse, where 
many other now prosperous farmers in this township got their education. 
He was obliged to begin industrial life at an early age, however, for, when 
only 15 years old he began work in the woods, being attached to a logging 
camp, and was thus employed for three winters, working on the fann in the 
summer. At a subsequent period, when old enough to work for himself, he 
rented a farm, which he operated for three years, at the end of that time 
buying his present farm, on which he has since resided. It contains 160 
acres of valuable land, and the buildings, erected by himself, are neat in 
appearance and of substantial construction, being also equipped with modern 
conveniences. Mr. Rindahl is successfully engaged in general farming and 
is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the Ettrick 
Telephone Company, and the Farmei's' Equity. He was married in October, 
1892, to Mattie Huckstadt, who was born on an adjoining farm, daughter 
of Andrew C. and Helen (Toppan) Huckstadt. Her parents, who were 
natives of Norway, came at an early date to this region, resided on Black 
River for a while and then moved to the farm above mentioned, on which 
both subsequently died, the father in 1894 and the mother some time pre- 
viously. Their daughter Mattie, who was the eldest of seven children, 
was educated in the schools of Gale Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rindahl have 
five children : Alfred, Herman Oscar, Melva Octava, Edwin and Julia, all of 
whom reside at home. Mr. Rindahl, like his father before him, is a member 
of the Lutheran church. In poUtics he is a RepubUcan, but is not active in 
public affairs, though always taking an interest in whatever concerns the 
good of the community in which he lives. 

Peter V. Becker, who is successfully operating a farm of 173 acres in 
the vicinity of Galesville, was born at Glasgow, Trempealeau County, Wis., 
Dec. 29, 1873, son of Philip and Sophia (Bey) Becker. His parents were 
born near the River Rhine, in Germany, but were married in Wisconsin, 
Philip Becker coming to the United States in 1846 and locating first in 
Washington County, Wis., where he settled on a farm with his parents 
and remained there until he married. He then moved to La Crosse, Wis., 
and worked as a carpenter in the shipyards, which at that time were one 
of the industrial enterprises of the place. His first wife died in La Crosse 
and he subsequently contracted a second marriage. After this he moved to 
Glasgow and settled on a farm, which was his home until 1902. At that 
time he went back to La Crosse. A few years later he retired and removed 
to Trempealeau, this county, residing there a number of years. His last 
home was at the residence of his daughter at Crystal Valley, where he lived 
for about two years, when his death occurred. He was a respected citizen 
and at different times held local office. His wife Sophia survives him and 
is now living at the home of her daughter in Galesville. 

Peter V. Becker was the fourth born child of his father's second mar- 
riage, there having been five children by the first. He attended school at 
Glasgow in his boyhood and afterwards was a student at Gale University one 
term. His literary education was supplemented by two terms at the State 



HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 437 

Agricultural College, at Madison. When he was 24 years old he became 
manager of the parental farm and continued to live at home until he was 27. 
Jan. 29, 1901, he was married to Meta Arpke, who was born in Sheboygan 
County, Wis., daughter of Simon and Fredericka (Martin) Arpke, both 
parents being natives of Lippe, Germany, who came to America in 1847, 
locating near Franklin, Wis., where Mr. Arpke was engaged in agriculture 
until his death. His wife is also now deceased. After his marriage Mr. 
Becker moved to Sheboygan, near which place he operated a farm for nine 
years. Then selling the farm, he became associated with the Fruit Box 
Company, of Sheboygan City, and was engaged in that business for 18 
months. At the end of that time he came to Galesville and purchased his 
present farm of 173 acres, seven acres of which are within the corporation 
limits. His farm is fully equipped with all necessary buildings and imple- 
ments, and he has brought the land into a high state of cultivation. He 
makes a specialty of the dairy business, breeds pure Guernsey cattle, and 
produces fine seed grains, for which he finds a ready sale. Aside from this, 
he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Packing Company, of La Crosse, a mem- 
ber of the Wisconsin Live Stock Breeders' Association, of the Wisconsin 
Experimental Association and the American Society of Equity, and the 
Alfalfa Order. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have a family of six children : Harvey 
Lawrence, Leslie Valentine, Alice Lorena, Ezra Philip, Eleanore Meta and 
Ella Arpke, all residing at home. Mr. Becker is independent in politics, 
and is a member of the Presbyterian church, with which his family are also 
affiliated. 

John Elland. Among the successful farmers of Preston Township is 
the subject of this sketch, who as proprietor of Sunnyslope Farm is con- 
tributing to the agricultural development of the township while enjoying 
yearly an increased prosperity. He was born in Gulbransdalen, Fron, Nor- 
way, Sept. 27, 1845. His father was Elland Everson, a native of Norway, 
who came with his wife and family to the United States in 1857, settling 
first in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained four years. At the end of 
that time he came to Trempealeau County, and after hving two years in 
Trempealeau Coolie, bought the farm on which his son John now resides, 
and on which he began agricultural operations. A few years later he was 
unfortunate enough to lose his life by one of those accidents incident to 
pioneer life, dying in the woods in 1866 while engaged in cutting timber. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Marit Alme, survived him nearly half a 
century, dying in 1913 at the age of 91 years. They had six children: 
John, the subject of this sketch; Thomas, who resides at Black River Falls, 
and has been engaged in railroad work for the last 20 years ; Martha, who 
married Ole Benrud, of Blair, Wis., and died in 1904; Even, a farmer in 
Preston Township; Karen, who met an accidental death from burning at 
the age of 8 years, and Martinus, who died on the voyage to America. Of 
this family the eldest was John, upon whom, therefore, the chief responsi- 
bility fell at the time of his father's death. He was at this time about 21 
years old and able to assume charge of the farm, which he managed for his 
mother until his marriage in June, 1872, to Paulina Paulson, of Chimney 
Rock Township, a daughter of Paul Berger. He then purchased the farm 



438 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and has ever since been its proprietor. Sunnyslope Farm is a good piece 
of agricultural property, containing 246 acres and lying in sections 22 and 
23, Preston Township. The first residence of the family on this land was a 
log house 10 by 12 feet, which is still standing, having been replaced as a 
dwelling, however, by a good 10-room frame house of two stories and base- 
ment, erected by Mr. Elland in 1895. Among other improvements he has 
made are a frame barn, 42 by 84 by 18 feet, with basement, and a concrete 
block silo, 14 by 35 feet. Both house and barn are provided with running 
water and various modern improvements suitable to each. He and his 
wife are the parents of seven children: Edward, who is conducting a 
butcher's shop in Blair ; Milan, engaged in farming near Blair ; Peter, resid- 
ing in Blair; Minnie, at home; Nettie, who died July 18, 1917; Hannah, who 
married Edward Odegaard, of Minneapolis, and Clarence, living on the home 
farm. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Aside 
from his original farm, he had 18 acres of slough land which he could not 
use for years, but now he has it all tiled, and on this land has one of the 
heaviest crops on the farm. 

Anton H. Fremstad, proprietor of Corn and Clover Farm in sections 4 
and 9, Pigeon Township, was born in section 4, town 22, range 7 west, just 
north of his present farm, Aug. 5, 1873, son of Hans A. and Andrena (Nil- 
son) Fremstad. The father was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838, and 
came to the United States in 1857, settling in Vernon County, Wis., from 
which place he came to Trempealeau County in 1871, accompanied by his 
wife and children then born. He bought a farm in section 4, Pigeon Town- 
ship, and cultivated it until he sold out to his two sons, Albert H. and Anton 
H. He still, however, resides on the old homestead. His wife, Andrena, 
who was born in Noi'way in 1834, died Oct. 1, 1916. Anton H. Fremstad was 
the first child born to his parents after they came to Trempealeau County. 
He worked for his father until the year 1900 and then, with his brother 
Albert, purchased the homestead, the two brothers operating it in partner- 
ship until 1906. They then bought the farm now owned by Anton H. and 
operated the entire property until the spring of 1915, at which time they 
dissolved partnership and divided it, Anton taking the farm he now has, and 
which consists of 120 acres, 40 acres of which lie in section 4 and the re- 
mainder in section 9. The buildings on the property include two houses, 
one of seven rooms, and the new modern home just completed, of 10 rooms. 
Hot water heat, water system, electric light, bath and all complete. The 
barn is 32 by 50 by 12 feet, with an 8-foot basement and concrete floors, and 
a concrete silo, 14 by 30 feet, built in 1912, all the buildings being substantial 
and in good condition. Mr. Fremstad was vice-president of the Pigeon 
Grain and Stock Company, and has been its president for the last three 
years. As one of the responsible citizens of his township, he has devoted 
some time to public affairs, having sei'ved three years as township super- 
visor, and he is also a trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, to which 
he and his family belong. His wife, to whom he was united April 11, 1908, 
was in maidenhood Christine F. Lovlien, and was born in Pigeon Township, 
Nov. 28, 1885. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father, Frederick 
Lovlien, who was born in 1840, settling in Pigeon Township, this county, 



HiaTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 439 

in 1872, and residing here engaged in agriculture until his death in 1913. 
The mother of Mrs. Fremstad, whose maiden name was Gore Bjornstugen, 
was born in 1850, and is still hving on the old homestead with her sons, 
Andrew and Olof. Mr. and Mrs. Fremstad have been the parents of four 
children: Herman, born Jan. 22, 1909, who died at birth; Gladys, born 
Jan. 22, 1911 ; Harold, born July 20, 1913, and Hulda, born Sept. 22, 1915. 

Willis A. Bell, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying in 
section 3, Trempealeau Township, was born in Holland, La Crosse County, 
Wis., March 6, 1860, son of Anson D. and Eliza (Chapman) Bell. The father 
was born in Guilford, Ohio, April 9, 1818, and the mother at Harrisville, 
Ohio, Aug. 23, 1820. They were married in Ohio Feb. 2, 1842, and in the 
same year came West, locating at Geneva, Walworth County, Wis., in which 
vicinity they began farming. In making the journey overland, they passed 
through Chicago, which was then a small place. In 1855 Mr. Bell with 
his family removed to Holland, La Crosse County, where he bought 200 
acres of wild land on which there were no buildings. He built a frame house 
and a small stable and here the family lived until 1863. Then they came 
to Trempealeau County, renting 80 acres of land in section 2, Trempealeau 
Township, the property being a part of what is now the 0. A. Critzman 
farm. After residing here until 1865 Anson D. Bell bought 60 acres in 
section 3, the same township, which land now forms part of the farm of 
the subject of this sketch. On it at the time stood a three-room log house 
and a frame barn. This house was the family residence until 1875, which 
year Mr. Bell built a better one, the later being an upright, story and a half, 
brick veneer building, which now forms part of his present residence. 
Later he added a wing of the same material, with ten rooms, a front porch 
and side porch. In addition to looking after his property, Mr. Bell worked 
at his ti-ade — that of mason. Anson D. Bell died Dec. 13, 1892, and his wife 
Jan. 10, 1899, both on the old homestead, and are buried in Evergreen Ceme- 
tery. They were people much respected for their sterling qualities, and 
were among the founders of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Their family consisted of seven children: LeRoy, Alice M., Sarah E., Har- 
rison B., Ida E., Orville P. and Willis A., whose record in brief is as follows: 
LeRoy W., born at Geneva, Wis., Aug. 9, 1843, died Feb. 30, 1911, at La 
Crosse. Alice M., born Nov. 18, 1845, is now Mrs. William Bartholomew, of 
Galesville, Wis. Sarah E., born Jan. 27, 1847, at Geneva, died Aug. 27, 1863, 
at Holland, Wis. Harrison B., born March 11, 1849, at Geneva, died Oct. 11, 
1863, at Holland, Wis. Ida E., born July 4, 1852, at Geneva, is the wife of 
William Rich, of Washougal, Wash. Orville, P., born Oct. 3, 1855, at Hol- 
land, Wis., is a mason residing in Trempealeau Township. 

WiUis A. Bell in his boyhood attended the district school from the age 
of 3 to that of 13 years regularly, and afterwards during the winters up 
to the age of 18 years. At 13 he began working on his parents' farm — the 
present homestead — and has remained on it up to the present time. He has 
enlarged the estate somewhat and it now contains a little over 94 acres. 
Feb. 19, 1896, he was married to Anna F., daughter of Henry and Sophia 
Bockenhauer, of Trempealeau Township, the ceremony, which took place at 
the home of W. H. Gibson, being presided over by Rev. Mr. Witherbee. 



440 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Mr. Bell is engaged in general farming and dairying, marketing his butter 
in Galesville. He keeps a herd of grade Shorthorn cattle and a large sty of 
Poland-China swine. His farm is thoroughly up to date in buildings and 
equipment, some of the most important improvements having been put in 
by him. Among these is a large barn, which furnishes stable room for 2-5 
head of cattle and eight horses. Attached to the barn is a granary and 
buggy shed. There is also a sheep barn attached. There are two silos, 
with a capacity of 110 tons, and 85 tons. In addition there is a poultry 
house, a corn crib, a hog house, a combined milk and ice house, and a tank 
house. All the buildings except the granary and corn crib have cement 
floors and are neatly painted and kept in first-class condition. Indeed, the 
whole farm presents a thriving appearance, highly creditable to its proprie- 
tor. Like most prosperous and up-to-date farmers, Mr. Bell keeps an 
automobile. He is a stockholder in the Exchange Elevator Company, of 
Galesville, Wis. In politics he is a Republican, and has been director of the 
school board three terms, and clerk of the board two terms. He and his 
wife have one child, Robert W., who was born Aug. 13, 1903, and resides 
at home. The family are members of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Thomas Johnson, who is numbered among the successful agriculturists 
of Pigeon Township, being proprietor of the Aga Farm of 120 acres in sec- 
tion 27, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Jan. 25, 1867, son of John and 
Berget (Thompson) Halvorson, the latter dying at his birth. The father, 
born in Norway in 1825, died in that country in 1889. Thomas Johnson, 
who was the youngest of nine children, resided in his native land until 1885, 
and then, following the example of so many of his countrymen, in the hope 
of bettering his condition, emigrated to the United States, locating in White- 
hall, Trempealeau County, Wis. Here he soon found employment and 
worked out for some five years, or until his marriage, Dec. 11, 1900, to 
Malinda Aga, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, daughter of Die Anderson Aga 
and his wife, Brita Aga. Mr. Johnson then began farming on his present 
place, which was previously the property of his wife's father, and has since 
remained here. The residence on the farm is a good frame building. His 
barn, erected in 1909, is 32 by 66 by 22 feet in dimensions, and the other 
buildings are neat and substantial and kept in good condition. Mr. Johnson 
keeps 30 head of cattle, of which he milks 21, and is a stockholder in the 
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company. For three years he has served as treas- 
urer of the school board of his district and is a man of influence and standing 
in the community. His wife, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, died March 1, 
1903, and Mr. Johnson's household is now presided over by his sister, Mrs. 
Egil Egilson. The latter has four children: Berget, who married Otto 
Berg, a farmer of Williston, N. D. ; Annie, the wife of John Carlson, of Ule- 
vass, Norway; Margaret, wife of Anton Ustad, of Stoughton, Wis., and Egil, 
who resides in Blair, this county. 

William A. Bright, a well known business man residing in Trempealeau 
Village, of which he is the present mayor, was born in Caledonia Township, 
Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 22, 1865, son of Robert and Christiana 
(Campbell) Bright. His early education was obtained in the district school 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 441 

in his native township, and later he attended school in the village of Trem- 
pealeau, to which place his parents had moved in the fall of 1873. For 
some five or six years he assisted his father in the latter's store and then 
went into business for himself at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., 
opening a general store there. A year and a half later he sold 
out to Patterson Brothers of North Bend, and came back to Trempealeau 
Village, where about 1890 or 1891 he opened a grocery store, which he 
carried on for two years. He then sold out and became traveling sales- 
man for G. W. Marston, a wholesale grocer of La Crosse, Wis. This experi- 
ence also lasted two years, at the end of which time Mr. Marston went 
out of business, and Mr. Bright formed a new connection with Ranson 
Brothers of Albert Lea, wholesale grocers, for whom he traveled three 
years, in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Bright 
entered the employ of J. J. Hogan of La Crosse, engaged in the same hne 
of business, and has remained with him, traveling in western Wisconsin 
and eastern Minnesota, the territory adjacent to Trempealeau. He was 
one of the organizers of the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau, and is 
now a director and stockholder in it, being also a stockholder in the Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Trempealeau Lime Products Com- 
pany. Mr. Bright was married, at the home of his bride's parents, Aug. 
25, 1886, to Lettie C, daughter of Henry C. Shephard, a farmer living 
near Blair, Wis. He and his wife began housekeeping in the house in 
which they now reside. He is also the owner of a house and lot next door^ 
which he rents, and of the Trempealeau Hotel on Main street. He and 
his wife have two children: Vera M. and Jennie 0. Vera M., who was 
born in Trempealeau, May 22, 1887, was married here, Sept. 29, 1909, to 
E. B. Elkins, now agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. They 
reside in Trempeleau and have two sons: Winston Alexander and Arnold, 
aged six and four years respectively. Jennie 0., born in Trempealeau, 
Jan. 7, 1891, is unmarried, and is a stenographer in the employ of the She- 
boygan Falls Machinery Company, of Sheboygan, Wis. Mr. Bright is a 
stalwart Republican in politics, but has held no pohtical office. His fraternal 
society affiliations are with Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. of Trempeleau, 
which he joined in 1890; the Eastern Star Lodge of Trempealeau, of which 
he and his wife are charter members, and Lodge No. 96, U. C. T., to which 
he has belonged since 1898. He is also a member of the B. P. 0. E., No. 300, 
of La Crosse. His wife and daughter are active members of the Congre- 
gational church of Trempealeau, which he helps to support, though not a 
member. Mr. Bright is one of the active and enterprising men of his 
village, of which he has been mayor for the last eight j^ears, and never 
loses an opportunity to advance its interests. He and his family have a 
wide acquaintance and are highly esteemed throughout this part of the 
county. 

Robert Bright, a retired farmer now living in Trempealeau Village, 
was born in Geulph, Ontario, April 8, 1837, son of William and Mary Ann 
(King) Bright. The parents were both natives of Hampshire, England, 
the father born May 31, 1798, and the mother October 8, the same year. 
Married in their native land, they emigrated to Canada in 1836, settling 



442 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

at Geulph, where William Bright worked at his trade of carpenter until 
1843. In that year he brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm 
near Beloit. The subject of this sketch was at that time six years old and 
a year later he began his struggle with the "three R's" in the typical log 
school house of the district. Most of his schooling was acquired in the 
winters, and his zest for learning was doubtless stimulated by the two- 
mile walk he had to take in covering the distance from his home to the 
rural temple of knowledge. This primitive building being unprovided 
with steam pipes or furnace, the elder boys, in accordance with a time- 
honored, pioneer custom, were obliged to cut and haul the wood used for 
fuel, and in this work, after he was ten years old, he had to take a part. 
After he was old enough to be of use on the farm, however, he attended 
school only during the winters, and at 16 he had to lay aside his class books 
to take up the heavier burdens of life. At 17 he was the mainstay of the 
family, and was the one upon whom his parents chiefly depended during 
the rest of their lives. In June, 1855, the family came to Trempealau 
County, William Bright locating on a tract of 160 acres of school land 
in section 16, Caledonia Township, near McGilvray's Ferry. This land was 
without any building that could be used as a residence, so that summer 
Mr. Bright built a frame house of five rooms, with upright and wings. The 
subsequent work of the family was similar to that of all pioneer farmers, 
and was sufficiently arduous to make them all enjoy their nightly rest. In 
1859 Robert Bright purchased the farm from his father and began operat- 
ing it on his own account, his parents residing with him. In November, 
1864, occurred another important event of his life, when he took to wife 
Christiana, daughter of Alexander and Helen (Matthews) Campbell of 
Guelph, Ontario. Bringing his bride to his parents' home, they resided 
there for about two years, but in 1866, desiring to establish a separate 
household, and finding a house for sale in the vicinity, he bought it and 
moved it onto the farm, he and his wife taking up their residence in it. 
From time to time he also bought other land until he finally owned 560 
acres. Mr. Bright continued his farming operations until the fall of 1873, 
when, having acquired a competence, he sold half his land and moved to 
Trempealeau Village with his family, which also included his father and 
mother. The rest of his land he sold later. In 1891, however, he purchased 
an improved farm of 160 acres near Black River Falls, which he still owns. 
In the following year he made a trip to California, but was away but two 
and a half months. Mr. Bright's present residence is a comfortable brick 
house on East Third street, where he and his wife are frequently visited 
by those of their children who live not too far away. His family consists 
of six in all: William A., Jennie E., Ella May, Ernest A., Frank C. and 
Eleanor E. William A. was born Nov. 23, 1865, and married Letta Shep- 
heard of Blair, Wis. He has two children. Vera and Jennie. Jennie E., 
born Jan. 22, 1868, is the only one of the family who lives out of the 
state. She married Almon Holden of South Dakota and now resides in 
Los Angeles, Calif. Ella May, born March 29. 1872, is the wife of Bert 
Wakefield of West Salem, Wis., and has two children: Majorie and Robert. 
Ernest A., born Sept. 25, 1874, married Ella Hoberton of Trempealeau, Wis., 



HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 443 

and has two children: Laura and Ernest, Jr. Frank C, born Aug. 31, 1876, 
married Metta Miles of Hixon, Wis. He lives on his father's farm near 
Black River Falls, and has four children: Donald, Marion, Douglas and 
Majorie. Elmer E., born Aug. 18, 1878, is unmarried and lives with his 
brother Frank. Mr. Bright's parents have been dead many years. The mother 
was the first to go, passing away in October, 1875, when 77 years old. The 
father was 83 when he died, Aug. 21, 1881. There were ten children in 
their family, including the subject of this sketch — five sons and five daugh- 
ters, and all except Robert and one of the daughters were born in England. 
The sons are all living, and there are three of the daughters surviving — 
two in Wisconsin and one in Sioux City, Iowa. In his youth Robert Bright 
attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, but after his marriage he and 
his wife united with the Trempealeau Congregational Church and still 
maintain their membership. In politics Mr. Bright is a Republican, but 
has held no public office, except that of postmaster, in which he served 
in Jackson County, 1896 to 1901, during the time he lived on his farm at 
Black River Falls. He is now in his 81st year, one of the few survivors of 
pioneer days in this county, and his memory brings back to his many 
interesting scenes that the younger generation, accustomed to all the 
modern conveniences, would find it hard to realize. He can recall the hard 
physical labor that was necessary to break the new land, the lack of almost 
every convenience, the frequent scarcity of provisions, the long journey to 
the mill, and how he once crossed Black River on foot on the ice, hauling 
a wagon across, and then, laying down planks, went back and led his oxen 
across (this was Oct. 1, 1855), together with many dther incidents of his 
boyhood and youthful days, when his blood coursed swiftly through his 
veins and hardships were little minded. Of those of his own age whom he 
then knew, most have passed away and a new generation has taken up the 
work which the old hands have laid down. In the success and advancement 
of his children, and his increasing family of grandchildren and great-grand- 
children he takes a keen interest, the more so that one and all give fair 
promise of doing honor to the family name. 

Die C. Hanson dates his residence in Trempealeau County from 1870, 
when he was brought to Irvin's Coulie, Lincoln County, by his parents, 
Hans and Bertha (Nelson) Arneson, who the year previous had brought 
him from Norway, where he was born Sept. 23, 1853. As a young man he 
did farm work, and for a while was employed in a sawmill at Eau Claire, 
Wisconsin. In 1884 he purchased his present place of 80 acres in section 
29, Pigeon Township, where he successfully carries on general farming. His 
financial holdings include stock in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, the 
Pigeon Grain & Stock Company of Whitehall, and the Preston Creamery 
at Blair. His public work has included service as clerk of the school board 
since 1904. Since 1890 he has been secretary of the Norwegian Luthern 
Chuch at Whitehall. Mr. Hanson was married, Dec. 30, 1882, to Olena 
Hanevold, who was born in Toten, Norway, Feb. 22, 1862, daughter of Ole 
and Andrena Hanevold, who in 1873 came to Fly Creek, in Pigeon Township, 
and here spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying in 1914 and 
the latter in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had eleven children, of 



444 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

whom two died in infancy. Heldor is a farmer in Dunn County, Wisconsin. 
Adolph is a clerk at Whitehall. Matilda is the wife of Hans Svaie of 
Church's Ferry, North Dakota. Carl, Lewis, Melvin, Louise and Otto are 
at home. Emma died March 19, 1917, at the age of eleven years. Hans 
Arneson, father of Ole C. Hanson, was born in Norway, Oct. 22, 1807, came 
to America in 1869, lived in Dane County, this state, a year, and then came 
to this county, where he settled in Irvin's Coulie, in Lincoln Township. In 
1884 he sold his place, and took up his home with his son, Hans Arneson, 
where he died Jan. 6, 1896, his wife, Bertha Nelson, who was born in Nor- 
way, Sept. 22, 1813, dying on Dec. 14, 1900. 

Henry A. Jacobson, successful merchant of Pigeon Falls, was born 
at North Branch, Hale Township, this county, Jan. 5, 1878, son of Hans 
and Olena (Saastad) Jacobson. Hans Jacobson was born in Norway in 
1851, came to America in 1867 with his parents, lived two years in Minne- 
sota, later settled at North Branch, in this county, and farmed there until 
1898, when he moved to Whitehall, where he died in 1907, his good wife, 
who was born in 1852, still making her home in that village. Henry A. 
Jacobson, remained with his parents until 19 years of age, and then went 
to work as a farm hand. May 1, 1901, he secured employment at Pigeon 
Falls in the store of Torgerson & Steig. In 1905 this firm became Steig & 
Steig, and in 1906 Mr. Jacobson purchased a half interest and changed the 
firm name to Steig & Jacobson. The store and stock were destroyed by 
fire in 1912, and the present edifice was erected. It is a frame structure, 
28 by 42 feet, two stories high and a basement, and is well equipped and 
stocked for the carrying on of a large mercantile business. Mr. Jacobson 
has been the sole owner since 1913, and has built up a constantly increasing 
business. He has the confidence and esteem of the village and country 
people, and his trade extends for miles around. Mr. Jacobson was married 
July 10, 1904, to Anna Wold, born June 22, 1885, daughter of Ever and 
Mary Wold, and this union has been blessed with four children. Hansel, 
Myrtle, Archie and Irene. The family faith is that of the Norwegia 
Lutheran Church of America. 

Edward M. Hagen, proprietor of a farm of 300 acres in section 5, 
Pigeon Township, known as Hagen's Farm, was born in Biri, Norway, Jan. 
12, 1864, son of Mathias Olson and his wife, Annette Thompson. The father 
died in Norway in June, 1865, and his wife in Norway in 1884. In 1881 
Edward M. emigrated to the United States, coming to Trempealeau County, 
Wisconsin, and locating at Pigeon Falls, where he resided until the spring 
of 1892, working out and saving his money. Having by that time accumu- 
lated a fair sum, he purchased his present farm and has since resided on 
it, engaged in its development and cultivation, in which he has made great 
progress. The previous period of 11 years was spent in the employ of 
P. Ekern, for whom he worked seven years as buttermaker at Pigeon Falls. 
As a progressive farmer Mr. Hagen has sought to increase the value of 
his property by making substantial improvements. In 1910 he rebuilt his 
residence, which is a two-story building of 18 rooms and basement. In 
1916 he rebuilt the barn, which measures 44 by 60 by 16 feet with base- 
ment, and has an ell, 26 by 50 by 16, with basement, both furnished with 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 445 

concrete floors and installed with 40 steel stanchions and litter carrier. The 
silo, built in the center of the barn, measures 14 by 31 feet. All the buildings 
are electrically lighted and furnished with running water from a spring, 
the house having hot and cold water and bathroom. Mr. Hagen plants 
six acres of his land with tobacco and has a tobacco shed, 26 by 130 feet 
in size. His herd of Shorthorn cattle numbers 65 head, all high grade 
animals, of which he milks 25. He also has a flock of 30 sheep and 50 acres 
of his land is planted in clover. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain 
& Stock Company, and for six years has served as a director of the school 
board of his district. May 16, 1891, Mr. Hagen was united in marriage 
with Jennie Moe of Pigeon Falls, in which place she was born May 4, 1873. 
Her parents were John and Antoinette (Peterson) Moe, the former of 
whom, born in Norway, Sept. 17, 1841, came to America in 1869, settling 
in Pigeon Township, this county. In 1872 he bought the farm on which 
his son-in-law, Mr. Hagen, now lives, and still resides here. His wife, whom 
he married at Pigeon Falls Aug. 28, 1872, was born in Norway, March 27, 
1846, and is also now living and residing on the Hagen farm. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hagen have ten children: Aletta, wife of Alfred Nelson, a contractor of 
Pigeon Falls; Adolph, living at home; Elvina, who graduated from the 
La Crosse Normal school in 1914 and is now a teacher; Amanda, a student 
at the Whitehall high school, and Harold, Hilmer, Ansel, Delia, Milfred and 
Raymond, who are residing at home on the farm. 

Marvin T. Babbitt, who operates a 75-acre farm close to Trempealeau 
Village, and is also the owner of other agricultural property, was born 
in Colerain, Mass., Nov. 27, 1848. His parents, Adonii'am and Sarah (Rid- 
dle) Babbitt, were American born and of Scotch, Irish and German ancestry. 
In 1855 the family came west, Adoniram Babbitt settling on 160 acres of 
school land near Eyota, Minn., from which place they came to Trempealeau 
County, Wisconsin, in 1873. Here Mr. Babbitt bought the George Perkins 
farm of 90 acres in Caledonia Township, now known as the George Hess 
farm, it being situated about five miles from Trempealeau Village on the 
Galesville road. On the farm at the time the Babbits moved onto it there 
were a clapboarded log house and a log barn, the said house being still 
standing. Here the family lived for two or three years, at the end of which 
time Mr. Babbitt moved to West Prairie, Trempealeau Township, taking 
up 120 acres of wild land on which there was but little timber. On this farm 
he built a one-story frame house. In 1878 Adoniram Babbitt sold his place 
and moved to Lincoln County, Minn., where he homesteaded 160 acres of 
wild prairie land and took up his residence on it. In the meanwhile Marvin 
T. has grown to man's estate. His education was somewhat limited, but 
he acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school and learned 
agriculture and stock raising from his father, whom he assisted on the 
farm. When the family removed to Lincoln County, he went with them, 
accompanied by his wife, whom he had recently married, and after arriv- 
ing in the county he homesteaded 160 acres of land there, also taking a 
tree claim of 160 acres adjoining. There he resided until 1880, in which 
year he went to Grant County, S. D., and pre-empted 120 acres of land on 
what had lately been the Sioux Indian reservation. This land he improved, 



446 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

building a frame house, 24 by 28 feet, a barn 16 by 34 feet, and a granary 
of the same size as the barn. In 1884 his health broke down and he rented 
his Minnesota farm to a tenant and returning to Trempealeau County took 
up his residence in Trempealeau Village. For five years after settling in 
the village Mr. Babbitt did little or nothing, but in 1889, tired of inactivity, 
and his health being improved, he bought the Rudolph place of 44 acres, 
situated on the edge of the village, and moved to it with his family. Since 
then he has purchased some adjoining land so that now his farm contains 
75 acres. The farm was improved at the time he bought it, there being a 
three-story house on it, 20 by 34 feet, with stone basement. Mr. Babbitt 
in 1901 added to the house a frame wing, 14 by 30 feet, and has since erected 
a tool shed, 16 by 28, and a woodshed, 14 by 20 feet, with shop attached, 
having also other substantial outbuildings. 

January 23, 1878, Mr. Babbitt was married to Helen, daughter of 
Edward A. and Margaret C. Barnard of Caledonia Township, Trempealeau 
County, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents. He 
and his wife have had a family of 12 children: Edward A., Elbert J., 
Frank T., William H., Grace M., Ella R., Louis M., Ruth C, George R., 
Harry R., John C. and Virgil A. All of these children are living, except 
Harry R., who was born May 16, 1898, and died May 22, 1911, at the age 
of 13 years. William H., born October 7, 1884, is married and resides near 
Trempealeau Village. Grace M., born December 8, 1889, is unmarried and 
is a telegraph operator, residing at home. Ella R., born March 20, 1892, 
follows the same occupation as her sister Grace and also resides at home. 
Louis M., born Oct. 15, 1893, is a plumber, unmarried, and resides at 
Seymour, Wis. Ruth C, born Jan. 25, 1896, is unmarried, a high school 
graduate residing at home. Geoi-ge R., born Jan. 30, 1897, spent two years 
in the high school and is now engaged as a section hand. John C, born 
April 9, 1899, also studied two years in the high school. Virgil A., born 
June 9, 1903, resides at home and is attending school in Trempealeau. Mr. 
Babbitt is independent in politics, but has not been active politically and 
has held no public offices. He belongs to Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. of 
Trempealeau. Though reared a Baptist he belongs to no church, but sup- 
ports the cause of religion without regard to denominational affiliations. 
In addition to his property already mentioned, he owns 100 acres one mile 
north of the village, and 80 acres of "bottom land" four miles southeast in 
La Crosse County, Wisconsin. 

Thomas M. Hagen, who owns and operates Woodland Farm of 240 
acres in section 5, Pigeon Township, is one of the thriving agriculturists of 
this township and one of its best known and respected citizens. He was 
born in Noi'way, Dec. 12, 1867, his father being Matt Olson and his mother 
in maidenhood Annette Thompson. It was on May 17, 1883, that he left 
his native land for the New World, his journey coming to an end at White- 
hall, this county. He soon entered the employ of P. Ekern of Pigeon Falls, 
for whom he worked for seven years. These were years, not only of indus- 
try, but of economy and thrift, as he had no intention of spending his life 
in working for others. At the end of the period mentioned, having enough 
money for his purpose, he purchased his present farm, a good piece of 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 447 

agricultural property, well improved, where he carries on general farm- 
ing and dairying. The house is a good frame building of two stories and 
basement. The barn measures 48 by 70 by 14 feet, having stone basement 
and concrete floors, also 22 steel stanchions. On the farm is also a stave 
silo, 14 by 32 feet. Mr. Hagen has a herd of 30 cattle, of the Durham and 
Holstein breeds, of which he milks 25. He was married Dec. 25, 1891, to 
Paulina Moe of Pigeon Township, who was born at Pigeon Falls, this county^ 
May 8, 1874, daughter of John J. and Antoinette (Peterson) Moe. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hagen have had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The 
others are: Joel, born Jan. 11, 1893; Albert, Feb. 10, 1895, was married 
June 30, 1917, to Elsie Margaret Evenson; Palmer, Aug. 26, 1896; Edwin, 
March 15, 1899 ; Peter, Nov. 18, 1900 ; Rudolph, Sept. 12, 1904, and Karl, 
Nov. 30, 1907. In March, 1916, they adopted a girl, Alice, who was born 
July 21, 1909. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church 
of America. 

Paul Ackley. Among the leading agriculturists of Pigeon Township 
is the subject of this sketch, who is proprietor of two good farms, aggre- 
gating 360 acres. Mr. Ackley was born in Gulsbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 
4, 1860. His father, Franz Anderson Ackley, who was a farmer, died in 
Norway in 1890 at the age of 75 years. Mr. Ackley's mother, whose maiden 
name was Karen Harralsdatter, died in the same year as her husband, at 
the age of 75. Paul Ackley on attaining his majority in 1881 said farewell 
to his native land and took passage for the United States. Following the 
example of many of his countrymen who had preceded him, he decided to 
make his home in the great Northwest, and first located in Swift County, 
Minn., where for two years he worked out for others. Then going to Eau 
Claire County, he spent eight years there working in a sawmill and in the 
woods. The next two years of his life were spent in Tacoma, Wash., after 
which he returned to Wisconsin and resided in Eau Claire five years, being 
engaged in the saw mill business. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Ackley began 
agricultural operations in Pigeon township, buying the property now known 
as Ackley's farm, and which contains 160 acres, 120 of which are located in 
the northwest quarter of section 12, and 40 acres in the southeast quarter 
of section 11. Here Mr. Ackley took up his residence and cultivated the 
farm until 1910. He then purchased the Tuff farm of 200 acres, 160 acres 
lying in the southeast quarter of section 12 and the other 40 in the north- 
east quarter of section 11. On this latter farm he now makes his residence. 
The houses on both farms are substantial two-story buildings, neat-look- 
ing and commodious, and the farms are well improved, all the buildings 
being kept in good condition. Both are operated profitably by Mr. Ackley, 
who is an experienced agriculturist and whose energy and perseverance, 
combined with thrift and good business foresight, have placed him among 
the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Pigeon Township. He has been 
treasurer of the school board for 13 years and has always taken a keen 
interest in all projects for the good of the community in which he lives. 
Aside from his interest in the two farms mentioned, he is a stockholder in 
the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. Mr. Ackley 
was married April 17, 1891, to Maria Tufi", who was born at Haalen, Norway, 



448 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

July 1, 1861, her father being Ole Tuff and her mother, in maidenhood, Anna 
Stena Johnson. The father, who was born in Norway, came to America 
in October, 1861, setthng in LaFayette County, Wisconsin, where, however, 
he lived but a short time, removing to Blair County, where also his residence 
was brief. Coming from Blair to Trempealeau County, he bought the farm 
known as the Tuff farm, now ovmed by Mr. Ackley, and resided on it until 
it was purchased by Mr. Ackley. Since then he has retired and resides in 
Blair. His wife Anna died in 1904 at the age of 70 years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ackley are the parents of five children: Olaf F., who is a member of the 
Engineering Corps, now located at Fort Snelling, while Clara, Palmer, Mel- 
vin and Selmer reside at home. The family are members of the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church. , 

Anton Davidson, general farmer and tobacco I'aiser, owning a farm of 
160 acres in section 8, Preston Township, was born in Hedemaarken, Nor- 
way, June 24, 1868, son of David and Mary Fagerness. He lost his parents 
when a mere child, and in 1876, as a boy of eight years, set out alone for 
far-distant America, to join his brother Louis, who had sent for him. Arriv- 
ing at Westby, Wis., he was met by his brothers, Louis and Hans, and by 
his uncle, Christopher Stephanson, and was under their care until sixteen 
years of age. For a time he was engaged as a member of a construction 
crew, then worked two years for P. S. Davidson of La Crosse 
as coachman. Then he entered the employ of Capt. L H. Moulton of 
La Crosse, as coachman, a position in which he remained for over twenty 
years. Desiring, however, to take up agricultural pursuits, he purchased 
his present farm from Capt. Moulton in 1897 and moved onto it in 1899. 
There he has since resided. He has a pleasant home and good barns, 
including a large well-equipped tobacco shed. He successfully farms, raises 
the usual crops, breeds good stock and makes a specialty of Spanish Com- 
stock tobacco, of which he sets out from five to ten acres each year. Mr. 
Davidson was married July 10, 1900, to Sophia Hunter, daughter of John 
and Christina Hunter, who were born and married in Berlin, Germany, and 
now farm near Hokah, Minn. Mrs. Davidson died Jan. 21, 1909. In the 
family there are three children : Daisy, Lottie and Clara, one, Milton, hav- 
ing died at the age of three months. Daisy is a student at the La Crosse 
normal school. The others are at home. 

William Trim, a well to do farmer of Trempealeau Township, was born 
at Dorchester, England (in the village of Kington), July 1, 1840, son of 
Thomas and Mary (Hanan) Trim. Both his parents were natives of Eng- 
land. Oct. 2, 1858, William left England for America, in company with a 
sister, Mrs. Edward Ware and her six children, Mrs. Ware's husband hav- 
ing preceded her to this country a year and a half before, settling in Trem- 
pealeau, Wis. Landing at New York they went from there to Toronto, 
Canada, to await transportation to Trempealeau, for which place they left 
after a short time. The journey was made by train to Dunleith, 111., and 
from there to Trempealeau by boat, arriving at 7 o'clock in the morning, 
Oct. 15, 1858. They found Mr. Ware located at Cal McGilvray's Ferry in 
Caledonia Township. He had not yet built a house, so they all had to 
take up their residence in the house of Thomas Ware — a one-roomed log 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 449 

structure, which furnished poor accommodations for 11 people. Finding 
the space so crowded, on account of which he was unable to sleep, William 
Triin went over to Mr. Bright's and slept with Robert Bright. His next 
task was to look for work, and he found it on the farms at threshing, and 
otherwise helping the farmers, for which he received 50 cents a day. That 
fall he husked corn at $8 a month and board. During the winter of 1858-59 
he split rails with Edward Ware in payment for a cow, and also did what- 
ever work he could get in addition. At times he felt discouraged and home- 
sick and would have returned to England, but had not the means. When 
he could find no other place to sleep he went to the little shanty which 
Edward Ware had built for his family, where he could always stay over 
night, though being somewhat crowded in bed, as he had to sleep with two 
others. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Trim was engaged by Hollister Wright 
for one year at $9 a month. He remained with him three years, receiving 
the second year $10 and the third year $13 a month. Mr. Wright vi'as 
engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping 12 or 13 cows, and young 
Trim had to make himself generally useful. 

In the spring of 1862 a change occurred in his life, which led him into 
fields of adventure. The Civil War was then raging and Mr. Trim, tired of 
the drudgery of farming for no more pay than he would receive as a soldier, 
enhsted at Galesville, Wis., in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, 
being mustered in at Madison. The regiment was ordered to Milwaukee at 
the time of the draft in November, and remained there until the spring of 
1863. They were next sent to New Lisbon, Wis., to prevent an anticipated 
Indian outbreak, a woman having been killed by the savages in that neigh- 
borhood. When the danger was over they were ordered back to Madison 
and from there sent to Camp Washburn. Jan. 1, 1864, the Thirtieth Regi- 
ment took up winter quarters on the shore of Lake Michigan, near Mil- 
waukee, where they remained until the following April. Their next move 
was to St. Louis, Mo., and in that city they stayed ten days, when they 
broke camp and proceeded up the Missouri River with orders to build 
Fort Rice, near Bismark (North) Dakota, 15 miles above the mouth of 
Cannon Ball River. This duty detained them in that neighborhood until 
October. While there an emigrant train under command of Captain Fisk, 
and bound for Virginia City, Idaho, was stopped by Indians at the edge of 
the "Bad Lands," North Dakota, and an expedition was sent out from Fort 
Rice for its relief, which Mr. Trim accompanied. This expedition took 20 
days, the soldiers marching on foot, escorting an ox train. On the way 
Tjack, 900 strong, they stopped at the Missouri River, where they built flat 
boats for transportation and floated down the river to St. Joseph, Mo., 
having, it may be presumed, received government orders, they proceeded 
by rail to Louisville, Ky., continuing their movement, Dec. 10, 1864, to 
Bowling Green, that state, where they were placed to guard the railroad 
bridge from attacks by the Confederates. Jan. 10, 1865, they returned to 
Louisville, at which place they were stationed until the close of the war, 
when they returned to Madison, Wis., to be mustered out. 

During the war, and while stationed at New Lisbon, Wis., Mr. Trim 
was married to Martha R., daughter of Richard Robinson of Trempealeau, 



450 HISTORY OF TRE^iIPEALEAU COUNTY 

at which place their wedding occurred Oct. 25, 1863. Mrs. Trim remained 
with her parents in Trempealeau during the rest of her husband's absence 
while in military service. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Trim renled a farm con- 
sisting of improved land, which now forms a part of his present homestead. 
On it stood a small frame shanty and a frame barn for a yoke of oxen, and 
to this place he brought his wife and they began farming operations and 
housekeeping. By the spring of 1866 he had put in 40 acres of wheat and 
20 of corn, by the aid of his ox team, and was congratulating himself on his 
future prospects, when the June flood of that year wiped out everything, 
destroying the crops. However, he had $1,000 saved up, the result of his 
labor and the war bounty he had received, so was not destitute. In the 
fall he moved to a farm in Pine Creek Township, where he remained two 
years, having better luck, as here he made up his losses. He then made 
another removal, this time to an 80-acre farm on Trempealeau prairie, three 
miles fi'om Centerville, southeast. It was improved land and had a log 
house on it, and here he and his family remained until 1871. He then 
traded this farm for 120 acres in Little Tamarac, which land was also 
improved, the residence being a frame building. Here Mr. Trim built a 
large barn, and increased the size of the farm by purchasing 182 additional 
acres, so that he now had a 302-acre farm, this he had bought being adjacent 
to the original purchase. In 1872 he had a big crop of wheat, and while 
engaged in threshing it a fii'e broke out and destroyed all his grain — causing 
him a loss of $800. He was already in debt $4,000 for the land he had bought 
and was paying 10 per cent interest on the money. This loss temporarily 
discouraged him and he wanted the man from whom he had bought his 
farm to take back the land and release him from the debt, but he refused 
to do so. The only thing Mr. Trim could do, therefore, was to continue 
and hope for better fortune. He had learned dairying in the old country, 
so now turned his attention to that, buying all the cows he could pay for, 
and he and his wife set to work again, beginning at the bottom of the ladder. 
By this time fate seemed tired of pursuing him. The dairy venture was 
a success, and he had no more misfortune with his crops. Each year saw 
his debt reduced, until at the end of six years it was all paid off and he 
owned his farm of 302 acres, besides having a good cow barn which he had 
been able to erect. This was the position in which he found himself in 
1877, from which year he dates the beginning of his prosperity. Now he 
began to go ahead in the right dii'ection. By the end of the next year he 
had saved $1,000, and was able to build a large barn, 96 by 40 by 22 feet, 
with a cattle barn attached. In the meanwhile he continued in the dairying 
business and his profits increased from year to year, so that in 1896, when 
his present farm of 302 acres was put on the market by its then owner he 
was enabled to purchase it, still retaining the farm he had at Little Tamarac. 
About this time his son George married and went to live on the Little 
Tamarac place. Mr. Trim moved onto his present farm in February, 1896, 
and has since made many improvements on it. He first improved the orig- 
inal residence, but later erected a new frame house, one and a half stories 
high, with seven rooms, in which he lives, his daughter, Mrs. Nichols, 
occupying the original building. In addition to this new house he has a 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 451 

nQmber of good buildings, including a frame barn, a large sheep shed, a 
corn crib, machine shed, poultry houses and hog houses, all in excellent 
shape. On the farm are also three wells and two windmills, furnishing a 
complete water system. Mr. Trim is engaged in both general farming and 
dairying, keeping grade Durham cows; also several horses and a sty of 
Poland-China hogs. The soil on his farm consists of black loam, with a 
clay sub-soil, and is very fertile. It has a beautiful location in the valley. 
In association with his daughter, Mrs. Nichols, Mr. Trim also owns a farm 
of 316 acres in Big Tamarac, the property being improved and with good 
buildings. His wife died Jan. 16, 1916, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 
Their children were George Alvin, Mary Alice, Jane Agnes and Nettie 
Eldora. George Alvin, born Aug. 2, 1866, at Big Tamarac, is living on the 
Little Tamarac farm in Trempealeau Township. He married and has seven 
children : Mary Alice, born Feb. 22, 1869, at Trempealeau Prairie, married 
James Nichols, and is living on her father's homestead. She has two chil- 
dren: Wilham and Howard. Jane Agnes, born March 13, 1873, died 
March 19, 1874. Nettie Eldora, born May 26, 1875, is the wife of Milton 
Pittinger and is living at Big Tamarac. She has a daughter Martha, who 
is the wife of Guy Kopp, and has a son, Wayne R. — the great-grandson of 
the subject of this sketch. Mr. Trim was reared strictly in the faith of 
the Church of England. He is not active in politics, but has always been 
interested in good local government. His career has been a strenuous one 
and his success has been well earned. 

Gilbert Baalrud, proprietor of a well equipped photographic studio in 
Whitehall, Wis., was born in Winona, Minn., May 6, 1893. He is son of 
Eric and Hannah (Hanson) Baalrud. The father, born in Norway, came 
to America in 1886, locating in Winona, Minn., where he resided four years, 
subsequently settling in Pigeon Township, Trempealeu County, Wis. In 
April, 1915, he moved to Chippewa County, where he is now living at the 
age of 55 years, and is engaged in farming. By his wife Hannah, who is 
ten years younger than himself, he has had 11 children, of whom all are 
living but three. Gilbert Baalrud, who was the eldest child of his parents, 
remained at home until November, 1914, when he began to learn the trade 
of photographer. In January, 1916, he bought his present studio from C. J. 
Van Tassel. It is located in a two-story frame building on Main street and 
is well equipped with everything necessary for artistic work. Although he 
has been here but a short time, he has begun to make a reputation for him- 
self and his future prospects are promising. Mr. Baalrud was married 
May 9, 1917, to Agnes Hansen of Preston Township, this county. He is a 
member of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church and of the Modern 
Woodmen of America. 

The Augustine Brothers have made Whitehall known throughout the 
United States with their ferret breeding establishments. They raise thou- 
sands of the little animals yearly, and sell them extensively for use in 
eliminating rats, and for hunting rabbits, mink, muskrats, gophers, squir- 
rels, prairie dogs and skunk. In addition to shipping the ferrets far and 
wide, they issue a pamphlet which contains a valuable treatise on the care 
and use of the animal. The ferrets from the Augustine Brothers' place are 



452 HISTORY OV TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

unusually strong and hardy, with sound eyes and feet, and with thick fur. 
They are of three sizes, large, medium and small, and they are of two colors, 
the white, which are called English, and the brown, which are called Fitch. 
All the yearlings have been handled until they are tame and gentle, while 
the younger ones good for hunting rabbits have not been trained so much. 
The young men have been in business for a number of years; they are 
thorough masters of their hne of industry, and they have testimonials from 
all over the country testfying as to the excellence of their animals, and the 
honesty and courtesy of their dealings. The firm consists of Frank and 
Clarence Augustine. They first started raising ferrets in 1902 and have 
gradually increased their business until they now carry at one time an 
average of 1,000 to 1,500 animals. They ship about 1,500 each year. They 
are also constantly importing animals from other reputable dealers in order 
to avoid inbreeding. 

Joseph Augustine, a veteran of the Civil War, and for many years 
an honored resident of Lincoln Township, was born in West Virginia, Aug. 
7, 1841, son of Jacob F. R. and Justina (Null) Augustine. He was reared 
in Pennsylvania, and in 1862 tendered his services to the Union government 
as a carpenter. He served through the great conflict as a bridge builder 
in the armies of General Sherman and General Thomas. At the close of 
the hostilities he came to Wisconsin in 1865, and for several years divided 
his time between Eau Claire, where he was employed as a carpenter, and the 
pine forests of the state, where he was employed as cook. In 1874 he came 
to Whitehall, where he followed his trade as a carpenter until 1885, when 
he purchased a farm in Lincoln Township, town 22, range 28, and moved 
thereon. When he purchased the tract it was covered with timber. He 
cleared the land, erected buildings, added to his original purchase, and 
gradually developed his place until he had a splendid estate of 200 acres 
located in sections 14, 23 and 24, to which he gave the name of Sunny Hill 
farm. The home, a frame structure of two stories and a basement, with ten 
good-sized rooms, was erected in 1898. The barn, a frame structure, 40 
by 70 feet, was erected in 1906. A silo, 16 by 40 feet, of cement blocks, 
was constructed in 1908. One of the features of the place is a valuable 
orchard of two and a half acres. General farming is conducted on a gener- 
ous scale, and a specialty is made of a fine herd of grade Holstein cattle. 
Another interesting feature is the production of honey, some thirty colonies 
of the finest Italian bees being maintained. The sons, Frank and Clarence, 
under the name of the Augustine Brothers, have made the place widely 
known through the breeding of ferrets. Mr. Augustine was married in 
1868 to Maria Borea, who was born in 1843. She died in 1870, leaving one 
child, Fannie, who married D. 0. Sweet, a farmer of Whitehall, and died 
in 1902. March 14, 1874, Mr. Augustine married Francis E. (Mason) 
Staples. She was born in Litchfield, Conn., March 9, 1846, daughter of 
Charles S. and Rosetta T. Bissell, natives of Connecticut, and this union 
was blessed with seven children : Jessie, who died at the age of two years ; 
Ray, who died at the age of one year; Ernest, who died at the age of two 
years ; Bessie, a stenographer at St. Paul ; Frank and Clarence, who are at 
home ; and Charles, who died at the age of nine years. By her marriage to 




EMILE FRANCAR 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 453 

W. S. Staples of Kilbourn City, a veteran of Company K, 42nd Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, Mrs. Augustine has three children: Fred M., a hard- 
ware merchant of Little Rock, Kan.; Clifford D., a commercial man of 
St. Paul, and Marcia, who is a clerk in the pension office at Washington, 
D. C. 

Emile Francar, proprietor of a well equipped drug store in Galesville, 
was born in Red River, Wis., June 25, 1877, son of Anton and Jennie 
(Lewis) Francar. The father was a native of Belgium, who on coming to 
this country settled near Green Bay, Wis., where for thirty years or more 
he was employed by the coopei'age company's plant. He and his wife, who 
was born in Wallon, Wis., now reside at Green Bay. They had 14 children, 
of whom Emile was the fifth in order of birth. 

Emile Francar was educated in the schools at Green Bay and subse- 
quently took a course in pharmacy, receiving his degree in May, 1898. He 
resided at home until 1901, when he came to Galesville and associated him- 
self in the drug business with Dr. Edson Rhodes in the Rhodes building. 
In 1903 he purchased from F. H. Fiedler the Galesville pharmacy, which 
store he now conducts. This store is one of the Rexall stores. Mr. Francar 
is one of the successful business men of Galesville. Since coming to this 
village Mr. Francar has identified himself with the interests of the village 
and county, taking an active part in different local organizations. He served 
as trustee on the village board of Galesville, and is at present secretary of 
the Business Men's Association, and president of the Trempealeau County 
Fair Association. Mr. Francar was married Nov. 7, 1902, to Clara Lan- 
genohl, who was born in Winona, Minn., daughter of Fred and Mary 
(Webber) Langenohl. Her father, who was a shoe manufacturer, is now 
deceased. His wife, surviving him, resides in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. 
Francar have one child, Genevieve Delphine. 

Ole B. Borsheim, president and cashier of "The Home Bank" of Blair, 
Wis., was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, May 5, 1869, son of Thorkel N, 
and Brita (Hylden) Borsheim. The father, born in Norway, came to 
America in 1865, locating in Mitchell County, Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming and where he died Feb. 6, 1915. He was nearly 81 years old, hav- 
ing been born in April, 1834. His wife Brita still resides on the old farm, 
having passed her 77th birthday. Ole B. Borsheim was the sixth born of 
his parents' seven children. After acquiring the elements of knowledge 
in the local schools, he became clerk in a store at Cresco, Iowa, where he 
worked four years — from March 3, 1891 to 1895. He then went to Dubuque, 
where he was employed in the office of John T. Hancock & Sons until Sep- 
tember, 1899. At that time he came to Blair and, with H. C. Hjerleid of 
Decorah, Iowa, started the Home Bank of Blair. Of this institution he 
was the cashier till July 27, 1912; then president till the fall of 1915, since 
which time he has been both cashier and president. He is also president 
of the Trempealeau Valley State Bank of Taylor, Wis., a director of the 
State Bank of Bowman, N. D., and a director in the Home Lumber Company 
of Bowman. All these are flourishing concerns conducted by enterprising 
business men, with whom Mr. Borsheim is pleasantly and profitably asso- 
ciated. Mr. Borsheim has been active in local affairs, having served as vil- 



454 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

lage treasurer eight years and school clerk three years. He is a member 
of several fraternal orders, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in 
the Masons, having passed all the chairs in the Blue Lodge ; the Independent 
Order of Foresters ; the Modern Woodmen of America, and the B. R. F. F. 
He was married, Feb. 22, 1905, to Delilah Johnson of Anamosa, Iowa, who 
was born in Kansas, a daughter of R. W. and Sarah (Burwell) Johnson. 
Her father followed the mercantile business in Anamosa for many years. 
Her mother died in 1910 at the age of 56. Mr. and Mrs. Borsheim have no 
children. They are social people and have many friends in Blair and the 
vicinity. 

Ole J. Anderson, proprietor of the Nordingen farm of 240 acres in 
section 15, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway, 
Oct. 9, 1862, son of John and Pernella (Kalverud) Anderson, who came 
to America in 1885, the former now making his home with his children, and 
the latter of whom died in 1911. Ole J. Anderson came to America in 1882 
and started work on his. present farm for Ole Faring, who then owned the 
place, and who had assisted in paying his passage. In 1896 Mr. Anderson 
bought 80 acres of his present farm. In 1903 he bought the portion of 
which his home is located. Here he carries on general farming, and raises 
a good grade of Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine. Taking, as he 
does, an interest in public affairs, he has served as treasurer of the school 
board for the past twelve years. The family faith is that of the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 27, 1890, to 
Anna Hanvold, born in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., Oct. 17, 1872, 
daughter of Andrew and Aganetta Hanvold. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have 
two children : Adolph, who is at home ; and Palma, who was graduated from 
the Red Wing Seminary, Red Wing, Minn., Class of 1917. 

Knut K. Hagestad. One of the most important industries of Trem- 
pealeau County is that of stock raising, of which the subject of this sketch 
was for many years a leading representative. He was born at Ulvic 
Hardanger, Bergenstift, Norway, June 26, 1846, his pai-ents, Knut and 
Cathrina (Richolsen) Hagestad, being natives of the same place. The 
father, who in Norway was a boat builder, emigrated to America with his 
family in 1854, settling in Columbia County, Wis. There he remained 
until 1860, in which year he came to Trempealeau County, taking land 
which now constitutes the farm lately owned by his son, Knut K., and 
which he cultivated and developed, residing on it until his death, Aug. 
22, 1872. He became a man of influence in the community, serving as 
treasurer of the school board and in other offices. His wife survived him 
a few years, dying in May, 1875. Their family consisted of four children, 
Knut being the first in order of birth. Knut K. Hagestad had but limited 
educational opportunities, attending school in Columbia County, Wis., for a 
part of three or four terms only. He accompanied his parents to Trem- 
pealeau County, being then 14 years old, and resided at home until he was 
18. He then returned to the old home in Columbia County and worked 
for farmers in that vicinity for about 18 months. Returning to this county 
in the month of January, he spent the next three months lumbering in the 
woods, after which he worked at grubbing for his father. By this time he 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 455 

had saved some money and with this he bought two pairs of oxen, and 
hiring another pair from his father and one from his brother, he engaged 
in bi'eaking land, among other jobs of this kind turning the first furrow 
in Lakes Coolie for Lars Jahr, on the farm now owned by H. K. Solberg 
and John Hogden. After one season at breaking he sold his oxen and 
engaged in threshing one summer, working in the woods the next fall and 
winter. From that time until 1872 he followed the carpenter's trade in 
the summer. In this year his marriage occurred and he then rented his 
father's farm and operated it on that basis for about a year after his 
father's death, the estate being as yet unsettled. It subsequently came 
into his possession and he took up his residence in the original house built 
of logs, but which was so skillfully constructed by himself that today it 
appeats like a modern dwelling, the logs not being visible. Mr. Hagestad 
also erected the main part of the present barn, another excellent piece of 
work, the building measuring 124 by 32 feet, with a nine-foot basement and 
16-foot stockboards, the rock used for the foundations being quarried by 
him. Starting with 160 acres of land, Mr. Hagestad increased the size of 
the farm to 228 acres of highly improved land, and his buildings and equip- 
ment were and are adequate to the fullest demands of modern farming and 
stock raising. It was to the latter branch of his business that he devoted 
his chief attention. When he began agricultural work for himself it was 
with the desire to raise pure-bred cattle, and in the early eighties he com- 
menced with Shorthorns, purchasing two full-blooded sires. About 1886 
he decided that breed of cattle was more suited to beef purposes and con- 
sequently would not produce the maximum amount of milk, also that he 
could not breed them as profitably as he desired. He then bought two full- 
blooded Holstein heifers and a bull and continued with this breed until 
his herd had become one of pure-blooded Holstein-Friesian cattle exclu- 
sively, which experiment he found highly satisfactory. His original stock 
was obtained at Libertyvflle, 111., and while there attending a sale he met 
Mons Anderson, a merchant of La Crosse, who purchased 12 head, and 
these, with Mr. Hagestad's three head, were shipped together to La Crosse, 
Mr. Hagestad taking charge of the car. Upon arriving in La Crosse they 
paraded their stock through the streets, attracting considerable attention, 
as these were the first Holstein cattle seen in the county or anywhere in 
the vicinity. Mr. Hagestad became the owner of about 50 head of these 
cattle, aU fine specimens of the breed. He frequently shipped stock to 
Texas, Old Mexico and various states of the Union, and in 1903 shipped 
six head to Japan for breeding purposes. He and his son, Andrew C, for 
the last 25 years were engaged in breeding pure-blooded Berkshire hogs 
and S. C. White Leghorn chickens, which he continued to do until his death, 
April 18, 1917. 

Mr. Hagestad was a member and vice-president of the Western Wis- 
consin's Holstein-Friesian Breeders' Association, and had been a director 
in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company from its organization. In 
addition to the interests mentioned, he was a stockholder in the Ettrick 
Creamery Company and a stockholder and director in the Home Bank at 
Blair. Other interests that he had in the Bank of Ettrick he turned over 



456 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to his son before his death, and was then living practically retired, the son 
having taken over the management of the farm. Mr. Hagestad was a 
Republican in politics and during his long and active career took a more 
or less prominent part in public affairs, serving on the township board, as 
chairman of the county board, and as representative to the State Assembly 
during the session of 1889. On June 3, 1872, Mr. Hagestad was united in 
marriage with Astri Knutson, who was born in Hallingdahl, Norway, 
daughter of Andres and Astri (Johnson) Knutson. Her parents, who were 
natives of the same province, came to America in 1860, locating in Trem- 
pealeau County, Wis., on land adjoining the Hagestad farm, where Mr. 
Knutson followed farming and stock raising. He died June 7, 1891, and 
his wife May 12, 1895. Mrs. Hagestad was the second born of seven chil- 
dren. In her girlhood she attended school in this county, her attendance, 
however, being limited to about two months each summer, as her services 
were needed in the household. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hagestad 
are as follows : Knut Martimus, who is a professor in the city schools of 
Santa Cruz, Calif. ; Andrew C, residing on the home farm ; Albert J., 
deceased ; Kathrina, also deceased, who was the wife of C. L. Grinde, her 
husband now residing in Blair, Wis. ; Esther, deceased, who was the wife 
of Hans Twesme of Galesville; Cora, deceased; Almina, wife of Ove Vet- 
terhaus, residing in South Dakota; Albert, deceased; Clara, wife of John 
Fillner of Ettrick; William, a graduate of Gale College and of the State 
Agricultural School at Madison, who is now a farmer near Camp Douglas, 
Wis. ; Anna, wife of Irving Swenson, a farmer of Ettrick Township ; Cora 
(second) , a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at La Crosse ; Hilda, who resides 
at home, and a child who died in infancy. Mr. Hagestad was a member 
of the Lutheran church, to which his family also belong. One of the lead- 
ing men in his line of business in Trempealeau County, he was widely known 
and highly esteemed. The example he set more than 30 years ago in the 
breeding of Holstein cattle has since been followed successfully by many 
other farmers in this region and is now an important branch of the stock 
raising industry of the county, adding to the sum total of wealth and the 
general prosperity ; and in this way he was a pubhc benefactor. His activ- 
ities along this and other lines also conduced to his own benefit, and he was 
recognized as one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of the com- 
munity in which he lived. His wife, an estimable lady, who was to him 
a worthy helpmate, still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Hagestad for 
many years took a warm interest in Gale College, becoming president of its 
board of directors at the time it passed into Lutheran hands. 

John Erickson, proprietor of a profitable 200-acre farm located partly 
in Gale and partly in Ettrick Township, his residence being in section 2, 
Gale Township, was born at Dramen, Norway, Jan. 9, 1873, son of John 
and Catherine (Amundson) Erickson, both natives of that locality. Mr. 
Erickson's parents never came to the United States. The father woi'ked 
in the woods at lumbering until his death, which occurred when the subject 
of this sketch was only four months old. The mother is still living in 
Norway. John Erickson was the only child of his parents and when young 
was adopted by a family named Berg, whom he accompanied to America 




A. T. TWESME 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 457 

when about seven years old. He began working for others at the age of 
ten, his residence being then in La Crosse, where the Bergs had settled. 
His usual occupations at this time were herding cows, carrying wood and 
other easy work, but at the age of 12 he began working for farmers in 
Lewis Valley, and as he got older and stronger the work became more 
strenuous, including timber cutting in the north woods and lumber rafting 
on the river. June 6, 1900, he was married to Rose Dick, who was born at 
Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Brant) Dick, her father now residing on a farm near Galesville. For one 
year after his marriage Mr. Erickson lived with his wife's father in Silver 
Creek Valley, and at the end of that time took a farm situated not far 
from his present residence. He was then on the Hewitt farm for five 
years, after which he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, where he 
is carrying on general farming and dairying, with profitable results. He 
is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Farmers' 
Exchange at Galesville and the La Crosse Packing Company, and is counted 
as one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of his township. He and 
his wife are the parents of six children: Alice Elizabeth, Ellen Catherine, 
Winnie, John Glenn, Ralph William and Donald Victor. At the present time 
Mr. Erickson is serving in his sixth year as school clerk. In politics he 
is an independent Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the 
Beavers and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Erickson's career is a 
good example of the value of self-help. Practically self-supporting from 
an early age, he has worked his way up by courage and resolution, coupled 
with plenty of hard work, to an honorable position in the community, and 
is able to give his children much better advantages than he himself received. 
As he is now in the prime of life he may be expected to enjoy the fruits 
of his labors for many years to come. 

Albert T, Twesme, who is engaged in the general practice of law in 
Galesville, of which village he is the president, was born in Ettrick Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., Aug. 7, 1879, son of Lars and Begga 
(Tvedt) Twesme. The parents were both born in Norway, the father 
Oct. 5, 1843, and the mother Nov. 21, 1841. They were married in their 
native land and soon afterwards came to the United States, settling in 
Trempealeau County. Lars Twesme homesteaded a farm in Ettrick Town- 
ship, which he improved and developed, and on which he resided until 1908, 
when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville. His wife died 
here in 1914. 

Albert T. Twesme was the sixth born in a family of eight children. 
He acquired his elementary education in the graded school in Ettrick Town- 
ship and at the age of 15 years was assisting on his father's farm, which 
he operated for three years, subsequently continuing his education at Gale 
College. He then went to Madison, where he took one year preparatory 
work in the Wisconsin Academy and six years in the University of Wis- 
consin at Madison, taking the course in law. He was graduated Bachelor 
of Arts in 1906 and from the law department in 1908, and then began the 
practice of his profession in Galesville, where he has since remained. He 
has gained a good reputation as a reliable lawyer and is a stockholder in 



458 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

several business enterprises, besides being the owner of a number of farms, 
all of which are rented except one. In 1908 Mr. Twesme served as a mem- 
ber of the state assembly ; he was elected president of the village of Gales- 
ville in 1915-16-17. In politics he is a stalwart Republican. 

Mr. Twesme was married, Nov. 4, 1909, to Miss Lulu Burns, who was 
born in Trempealeau County, daughter of Delbert C. and Lunetta (French) 
Burns. She is of Scotch-English descent. Her father, who was born in 
Trempealeau County, and was a farmer in the county for many years, died 
in 1908. He was a prominent citizen and at various times held local office. 
His widow is now living in Winona, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme have one 
child: Albert Luverne, who was born May 4, 1914. Mr. Twesme keeps 
up his membership in his college fraternity of Alpha Tau Omega, and is a 
Chapter Mason and a member of the fraternal orders of the Elks and 
Beavers. 

Nels J. Twesme, who is living practically retired on a small farm in 
section 15 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 7, 
1847, son of Jone Larson and Anna (Matson) Larson. His parents, who 
were natives of the same province in Norway, emigrated to the United 
States in 1869, but the father died on the voyage and was buried at sea. 
His wife, with her daughter, continued on to Trempealeau County, Wis., 
settling on Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, where she lived many years, 
passing away in 1905. She and her husband had five children, of whom 
Nels J. was the fourth born. 

Nels J. Twesme was educated in his native land and was only ten 
years old when he began to earn money by tending goats, subsequently 
working on farms for six or seven years. He then took to the sea, mak- 
ing coastwise voyages as a sailor for some five years. In 1869 he came 
to this countrj% locating on Beaver Creek and for two years thereafter 
worked as a farm hand. At the end of that time he bought a farm, which 
was located near his present farm in Ettrick Township and began its cul- 
tivation, with the aid of an ox team, using oxen on his farm for many years 
subsequently. He was unable at first to speak English, but gradually 
acquired a knowledge of the language by associating with English-speaking 
people. After spending some 36 or 37 years on that farm, Mr. Twesme sold 
it to his children and bought his present small farm of 20 acres, where he 
is keeping a few cows, pigs and chickens, which he can take care of with- 
out too much work. This rural life he prefers to living in town, where he 
would have nothing to do. He is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery 
and in the Telephone Company. 

April 12, 1869, Mr. Twesme was united in marriage with Ranveig 
Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Lars and Ranveig 
Longesetter Larson, natives of that place, where the father was engaged 
in farming. Her parents remained in their native land and are now 
deceased. Mrs. Twesme, who was one of two children born to her parents, 
was educated in Norway, where also she and her husband were married 
while he was on a visit to his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme are the 
parents of five children: John, unmarried and a carpenter by trade, who 
resides with his parents ; Randena, wife of Thomas Halven, residing on a 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 459 

farm in Jackson County, their home being only two miles from the 
Twesme residence; Louis, engaged in the x'eal estate business in Chicago, 
who married Miss Charlotte Kravick of Dane County, Wis. ; Edward, who 
lives on a part of the old farm in Ettrick Township, and Thea, wife of 
Cornelius Davis. Mr. Twesme and family are members of the Lutheran 
Synod Church. In pohtics he is an independent Republican, but has not 
been active in public affairs. 

Christian Amundsen was born in Norway May 25, 1862, and has lived 
in Hale Township since 1869, when he was brought here from Norway by 
his parents, Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. He was reared on 
the Lars Eide farm, and in 1889 purchased a farm of 160 acres located in 
sections 4, 8 and 9. Later he purchased 40 more, making 200 acres, to 
which he has since devoted his attention. His present home, a frame 
structure of ten rooms, with two stories and a basement, was erected in 
1900, while in 1915 the barn was rebuilt, 50 by 60 feet, with cement floors, 
and a frame silo 26 by 14 feet. The herd on the farm consists of grade 
Holstein cattle. Mr. Amundson was married May 30, 1885, to Caroline 
Eide, who was born in Norway, April 28, 1866, daughter of John and Ellen 
(Gurilokken) Eide, and this union has been blessed with twelve children. 
Aimer married Clara Fransen, a farmer of Hale Township. They have two 
children: Frederick and LueUa. Thea married Ellert Eleven, a farmer of 
Unity Township ; one child Evelyn was born. Louise married Ole Gullicks- 
rud, a clerk in the store of Robbe & Myhre, at Strum; one child Leonard 
was born. Joseph married Myrtle Bradison and farms in Saskatchewan, 
Canada; they have one son. Clara died at the age of 12 years; Hannah, 
who was a teacher, is now Mrs. H. George Peterson of Wyoming ; William, 
Tillie, Ludwig, Martin, Leona and Viola are at home. 

Lars Eide, who is engaged in agricultural operation of a farm of 
275 acres in section 4-8, Hale Township, was born in Rumsdale, Norway, 
April 8, 1869. His parents were John and Ellen (Larson) Eide, both natives 
of Norway. John Eide, who was born in 1843, came to America with his 
wife and family in 1882, locating on 160 acres of land, constituting the 
northeast quarter of section 5, Hale Township, this county, where he fol- 
lowed farming until his death in 1908. His wife, who was born in 1835, 
died in the spring of 1910. Lars Eide arrived in the United States in 1883 
and from that time to 1886 lived on the farm with his father. He then 
went to Glasgow, Mont., where for three years he was engaged in the cattle 
business. Then, returning home, he worked out four years for others. 
Resolving to engage in agriculture on his own account, he rented his 
present farm from A. Amundson and began operations. In 1890 he bought 
that part of the farm lying in section 4, and in 1893 purchased the 
remainder, which is located in section 8, and has since resided here engaged 
in general farming. He has made a number of improvements on the place, 
thereby increasing its value and is doing a successful and profitable busi- 
ness. In 1909 Mr. Eide built a good house of 10 rooms, consisting of two 
stories and basement; and in 1915 he erected a barn and silo, the former 
measuring 36 by 94 by 16 feet, with a basement 60 feet long, provided with 
cement floors and 40 steel stanchions. His silo is 12 by 32 feet. His herd 



460 IILSTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. For two years he has 
served as township supervisor. Mr. Eide was married May 22, 1896, to 
Clara Amundson, who was born on Mr. Eide's present farm May 9, 1873, 
a daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Her father, who 
was a pioneer of Bruce Valley, died on this farm in 1912 at the age of 881/2 
years, his wife having passed away in the spring of 1897 at the age of 62. 
They were worthy people, who during their long career in this negihbor- 
hood had made many friends and were universally respected. Mr. and Mrs. 
Eide are the parents of five children: Theodore, Emma, Jennie, Arnold 
and Lillie, all of whom are living at home with their parents. The family 
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which 
Mr. Eide was treasurer for three years. 

Cullen A. Thomas, proprietor of Evergreen Park Farm, in section 8, 
Gale Township, was born at Mineral Point, Wis., July 11, 1876, son of Peter 
and Leah (Ayer) Thomas. The father, who was born in Germany, came 
to the United States with his parents when a small boy and was reared in 
southern Wisconsin. In early manhood he was engaged in mining, but later 
took up farming. In 1881 his family came to Trempealeau County, having 
previously resided for a year at Onalaska, La Crosse County, and Peter 
Thomas engaged in farming near Galesville, and continued in that occupa- 
tion at the same location for a number of years, dying in Galesville in 1914. 
His wife Leah, who was a native of the state of Maine, died in Galesville 
in 1909. They had nine children, Cullen A. being the fourth born. 

Cullen A. Thomas was educated in Gale Township, attending school 
first at Decorah Prairie and afterwards at Frenchville. He resided at home 
with his parents until he was 22 years old, working on the home farm, and 
then going to Whitehall engaged in the livery business. After being thus 
occupied for two years he returned to the farm and has since remained on 
it, it having come into his possession. It contain 80 acres on which he 
raises the usual crops cultivated in this region, carrying on general farm- 
ing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in 
the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. 

Mr. Thomas was married, Feb. 28, 1910, to Nelhe Garrett, who was 
born in Sussex, Wis., Sept. 10, 1885, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Taylor) 
Garrett. Her father was born at Scott, Sheboygan County, Wis., Nov. 24, 
1857, and her mother in Brookfield, Wis., March 22, 1861. The maternal 
grandmother of Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Richard Taylor, came to Trempealeau 
County about 1881 and resided in the county until about 1907. She died 
in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1915. Henry Garrett for a number of years was 
engaged in operating a creamery and cheese factory in Sussex, and at one 
time also conducted a meat market at Pewaukee. He moved to Milwaukee 
in 1891 and worked there at the carpenter's trade. He is now engaged in 
farming at South Milwaukee, Wis. He and his wife were the parents of 
four children, of whom Nellie was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
have a family of four children: Henry Fred, Sarah Ann, Elsie Marie nad 
Oscar Franklin. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, but so far has 
taken no part in local government affairs, having been too busy to give 
much attention to politics. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 461 

Ole Erickson, proprietor of the Rumpel farm of 223 acres, in section 36, 
township 23 north, range 8 west, Hale Township, was born in Soler, Nor- 
way, Oct. 20, 1859. His father, Eric Olson, died in Norway, as did also his 
mother, whose maiden name was Oleana Thorsonsdatter. In 1884, when in 
his 25th year, Ole Erickson left his native land for the United States, and 
on landing in this country proceeded west to Wisconsin, where so many 
of his countrymen had already settled and were aiding in the development 
of the great Northwest. Locating in Blair, Trempealeau County, he 
worked out for others for three years, in the meanwhile saving his money 
and looking forward to the day when he would be able to start in for him- 
self. As soon as a good opportunity occurred of which he could take advan- 
tage he bought a farm in Lincoln Township and was engaged in agricul- 
tural operations there until March, 1896. He then sold that farm and pur- 
chased the one he now owns, which is a desirable piece of agricultural 
property and where he is carrying on general farming and stock raising 
on a profitable basis. In 1910 he built his present residence, a two-story 
and basement, brick veneer structure of ten rooms, with furnace heat, run- 
ning water and gasohne lights. He had erected a barn in 1901, which, 
however, was blown down in 1914 during a violent storm. In the following 
year the present barn on its site, a structure 36 by 48 by 12 feet in dimen- 
sions above concrete basement with cement floors. He has also a good stave 
silo, 12 by 42 feet in size. Mr. Erickson keeps 25 head of graded Holstein 
cattle, of which he milks 20; also 50 head of hogs and a large flock of 
Plymouth Rock chickens. He served as township treasurer two years 
and has been a director of the school board 15 years. Aside from his 
immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & 
Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. Oct. 5, 1887, he was mar- 
ried to Annie M. Engen of Whitehall, Wis., who was born in Norway, 
Sept. 29, 1863, daughter of Martin and Marthia (Anderson) Engen. Her 
father now lives on the farm with his daughter and son-in-law, and is a 
widower, his wife having died in 1893 at the age of 53 years Mr. and Mrs. 
Erickson have had ten children born to them, of whom two are deceased. 
The record of the family, given in brief, is as follows : Emma, born Feb. 
21, 1889, died Aug. 5, 1890 ; Hilman, born Jan. 25, 1890, who owns a farm 
in Pigeon Township; Emma, born March 18, 1891, also at home; Amanda, 
born Sept. 6, 1894, who is the wife of Ralph Cook, a farmer of Charles 
City, Iowa, and the mother of one child, Evelyn ; Olga, born March 30, 1897, 
and Ida, born June 18, 1898, both living at home ; Carl, also born June 18, 
1898, a twin brother of Ida, who died Sept. 1, 1898 ; Ole M., born Feb. 19, 
1902; Carl, born June 16, 1904, and Marvin Ole, born March 20, 1910, 
all three of whom, being children, live at home with their parents. Relig- 
iously the family are affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of 
America. 

James McDonah came to Trempealeau County as a boy in 1857, and 
took his part in the pioneer life of two states, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 
He was born in Holland, Orleans County, Vermont, April 4, 1843, son of 
Thomas and EUza (McMahon) McDonah. Thomas McDonah was born in 
the North of Ireland, came to America as a young man, served in the War 



462 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of 1812, and established his home in Vermont on the banks of Lake Cham- 
plain, where he died in 1850. William McDonah, a son of Thomas and a 
brother of James, came to Trempealeau County in 1854, and located at 
Centerville on the present site of Winter's store. There he was joined by 
James and the widowed mother, who made the trip from Vermont to 
Dubuque, Iowa, by rail, and from there to Monteville, now Trempealeau, 
by boat, arriving in Centerville Oct. 27, 1857. James had attended school 
in Vermont, and had worked during the summer season for $4 a month. 
In Trempealeau County he attended school in the log schoolhouse in dis- 
trict 9 for a while, and then started work for William Lee, a farmer on 
Trempealeau prairie, with whom he Worked the first three years for $8 
a month. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a horse team and a 
wagon and engaged for a time in trucking. Then he went to Blue Earth 
County, Minnesota, and was there married June 4, 1877, to Jennie Adams, 
daughter of William and Jane Adams of Mankato. The young couple took 
up their residence in Trempealeau County, where he had previously acquired 
80 acres in section 33, and 30 acres in section 3, Trempealeau Township. 
Blue Earth County, however, still appealed strongly to them, so they sold 
their Wisconsin holdings, and bought 160 acres in Pleasant Township, in 
that county. They set at work with a will, erected a home, and broke about 
100 acres of land. But the grasshoppers devoured the crops, and then came 
the blight. Discouraged, Mr. McDonah again came to Trempealeau County 
and bought 320 acres, four miles from Centerville, on the west side of the 
Big Tamarac Valley, from Charles Cleveland. Eight years later Mr. 
McDonah purchased the James Sherman place of 200 acres in Caledonia 
Township, where he still resides. The place was partly improved, and a 
small house and a hay shed had been erected. Mr. McDonah set at work 
with a will, aided by his good wife, and their efforts won for them a well 
deserved success. The original 200 acres has been increased to 535 acres, 
the house has been enlarged and improved, a horse and cattle barn has 
been erected, as well as a hay barn, with other sheds and outbuildings. 
Here, assisted by his son Elba, who has charge of the place, and by his 
sons, Arthur and Hugh, he carries on general farming and dairying, keep- 
ing a good herd of Durham and Hereford cattle, and selling cream to the 
Galesville creamery, as well as breeding a good drove of Poland-China swine. 
For 27 years Mr. McDonah was an extensive buyer and shipper of cattle, 
and in that line he still continues to a certain extent. At the age of 
seventy-three he is hale and hearty, capable of doing a better day's work 
than many a much younger man. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McDonah 
has been blessed with five sons: Perry, Arthur, Elba, Walter and Hugh. 
Perry was born Aug. 15, 1881, married an attractive young lady, and was 
in the prime of his career when stricken with black diphtheria at St. Paul, 
June 27, 1910. He is buried in Evergreen cemetery at Centerville. Arthur 
was born Oct. 20, 1883, and lives at home. He owns 200 acres of his 
father's original farm, one-half a mile southwest of the parental home. 
Elba was born June 8, 1886, and manages his father's farm. Walter was 
born Nov. 8, 1888, is married, and operates his brother Arthur's farm. 
Hugh was born Aug. 12, 1894, and lives at home and helps operate the 







« 
< 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 463 

farm. The two oldest were born in Dodge Township and the three youngest 
in Caledonia Township. Mrs. McDonah, who for so many years shared the 
joys and sorrows of her husband's life, is the second child born in Trem- 
pealeau County. Her parents, William and Jane Adams, came to Trem- 
pealeau County from Baraboo, Wis., in 1853, with the McGilvi'ay family, 
and from here moved to Mankato. The good mother of James McDonah, 
who brought him to this state, died in Centerville, Trempealeau Township 
in 1875, at the home of her son-in-law, Henry Carter. 

Arthur P. Tibbitts, an elderly resident of Galesville, where he is now 
living retired after a long and active life, which included military service 
during the Civil War, was born in the state of Maine, Jan. 8, 1840, son of 
Benjamin and Sarah (Clark) Tibbitts. Both parents were born in the 
state of Maine, the father being a farmer. They came to Wisconsin in 
1846, settling at Hingham, Sheboygan County, where the father died in 
1873 and the mother in 1880. They had nine children, of whom three are 
now living, Arthur P. being the seventh of the family. 

Arthur P. Tibbitts attended school in Hingham, Wis., and lived at 
home until he was 18 years old. He then worked out as a farm hand until 
he enlisted in Sheboygan County, Oct. 1, 1861, in the First Wisconsin 
Infantry, Company I, as sergeant. When in the battle of Perrysville, Ky., 
he was wounded in the throat by a spent shell on Sept. 20, 1863. While 
engaged in the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded by a solid shot 
weighing a quarter of a pound, which cut off three ribs from the spine and 
lodged in the liver. He was taken prisoner that night and laid on the field 
ten days without medical attention, when he was parolled and taken to the 
hospital at Chattanooga. There he remained until December, when he was 
sent north to Murphysboro, Tenn, and two weeks later received a furlough 
to come home, although he was still a parolled prisoner. He remained 
home until May 7, 1864, when he was ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, where 
he was exchanged, remaining at Camp Chase until about the time of the 
expiration of his term of enlistment. He took part in the following battles : 
Perrysville, Stone River, Bailey's Cross Roads, Hoover's Gap, McLaMoor's 
Cave, Chickamauga, and several minor battles and skirmishes. Then 
returning home, he engaged in farming, and also for a while worked in a 
mill at Black River. Going from there to eastern Wisconsin, he resided 
on a small farm there until 1874, when he came to Galesville, Wis. Here 
he engaged in business as builder and contractor, and among the various 
business blocks he erected was the building in which the Bank of Gales- 
ville is located. Mr. Tibbitts continued in business as contractor until 1915, 
when he retired and has since been unemployed, enjoying the fruits of his 
years of industry. He owns 15 acres of very valuable land adjacent to the 
main street of Galesville and is a stockholder in the Galesville Implement 
Company. He belongs fraternally to the Good Templars and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Tibbitts is a Republican in politics. 
In the past he has taken part in local government, serving as assessor six 
years, as a member of the board of education 12 years and as mayor of 
Galesville one term. 

March 8, 1866, Mr. Tibbitts was united in marriage with Margaret 



464 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Hardie, who was born in Scotland, daughter of James and Margaret (Bibby) 
Hardie, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to America in 1852 and 
located in Maryland. Two years later the Hardies came to Trempealeau 
County, Wisconsin, where they were the first settlers in what is now known 
as Hardie's Creek, which took its name from them. Here James Hardie 
cleared and improved a piece of land which he had purchased two years 
before. He resided there until 1889, a year after his wife's death, when 
he took up his residence with his daughter Margaret (Mrs. Tibbitts), with 
whom he remained until his death in 1908. He was a prominent man in 
the town for manj- years, serving as a member of the board of education. 
Mrs. Margaret Tibbitts was educated in the schools of Glasgow, Scotland, 
and at Galesville University. She and her husband have one child, James 
Ernest, who is a proofreader in the War Department at Washington, D. C. 
He married Ella Chase of DeSota, Wis., and has one child, Gordon Chase, 
who at 17 years of age was graduated from the McKinley school at Wash- 
ington, D. C, his adaptability along literary lines being such that he was 
chosen by the school as editor-in-chief of the school paper, of which he was 
editor at the time of his graduation. 

Henry M. Hanson, who is profitably engaged in operating the Beswick 
farm of 100 acres in section 17, Preston Township, was born March 6, 1873, 
son of Martin and Olea (Stutrud) Hanson. The father, whose full name, 
in accordance with the Norwegian system of family nomenclature, was 
Martin Hanson Skyrud, was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1836, and came to 
America April 27, 1862. He settled on land in section 17, Preston Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., and engaged in agriculture, undergoing 
all the hardships of pioneer hfe, but in time developing a good farm. Here 
he 'died Sept. 5, 1912. His wife Olea, who was born in Norway, Dec. 30, 
1836, died April 4, 1892. They had a family of 13 children: Dorthea, 
born Nov. 11, 1860. who died July 21, 1862; Henry, born Dec. 
5, 1862, who died Dec. 6. 1863; Morris, born April 1, 1864, who 
is now registrar of deeds of Trempealeau County; Karen Dorthea, born 
Aug. 30, 186-5, who married Albert J. Halvorson, a farmer near Blair, 
now deceased, and died Dec. 1, 1900 ; Hannah Berthine, born Feb. 14, 1868, 
wife of P. T. Herreid, a hardware merchant of Blair; Marie, born Oct. 31, 
1869, who died Oct. 31, 1873; Madts, born June 26, 1871, a farmer hving 
near Blair; Marie Ohve, bom April 2, 1875, who is a trained nurse in 
Chicago; Clara Thine, born Nov. 1, 1876, who married Joseph Johnson, a 
railroad employee of Superior, Wis.; Alph Lawrence, born Nov. 21, now 
proprietor of a general store at Sonora, Minn.; Theodore, born April 5, 
1881, now a farmer near Blair, and Tilda Rosiana, born June 23, 1883, who 
married Joseph Halvorson, a dentist of Galesville, Wis. Henry M. Hanson 
resided at home and worked for his father on the farm in section 17, 
Preston Township, until his marriage, Feb. 22, 1903, to Susan E. Beswick, 
daughter of Chester and Anjenette (Thurston) Beswick. He then took 
charge of the farm on which he is now living, for his wife's father, and has 
since operated it successfully. It is well improved and provided with a 
fine eight-room residence, large barns and other necessary buildings. A 
sketch of the Beswick family may be found elsewhere in this volume. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 465 

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have an adopted son, Everett Beswick Hanson. One 
son, Ralph, born Sept. 17, 1906, died same day. 

George L. Solberg, one of the leading business men of the village of 
Blair, where he is proprietor of two stores, was born in Toten, Norway, 
March 6, 1866. His father was Andrew L. Solberg and his mother in 
maidenhood Brit J. Hestdahlen. They came to the United States in 1867, 
Andrew L. Solberg homesteading land in Preston Township in the follow- 
ing year, and there he resided until his death in 1914 at the age of 79 years. 
His wife died Dec. 26, 1915, at the age of 82. They were members of the 
Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church. George L. Solberg was an infant 
about one year old when he accompanied his parents to this country. He 
attended the local schools and resided with his parents until he was 22 years 
of age. In 1888 he began industrial life as clerk in the store of the Blair 
Trading Association and was thus occupied for seven years. Then in com- 
pany with 0. F. Immel he opened a general store in Blair under the firm 
name of Immel & Solberg and they conducted the business together from 
1895 to 1897, in the latter year Mr. Solberg buying out his partner, since 
which time it has been conducted under the name of G. L. Solberg. In 1911 
Mr. Solberg opened another store in Blair, where he handles clothing and 
men's furnishings. Both his stores are doing a good business and his trade 
is gradually growing. He is also vice-president of the Home Bank of Blair, 
and is a member of the society of Sons of Norway. 

Mr. Solberg was married Oct. 17, 1895, to Minnie Johnson, who was 
born in Arcadia Township, April 4, 1873, daughter of Edward and Marie 
Johnson. Her parents came to America from Norway about 1870, settling 
in Arcadia Township, this county, where Mr. Johnson engaged in farming. 
Mr. and Mrs. Solberg have no children. Some of his brothers and sisters, 
however, are living, the complete list of his parents' family being as follows: 
Augusta, wife of L. A. Larson, a farmer of Buffalo County; Inge Maria, 
now Mrs. Otto- A. Hogen of Fargo, N. D. ; Laura, who died unmarried at 
the age of 23 years ; George L. ; Olaf , a farmer in Jackson County ; Henry, 
a farmer on the old homestead in Preston Township; Albert, who was a 
jeweler in Blair, who died in 1908 at the age of 33 years ; Oscar and Adolph. 
twins, both of whom died at the age of 11 months; Aletta Ovedia, who died 
at the age of fo; r years and eight months, and Clara, who is the wife of 
Hellik Olson, a farmer of Preston TowTiship. 

Reinhold SielafF, a retired farmer of section 6, Pigeon Township, was 
born in Pomerania, Germany, Jan. 3, 1850, son of Paul and Maria (Tietz) 
Sielaff. Both parents died in Germany, the father in 1873, at the age of 
72 years, and the mother in 1853 at the age of 40. Reinhold Sielaff fol- 
lowed a seafaring life from the age of 14 to that of 22 years. In 1872 he 
came to America, locating in New York City, where he worked four years 
in a piano factory. While there he was married, Aug. 30, 1874, to Wil- 
helmina Schwolow, who was born in Germany June 6, 1849, daughter of 
Ernst Schwolow. After leaving New York Mr. Sielaff came to Wisconsin 
and homesteaded 160 acres in section 6, Pigeon Township, Trempealeau 
County, which place has been his home ever since. He and his wife have 
had ten children: Charles, who is now the owner of the homestead; 



466 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Johanna, wife of Fred Welke, a farmer of Eau Claire County ; Lena, who 
married C. F. W. Seiler ; Ida, who married Carl Knudtson, a farmer of Hale 
Township ; Bertha, wife of Edward Schroeder, also a farmer of Hale Town- 
ship ; Paul, residing at home ; Fred, who is farming in Hale Township ; Clara, 
living at home; Alvina, wife of Paul Schroeder, a farmer of Hale Town- 
ship, and Hermina, residing at home. Mr. Sielaff is a member of the 
German Lutheran Church, of which he has been president and trustee for 
many years. Mrs. Sielaff died September, 1909. 

Paul Olson Strum, one of the older members of the farming community 
in Preston Township, having a farm of 70 acres in section 16, has been 
engaged in agriculture here for more than half a century. He was born 
in Osterdalen, Norway, Jan. 7, 1843, son of Ole Olson Strum by his wife 
Bertha Paulson. The father was born in Norway in 1808 and came to 
America in 1852, locating in Porter County, Pa., where he lived for six 
years. He then came west to Wisconsin, settling in La Crosse County, 
near Onalaska, which place he made his home for five years. After that 
he I'emoved with his family to Trempealeau County. His death took place 
at Blair Feb. 8, 1879. His wife Bertha survived him about 15 years, dying 
in 1894 at the age of 80. Paul Olson Strum came to this country from 
Norway in 1854, accompanying his brother and sister. He was in his 
nineteenth year when he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Company L, 
Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, with which organization he served three years 
in the Civil War. On May 22, 1863, he was wounded in the right arm while 
taking part with Grant's army in the Siege of Vicksburg, and in addition 
to this experience he took part in other actions near Vicksburg, in the 
battles of Corinth, Jackson, Miss., Memphis and other places. On his return 
home after the war, in 1865, he bought his present farm, his parents mak- 
ing their residence with him, and here he has since remained, having spent 
the intervening time, half a century or more, in improving his property. 
The results of his work are apparent in the well tilled acres and neat and 
substantial buildings, indicating thrift and prosperity, which attract the 
attention of the passer-by. Having for many years possessed the full con- 
fidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, Mr. Strum has at different times 
been called upon to aid in the administration of the town government, and 
thus served six years as supervisor and ten years as township treasurer. 
He was also assessor of the village of Blair two years and a member of the 
village council one year, in these various offices showing good natural 
ability and sound judgment. During the present year — 1917 — Mr. Strum 
will celebrate his golden wedding anniversary, as he was married July 20, 
1867, to Serena Olson Tappen, who was born in Soler, Norway, daughter 
of Ole Olson Tappen and Elizabeth Embretson. He and his wife have had 
a large family, numbering 13 children, two of whom are now deceased. 
Their record in brief is as follows: Olaus, born Aug. 18, 1868, who is a 
farmer in Preston Township, this county; Bert C, born Nov. 10, 1870, who 
died in 1871; Ehzabeth, born Sept. 26, 1872, who married Ole Munson of 
Winona, Minn.; Olaf, born Aug. 27, 1874, who is now living in Duluth, 
Minn.; Bertha, born April 15, 1876, who died April 30, 1876; Bart, born 
Feb. 26, 1878, now living in Comstock, Minn. ; Amanda, born Feb. 23, 1881, 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 467 

who married Ted Johnson of Coolidge, N. D. ; Selma, born March 15, 1883, 
wife of Ole Rennung of Blair, Wis. ; Edwin, born Oct. 27, 1887, who lives 
on the home farm ; Clara, born March 22, 1890, now assistant postmaster 
at Blair; Alice, born Feb. 18, 1893, who married Norman Henderson, resides 
in Henneford, N. D., and has one child, Lillian, born May 19, 1915; Albert, 
born Dec. 1, 1887, at home; Herman, born Nov. 17, 1895, also living on the 
home farm. The Strum family are members of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Strum has been a trustee for a number of 
years. Since casting in his lot with this community so many years ago, 
Mr. Strum has seen many great and beneficial changes in his surroundings. 
Much or most of the land was then wild and newcomers had to make all 
their own improvements, breaking the soil with oxen and erecting rude log 
houses, or rather cabins, in which to live, while their barns and other 
buildings were of the most primitive description. Such roads as then 
existed were bad, and at times hardly passable and it was hard to get their 
crops to market or procure supplies. Many of the early settlers at times 
went hungry, or subsisted on such game and fish as they might be able 
to shoot or catch, together with a little cornmeal. Now smiling farms are 
seen on every hand, with large, substantial barns and handsome residences 
provided with all modern conveniences, such as the city dweller enjoys. 
The roads are much improved and more numerous and markets easy of 
access, except in severe winter weather. Most of the farmers own automo- 
biles and their children are able to attend high school or even college, if 
they so desire, so that all the conveniences and luxuries of advanced civili- 
zation have been brought, so to speak, to the farmer's door. To see all 
these changes is a privilege that not all of the pioneers enjoyed, Mr. Strum 
being among the few in this county who have lived to witness them and 
to participate in their benefits during his declining years. 

Marenius M. Scarseth, who up to the time of his death, Aug. 25, 1911, 
was engaged in operating a farm of 160 acres in sections 21 and 28 E, Gale 
Township, was born in this township Feb. 5, 1867. His parents were 
Martinus M. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth, both natives of Biri, Norway, 
who were married in Wisconsin. They were early settlers in Gale Town- 
ship, Mr. Scarseth carrying on a farm on Decorah Prairie. He died July 
4, 1910. His wife survived him little over a month, her death taking 
place Aug. 8, the same year. Marenius M. Scarseth was the second born 
in a family of four children. In his boyhood he attended the district school 
at Glasgow, Gale Township, but began industrial life at an early age, begin- 
ning to work out on farms when 14 years old. He continued to be thus 
occupied until his marriage, at which time he purchased the farm which 
was his home until his death. He was an active, industrious man, highly 
esteemed by his neighbors and his passing away in middle life was widely 
regretted. In addition to his farm he owned 27 acres of woodland on the 
river. Sept. 17, 1891, Mr. Scarseth was united in marriage with Clara 
Evenson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Bent and Lena 
(Ekern) Evenson. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Ella, 
wife of Elmer Evenson ; Alice Lenora and Milton Bernard. Mrs. Scarseth 
still resides on the homestead. In politics Mr. Scarseth was independent. 



468 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and though he gave his chief attention to his farm, he served as school 
treasurer for a number of years and took an active interest in the progress 
and development of the community in which he lived. The family are 
members of the Lutheran church. 

Charles M. Scarseth, who is conducting a farm of 144 acres in section 
27-34 E, Gale Township, was born on his present farm April 28, 1862, son 
of Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth. His parents were natives 
of Biri, Norway ; the father came to the United States in 1857 and settled 
in Gale Township in 1860 at the time of his marriage. Charles M. attended 
the Glasgow school in this township. When about 16 or 17 years of age he 
began working for others at intervals, though residing on the home farm. 
Oct. 6, 1886, he was married to Clara Semb, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari 
(Ekern) Semb, who wei'e natives of Biri, Norway, and came to the United 
States in 1851, locating in La Crosse County, and later on Hardie's Creek, 
Trempealeau County, Wis. In the year after his marriage Mr. Scarseth 
bought his parents' homestead, containing 144 acres of improved land on 
Black River, on which he is now doing general farming, including stock 
raising and dairying. His farm is one of the the best equipped in this 
vicinity, the buildings being thoroughly modern, and his machinery and 
implements adequate to the demand of scientific farming. He is also a 
stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Western Telephone 
Company, and for 16 years served as clerk of his school district. Since 
1900 he has been secretary of the Ettrick Scandinavia Insurance Company. 
In politics he is a Republican and has served as supervisor one term. Mr. 
and Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of five children : Cora Constance, born 
Oct. 19, 1887, who died Dec. 28, the same year; Octiv Melvin, born Oct. 31, 
1888 ; Cora, May 24, 1890 ; Laura, March 27, 1892, and Hulda, July 11, 1895, 
all of whom are residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran 
church, of which Mr. Scarseth has served as treasurer for the past 25 years. 

Edward E. Quarne, proprietor of the B. J. Smalberg homestead of 193 
acres in sections 31 and 32, Preston Township, belongs to that hardy Nor- 
wegian race that has done so much to develop the agricultural resources 
of Trempealeau County. He was born in Honefos, Norway, June 10, 1847, 
his father being Elling J. Quarne, a shoemaker, who was born in Norway 
in 1807 and died in 1892, and his mother, in maidenhood Karen Olena Aas, 
who was born in Norway in 1810 and died in 1880. Edward E. Quarne was 
reared in his native land and resided there until he had attained his 
majority. Realizing, however, that his chances for advancement were 
small if he remained at home, his thought turned to the United States, 
whither he knew many of his countrymen had already gone and where 
opportunities were abundant for men of courage and perseverance. His 
decision made, he sailed for America in 1869, and after landing proceeded 
to Eau Claire, Wis., where for three years he worked at the carpenter's 
trade. At the end of that time he resolved to try farming as the best 
means of gaining an independent livelihood and ultimate prosperity, and 
so came to the farm on which he now resides, which was then owned by 
his father-in-law, he having recently married. Here he devoted himself 
to agriculture for two years and then saw all his labors come to naught 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 469 

by a pest of chinch bugs, which totally destroyed his crops. Not knowing 
how long these unwelcome visitors might conclude to stay with him, he 
resolved to try a new location, and so removed to Grant County, Minnesota, 
where he bought a farm and operated it until 1891, a period of about 13 
years. He then returned to Trempealeau County and bought his original 
farm here, on which he has since resided, carrying on general farming. 
Mr. Quarne raises Shorthorn cattle, having about 35 head, graded, of which 
he milks ten, and also keeps and raises black Minorca chickens. In 19 
he built a good residence — a two-story frame structure with basement and 
containing eight rooms. His frame barn, 28 by 64 by 16 feet, was erected 
by him in 1898. As one of the prominent and substantial men of his town- 
ship, Mr. Quarne has been called on at times to take part in local govern- 
ment affairs, and thus served one year as supervisor and six years on the 
school board. He also rendered public service while in Grant County, 
being a member of his township board there for nine years. Aside from 
his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Home Bank of 
Blair and in Preston Creamery at Blair. Feb. 22, 1873, he was united in 
marriage with Anna B. Johnson of Eau Claire, who was born in Soler, 
Norway, June 11, 1853. Her parents were B. J. Smalberg and Anna Maria 
Ingebretsen, who came to America in 1866, Mr. Smalberg homesteading 
the farm on which his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Quarne, now 
live, and which was their home until they died, Mr. Smalberg in 1911 at 
the age of 88 years, and his wife in 1908 at the age of 83. Mr. and Mrs. 
Quarne have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: 
Caroline Amelia is the wife of Eric Anderson, a farmer of Ettrick Town- 
ship, this county, and has four children : Ernest Arthur, Ahna Orilla, Lloyd 
Wilfred and Norman Rudolph. Marie Elise married Alfred Andreson and 
has two children: Evelyn Veda and Lillian Hazel. They reside on the 
Quarne farm. Peter Julius, who married Anna Jones, is engaged in farm- 
ing near his parents' homestead. He and his wife have two children: 
LeRoy Wilfred and Beulah Lavina. Edwin Bernhard, now a farmer in 
Jackson County, married EfRe Skorstad and has four children : Marie Irene 
Idanna, Lorin Donald, Arnold DeVere and Corine Ardell. The other three 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Quarne died in infancy. Religious, the family are 
affihated with the Norwegian Lutheran Church. 

John M. Sagen, proprietor of the Sagen farm of 162 acres in section 
27 (range 7, township 23), Pigeon Township, was born in Biri, Norway, 
Sept. 19, 1853, son of Mathias and Karen (Olson) Sagen, the former of 
whom died in Norway in 1856, and the latter of whom came to America 
in 1877 and died in 1897. John M. Sagen came to America in 1872, and 
after reaching La Crosse County worked in the pine woods and as a river 
logsman for several years. In 1876 he homesteaded a farm in Sjuggerud 
Coulie, section 22, Pigeon Township. He improved and developed this 
place and built up a good farm. In 1903 he sold out and purchased his 
present place, where he successfully carries on general farming and stock 
raising, making a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle. His present 
home was built in 1912. It consists of a brick veneer, two-story structure, 
with nine rooms and a basement, and equipped with furnace heat, running 



470 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

water and other conveniences. The barn was built in 1914. It is 36 by 80 
by 111/2 feet in size, with an addition 12 by 32 feet. The floor is of cement 
and the equipment is of steel. The stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, was erected in 
1915. Among the other buildings may be mentioned the tobacco shed, 
26 by 96 by 14 feet. The tools and equipment about the place are well 
in keeping with these excellent buildings. Mr. Sagen was married in April, 
1883, to Amelia Olafsdatter, who was born in Soler, Norway, Sept. 6, 1856, 
the daughter of Olaf and Ingeborg Olafson, and this union has been blessed 
with nine children: Inga, Magnus, Olaf, Clara, Milhe, Joseph, Emma, Val- 
borg and Oliver. Inga married Joseph Nelson, a farmer of Pigeon Town- 
ship. Magnus farms in Hale Township. Clara is the wife of Gunder John- 
son, secretary of the Wilhelm Oil Company of Minneapolis ; Millie married 
Albert Heapy, a farmer of Calvin, N. D. ; Joseph operates a garage at Pigeon 
Falls ; Oliver died at the age of nine years ; the others are at home. The 
family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Sagen is a 
stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery Company and in the Whitehall 
Elevator Company. He has been a member of the school board for some 
six years past. 

Alfred N. Sagen, vice-president of the Davis Mill Company of Gales- 
ville, was born in this village, March 5, 1877. His parents, Ole N. and 
Ella T. (Tronson) Sagen, were natives of Norway. Ole N. Sagen was born 
May 7, 1848, and in 1866, came with his parents to the United States. The 
family located in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, and Ole N., who 
had begun to learn the trade of miller in his native land, in 1869 entered 
the flouring mill of Wilson Davis at Galesville. In 1878 he became head 
miller and has held that position until the present date. He is a member 
of the Norwegian Workmen's Society of Galesville. He is religiously 
affiliated with the Baptist Church. The children of Ole T. and Ella T. Sagen 
were Emma J., Alfred N. and Oscar T. In his boyhood Alfred N. Sagen 
attended the schools of Galesville and subsequently spent one year at Gale 
College. At the age of 15 he began to work in the Davis mill, but con- 
tinued to attend school during the winters until he was 18, after which 
time he worked in the mill regularly all through the year, and has since 
continued to do so, having never been absent from duty. In 1910 he was 
elected vice-president of the Davis Mill Company and now holds that posi- 
tion. He is also vice-president of the Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company 
of Galesville. Mr. Sagen was married Oct. 30, 1900, to Mabel A. Thomp- 
son, who was born in Galesville, Wis., daughter of William and Allie T. 
(Atwood) Thompson. Her parents were natives of Wisconsin, the father, 
who was a farmer and stock dealer, being reared in Trempealeau County. 
Mr. Thompson, who at one time served as president of the village of Gales- 
ville, died about 1894, and his wife July 19, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Sagen have 
one child, Layton Thompson, who was born Sept. 1, 1901. Mr. Sagen is a 
member of the United Lutheran Church. 

Idius B. Scarseth, of section 31 E, Gale Township, is one of the enter- 
prising and successful farmers of this township, where he was born Aug. 
24, 1868. His parents were Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth, both 
natives of Biri, Norway. Martinus J. Scarseth was born March 30, 1836, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 471 

and came to the United States in 1857, when 21 years old, being at that time 
unmarried. He located in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, where he 
found employment on farms, and also attended school one winter to improve 
his knowledge of Enghsh. There he remained until his marriage in 1860, 
at which time he came to Gale Township, taking up his residence on the 
farm where his son, C. M. Scarseth, now resides. In 1888 he moved to 
the farm now owned by his son Idius and resided here until his death July 4, 

1910. His wife, who was born Jan. 3, 1831, died little more than a month 
after him, on August 8. At different times Mr. Scarseth held local office, 
serving, among other things, as census enumerator. He was the first secre- 
tary of the Hardie's Creek Lutheran Church, holding that position until his 
death, and he was also one of the organizers of the church. He also took 
an active part in educational work, serving on the school board, and was 
at one time town commissioner. His wife was an expert dressmaker and 
when she first came to this country located in Chicago, where she worked 
at her trade. She was a popular member of society in Gale Township. 
Idius B. Scarseth was one of four children, being the last born. In his boy- 
hood he attended the Glasgow school, and from the age of 17 to that of 24 
worked out for others. A year later he bought his parents' farm, on which 
he now resides, and which consists of 120 acres of highly improved land. 
Here he is engaged in general farming and in breeding Holstein cattle and 
full-blooded Poland-China hogs. His farm is well improved, having sub- 
stantial buildings and a full equipment of all necessary tools and imple- 
ments. Mr. Scarseth is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Packing 
Company of La Crosse. For 20 years he has been a member of the school 
board, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Sept. 
6, 1893, Mr. Scarseth was married to Sena Semb, who was born in Gale 
Township, this county, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Ekern) Semb. Her 
father was born in Biri, Norway, Sept. 17, 1835, and his wife in the same 
locality, Oct. 12, 1841. They came to the United States in 1851, locating 
in Stevenstown, La Crosse County, where Mr. Semb found employment on 
farms. One of his brothers was killed in the Civil War, and his father and 
another brother went to Minnesota, where ill fortune pursued them also, 
as both were killed by the Indians. Ole 0. Semb also went to Minnesota 
and lived there for awhile, but later returned to Wisconsin, locating on 
Hardie's Creek about a year before his father did. Buying land there, he 
devoted himself to farming, spending the rest of his life on the homestead, 
his death occurred July 6, 1898. At various times he served the township 
in local office, being regarded by his neighbors as an intelligent pubhc spir- 
ited citizen. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away Jan. 11, 

1911. They were the parents of eight children, of whom their daughter 
Sena (Mrs. Scarseth) was the seventh in order of birth. She was educated 
in the Glasgow school, where her future husband was fellow pupil. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of seven children: Julia, wife of Alfred 
Ravnum, a farmer residing at Glasgow, Gale Township; Nora, at home; 
George Dewey, who attended the La Crosse County School of Agriculture, 
and is also at home; Edwin Julius, Lester Bernhard, Lloyd Helmer and 
Clinton Theodore, who were educated in the common schools. Mr. Scarseth 



472 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

is a great lover of fishing and hunting and has made some of the finest 
catches ever made in Black River. His wife is a member of the Ladies' 
Aid Society at Hardie's Creek, being past secretary of the society. 

Jens J. Staff, Jr., proprietor of Staff farm of 160 acres in sections 1 
and 12, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundf jord, Norway, March 14, 1870, 
son of Jens J. and Louisa (Berge) Staff, the parents being also Norwegians. 
Jens J. Staff, who was born Feb. 5, 1838, came to the United States with his 
family in 1872, locating at Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis., where he 
remained until 1882. Then selling out his property there he came to Trem- 
pealeau County, and bought the farm on which his son Jens J., Jr., now 
lives, and where he still resides. His wife, who was born Feb. 13, 1841, 
died April 30, 1913. Jens J. Staff, Jr., resided with his parents until he 
was 21 years old, and then, in 1891, began working for the P. Ekern Com- 
pany of Pigeon Falls. After being in this manner for about six years and 
four months, he returned to his father's farm and resumed agricultural 
operations. In 1900 he purchased the property and has since resided on 
it, being engaged in carrying on general farming, dairying and stock-raising. 
In 1908 Mr. Staff erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure 
two stories and basement, eight rooms, equipped with hot water heat and 
an individual electric light plant. In 1907 he rebuilt the barn, which 
measures 28 by 72 by 16 feet, with stone basement and cement floors, steel 
stanchions and individual water cups. The hog house is a frame building 
with cement floors, 20 by 20 feet in dimensions. Mr. Staff keeps graded 
Holstein cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20, feeding 
half a carload for the market each year. He has been successful in his 
farming operations and the value of his property has continued to increase 
with the improvements he had made on it. As a substantial and reliable 
citizen, with a good knowledge of local conditions, he has been called on at 
times to serve in public office, having been supervisor four years and town- 
ship assessor since 1912. In 1904 he assumed the duties of school clerk 
of his district and is still serving in that office. Aside from his immediate 
farming interests, he owns stock in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company 
and the Whitehall Hospital and is a director of the Elevator Company of 
Whitehall. Mr. Staff was married May 25, 1898, to Lena Kogslein, who 
was born in Curran Township, Jackson County, Wis., March 16, 1872. Her 
parents were Nils and Ingeborg (Holen) Kogslein, the father born at 
Gulbransdalen, Norway, Feb. 29, 1829, and the mother born Sept. 15, 1834. 
They came to America, settling in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 1866, but 
are both now deceased, Mr. Kogslein dying July 7, 1909, and his wife March 
4, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Staff have been the parents of seven children: 
Laura, born Feb. 4, 1899 ; Joseph, April 10, 1901 ; Ida, Jan. 3, 1903 ; Norma, 
May 29, 1905 ; Carl, Sept. 12, 1907 ; Olga, Sept. 29, 1908, and Earl, Oct. 27, 
1911.. The family are members of the United Noi-wegian Lutheran 
Church, of which Mr. Staff is auditor. 

Tennes Tenneson, proprietor of Lavold farm of 150 acres in sections 
13 and 14, Preston Township, was born near Viroquo, Vernon County, Wis., 
May 22, 1855. He is a son of Jacob Tenneson Lavold and his wife Johanna, 
whose maiden name was Nuland. Jacob T. Lavold was born near Flekkef- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 473 

jord, Norway, Feb. 28, 1828, and came to the United States in 1852. Com- 
ing west by rail as far as Chicago, he drove from that city with an ox team 
to Vernon County, Wisconsin, where he remained until the fall of 1855. 
Then, in the fall of that year, he continued his westward journey until he 
reached Trempealeau County, settling on a farm in section 14, Preston Town- 
ship, which he had bought in the spring of the same year. Here he devoted 
himself to agricultui'al pursuits, spending many years in clearing and 
improving his farm and finally becoming one of the prosperous citizens of 
the township. In 1892 he sold the farm and removed to the village of Blair, 
where he made his home until his death in 1896, at the age of 70 years. His 
i^rst wife, Johanna, dying in 1876, he afterwards married Grethe Thompson 
of Blair, who is also now deceased. Tennes Tenneson was given a some- 
what better education than the ordinary farmer's boy of his day, as, after 
attending the public or district school, he became a student in the business 
college at La Crosse. His industrial education was not neglected, however, 
for he was well trained by his father in all the different branches of farm- 
ing, learning how to cultivate the soil, take care of stock and perform other 
necessary duties. This knowledge he has since put to good use on his own 
account, beginning when a young man by renting a farm on French Creek, 
which he cultivated for two years. Not perfectly satisfied with that loca- 
tion, however, in 1880 he bought his present farm, and has since continued 
on it, having found it a profitable investment. He raises high grade Hol- 
stein cattle, having about 30 head, of which he milks 12; also keeping 
Poland-China hogs, and registered White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red 
chickens. He is a stockholder in the Preston Creamery at Blair. His farm 
is well improved, having good buildings, and he is careful to keep it in good 
condition, its value having greatly increased since he took it in hand. As a 
substantial citizen, having a landed interest in his township, Mr. Tenneson 
has consented at various times to aid in local government. Thus he was 
township treasurer for two years, and for 30 years has served on the school 
board as clerk or treasurer. He and his family are members of the United 
Norwegian Lutheran Church. He was married Feb. 29, 1876, to Martha 
Lindrud of French Creek, this county, who was born in Norway, Oct. 30, 
1854. Her father, Andrew I. Lindrud, born in Norway in 1828, emigrated 
to this country in 1861, setthng first in Vernon County, Wisconsin, from 
which locality he removed in 1864 to French Creek, Ettrick Township, Trem- 
pealeau County. This latter place was his home until his death Oct. 30, 
1904. His wife, whose maiden name was Gunhild Smedhaugen, died in 
December, 1915, at the age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Tenneson's family 
circle has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, namely: Ida, who 
married Henry Thompson, a farmer of Beach, N. D. ; Albert, a farmer resid- 
ing two miles east of Blair; John, who is farming in Preston Township; 
Melvin, who conducts a fancy grocery and delicatessen store at St. Paul; 
Thomas, who lives on the home farm; Tillie, who graduated from Blair 
high school in 1911, and has been a teacher for three years, and Nora, who 
lives with her parents. 

Frederick John Stellpflug, proprietor of Walnut Grove Stock farm, 
who for a number of years has been engaged in farming and stock raising 



474 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in sections 29 and 32, Gale Township, though recently retired, was born 
on the same farm Dec. 6, 1866, son of John Alois and Sarah Frances 
(Shonat) Stellpflug. The father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Sept. 
28, 1838, and came to the United States in 1847, locating at Milwaukee, 
where he resided for about seven years. While there he assisted in build- 
ing the first railroad to enter that city and also aided in filling the marsh. 
Later he engaged in farming at West Bend, Washington County. In 1860 
he came to Trempealeau County and settled on land in sections 29 and 32, 
which now constitutes the farm of his son Frederick J., and which land he 
purchased from the Government. Here he remained until his death June 30, 
1907, developing the farm, on which he made most of the improvements. 
He was a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, which he helped to 
organize, and of which he was vice-president and director for many years. 
In early days he was also a member of the township board. His wife, Sarah 
Frances, who was born in Oswego County, New York, Sept. 4, 1850, is still 
living on the home farm. Frederick J. Stellpflug was the eldest of 14 chil- 
dren. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the Grant schoolhouse 
and has always resided on the family homestead, the management of which 
came into his hands when he was 25 years old. The estate contains 200 
acres of land and is well supplied with good buildings and all necessary 
equipment. Here Mr. Stellpflug carried on general farming for a number 
of years, also breeding Holstein cattle. He has lately, however, retired from 
active farm work and rented the farm, though still residing upon it. Aside 
from his interests in this connection, he is a stockholder in the Arctic 
Springs Creamery, of which he is vice-president, a director and stockholder 
in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, director in the Farmers Elevator 
Company, and a stockholder in the Independent Harvester Company of 
Piano, 111., the La Crosse Packing and the Ettrick Telephone Companies. 
He is now serving in his twentieth year as clerk of the school board and 
was township treasurer three years. In politics he is independent. June 
19, 1912, Mr. Stellpflug was married to Elizabeth Williamson, who was born 
in Gale township, near Galesville, Oct. 11, 1891, daughter of Richard Ellis 
and Christina (Schmidt) Williamson. Her father, who was born in Little 
Tamarack, this township, in 1864, has always been a farmer and is still in 
active life, now residing about two and a half miles from Galesville. His 
wife was born in this township, Nov. 16, 1866. They had five children, of 
whom their daughter Elizabeth was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug are 
the parents of two children: Frederick Joseph, who was born July 2, 1913, 
and Cecelia Ehzabeth, born Sept. 2, 1915. The family are members of the 
Catholic church. Mr. Stellpflug also belongs to the Foi-esters, being record- 
ing secretary of his lodge, and to the Woodmen's Accident Assurance Com- 
pany. It is his present intention to continue his residence on the farm. 

Andrew Evenson came to Trempealeau County in 1888, located in sec- 
tion 4, Gale Township, and here lived until his death. May 9, 1915. He 
was born near Christiania, Norway, Aug. 25, 1857, oldest of the four chil- 
dren of Ole and Mary Evenson. The parents came to America about 1857 
and located in La Crosse County, this state. After the father's death, the 
mother moved to another farm in the same county, located on the south side 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 475 

of the La Crosse River, and there Uved until she took up her home with her 
son, Andrew, until the time of her death. Andrew Evenson attended the 
schools of his native land and of La Crosse County, and as a youth assisted 
his mother with the duties of her small farm, remaining under the maternal 
roof until about a year after his marriage, when he located in Trempealeau 
County. Here he devoted his life to his farm, his home, his children and his 
church, taking in his family his deepest joy, and in his church his greatest 
satisfaction. As a successful farmer he acquired stock in the Arctic 
Springs Creamery, and was a substantial friend thereof, but aside from 
this, his outside interests were few. His church support was given to the 
Synod Lutheran Congregation, in the activities of which he was an efficient 
and valued worker. Mr. Evenson was married Dec. 3, 1887, to Bertha 
Johnson, who was born in La Crosse County, Holland Township, daughter 
of Louis and Mary Johnson, and this union was blessed with eight children : 
Melva, Ornie Melvin, Elmer Theodore, Lester, Lester Marvin, Edna Marie, 
Ansel Bernard and Arline Bernice. Melva is the wife of Herbert Hardie, 
who farms two miles west of Galesville. Ornie Melvin operates the home 
farm of 200 acres bordering on the Black River. He married Minnie Engen, 
May 24, 1917. Elmer Theodore married Ella Scarseth, and lives on the 
Scarseth farm in Gale Township. Lester died in infancy. The other chil- 
dren are at home. 

Louis Johnson was born in Norway, came to America in 1858, and 
took up his residence on a farm near Viroqua, in Vernon County, this state. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry and did good service for three years. After farming 
in Vernon County for some forty-seven years he retired and moved to 
Galesville, in this county, where he now makes his home. 

Fred Schuman, a well known land owner and farmer residing in sec- 
tion 18, Caledonia Township, was born near Doering, Germany, Aug. 8, 
1853. He is a son of Gottlieb and Johanna Schuman, the former of whom 
died in Germany when the subject of this sketch was eight years old. The 
widowed mother, with her four children — the three others being Edward, 
Louise and Frederecia — came to America about six yeai's later, in Novem- 
ber, 1867. They settled at once in Trempealeau County, Wis., where Mrs. 
Schuman bought 180 acres of land in section 9, Caledonia Township. Eighty 
acres were already under the plow, and a log house, granary and stable 
were standing on the farm. About a year after her arrival here, or in 1868, 
she married Gustaf Keisling, who had accompanied the Schuman family 
to America. At the age of 16 years Fred Schuman left home to work for 
himself and was variously employed until 1876. Then, with his brother 
Edward, he bought the northwest half of the northwest quarter of section 
20, Caledonia Township. There were neither buildings nor fences on the 
land and they lived in a one-room shanty on a rented tract of 40 acres 
adjoining, beginning farming operations on the 80-acre tract, of which they 
broke 18 acres the first year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Schuman and his 
brother erected a frame house on this tract, it being an upright, one and 
a half stories high, just covered and enclosed. In this unfinished house they 
resided for several years. When Mr. Schuman purchased his tract of 80 



476 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

acres it was on an agreement to pay $100 down and the rest in monthly 
instalments. He had only $75 cash and had great difficulty in raising the 
other $25. He and his brother had no team, so they used their mother's 
the first year, and in the following spring bought one horse, not being able 
to procure another until a year later — in the spring of 1879. Now having 
a team of their own, they made good progress and continued in partnership 
until 1894, by which time they had added to the original 80 acres on section 
20, an adjoining tract of 120 acres on section 2 adjoining, also acquiring 
240 acres (all improved but 30 acres) in section 18. His farm now consists 
of 340 acres, as follows : 240 acres in section 18, 84 in section 34 and 20 in 
section 24, all in Caledonia Township, in addition to which he owns 100 acres 
in La Crosse County. Mr. Schuman does general farming, keeping a herd 
of grade Durham cattle and a sty of grade Poland-China hogs. The wing 
of his present residence consists of a small house of two rooms, which was 
on the farm when he bought the land, and in which he lived until about 
1912, when he built his present two-story, nine-room residence, a frame 
structure, painted and with modern improvements. Among his other build- 
ings are a barn, with cement basement, used for hogs and cattle; a horse 
barn, with wing attached; cattle sheds, poultry house, hog house, with 
cement floors, a brick milk house and a cement block silo. The farm is also 
well equipped with agricultural machinery and tools. June 23, 1914, a 
cyclone carried away seven of Mr. Schuman's buildings, all of which, how- 
ever he has since replaced. He is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery. 
Mr. Schuman was married, July 3, 1879, in Trempealeau Village, to Maggie, 
daughter of Robert and Melissa Bright, of Caledonia Township. Of this 
union seven children were born: Dollie, April 18, 1880, who died June 5, 
1889 ; Freddie R., Jan. 7, 1882, who died June 7, 1889 ; Millie J., Sept. 9, 
1885, who died June 5, 1889 ; Harry J., May 5, 1888, who is a farmer residing 
near the homestead; Glenn, Sept. 7, 1890, now farming on a tract of 120 
acres in this vicinity; Mabel A., Aug. 25, 1892, wife of G. Roy Dale of Gale 
Township, and the mother of one daughter, Ruth ; and Ross L., born Feb. 2, 
1899, who lives on the home farm. As will be seen from the above record, 
Mr. Schuman lost three children within two days, which was due to that 
dread scourge diphtheria. His daughter Mabel graduated fi'om the Gales- 
ville high school in 1913 and was a teacher for one year before her mar- 
riage. Mr. Schuman was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and 
his wife in that of the Baptist, but are not members of either. They are 
numbered among .the prosperous people of the township and are widely 
known and respected. Mr. Schuman usually votes the Republican ticket, 
but is not a strong party man or active in politics. 

Elizabeth Heald, one of the estimable women of Trempealeau County, 
has seen pioneer life in two states and four counties. She was born in 
New York City, Jan. 1, 1854, daughter of Alonzo Morris and Mary (Schuy- 
ler) Merwin, and a great-granddaughter, on her mother's side, of Gen. 
Philip Schuyler, of Revolutionary War fame. In the' fall of the year of 
her birth, the family came westward, and located at Greenbush, Sheboygan 
County, Wis., where they settled in the woods, and devoted three years 
to developing a farm. They cut down the trees, cleared up the land, erected 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 477 

a four-room house, and conducted pioneer farming on a small scale. Then 
they moved to Dodge County, in the same state where they rented a farm. 
From there the father, in 1862, went to Nicollet County, in Minnesota, not 
far from New Ulm, secured a tract of land, erected a cabin, and harvested 
a quantity of hay. Then he went back to his home, and thus escaped the 
massacre of August 18 of that year. In June, 1863, the family, consisting 
of the father, mother and five children, William, George, Elizabeth, Ida and 
Arvilla, set out for their new home with an ox team. To the parents the 
long trip entailed many hardships, but the children thoroughly enjoyed 
it, and met with delight the constantly changing landscape, and the many 
varied experiences. Upon reaching the claim, it was found that the cabin 
was almost a ruin and the hay gone, the place having apparently been 
visited both by the Indians and the fleeing whites during the terrible days 
of the massacre. The cabin was soon repaired, however, and before long 
a farm was started. Late in the fall of 1864 the family came back to 
Wisconsin, and settled on 43 acres at Centerville, in Trempealeau Township, 
this county. The land had been improved, but no buildings were standing 
thereon. The father built a frame house, and in this the family continued 
to live for many years. He died March 10, 1867, and the sons, WilHam and 
George, assumed the responsibility of supporting the family. The mother 
lived for many years thereafter, and spent her dechning years in Trem- 
pealeau Village, where she died Feb. 20, 1909, at over 91 years of age. The 
daughter, Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch, followed the family for- 
tunes until her marriage. Feb. 7, 1886, she married William E. Heald, who 
lived on a farm about a half mile from Trempealeau Village. Since his 
death, Feb. 6, 1916, she has Uved in Trempealeau Village with her only 
daughter, Gertrude Mae. Gertrude Mae Heald was born on the farm near 
Trempealeau Village, Oct. 26, 1886. After passing through the common 
schools she was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in June, 1906. 
Then for three years she taught in the rural schools of the county. In the 
fall of 1909 she entered the Winona Business College at Winona, and was 
duly graduated from the stenographic and bookkeeping departments. In 
1910 she entered the employ of the Cooper & Graves Lumber Company at 
Trempealeau as bookkeeper; in 1913 she started work for the Galesville 
Lumber Company at Galesville; from the fall of 1914 to the fall of 1915 
she was at home, and since then she has been with the Trempealeau Mer- 
cantile Company at Trempealeau. 

Carl T. Carlson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 19, 
Gale Township, was born in Esther Getland, Sweden, Nov. 9, 1870, son of 
Carl John and Johana M. (Flood) Carlson. His parents were born in the 
same province, the father in 1844, and the mother in 1846. Carl J. Carlson 
learned the trade of shoemaker in Sweden. He served in the regular army 
but otherwise followed his trade there until he came to America with his 
parents' family in 1880, they locating at Galesville. Here he continued at 
his trade for about seven years longer, at the end of which time he home- 
steaded the farm where his son Carl T. now lives. This place remained 
his home until his death, which occurred Nov. 3, 1905. His wife died July 
3,1911. Their children were : Carl T., now on the old homestead ; August 



478 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

M., residing in New York City; Ellen Elizabeth, who died at the age 
of 24 years in 1898; Oscar Robert of Wild Rose, N. D., who married Stilla 
Lindberg and has three children, Earl, Oscar and Eugene E., and John M., 
Marie and Alfred J. 

Carl T. Carlson was the eldest of six children. He attended district 
school in Gale Township and worked out as a farm hand from the time he 
was 14 years of age, at times also working in the pine woods. His first 
employment was by Hiram Butman in Gale Township. About 1896 he pur- 
chased land in Polk County, of which he later sold a part, but still owns 80 
acres of farm land there. Since the death of his parents Mr. Carlson has 
been a part owner of the old Carlson homestead, his brother, Alfred J., 
and his sister, Marie W., having an equal share with himself in it. The 
farm contains 200 acres, some of which is timbered land. It is operated as a 
stock and dairy farm and about 100 head of sheep are kept. Carl T. Carlson 
is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and a member of the 
Farmers' Shipping Association of Trempealeau County. He is a member 
of the Lutheran Church and in politics is independent. 

Warner R. Shonat, a prominent citizen of Galesville, who until recently 
was closely identified with the agricultural development of the township, 
was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, Nov. 20, 1869, son of 
George B. and Jeanette (Dewar) Shonat. His education, acquired chiefly 
in the district school, was supplemented by student work at Gale College, 
which he attended two winters. After that he resided on the parental 
homestead, assisting his father until 1894, when, on March 14, he was 
married to Mary Cook, who was born near Duplainville, Wis., daughter 
of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) Cook. Her father, who was born in Scar- 
boro, England, Nov. 6, 1829, was a merchant by occupation. After com- 
ing to America he settled in New York state, whence he came to Waukesha, 
Wis., at a time when the site of the present large and flourishing city of 
Milwaukee was but a swamp. After settling in Duplainville he engaged 
in business there as a merchant and was also postmaster of the village for 
a number of years, besides serving as justice of the peace. He died there 
June 20, 1876. His wife survived him many years, her death taking place 
at Pewaukee, Wis., May 10, 1905. Their daughter Mary was the fourth 
born in a family of five children, and was educated in the Lisbon school at 
Pewaukee, Wis. Warner R. Shonat after his marriage took charge of the 
home farm of his parents, which he purchased in June, 1894. He added to 
the improvements made on it by his father and developed it into a first-class 
piece of agricultural property, continuing to operate it until the spring of 
1916, when he rented the farm and moved to Galesville. Here he had pur- 
chased a fine modern residence, formerly owned by his sister, together with 
five acres of land adjacent to the Arctic Springs Creamery. He is a stock- 
holder in the La Crosse Packing Company and the Western Wisconsin 
Telephone Company. His farm consists of 180 acres of highly improved 
land. Mr. Shonat is a director in the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company 
of Trempealeau County, and is head officer of the reserve fund of the 
Order of Beavers, belonging also to the Yeomen. He is a member and elder 
of the Presbyterian Church and for about 14 years served as clerk of the 




MK. AND MRS. W. R. SHONAT 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 479 

Decorah Prairie school district. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. The 
family, of which he is a leading I'epresentative, has aided largely in the 
development of the agricultural resources of this part of Trempealeau 
County. 

George Hull Squier of Trempealeau, Wis., whose name is inseparably 
connected with discoveries regarding the archaeology and geology of the 
"driftless area" of the upper Mississippi basin, was born in Southhold, Long 
Island, Oct. 15, 1849, son of the Rev. James and Eliza (Hull) Squier, who 
brought him to Wisconsin in 1851, to La Crosse County in 1853, and to 
Trempealeau Village in 1864. In the cultured atmosphere of the home of 
these good people, George H. was reared and early acquired habits of unsel- 
fish labor, strict economy and mental alertness. As a youth he was encour- 
aged by his father in intellectual pursuits, and he early determined to devote 
his life to geology, archaeology, anthropology and paleology. With this 
end in view, after passing through the schools of Trempealeau, Galesville, 
Alton (111.) and Beaver Dam (Wis.), he entered Harvard University, where 
for three years he pursued geological and palaeological studies, in the mean- 
time devoting his summers to field work in Kentucky, Virginia, New York 
and Maine. Failing health and financial limitations, however, forced him to 
abandon his university studies, so he returned to Trempealeau and engaged 
in dairying and poultry raising. In all the years that have passed since 
then, he has devoted a part of his time to research, investigation and writ- 
ing along the lines of his favorite branches of science, and his work has 
caused certain features of this part of Wisconsin to become known to 
scholars throughout the world. Mr. Squier now lives in partial retirement 
in the village of Trempealeau. He is a quiet, courteous, scholarly gentle- 
man of the old school, greatly revered in his own community and highly 
honored throughout the county. His more notable contributions to 
archaeology include "Certain Archaeological Features of Western Wiscon- 
sin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, IV No. 2) ; "Archaeological Resources of 
Western Wisconsin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, XIII No. 3) ; "Additional 
Archaeological Details, Remains of a French Post Near Trempealeau" 
(Wisconsin Historical Society Proceedings, 1915, pp. 113-117), and "The 
Geologic and Archaeological Features of Trempealeau County" (History 
of Trempealeau County, Dr. Pierce and Curtiss- Wedge, Winona, 1917). To 
geology they include "Erratic Pebbles in the Licking Valley of Kentucky" 
(Science, 1883, p. 436) ; "Studies in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin" (Jour- 
nal of Geology, No. 1, Vol. V, 1897, No. 2, Vol. VI, 1898, No. 3, Vol. VII, 
1899) ; "Peculiar Local Deposits on Bluffs Adjacent to the Mississippi" 
(Report of Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Vol. XVI, 
Part I). In 1880 Mr. Squier was engaged in a geological survey of the 
Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia for a projected railroad. 
The survey was to have occupied two years, but the failure of the company 
cut it short. Both himself and Prof. Shaler, who held the contract, were 
losers. In 1881 he was making surveys near Eastport, Maine. In 1882 he 
made a survey of the iron resources of the Licking Valley, Kentucky, for an 
iron company. He was recommended by Prof. Shaler about this time for 
a position on the United States Geological Survey. There chanced to be 



480 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

no vacancy at the time, and suddenly recurring illness caused him to 
abandon that career. Mr. Squier was married, June 29, 1882, to May 
Button, daughter of U. S. and Minerva Button, and descended from early 
New England stock, one of her ancestors being Roger Williams. Mrs. 
Squier was graduated in 1877 from the Mount Carrol Seminary, located 
at Mount Carrol, 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Squier has been born one son, 
Ulysses Button, who is now engaged in the railroad business in Chicago 
as traffic expert. He married Clara Belle Linard, Aug. 23, 1910, and has 
two children. 

Rev. James Squier. It is a rather delicate task for a son to undertake 
to write of a father's life, and I have rather hesitated to attempt more than 
the barest outlines. Yet he was, I think, identified with the religious work 
of this part of the state for a longer time than any other, and in the con- 
duct of the work he displayed characteristics which entitled him to a high 
place among the workers. Although the more strictly pioneer work was 
part of the history of La Crosse County, he was for nearly thirty-seven 
years a resident of Trempealeau — longer than in any other single locality. 
Since both himself, and all those, his contemporaries, who knew of his 
work, have passed away, I remain, myself, the only source of information 
concerning his life ; and since the substance of the article must be mine, it 
seems best that I should give it form and be directly responsible for its 
statements. The subject of this sketch was born in in Hopkinton, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1808. His father had entered the state from 
Vermont when it was an unbroken forest, and an older sister was the first 
white child born in the vicinity. The life was, of course, that of the pioneer, 
and his boyhood training served to give him an intimate knowledge of 
woodcraft. He was converted in young manhood, and very soon felt him- 
self called to the ministry. One of his first acts, after having settled on his 
future course, was typical of his life. He had bought and cleared a farm 
and was expecting to have cared for his parents in their declining years. 
Knowing that would not be possible under the new plan, he gave the farm 
to an older brother on condition that he would care for them. His decision 
made, he entered Madison (now Colgate) University in 1832 and graduated 
in 1838 (this included two years in theology). In the fall following his 
graduation he was ordained at Tyringham, Mass., and soon entered on his 
first pastorate at Sandisfield, Mass. In 1839 he married Eliza Hull, a 
teacher, and a descendant in the fifth generation of Hannah Dustan of 
Haverhill, Mass., whose capture by, and escape from the Indians during 
the "King Phillip" war, formed one of the stirring episodes of ej.rly 
Massachusetts history. (Abigail Hull, mother of Eliza Hull, was a resident 
of Trempealeau for a number of years, dying in 1882 in her one hundred 
and first year.) In 1840 he was paster in Bristol, Conn.; in 1842-6 in 
Tolland, Conn. In 1846 he had a very serious illness, and when suHiciently 
recovered went, by advice, to a fishing hamlet (also something of a summer 
resort), becoming pastor of a little church there. This place, Southhold, 
was on a narrow neck of land near the eastern end of Long Island. The 
life, much of it on the water, was very beneficial to him. It was here that 
the writer was born, in October, 1849. In 1850 he was pastor in "Head of 




L. S. SANDERS 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 481 

Mystic," Conn. His illness had, however, left certain permanent effects 
which rendered it inexpedient that he enter the foreign field, which had 
up to this time been his purpose, and being possessed in large measure of 
the missionary spirit, his mind turned toward home missions. His wife's 
parents, and sister, had already located at Elgin, 111. Moving west in 1851, 
he soon located as pastor of the church in East Troy, Walworth County, 
Wis. It was about this time that the tide of emigration was turning toward 
the rich region of the La Crosse Valley, and a surprisingly large number of 
people from Walworth County were among the early settlers of La Crosse 
County. Among them were several of his friends and neighbors. In the 
summer of 1853 he visited the region, bought some land of the late George 
Edwards of La Crosse, a friend and neighbor who had preceded him by a 
year, and in September moved his family there. At this time a Baptist 
church had been but recently formed in La Crosse, and soon after one was 
formed in Sparta, but the extensive region lying between had no church 
organization, though there were a few scattered Baptists. To this region 
he undertook to minister. The demands on the Home Mission Society far 
exceeded their resources and he resolved not to apply to them. For six 
years he conducted this work without salary. This double burden of work 
was one that few would be willing to assume. That he was able to carry 
it alone may be ascribed to the severe school of his boyhood and the wise 
and devoted co-operation of his wife. The story of these years of work and 
privation would be well worth writing, but I will not attempt it. 

The farm home was about a mile north of the present village of West 
Salem. The village, however, was not started until a few years later, after 
the construction of the Milwaukee road. The then village, known as 
Neshonoe, was on the La Crosse River, adjacent to the mills, from which 
the electric current used in West Salem is obtained. It is now only a 
memory. In the fall of 1859 he rented his farm and moved to Lewis Valley 
(La Crosse County, Mindoro, P. 0.), preaching there and at Melrose. In 
1863 he became pastor at West Salem. The next year — 1864 — the Baptist 
church at Trempealeau was organized, and he, one of those present at the 
council, was invited to become pastor. He entered upon his duties during 
the summer, but did not remove his family until fall, our arrival being on 
Thanksgiving Day. He remained pastor until 1871, when he retired from 
the pastoral work. It was during his pastorate that the church building 
was erected, he himself meeting about half the cost. His death occurred 
in 1901. I think all who knew him intimately recognized his outstanding 
characteristics: his unswerving devotion to duty, and his unselfishness in 
his relations to others. He asked but little of the world and gave much. 
Simple and unaffected in manners, he was nevertheless a man of refined 
tastes, and of well trained scholarly mind. — (Written by Geo. H. Squier.) 

Leland S. Sanders, efficient and popular cashier of the Citizens State 
Bank of Trempealeau, and a prominent factor in the business and social 
life of the- village wherein he makes his home, was born in Friend, Neb., 
Feb. 22, 1891, the son of Charles M. and NeUie (Steward) Sanders. He 
passed through the graded schools of his native place, took a two years' 
■course in the Omaha (Neb.) high school, graduated from the Fairbury 



482 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

(Neb.) high school, and then attended the Lake Forest College at Lake 
Forest, 111. In the meantime he had been considerably interested in bank- 
ing, having started his connection with the financial interests by becom- 
ing a bank messenger at the age of thirteen, working in a bank at Daykin, 
Neb., evenings, mornings and Saturdays, while attending the graded 
schools. After leaving the institution at Lake Forest he took a position 
with the accounting department of the Ilhnois Central Railroad Company. 
But finding that railroad accounting was not exactly to his liking, he sub- 
sequently secured a position as assistant cashier of the Clarion Savings 
Bank, at Clarion, Iowa, where he remained until Jan. 1, 1916, when he 
came to Trempealeau to assume the duties of his present position. Here 
he has thoroughly identified himself with that modern movement which 
has brought renewed life to the historic village of Trempealeau, and has 
become one of that little group of men who are infusing enthusiasm and 
zest into the plans which have for their object the development of the 
village as a thriving business center. His work is also establishing the 
Citizens Bank as one of the leading financial houses of western Wisconsin. 
Mr. Sanders was married in Clarion, Iowa, June 17, 1914, to June M. Bird- 
sail, daughter of Judge and Mrs. B. P. Birdsall, and to this union has been 
born one daughter, Ruth Sanders, March 30, 1915. 

Judge B. P. Birdsall was born in Weyauwega, Wis., in 1865, and as 
a young man went to Iowa. He became prominent in law and poKtics, 
served in Congress as a representative from the Third Congressional Dis- 
trict of Iowa for eight years, and was circuit judge of the Tenth Judicial 
District of Iowa for ten years. 

Charles M. Sanders was born in Waukegan, 111., Aug. 23, 1861, and 
married Nellie Steward, who was born in Rockford, 111., March 26, 1866, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Steward. Charles M. Sanders engaged 
in the hardware business in Friend, Neb., for 25 years, and is now in the 
lumber business at Daykin, Neb. 

Peter Crogan, a general farmer residing in section 4, Gale Township, 
was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1845, son of Patrick and 
Mary (Bropsom) Crogan. His parents were natives of the same county. 
The father was a farmer, who died in Ireland about 1859, and his wife 
subsequently came to the United States, settling in New Jersey, where her 
death took place about 1893. Peter Crogan was the fourth born in a 
family of 13 children. He attended school in his native land and resided 
on the home farm until he came to America in 1864. For five years he 
lived in New Jersey, working for others and then, hearing of opportunities 
to acquire land in the great Northwest, he came to Trempealeau County, 
Wisconsin. He did not immediately acquire land, however, but for some 
years worked in Trempealeau and La Crosse Counties until 1878, at which 
time he bought his present farm of 160 acres. Here he has since made 
a number of improvements, having cultivated and developed the land and 
put up good buildings of substantial and modern construction. Mr. Crogan 
was married in 1877 to Mary Jane McCormick, who was born in La Crosse 
County, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Finon) McCormick. Her parents 
were born in Ireland and came to the United States, being early settlers. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 483 

in La Crosse County, where Mr. McCormick engaged in farming. Both 
are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crogan are the parents of six children: 
Joseph, who is a railroad man and resides in Reedsburg, Wis. ; Lucy, who 
was educated in the schools of Trempealeau County and La Crosse, also at 
the Winona Normal School, and is now a teacher in Ettrick; Peter Bene- 
dick, who was drowned April 10, 1916, opposite Winona while automobile 
riding on a flooded roadway; Winnie, a stenographer at Grafton, N. D. ; 
Clement, who resides with his father, and one who died in infancy. The 
death of Peter Benedick during the flood of 1916 was a very sad event, his 
wife and two children perishing with him. It occurred at a spot where sev- 
eral others were drowned the same season. He was at the time opei'ating 
his father's farm, the latter having retired and taken up his residence in 
Winona. Owing to this accident Peter Crogan, having no other tenant, 
returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He and his wife are 
members of the CathoUc church. In politics he is independent. 

William Henry Conrad, proprietor of a fine farm of 280 acres, 225 of 
which is in section 26, Gale Township and the balance across Black River 
in La Crosse County, was born on this farm Sept. 26, 1886, son of Frank 
and Allemania (Genske) Conrad. The father, a native of this town- 
ship, was always a farmer, and moved onto this farm with his parents 
when about six or seven years of age. When he grew up it came into his 
possession and he developed it and made many improvements on it. Though 
not now operating the farm, he resides on it and is still very active. For 
five years he was a member of the township board, and also served some 
time as school director. His wife, who was born on shipboard while on 
the passage from Germany to the United States, is also living. Their 
only child was the subject of this skech. 

William Henry Conrad was educated in the district school of his neigh- 
borhood. He worked for his father until he was 21 years old and then 
rented the farm and has since operated it on his own account, having done 
a profitable business. He was married Dec. 18, 1908, to Julia Ravnum, 
who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Anton and 
Martha (Gilboe) Ravnum, both of whom were natives of Norway. Her 
father, who was a farmer, is now deceased, but her mother still resides 
on the old homestead in Gale Township. Anton Ravnum was born in 
Biri, Norway, and his wife in Gubrendal, that country, the former coming 
to this country when a young man and working out in this township until 
he settled on his own farm, which he developed and improved. He and his 
wife were married in Hardie's Creek Valley, Trempealeau County. He 
was a prominent man in the township, both he and his wife being highly 
esteemed. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have 
been the parents of five children: Laura Irene, Harvey William, Helen 
Margaret, Hazel Marie and Francis Alfred, Harvey W, and Helen M. being 
twins. Hazel M. died in infancy, but the others are still living and are 
residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. 
Conrad is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than for the 
party. He is now serving in his sixth year as clerk of the school board 
of his district, and he served three years as township treasurer. 



484 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Hans Christiansen, proprietor of a shoemaking and repairing estab- 
lishment, and also a dealer in saddlery and harness, in Ettrick, Wis., was 
born in Ringsaker, Haedmarken, Norway, Oct. 17, 1843, son of Christian 
Hanson and Roufe (Johnson) Hanson. His parents were natives of the 
same place or province, whei-e they lived many years, the mother dying 
in her native land. In 1866 Christian Hanson came to the United States, 
and locating at North Bend, Jackson County, there engaged in farming, 
which he carried on industriously up to his later years, his death taking 
place about 1892. 

Hans Christiansen was his parents' only child. He had somewhat 
limited opportunities for attending school, but acquired the rudiments 
of knowledge, and at the age of 14 years began an apprenticeship to the 
shoemaker's trade, at which he became an expert workman. In 1868 he 
followed his father to America, and on arriving here at first settled on a 
farm at South Beaver Creek, about four miles from Ettrick. Until the 
fall of 1871 he worked out for othei's, and then, deciding to return to his 
trade, he came to Ettrick, and, opening a shop, engaged in shoemaking 
and repair work, in which business he has since continued, having also 
added a complete line of harness and saddlery supplies. When Mr. Chris- 
tiansen first came to Ettrick there were only four buildings in the village 
and he has since witnessed its growth to a floui'ishing village of 300 people 
or more. He built his present store about 1905, a substantial building, 
conveniently located, and giving him plenty of room. 

Mr. Christiansen was married in November, 1868, to Caroline Olson, 
who was born in his own native province in Norway, and who came to 
America at the same time that he did. Her parents, who died in Norway, 
were Ole Larson and Margaret Gunderson. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are 
the parents of nine children : Helena, now Mrs. L. M. Larson, an attorney 
residing in Regina, Canada, where he is collection man for the International 
Harvester Company; Ole (deceased), at the time of his death he was inter- 
ested in a large creamery at Long Prairie, Minn.; Robert (deceased), who 
was a prominent young lawyer of the county; in the spring of 1914 he 
was appointed by Governor LaFoUette as district attorney of Trempealeau 
County and in August that year he died, leaving a wife and two children ; 
Martha, now Mrs. Andrew C. Hagestad of Ettrick Township; Clara, wife 
of Rev. P. A. Hendrickson of Roanwood, Mont.; Melvin (deceased), who 
was assisting his father in business ; Helmer, who is now associated with 
his father in business at Ettrick ; Octavia, a stenographer at Fargo, N. D. ; 
Anna Amelia, a graduate nurse from the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, 
is now Mrs. E. J. Burke. They reside at LaSalle, 111., where Mr. Burke is 
a practicing physician. Mr. Christiansen has built up a good trade and is 
one of the prosperous citizens of the village of Ettrick. He and his family 
are members of the Lutheran church. 

James 0. Halderson, president of the Halderson-Plummer Company, 
Incorporated, of Galesville, of which place he is one of the leading busi- 
ness men, was born in Harmony, Vernon County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1871, son 
of Albert and Mary (Gaarder) Halderson. He was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Vernon County and remained at home until he was 20 years 




.J. O. UALUKHt^ON AND FAMIl-V 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 485 

of age, when he became clerk in the furniture store of Joseph Polver at 
Viroqua, Wis. There he remained for three years, during the last year 
of which period he had full charge of the business, having mastered it 
in every detail. In 1894 Mr. Halderson came to Galesville and here estab- 
hshed an up-to-date furniture and undertaking business, with Thomas 
Call as an equal partner, the style of the firm being Halderson & Call. 
Two years later their establishment was burned out, entailing a complete 
loss, but, undaunted, Mr. Halderson made a new start, this time alone and 
on a small scale, his place of business being located in the Button building. 
By hard work and upright deahng he built up a flourishing business, which 
increased steadily year by year. He now owns a fine store building, com- 
plete in every branch of the business, located on the corner of Ridge and 
Allen streets. This location he purchased from M. B. Parker and son Ervin 
in 1898. He has just built a tasteful modern residence north of his business 
block facing on Ridge street. In July, 1915, Mr. Halderson sold a half 
interest in the business to W. F. Plummer, and it was then incorporated as 
the Halderson-Plummer Company, with J. 0. Halderson, president; Mrs. 
J. 0. Halderson, vice-president; W. F. Plummer, secretary and treasurer. 
Mr. Halderson is a graduate of the Clark Embalming School of Chicago 
and of the Williams Embalming School of Oshkosh, Wis., and holds a state 
certificate as a thoroughly qualified funeral director. As a business man 
he has gained a reputation for honesty and reliability that is one of his 
most valuable assets. Aside from their furniture and undertaking depart- 
ments, the Halderson-Plummer Company deal in pianos, organs, talking 
machines and other similar goods, keeping articles of standard merit. 
Mr. Halderson was married June 24, 1896, to Ellen Cook, who was born 
at Decorah Prairie, this county, July 25, 1870, daughter of David and Agnes 
(Henderson) Cook. Mrs. Halderson was graduated from the Galesville 
schools in 1888. For several terms she was a proficient teacher in the rural 
schools, and for a long period a clerk in the department store of Gilbertson 
& Myhre at Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Halderson have two children : James 
Haskell, born June 2, 1899, who was graduated from Galesville high school 
in 1917, and Theresa Grace, born March 8, 1902, who is now a student 
in the high school. Mr. Halderson is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F. 
& A. M. ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen 
of America, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. 

Hans F. Claussen, one of the most prominent business men in the 
southeastern part of Trempealeau County, and a resident of the village 
of Ettrick, was born in Heide, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Peter H. and 
Anna (Messer) Claussen. His parents came to the United States with their 
family when he was five years old, in 1870, first locating in Chicago, where 
Peter H. Claussen worked one summer. Desiring better opportunities for 
advancement than he could find at once in the crowded city, he then came 
to Trempealeau County, Wis., and located on a farm near Frenchville, 
which is still known as the Claussen homestead and which is one of the 
best farms to be found in this part of the county, its development and 
improvement having been effected by him. There he and his wife 
are still living, though he is now retired from active work. Of their 



486 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

eight children, the subject of this sketch was the second in order 
of birth. 

Hans F. Claussen was educated in the district school at Frenchville, 
Gale Township, and at Gale University, now known as Gale College. He 
resided on his parents' farm until he was 22 years old and then became a 
clerk in the general store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville, remaining 
in their employ for three years. At the end of that time, resolving to go 
into business for himself, he selected Elk Creek, in this county, as a suit- 
able location and there conducted a store for four years. An opportunity 
then occurred for him to purchase the business of John Gilbertson at French- 
ville, and he accordingly did so, improving the store by the erection of new 
buildings, his store building being 42 by 60 feet, two stories in height, with 
basement. A house for residence is connected with it. Here Mr. Claussen 
is doing a good business as general merchant, keeping a large and varied 
stock of goods to suit both village and country trade and ensuring a gradual 
increase of patronage by prompt service and honest dealing. This enter- 
prise, however, prosperous though it is, is but one of those with which he 
is connected. He was one of the founders of the Farmers and Merchants 
Bank of Galesville and its first vice-president. In 1911 he organized the 
Bank of Ettrick, of which he is at the present time president, devoting to 
this institution the greater part of his time ; and he is besides secretary and 
treasurer and a director of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building ; 
acting treasurer of the Ettrick Creamery Company and treasurer of the 
Ettrick Telephone Company, also secretary and treasurer of the Ettrick 
Lumber Company, organized in 1917. Aside from his interests in these 
various enterprises he is the owner of real estate in Frenchville and land 
in Ettrick Township close to the corporation line of Ettrick Village. An 
independent Republican in politics, Mr. Claussen, while having no political 
aspirations, has at different times responded when called upon to serve 
in local office, and thus has served four years as treasurer of Gale Town- 
ship and a similar length of time as chairman of the township board. He 
was married in June, 1892, to Anna Olson, who was born in Trempealeau 
County, daughter of Louis and Mary (Olson) Olson. Her parents, who 
are now deceased, were early settlers in Trempealeau County, coming here 
from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, where they lived for a short time, 
Mr. Olson's occupation was that of farmer, and he and his wife were 
worthy, reliable people, much respected in their vicinity. They had four 
children, their daughter Anna, now Mrs. Claussen, being the third born. 
Mr. and Mrs. Claussen's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of 
five children : Lucile P., who was educated in the local schools and at Red 
Wing Seminary and is now assistant cashier in the Bank of Ettrick ; Vesta 
M., Freda M., Peter H. and Ruth M., all of whom are residing at home. The 
Claussen family are members of the Lutheran church. They stand high 
in the community as people of sterling character and their circle of frienus 
and acquaintances is a wide one. 

James E. Cance. One of the prosperous merchants of the village of 
Ettrick is James E. Cance, who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 22, 
1864, son of Robert and Christine (Edmond) Cance. Scotland was the 



488 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

later served three terms as chairman of the board. At the age of twenty- 
two he was elected town clerk, a position in which he served for eleven 
years. In 1894 he was elected county treasurer, and in this capacity did 
such excellent service that he was re-elected in the fall of 1896. From 
1882, the time of its organization, until 1894, he was secretary of the 
Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was one of the important 
factors in its success. Upon retiring from public office he made his home 
in Whitehall until his lamented death March 5, 1901. Mr. Larson was 
married May 28, 1887, to Marie Skorstad, who was born near Vardahl, 
Christiania, Norway, Aug. 7, 1863, daughter of Christian and Ellen 
(Brostad) Skorstad, born in 1819 and 1821 respectively, came to America 
in 1868, and homesteaded a farm in section 27, town 23, range 7, Pigeon 
Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. 
Larson are the parents of three children: Chester Ernest, who was born 
April 15, 1894, and died April 30, of the same year; Mabel, who was born 
Aug. 20, 1896, and is now a student in domestic science in the Stout Insti- 
tute at Menominee, Wis. ; and Owen Elmer, who was born April 13, 1899, 
and is now attending the Whitehall high school. Mr. Larson was one of 
two children. His brother Lars was born in 1852, married Ellen Johnson 
in 1876, and has three children : Edwin, a farmer of Jackson County, this 
state ; Emma, the wife of Knut Haugen, a farmer of Jackson County, and 
Lena, now Mrs. Severson, who lives near Neillsville, Wis. Mrs. Larson is 
the fifth of six children, the others being: Andrew (deceased), who mar- 
ried Petra Tennseth (deceased), and has one son, Casper; Ohve, who mar- 
ried Andrew Rye, a farmer of Taconite, Minn. ; Peter of Whitehall ; Carrie, 
who lives with her brother Anton ; and Anton, who is a merchant in York, 
Wisconsin. 

Paul Nordhus, one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of 
Ettrick Township, is, like many other successful agriculturists of this part 
of the county, of Norwegian birth, having been born in Hardanger, Nor- 
way, Oct. 28, 1859. son of Ole and Ingeborg (Tolafson) Nordhus, his parents 
being natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer and also post- 
master of his town. He and his wife both died in Norway, never coming 
to this country. 

Paul Nordhus, who was the seventh born in a family of nine children, 
attended school in his native land. At the age of 16 years he became a 
sailor and followed that vocation until 1882, in which year he came to the 
United States, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, Wis. 
Here he found employment in a sawmill and was thus occupied for six years. 
At the end of that time he went west, visiting Spokane, Wash., and other 
places and working as a stone mason for about 18 months. In the mean- 
while he had saved money and now returned to Norway, desiring to see his 
native place once more. The United States possessed too strong an attrac- 
tion for him to remain there long, however, and in 1891 he came back to 
this country and located on his present farm in section 12 East, Ettrick 
Township, the farm containing 280 acres of valuable land, on which he 
raises good crops, besides keeping a fair amount of stock. He is also 
financially interested as a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange of Blair, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 489 

the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company and the 
Bank of Ettrick. Mr. Nordhus was married Feb. 6, 1894, to Betsey David- 
son, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, daughter of 
Rasmus and Anna (Johnson) Davidson. Her parents were natives of 
Hardanger, Norway, who came to America about 1875, settling on a farm 
in Jackson County, just across the hne from Trempealeau County, where 
Mr. Davidson died in 1908. His wife is still residing on the old farm. They 
were among the earliest settlers in that locality. Mrs. Nordhus, who was 
the third born of their six children, when a girl attended the Hegg school- 
house in Ettrick Township, this county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Nordhus are six in number: Oscar Raymond, who is employed in the 
office of the St. L. & M. Railroad Company at Minneapolis ; Alina Ingeborg, 
now residing in Minneapolis, and Esther Josephine, Norma Jeanette, Emil 
James and Basil Philip, who are residing at home. Mr. Nordhus and his 
family are affiliated by membership with the United Lutheran Church, 
while his political principles are those of the Republican party. As a suc- 
cessful farmer and loyal citizen he is known and respected throughout this 
part of the county. 

Thomas P. Nelsestuen, a successful farmer of section 34 W., Ettrick 
Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Jan. 8, 1876, son 
of Peter and Christiana (Hagestuen) Nelsestuen. His parents were natives 
of Norway. The father was born in Syndreland, that country, Oct. 3, 1838 ; 
his wife in Biri, Feb. 6, 1845. About 1860 they came to the United States, 
settling in Trempealeau County, and soon after on the farm where the sub- 
ject of this sketch now lives, which Peter Nelsestuen cleared and improved 
and on which he resided until his death Feb. 6, 1914. His wife now resides 
in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, with her daughter, Mrs. Sever 
Twesme. They had a family of eight children, of whom Thomas P. was 
the sixth born. The latter, after acquiring his education in the district 
school, was a student for awhile at Gale College, and for one year attended 
public school at Superior, Wis. He resided at home until he was 23 years 
old and then went to Westby, Vernon County, where he spent the winter. 
From there he went to North Dakota and then to Canada, locating in the 
province of Saskatchewan, where he proved up 160 acres of land, residing 
on it three years. He then went to Ross, N. D., and proved up a claim 
there, his residence being continued for 18 months. At the end of that 
time he returned home and bought the old homestead of his parents, con- 
sisting of 1331/^ acres, located at the mouth of French's Creek. Mr. 
Nelsestuen has added to the improvements on the farm, having put up 
a good barn and silo and done other work increasing the value of the prop- 
erty. He has disposed of his Canadian and North Dakota holdings, but is a 
stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, the Scandinavian 
Insurance Company and the Ettrick Farmers' Telephone Company. 

June 23, 1909, Mr. Nelsestuen was united in marriage with Julia 
Ofsdahl, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Peter and Inge- 
borg (Holmen) Ofsdahl, whose parents were Norwegians, her father being 
born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 27, 1835, and her mother Feb. 1, 1835. Peter 
Ofsdahl had been previously married. He came to this country before 



490 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier. His death took place Oct. 
10, 1905, his wife surviving him a little over a year, passed away May 13, 
1906. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsestuen are members of the Lutheran Church; in 
politics he is a Republican. The children of Peter Nelsestuen and wife are : 
Ole of Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Tillie, widow of Siver Twesme ; Minnie, now 
Mrs. H. Gangnon of Superior, Wis.; Clara, now Mrs. Lewis Twesme of 
Superior, Wis. ; Peter of South Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township ; Thomas 
P., subject of this sketch, and John and Otto of Minneapolis. 

Mathias T. Pederson. Among the foreign born citizens of Trem- 
pealeau County the Norwegians take a prominent place for their industry 
and enterprise and the large measure of success which has accompanied 
their efforts to establish a home and improve their fortunes in this, the 
land of their adoption. An excellent type of this class is the subject of 
this sketch, Mathias T. Pederson, who was born in Rinsager, Norway, 
Sept. 9, 1864. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Larson) Pederson, natives 
of the same province, emigrated to the United States with their family in 
1873, settling on a farm about three miles and a half from Ettrick, Trem- 
pealeau County, Wis., where they remained about 18 months. Thomas 
Pederson was then about 35 years old, and his wife some six or seven years 
younger. Following their residence on the farm, Mr. Pederson, the father, 
engaged in the shoemaking business in Ettrick, taking as a partner Hans 
Christianson, the firm both manufacturing and repairing boots and shoes. 
In this work he continued until his death, Jan. 12, 1884 which took place 
at the Wisconsin House in La Crosse, where he was taking treatment for a 
physical ailment. His wife died Oct. 15, 1909. 

Mathias T. Pederson was the eldest of his parents' nine children. He 
attended district school in Ettrick Township and when a lad of from 10 
to 12 years old began working out during the summers, and continued to 
do so, living at home in the winter, until he was 20 years of age. His 
father then died and he subsequently helped his mother to support the 
family until his own marriage, being then employed with a team in gather- 
ing cream for the Ettrick Creamery. He had previously purchased a lot 
on which he later erected a barn, and not long after that, or about a year 
after his marriage, he purchased a residence property. After hauling 
cream for about five years Mr. Pederson engaged in the pump and windmill 
business in Ettrick, doing contract work and sinking all kinds of wells. 
This work was interrupted by intervals of service in public office as sheriff, 
during which time he rented his equipment to his brother and brother-in- 
law. He served as township treasurer in 1897-98, as under sheriff in 
1905-06, and as sheriff in 1907-08, also acting as constable for a number 
of years until he declined any longer to serve. He has also for a number 
of years been a member of the board of education, of which body he is at 
the present time the treasurer. Besides pumps and windmills he deals in 
gasoline engines, U. S. cream separators and steam and hot water heat- 
ing plants, doing an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Pederson built 
his present commodious residence in 1910 and also owns other real estate, 
both within and without the village limits. He is a stockholder in the 
Bank of Ettrick and a member of the examining board, a stockholder in 







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12; 

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 491 

Ettrick Hall, in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, of which he is vice-presi- 
dent; also a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company and in the 
Ettrick Lumber Company, of which latter concern he was one of the 
incorporators. These various interests make large demands on his time, 
the greater part of which, however, is given to his pump and windmill 
business. 

June 27, 1891, Mr. Pederson was united in marriage with Agnes 
Erickson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Evan and Frederica 
(Olson) Erickson, both natives of the same district in Norway. The 
Erickson family came to this country in 1871, settling in Ettrick Town- 
ship, near the Gale Township line, where Mr. Erickson engaged in farm- 
ing. He is still living there, but is now 83 years old and retired. His wife 
died on the home farm about 1901 or 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have 
a family of eight children: Thomas E., a farmer at Mobridge, S. D. ; 
Fred M., who resides at home and is assisting his father ; Myrtle, a teacher 
in the schools of Trempealeau County ; Agnes, who is attending the Gales- 
ville high school; Palmer L., a graduate of Galesville high school, class of 
1917 ; Silas Clarence, Thelma L. and Otis K., residing at home. Mr. Peder- 
son and his family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church at Ettrick. 
He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being banker for his lodge, 
and is a member of the board of managers of the Beaver lodge. As a good 
citizen, progressive and pubhc spirited, he has at heart the general interests 
of the community in which he lives and has taken part in many practical 
measures for its advancement. He has attained a comfortable position 
in. life through his own energy and business acumen, and is one of the 
substantial and respected citizens of his village and township. 

Duncan Grant, a prosperous agriculturist operating a farm of 274 
acres in section 5-32 E, Gale Township, was born on the farm on which 
he now lives, Feb. 1, 1870, son of Duncan and Elizabeth (Dick) Grant. His 
parents were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, the father born March 5, 1837, 
and the mother about 1847. Duncan Grant, the elder^ came to America 
in 1851, locating first in Kentucky, in which state he resided three or four 
years, and then came to Trempealeau County, Wis. He was married in 
Gale Township and settled on the farm now owned by his son and name- 
sake, and engaged in agriculture. Here he resided until 1913, when he 
took up his residence with his son-in-law, Andrew Cook, of Gale Township, 
where he is now Uving. His wife died about 1881. They were the parents 
of eight children. 

Duncan Grant, the second of the name, was the fourth born child in 
his parents' family. He attended the Grant school in district No. 7, Gale 
Township, and was at an early age initiated into agricultural work, being 
set to work as soon as he could handle a team. Before he was of age he 
took charge of the farm and has since operated it, becoming its owner by 
purchase when he was 29 years old. He is engaged in general farming and 
stock raising, and is doing a large and profitable business. He is a stock- 
holder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the Farmers Exchange Elevator 
and the La Crosse Packing Company. April 25, 1906, Mr. Grant was 
married to Henrietta Lowner, a native of Holland and daughter of Martin 



492 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and Helen (Bymers) Lowner. Her parents, who were both born in Hol- 
land, came to the United States about 1893, locating near Amsterdam, in 
La Crosse County, where Mr. Lowner found employment on farms, and 
where he died about 1902. His wife now resides at Council Bay, that 
county. They had seven children, Henrietta being the fourth in order of 
birth. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are the parents of four children: Helen Eliza- 
beth, Russell Vernon, Thomas Glenn and Arvilla May. He belongs to the 
order of Beavers and in politics is an independent Republican. 

Peter J. Pederson, who is the owner of a good dairy farm of 160 acres 
in section 35 west, Ettrick Township, was born in Coon Valley, Vernon 
County, Wis., May 11, 1870, son of John and Agnes (Lindahl) Pederson. 
His parents were among the hardy Norwegian settlers of this county, and 
were both born in Biri, Norway, the father Feb. 2, 1848, the mother Nov. 
12, 1849. The former came to America in 1859, locating in Coon Valley 
Wisconsin. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, 25th Wis- 
consin Regiment, but after serving for awhile was mustered out on account 
of sickness. On his recovery he re-enlisted as a substitute and served until 
the end of the war. He then settled in Vernon County, where he bought 
land and married, residing there until 1875, in which year he removed to 
Trempealeau County, taking the farm on which his son Peter J. now lives. 
Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death Aug. 22, 1914. 
His wife died No. 12, 1908. Their family consisted of the following chil- 
dren: Martha, wife of Chris Skunberg, residing at French Creek, this 
county; Peter J., subject of this sketch; Carrie, deceased; a child who died 
in infancy, and Anton, who is unmarried and resides with his brother Peter. 

Peter J. Pederson acquired his education in the district school. He 
resided at home and when 18 years of age took the management of the 
farm, operating it until about 1910. Subsequently he bought out the heirs 
to the estate and now has 160 acres of valuable land, on which he has put 
on all improvements, and is conducting it as a first class dairy farm. Mr. 
Pederson is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Ettrick & Northern 
Railroad. He was married May 27, 1896, to Sena Husman, who was born 
in Biri, Norway, daughter of Olie and Marit (Forgerson) Husman. Her 
parents were born in Fauberg, Norway, the father Nov. 23, 1842, and the 
mother in Ayr, Norway, Sept. 27, 1841. They came to America in 1885 
locating in Coon Valley, Vernon County, but in the same year came to Trem- 
pealeau County, Mr. Husman farming for many years on French Creek, 
where he and his wife are now living retired. They celebrated their golden 
wedding June 15, 1917. They were the parents of eight children, Sena 
being their fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have three children: 
Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1897; Orrin, born Sept. 6, 1900, and Arthur Miner, 
born March 6, 1910, all residing at home. The family are members of the 
Lutheran church. In political matters Mr. Pederson votes independently, 
judging of issues and men as the occasion arises and not being bound to 
any party. As a successful farmer and good citizen he is known and 
respected throughout this part of the county. 

John P. Poss, a well known farmer operating 200 acres of land in section 
32 E, Gale Township, was born in this township, Dec. 13, 1873, son of 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 493 

Peter and Barbara (Happel) Poss. Peter Poss was born in Milwaukee, Dec. 
25, 1849, and came to Trempealeau County with his parents when a child of 
three years, they locating on a farm in Gale Township. After growing to 
manhood he followed farming for himself in this township until 1904, at 
which time he sold the farm to his sons, and is now living retired at Houston, 
Minn. His wife, who was born in Germany Dec. 31, 1850, died Aug. 11, 
1904. They wei-e the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the eldest. 

John P. Poss in his boyhood attended the Grant school in Gale Town- 
ship and resided on a farm adjoining his father's until 1904, in which 
year, on January 6, he was married to Louise Wohlers. She was born at 
Brownville, Minn., daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Depthner) Wohlers, 
who were married in La Crosse County. Her parents were born in Ger- 
many, the father Aug. 18, 1838, and the mother Aug. 9, 1847. Mr. Wohlers 
came to the United States about 1868, taking a farm in Houston County, 
on which he and his wife are still living. They had a large family, number- 
ing 11 children, Mrs. Poss being the sixth in order of birth. At the time 
of his marriage Mr. Poss began operations of his present farm, where he 
has since remained, being engaged in general farming, including stock 
raising. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the 
Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. He and his wife have four 
children : Pearl Barbara, Le Roy Henry, Gladys Winifred and Anna Eliza- 
beth. Mr. Poss is independent in politics. He has taken no active part 
in local government and as a good citizen is interested in the advancement 
of the community in which he lives, and ready to support any practical 
movement for that purpose. 

Nels Pederson, the present postmaster of Galesville, who is also inter- 
ested in several important business enterprises here, was born in Hede- 
marken, Norway, Dec. 16, 1850. His parents, Peder Nelson and Martha 
Halverson, never came to America, but died in their native land, Norway. 
Nels Pederson was obliged to support himself when he was 13 years of 
age. For three years he worked on the farm of one of his uncles, and then 
found employment in a store as clerk, being thus occupied three years. 
Afterwards he worked nine years in factories devoted to the woodwork- 
ing industry, two years in Sweden and six years in Germany. From the 
latter country he came in 1883 to the United States, locating at once in 
Winona, Minn., where he found work in a wagon factory. He continued 
in this occupation for nine years, and then, in 1892, became registrar of 
deeds for Winona county. After serving one term in this office he came to 
Galesville and engaged in the retail liquor business, remaining in it for 
16 years. Since then he has served as village clerk, and in other offices, 
receiving his appointment as postmaster July 1, 1915. In p'olitics he is a 
Democrat. 

Julius 0. Tappen, proprietor of the old Tappen homestead in section 24, 
Preston Township, was born in Solar, Norway, Oct. 24, 1854, son of Ole 0. 
and Elizabeth (Embretson) Tappen. The father, who was born in Norway 
in 1816, came to America in the fall of 1857 and resided one year in Vernon 
County, Wisconsin. He then bought a farm in what is now known as 



494 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Tappan Coulie, Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where he lived six 
years. At the end of that time he purchased the farm on which his son 
Julius 0. now Uves, and spent the rest of his life in its cultivation and 
improvement. His death took place on this farm, Jan. 3, 1905. His wife 
Elizabeth, who was born in 1815, died in 1910. Their family consisted of 
the following eight children : Ole Olson, who was killed in Kentucky in the 
Civil War ; Evert Olson, also a soldier in the Civil War, who was killed by 
a desperado at New Lisbon ; Karen, who died in 1857 at the age of 16 years ; 
Olea, who married Gunder Peterson, a farmer of Preston Township, and 
died in 1911; Serena, wife of Paul Strum, a farmer residing near Blair; 
Julius 0. of Preston Township ; Annie, who died at the age of three years, 
and Alex C, a resident of Springwater, Saskatchewan, Canada. Julius O. 
Tappen was brought up to farm life and labor and for a number of years 
when a young man worked on farms in the summer and in the pineries 
during the winter. In this manner he was occupied until 1884, in which 
year he purchased the home farm of his parents and has since been engaged 
in its cultivation. The property contains 100 acres and is well improved. 
Mr. Tappen is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in breeding 
Percheron horses, having two good stallions, which latter business he began 
in 1904. Mr. Tappen was married Nov. 11, 1881, to Mary Olson of Preston 
Township, who was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1852. Her parents were Ole 
Nelson, who was born in Greue, Solar, Norway, and Bertha Ericsdatter 
Void. They came to America in 1872, settling in Trempealeau Coulie, this 
county, where the father died in 1888 and the mother in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tappen are the parents of eight children : Oscar, residing at home ; Bendt, 
who married Esther Johnson and lives at Springwater, Saskatchewan ; Olaus, 
living at Courtney, N. D. ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Thurston of Courtney, 
N. D. ; Eddie of Alma Center, Wis.; John, residing at home; Alfred of 
Canada and Morris at home. 

Mike Pinorsky, proprietor of a first class meat market in Trempealeau 

the only one in the village, was born in Posen, Germany, Nov. 19, 1888, 

son of Walter and Frances (Grossman) Pinorsky, who were married in 
Germany. The father was born in Russia and the mother in Posen, 
Germany. Walter Pinorsky died when the subject of this sketch was but 
two years old, and his widow subsequently married Martin Borroski. Both 
her first and second husbands were meat cutters. 

Mike Pinorsky learned the meat cutter's trade with his stepfather. 
In May, 1906, he left his native land for America, and coming directly to 
Trempealeau county, took up his residence in the home of an uncle, Frank 
Grossman, his mother's brother. Here he remained, working on his uncle's 
farm, for one year, during which time he apphed himself to learning the 
Enghsh language, which task he accomphshed fairly well. He then took 
a position as cutter in a meat shop in Arcadia, remaining there until the 
fall of 1911. At that time he came to Trempealeau Village and began work 
as cutter in a meat market here. In the fall of 1914 he bought the old 
Graves & Atwood store building on the corner of West Second street and 
Main street, Trempealeau Village, and fitted it up as a first class market, 
beginning business for himself. He has since built up a large patronage. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 495 

and though he has no competition in the village he keeps the best stock 
and aims to give perfect satisfaction to his customers. Besides working 
hard to advance his own prosperity, he takes a keen interest in the general 
well-being of the community and is always ready to join with his neighbors 
in promoting any worthy enterprise. He has no relations in this country 
except a cousin at Arcadia and a step-brother, Anton Pinorsky, who is a 
farmer at Waumandee, Wis. He was married Jan. 24, 1917, to Hedwig Kup- 
ferschnidt, who was born in Germany Feb. 21, 1889, and came to America 
in 1909. 

Abraham Pittenger, a pioneer, was born near Mansfield, in Richland 
County, Ohio, May 24, 1802, descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch 
ancestry. He was reared to farm pursuits and as a young man learned the 
blacksmith trade, to which two occupations he devoted his time in his native 
state until 1854. In that year he came west to Wisconsin and located at 
Onalaska, in La Crosse County. For a while he did various work at his 
trade, including the installing of the machinery in the historic Nicholas 
mill at the mouth of the Black River. In 1857 he settled on a homestead 
on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, and began its improvement by erect- 
ing a seven-room house, consisting of an upright and a wing, a very good 
house for those days. By pre-empting an adjoining tract, and purchasing 
other land, he added to his holdings until he owned 420 acres. He sold 120 
of this, and of the remainder developed 220 acres, leaving 80 acres in timber. 
In 1875 he came to Trempealeau County and purchased a farm two miles 
north of Trempealeau Village. There he lived in peace and contentment 
until his death Sept. 1, 1888. He will long be remembered for his activity 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a class leader and a member 
of the official board, gave land from his La Crosse County farm for a church 
and a cemetery, and was liberal in its support. He was also prominent in 
the affairs of the church at Trempealeau. Mr. Pittenger was married at 
Mansfield, Ohio, in 1821, to Eleanor Ferguson, who died in 1845, leaving 
ten children. He was married April 24, 1849, to Lucy Rand Barnes of 
Mansfield, Ohio, who died March 12, 1906, and to this union were born five 
children. Three were born in Mansfield, Ohio, Thomas J., July 27, 1850; 
Joseph Benson, April 18, 1852, and Lucy E., Sept. 3, 1853. Benjamin F. was 
born Nov. 16, 1855, at Onalaska, Wis ; Luther M. was born March 7, 1859, 
on Brice's Prairie, La Crosse County, Wis. Luther M. is the only one 
living, the others, except Thomas J., having died in childhood. 

Luther Melville Pittenger, newspaperman and real estate agent, was 
born on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, in La Crosse 
County, this state, March 7, 1859, son of Abraham and Lucy Rand (Barnes) 
Pittenger. He was reared in his native county, and there attended school 
until he was sixteen years of age. Then he was brought to Trempealeau 
County by his parents, and studied two years in the Trempealeau high 
school. For many years he devoted his life to farm pursuits. Prominent 
in public affairs, he was chairman of the election board in his township 
for a long period, and was a delegate at various times to different Repub- 
lican committees, also serving on various committees. He helped to organize 
school district 13, and was an active factor in the building of the new 



496 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

schoolhouse. In 1907, Mr. Pittenger moved to Trempealeau Village and 
has since been engaged in his present line of work. His duties take him 
all over the county, and he has made many friends. He has also largely 
increased the circulation of the La Crosse Daily Tribune, vi^hich he repre- 
sents as solicitor and collector. His financial holdings include stock in the 
Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau. His fraternal affiliation is with the 
Blue Lodge of the Masons. Mr. Pittenger was married Nov. 25, 1880, by 
the Rev. David Wing, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trem- 
pealeau, to Adaline Harris, born at La Crosse, Nov. 1, 1862, daughter of 
Peter Harris of Trempealeau. This union has been blessed with five chil- 
dren : Chnton H., Hattie E., Glenna May, Robert Lee and Jennie A. Clinton 
H. was born Sept. 1, 1881, and is a stationary engineer, living at Trem- 
pealeau. He married Edith Hess and has four children: Martha, Wil- 
helmina, Luther and Virginia. Hattie E. was born May 14, 1883, and mar- 
ried William Crosen, a barber of Trempealeau. Glenna May was born March 
7, 1885, and married Lemuel Hare, Jr., who in 1915 purchased the old Pit- 
tenger homestead. They have three children : Minerva, Lynn and Edna. 
Robert Lee, born June 30, 1887, died July 19, 1901, at the age of 14 years ; 
Jennie A. was born April 28, 1892, and is now Mrs. Abner Hess. They live 
on a farm in Trempealeau County and have two children: Norman and 
Clyde. 

James Saurin Pierson, who for many years has conducted a drug busi- 
ness in Trempealeau Village, and has been successful as a business man, 
was born in Kingston, Canada, July 25, 1852. His parents were Jacob 
and Marian (Thompson) Pierson, the father born in Belfast, Ireland, Sept. 
10, 1824. Mrs. Jacob Pierson was of Irish parentage, but was born in the 
southern part of France, in 1821. The subject of this sketch came to 
Wisconsin with his parents from Port Hope, arriving in Trempealeau, April 
20, 1861. The journey was made by train to Dunleith, III. (now East 
Dubuque), and from there by boat to Trempealeau. On arriving in this 
county Jacob Pierson settled in Caledonia Township, on a farm at McGil- 
vray's Ferry, on Black River, the location being about a mile from the old 
ferry. He remained on this farm until the spring of 1871 and then moved 
to the George Miller place, one mile west of Trempealeau, which was a 
small tract of six acres, to which he added by purchase 165 acres adjoining. 

James S. Pierson in his boyhood attended the common schools, and 
subsequently spent six months at Galesville University, taking as far as 
he went, what corresponded to a high school course, during the winter 
of 1867 and the spring of '68. He then spent about a year in logging on 
the river at Onalaska, but during the winter of 1869-70 attended school 
in Barnard district, Caledonia. In the spring of 1870 he went back on the 
river and was engaged in lumbering for about two years, spending the 
summers on the river and the winters in scaling logs in northern Wisconsin. 
During the winter of 1873-74 he taught school in Trempealeau County. This 
summer — 1874 — he was married in Trempealeau Village, July 9, by the 
pastor of the M. E. Church, to Clara I. Carleton, daughter of Martin and 
Sarah (Owen) Carleton of Wayne County, Michigan, and having bought 
his father's farm, took his wife to live there, the father entering the employ 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 497 

of King & Gray, druggists in Trempealeau Village. He and his wife resided 
on the farm until about the fall of 1877 and then moved into the village, 
where Mr. Pierson worked at the carpenter's trade for two or three years. 
In the meanwhile Jacob Pierson, the father, had become owner of the drug 
business on Front street, and in 1882 the subject of this sketch bought 
him out and engaged in the drug business himself, conducting the store on 
Front street until April 13, 1887, when the business section of Trempealeau 
was wiped out by fire. Then in July he moved into the Ed Elkins block on 
Main street, where he has since been located, having built up a prosperous 
business. He has been a member of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Associa- 
tion almost from its organization. Aside from his immediate business inter- 
ests he is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. Succeeding Judge A. W. 
Newman as president of the school board, Mr. Pierson served in that posi- 
tion for 11 years following, by appointment, and has also served three terms 
by election. For 30 years he has acted as village treasurer. Otherwise he 
has held no public office, but in politics is a stalwart Republican. He and 
his wife have had two children, the elder of whom, Grace, born July 9, 1876, 
died at the age of five years, Oct. 9, 1881. The other, Charles R., born 
March 7, 1882, is married and resides at Watertown, S. D., where he is 
district manager for the American Tobacco Company. He has four chil- 
dren : William Irvin, born March 28, 1904 ; Hugh, born May 28, 1906 ; James, 
born March 3, 1909, and Kathleen, born May 14, 1912. James S. Pierson 
has been a member of the Masonic order for 35 years, and is a Knight 
Templar, belonging to the Commandery at La Crosse. For 15 years he has 
been treasurer of his lodge. No. 117, A. F. & A. M., at Trempealeau, and 
for three years has served as master. He also belongs to Court Lotus, 
No. 3346, I. 0. 0. F. of Trempealeau. He was reared in the faith of the 
Episcopal church, but since his marriage has affiliated with and supported 
the Congregational church. Both as a citizen and as one of the leading 
business men of Trempealeau he is highly respected. He has always had 
the welfare of the village at heart and has taken a prominent part in every 
progressive movement calculated to advance its interests. 

Ivan George Dale operates the farm owned and developed by his 
parents. His father, Benjamin Thomas Dale, was born July 29, 1853, on 
the site of the present city of La Crosse. Five years later this place was 
sold and the family settled on a farm in the town of Caledonia, and this, 
in turn, was traded to Elder Wing (thus locally acquiring the name, "The 
Wing Place"), for a farm located in a valley two miles west of Galesville. 
Various parcels of land were added to the original farm, and a more con- 
venient building site was chosen. 

Benjamin, familiarly called Ben, attended public school, Galesville 
University, and completed a course at the La Crosse Business College. His 
marriage to EUzabeth Marianne Hougstad took place April 23, 1884, and 
their home was established on land adjoining that of his father. Two chil- 
dren were born to them : Ivan George, born July 20, 1886, and-Addie Albina, 
Feb. 6, 1888. Her husband, Gerhard B. Christophersen, formerly of Pigeon 
Falls, this county, is employed as a claim manager by the Twohy-Eimon 
Mercantile Company, wholesale grocers, Superior, Wis. Mr. Dale bought 



498 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

land adjoining his original farm, finally possessing 280 acres. Former 
owners had conducted a lime stone quarry and lime kiln, abundant quan- 
tities of material being found in the hills. Ben continued and extended 
these industries, later adding brick making, the farm including deep beds 
of clay suitable for the soft-mud brick variety. Lime and brick kilns 
required wood for fuel, so 100 acres of timber land was purchased in the 
low lands of Black River. Mr. Dale was ably assisted by his noble wife 
in the management of his extensive business. Finally their health broke 
under the strain of constant toil and the place was sold April 1, 1901, the 
family removing to Trempealeau, where the children continued their work 
in the grade schools. When Gale College was taken over by the Norwegian 
Lutherans in 1901 Ben Dale was made treasurer, continuing in that office 
until his death, April 4, 1902. He never aspired to public office, though 
he took a warm interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the 
community. His social life, through preference, was confined to home and 
church. His family sold out in Trempealeau soon after his death, and 
returned to Galesville, purchasing a smaU home near Gale College, which 
school both children attended. Ivan at the age of eighteen operated a part 
of the Gale College farm. He became manager of the old homestead upon 
its return into the hands of the family in 1908. Ivan conducted the stone 
quarry in addition to the farm, discontinuing the lime and brick business. 
He became sole owner of the place in 1912, later closing the quarries, as the 
farm with its many substantial buildings required his whole time. His 
mother resides with him. 

Svend H. Dale, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, for- 
merly engaged in farming, but now otherwise occupied, was born in Bergen- 
stift, Norway, May 5, 1857, son of Hendrick Swenson by his wife Jorond 
Knutson. His parents, both natives of Norway, came to the United States 
in 1867, locating in Ettrick Township, Beaver Creek Valley. Mr. Swenson, 
who had been a sailor, here engaged in farming. He continued to reside 
in Ettrick Township until his death, which took place Jan. 12, 1896 ; his wife 
died in September, 1897. They were the parents of eight children, of whom 
Svend H. was the eldest. The latter changed his name to Dale for the sake 
of conveninece. 

Svend H. Dale was ten years old when he accompanied his parents to 
this country. He completed his schooling in Beaver Creek Valley and 
remained at home until he was 24 years old. He then bought land on 
Beaver Creek and engaged in farming there until 1913, when he turned 
over the farm to his sons to operate it for him and removed to his present 
location, which is a tract of 230 acres adjoining the city limits of Gales- 
ville. Here he has erected a modern brick residence situated on a high 
bluff overlooking the business part of the city. His farm on Beaver Creek, 
known as the Dale farm, contains 200 acres. Mr. Dale has personally 
retired from general farming, but is engaged in the stock business and has 
served as manager of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Galesville. 
He is a Republican in politics and served as clerk of the school district at 
Beaver Creek for about 15 years. Mr. Dale was married June 7, 1882, to 
Catherine Herreid, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Gale Township, 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 499 

daughter of Nels 0. and Thone (Kittleson) Herreid. The parents were Nor- 
wegians, the father born in Hardanger and the mother in Telemarken, the 
latter coming to this country during the cholera epidemic. Her husband, 
Nels 0. Hen-eid, came the same year and they were married in Wisconsin. 
He had been a miner but after coming to this county engaged in farming. 
Both died in Beaver Creek, Mr. Herreid being accidentally killed in 1902. 
His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Catherine was the youngest of five 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Dale have been the parents of nine children: 
Helmer N., who died at the age of three years; Josephine Tonettie, now 
Mrs. Louis Instenes, a jeweler at Blair, Wis., they have two children: Stan- 
ley Leroy and Ardyce Catherine; Helmer N., second, who resides on a part 
of Mr. Dale's Galesburg farm, and who married Blanche Rehfus of Minne- 
apolis ; they have one child, Earline Whilhelmina ; Sanf ord C, a farmer and 
mail carrier, residing at home ; Hilda, also residing at home ; Gilford Roy, 
residing on the old Gale farm, who married Mabel Schuman of Caledonia 
Township; they have one child, Ruth Alvira; Normal Clarence, who is a 
printer on the Galesville Republican; Francis, who died in infancy, and 
Alice Eunice, who lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dale are members of the 
United Lutheran Church and of the order of Beavers. 

Archelaus Grover, one of the notable pioneers of Trempealeau Village, 
and the first sheriff of Trempealeau County, came to the West from New 
England, having been born in Bethel, Maine, Nov. 19, 1832. When an infant 
he accompanied his parents to Chemung County, New York, they settling at 
a place known locally as Martin's Hill. When he was 14 the family moved 
to Waupun, Wis., where the subject of this sketch resided until 1849. In 
that year, though only 17 years of age, he left home and walked to La Crosse, 
Wis., then only a trading post, where he assisted in building the first frame 
house, the only other white man in the place being a man named Nathan 
Merrick. Young Grover stayed at La Crosse but a short time, going from 
there to Brownsville, Iowa, where he learned raft piloting from a certain 
WilUam Richmand. In the same year — 1849 — he returned to Wisconsin 
and located in Trempealeau Village, which then consisted of a few houses 
occupied mostly by half-breed hunters and trappers with several small 
farmers. Here Mr. Grover engaged in buying furs from the Indians, which 
occupation he followed for several years. Later he assisted in the survey 
of northern Wisconsin. On April 13, 1855, he purchased land from the 
government in sections 26 and 27, Trempealeau Township. He now set to 
work to develop a farm, buying adjoining land from time to time until he 
owned 328 acres in one farm, also considerable other land. On this place 
he resided until 1885, at which time he removed into Trempealeau Village, 
which was his subsequent home until his death, Oct. 2, 1912, by accident. 
Nearly 80 years old, and somewhat hard of hearing, he was walking home 
from Winona on the Burhngton Railway tracks, when he was struck by a 
train about two miles west of Trempealeau Village, his body being found 
the next morning. Mr. Grover was a man of kindly, just and generous 
character, though resolute, and was greatly beloved by practically all who 
knew him. In 1872 he joined the Baptist church of Trempealeau, of which 
he was a member at the time of his death. He was married in Trempealeau 



500 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Village, July 8, 1855, to Esther Elizabeth Brandenberg, a daughter of 
Alpheus M. and Catherine Brandenberg of Dayton, Ohio, near which place 
she was boi-n April 25, 1837, coming to Trempealeau Village with her parents 
and the rest of their family in 1853. She survives her husband and is still 
living in Trempealeau Village, being now about 80 years of age. They 
had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Five of the children died 
in infancy. One daughter, Riza, was married to John Edward Powell of 
La Crosse, June 26, 1896, and died in that city Feb. 5, 1904. The children 
living are : S. D. Grover of Galesville, Wis. ; John, residing in Trempealeau 
Village, and Cora Kate, now Mrs. Benjamin Irvine, a resident of Everett, 
Wash. Mrs. Grover is a faithful member of the Baptist church, and is a 
lady highly respected in the community. 

William H. Dick, one of the leading and most progressive farmers in 
Gale Township and a large land owner, is a native of the township, having 
been born at Decorah Prairie, April 21, 1864. He is a son of WiUiam and 
Rosana (Neil) Dick, natives of Scotland, who were married in that country 
and came to the United States about 1846, first settling in Maryland. There 
for a few years Mr. Dick, the elder, was engaged in mining. It was not long, 
however, before he heard of better opportunities in the great Northwest, 
and soon after he was found among the pioneers of Trempealeau County, 
Wisconsin, taking land in section 36, Gale Township, which now constitutes • 
the farm of his son, William H. He became an extensive land owner and 
for a number of years was actively engaged in the stock business. His 
death occurred in 1907. His wife, who survives him, is now living with 
her son John in Gale Township. 

William H. Dick was the youngest member of his parents' family, 
which numbered eight children. He acquired the elements of knowledge 
in the district school at Decorah Prairie and learned agriculture on the 
home farm under his father. When he was 21 years old he became the 
owner of the farm, consisting of 248 acres of land, and has since been 
engaged in general farming. He has made some valuable improvements 
on the place, the more substantial buildings having been erected by him. In 
addition to this place he owns 200 acres in Black River bottoms and 60 
acres of timberland. He keeps a large amount of stock and his business 
is steadily growing. Mr. Dick is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Pack- 
ing Company, the Galesville Creamery, the Independent Harvester Com- 
pany of Piano, 111., and the farmers' Warehouse Elevator at Galesville. In 
politics he is a Republican, but has taken no active part in local govern- 
ment. Feb. 22, 1888, Mr. Dick was united in marriage with Alice Brown, 
who was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of George 
and Ellen (Irvine) Brown. Her father was born in Vermont April 23, 
1831, and her mother in Scotland, Aug. 8, 1840, their marriage taking place 
in America. George Brown came when a lad of 14 years to Wisconsin. 
He was a pioneer of Gale Township and did his share in developing its 
agricultural resources, breaking in and improving a considerable quantity 
of land during his active career. His death took place in 1902. His wife 
is still hving and resides with her son and daughter half a mile east of her 
daughter Mrs. Dick, the three children mentioned constituting their entire 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 501 

family. Mr. and Mrs. Dick's family also consists of three children : Lester 
William, who married Laura Agnes Stellpflug, and is a farmer in Gale Town- 
ship, having one child, Armond Leo ; Rose Ellen and Hazel Leila, who reside 
at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dick both belong to the two 
fraternal orders of Beavers and Yeomen, and Mr. Dick also to the Red Men. 
They are among the most prosperous residents in this part of the country 
and have a wide acquaintance. 

Ole T. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a stock and dairy farm 
in section 10 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 1, 
1854. His parents, Torger and Bergetal Johnson, were natives of the same 
province. In 1860 they set out for America, but on the voyage over the 
mother died and was buried at sea. The father with his motherless chil- 
dren on landing in this country came west as far as Dane County, Wisconsin, 
but resided there only a short time, removing to Coon Valley, Vernon 
County, and one season later to Trempealeau County. Here he homesteaded 
140 acres in section 14, Ettrick Township, also buying an additional 50 
acres. After making that farm his home for a number of years, he con- 
tracted a second marriage and moved to another farm in the neighborhood. 
This latter farm he later sold to his daughter, Rosa, with whom he resided 
also for a number of years, or practically until the end of his life. He died 
in January, 1898, while on a visit to his son Ole T. He was a quiet, indus- 
trious man, respected by his neighbors and confined his attention to his 
farm, taking no part in public affairs. By his first wife he had four children, 
Ole T. being the second born. Ole T. Johnson was six years old when he 
was deprived of a mother's care, and at the same time found himself in 
a new world and amid strange surroundings, but like most young children he 
soon began to feel at home and it was not long before he picked up an ele- 
mentary knowledge of the English tongue. He attended the Hegg school- 
house, and when a mere lad began to make himself useful on the farm, 
working for his father for a number of years. Before he was 18, how- 
ever, he began working in the woods during the winter season and con- 
tinued to do so for six or seven years. Then, thinking it time to start 
life on his own account, he purchased his present farm of 179 acres, con- 
sisting of well improved land, with good substantial buildings, on which 
he carries on general farming, making a specialty, however, of breeding 
Shorthorn cattle, and keeping from 30 to 35 on hand constantly. He is 
also engaged in dairying and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Com- 
pany, the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers Exchange of Blair 
and the Ettrick Telephone Company. Mr. Johnson assumed the responsi- 
bilities of married life in his twenty-second year, on Sept. 1, 1876, when 
he was united to Catherine Knudtson, daughter of Uriason and Bretta 
(Severson) Knudtson. Both she and her parents were born in Hardanger, 
Norway, the father July 6, 1823, and the mother Dec. 13, 1830. The family 
came to the United States in 1869, locating on the farm on which Mr. John- 
son now resides and where Mr. Knudtson Uved until his death, Feb. 15, 
1901. His wife is still living and resides on the Johnson farm with her 
daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Johnson was the second born of nine chil- 
dren. She only attended an English school for two weeks, being a pupil 



502 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

for that length of time at the Hegg school. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the 
parents of two children: Theodore Irvin, born March 19, 1891, and Bertha 
Theolena, born June 4, 1895, who was married April 29, 1917, to Helmer 
Sexie. They i-eside with his father, Lars Sexie. The family are members 
of the United Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson usually supports the Repub- 
lican party, but is not active in politics. As an energetic, prosperous citizen 
he commands the respect of his neighbors. 

John S. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 120 
acres in section 21, Gale Township, was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1868, son 
of Simon and Agnet (Smenstuen) Johnson. The parents, both natives of 
Norway, emigrated to America in 1871, locating in Gale Township, this 
county, on a farm from which they subsequently moved to the one now 
owned by their son, John S., with whom the father now resides. He is now 
advanced in years and a widower, his wife having passed away on this 
farm in 1900. They had a family of nine children, of whom, however, the 
subject of this sketch is the only one now living. John S. Johnson has 
always resided on the old family homestead. For many years he was 
associated with his father in its operation and later became its owner. He 
carries on general farming successfully, his land being valuable and his 
buildings and equipment of good style and quality. He was educated in 
the school at South Beaver Creek and later in that of the Glasgow district. 
Gale Township, and has in these later years served one term as a director 
of the school board. Rehgiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church 
and in politics is independent. As a farmer and loyal citizen he has estab- 
lished a good record and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 
Mr. Johnson has never married. 

Simon Jegi, a pioneer, was born in Switzerland, in 1832, and was there 
reared. His father, a stone worker, was killed in the quarries when Simon 
was still a boy, and it became necessary for him to eke out the family 
income by herding cattle in the Alps and doing such other duties as fell 
to his lot. At the age of 20 years he came to America and secured employ- 
ment as a farm hand in Sauk County, Wisconsin. By hard work and fru- 
gality he managed to save enough money to make the first payment on 
a farm. Accordingly he secured a place in Buffalo County. Shortly after- 
ward he came over the line into Trempealeau County and purchased a fai-m 
near Arcadia. There he successfully conducted general farming for many 
years. His latter days were spent in retirement in the village of Ai-cadia. 
His widow, who was born in Switzerland, and was brought to this country 
as a child of 12 years, still makes her home in Arcadia. Mr. and Mrs. Jegi 
were the parents of four children: John I., George F., Mary and Henry A. 
John I., now deceased, was a man of considerable distinction. He was reared 
on the farm, attended school in Arcadia, taught for a while, and received his 
B. A. and M. A. degrees from the University of Chicago. The remainder 
of his hfe was spent as professor of physiology and psychology in the Mil- 
waukee Normal School. In this connection he was also a frequent lecturer 
in the Milwaukee Medical College. George F. was graduated from the 
Northwestern College at Naperville, 111., with the degree of B. A., but ill 
health forced his return to Trempealeau County, and he died near Gales- 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 503 

ville. Mary is the wife of Jacob Hotz, who farms on the old fair grounds 
at Arcadia. Henry A. is a prominent physician and practices at Galesville. 

Henry A. Jegi, physician and prominent citizen, conducting an exten- 
sive practice at Galesville, was born in Arcadia, Wis., April 16, 1873, son 
of Simon and Agnes (Dascher) Jegi. As a boy he apphed himself to his 
studies with great diligence, and at the age of 16 years became a teacher. 
From that time he was self-supporting, working his way by teaching and 
doing other work. For a time he attended the River Falls Normal School. 
In 1896 he was graduated from the medical department of the University 
of Illinois. For one year he perfected his knowledge by practice with lead- 
ing physicians in Winona, Arcadia and Fountain City, after which, in 1897, 
he located in Galesville, where he has since continued in practice. His 
standing in his profession is shown by the fact that he is local surgeon for 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, but subject to calls outside of his 
immediate vicinity, also a member of the American Medical Association, 
the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the Seventh Congressional Dis- 
trict Medical Society, as well as of the State Medical Council. He was the 
first secretary of the Trempealeau, Jackson and Buffalo Counties Medical 
Society. For many years he has done excellent work for local sanitation 
as a member of the Board of Health. A man of thorough education and 
wide reading himself, he has taken a deep interest in the training of the 
younger generation, and is doing active service on the Trempealeau County 
Board of Education, of which he was the first pi-esident. For fifteen years 
he has been president of the local Board of Education. In the Masonic 
order he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge and the Chapter; he is a member of 
the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen, and examming pnysician oi the 
Foresters and Mystic Workers. His financial holdings include business and 
residence propei'ty in Galesville, and stock in the Bank of Galesville. Dr. 
Jegi was married Nov. 23, 1898, to Alice Brown, born in Canada, daughter 
of Mathews and Mary Brown, who came to the United States when their 
daughter was a mere child, and located near Rochester, Minn., where both 
died of typhoid fever in a single week. Dr. and Mrs. Jegi have two children : 
Henry A. and Charlotte Mae. 

Robert Grant, a retired farmer now living in Gale Township, Wisconsin, 
where he is well known and respected, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, 
Aug. 11, 1845. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Gibb) Grant, 
who were natives of the same locality. The father in early life was a coal 
miner. In 1851 he came to this country with his family, locating at Peach 
Orchard, Lawrence County, Ky., on the Big Sandy River. There he resided 
for three or four years at the end of which time he moved to Ohio. A year 
later he made another removal, this time to West Columbia, W. Va., where 
he spent six or eight months. He then came to Trempealeau County, locat- 
ing on the farm where his son Robert now lives, and here he was engaged 
in agriculture until his death in 1869. He and his family were among the 
earliest settlers in this locaUty. The mother survived her husband 20 
years, passing away in 1889. 

Robert Grant was the third born in a family of four children. In his 
boyhood he attended the Grant school in the seventh district, which was 



504 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

named for the family, his attendance, however, being short. He resided 
with his parents until he was 21 j^ears old, at which time he went to Rock 
Island, 111., where he engaged in mining, being thus occupied, however, for 
but a short time, and at intervals spending the summers on the home farm. 
He thus continued until his marriage, at which time he bought a part of 
his present farm. Later he became full owner of the homestead and 
engaged in general farming, from time to time making necessary improve- 
ments, most of those now standing having been put up by him. About 1912 
Mr. Grant turned over the farm to his son-in-law, but still resides on it. 
He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company, the Farmers 
Exchange Elevator and the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. 

Nov. 3, 1868, Mr. Grant was married to Jane Dick, who was born in 
Scotland, daughter of William and Rosana (Neil) Dick, her parents coming 
to the United States in 1846. He and his wife have seven children : Thomas, 
who is a farmer, single, and resides with his parents; Rose Ann, widow 
of Louis Bornitz, residing in Winona, Minn., who has three children : Laura 
Marie, Robert LeRoy and Ai-villa May ; Ehzabeth Margaret, wife of Joseph 
Stellpflug ; William D. ; Mae Hazel, wife of William Byrne, a farmer, who 
has three children: Maud Eleanor, Edna Mae and Rose Bernice; Maud 
Eleanor, now deceased, who was the wife of Alexander Schwartzhoff of 
Gale Township, and William, who died in infancy. 

William D. Grant of Gale Township was born at Decorah Prairie, Gale 
Township, April 4, 1876, son of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant. He was 
educated in the Grant school on Decorah Prairie, and resided at home until 
his marriage in February, 1902, to Matilda Larson. She was born at 
Hardie's Creek Valley, Gale Township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mat 
Larson, her parents being natives of Norway, who were early settlers in 
Trempealeau County, Mr. Larson being a farmer. He died about 1902; 
his wife, Mrs. Grant's mother, is still living and resides at Hardie's Creek, 
of which place she is a well known and respected resident. Her husband 
also was well known and esteemed for his industry and good neighborly 
qualities. At the time of his marriage Mr. Grant rented the farm on w-hich 
he now lives, which contains 238 acres and which is a part of the old Grant 
estate and which he now owns. He carries on general farming and is doing 
a successful business. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have two children: William 
Guy, born Nov. 9, 1908, and Gladys Marie, born in 1910. 

Peter J. Uhl, a retired farmer now residing in Galesville, where he is 
largely interested in several important industries, is a native son of the 
township, the date of his nativity being Nov. 28, 1864. His parents were 
Peter and Abbie Uhl, both born in Germany. Both also came to the United 
States before marriage, accompanying their respective parents. The Uhls 
first settled in Milwaukee, \Vis., but came to Trempealeau Conuty with the 
pioneers, and Mr. Uhl spent the rest of his life here, being engaged in 
agriculture. He served for some time on the school board and was a useful 
and industrious citizen, widely respected. His wife is now Uving in Gales- 
ville. 

Peter J. Uhl was the fourth born in a family of nine children. He 
attended school in Crystal Valley and afterward was a student at Gale 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 505 

University. Reared on the home farm, on which he lived until his mar- 
riage, he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture. When 24 years of age 
he purchased a farm from his father, continuing to live on his parents' 
homestead for about two years longer. Oct. 9, 1890, he was married to 
Sophia Becker, who was born in La Crosse, Wis., daughter of Phillip and 
Sophia Becker. Her father was born in Germany in 1830 and her mother 
in Alsace, France, in 1843. Phillip Becker in early life was a carpenter 
and butcher. He came to the United States with his parents' family when 
16 years old, locating in Washington County, Wisconsin. Later the family 
moved to La Crosse, where, after residing on a farm for some years, he 
engaged in carpenter work, afterward taking up his other trade of butcher 
for a short time. He then took a farm near Glasgow, Trempealeau County, 
and was engaged in agriculture there for a period of about 40 years, when 
he sold out and retired. His death took place 11 years after, in 1913. Dur- 
ing his active career he held a number of local offices. He and his wife were 
the parents of six children, of whom Sophia was the eldest. 

After his marriage Peter J. Uhl moved onto the farm in Gale township, 
which he had bought two years previously from his father, and which con- 
tained 320 acres. Here he lived until 1913, when he sold the property and 
moved to Galesville, where he has since lived retired from active work. 
As a farmer he was enterprising and successful, making money at the 
business, so that he is now well to do. He is one of the largest stockholders 
in the Galesville Realty & Improvement Company, a stockholder in the 
Farmers & Merchants Bank and in the Arctic Springs Creamery, and he 
also holds the maximum amount of stock permitted in the Farmers Elevator 
Company, the Farmers Co-operative Company and the Western Wisconsin 
Telephone Company. In politics he is a RepubUcan. He has never sought 
to be active in governmental affairs, but for some time rendered good service 
on the school board of Gale Township. He attends the Presbyterian church, 
although not a member. His fraternal affihations are with the order of 
Beavers, while his wife is an active member of the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union. They are the parents of two children: Elsie Adelle and 
Forest Gladson. 

Philip Uhl, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, where 
he is now living retired after an active career as an agriculturist, was born 
on the farm in Gale Township, which afterwards became his property, June 
9, 1870. His parents were Peter and Abbie Uhl, further mention of whom 
may be found in the biography of Peter Uhl, elsewhere published in this 
volume. The subject of this sketch acquired the elements of knowledge 
in the district school of his neighborhood and afterward became a student 
of Gale University, now Gale College. In his youth he worked on the home 
farm, taking charge of it when 22 years old, and when 25 he became its 
owner. Later, however, he moved to another farm in Gale Township, on 
which he lived for five years, cultivating and improving it. He then sold 
it and returned to the old homestead, where he continued at farming until 
September, 1916, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville, 
in order that his children might have better school advantages. Mr. Uhl 
still owns 480 acres of land, which it is his intention to rent out to others. 



506 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

He is a stockholder in the creamery at Galesville, in the La Crosse Packing 
Company, the Farmers Exchange, the Independent Harvester Company of 
Piano, 111., and the Northwestern Telephone Company. In politics he is 
practically independent, though with Republican proclivities, and rendered 
good service for many years as a member of the Board of Education, serv- 
ing in his uncle's stead when only 18 years of age ; he also served four years 
on the township board, of which for awhile he was chairman. Mr. Uhl was 
married, July 1, 1896, to Sadie Hoyt, who was born at Decorah Prairie, 
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Gordon) Hoyt. Her parents were natives 
of the state of New Hampshire, the father being a farmer. They came to 
Trempealeau County at an early date, Mr. Hoyt homesteading land on 
Decorah Prairie, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1902. 
He served as township assessor for a number of years and also did good 
work as a member of the school board, taking a warm interest in the cause 
of education. His wife died Dec. 24, 1904. Of their six children Mrs. Uhl 
was the youngest. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Uhl has been enlarged 
and brightened by the birth of four children : Allan Phihp, now a student 
at the State University at Madison ; Arthur Hoyt, who is in his fourth year 
at Galesville high school ; Anna Lucile, also attending the high school, and 
Isabelle Rose. Mr. Uhl is just completing a fine new residence, modern in 
every way. 

Andres Knutson, an early settler, was born in Halingdahl, Norway, 
and was there reared. As a young man he married Astri Johnson, and 
the two decided to cast their future lot in America. Accordingly in 1860 
they came to this county, and located in Ettrick Township, a mile from the 
present family home. He homesteaded a farm and successfully carried on 
general farming until his death June 7, 1891. His good wife survived him 
several years, passing away May 12, 1895. In the family there were seven 
children: Margit (deceased) ; Astri, the widow of K. K. Hagestad; Karine 
(deceased), Johanna (deceased), Knut of Ettrick Township, John A. of 
Ettrick, and Margit, now Mrs. S. S. Knutson of Ettrick Township. 

John A. Knutson, town chairman and a prosperous farmer in section 
17, Ettrick Township, was born in this township Oct. 19, 1872, sixth child 
of Andres and Astri (Johnson) Knutson. He acquired his education in the 
district school of Ettrick Township, and resided at home until he was 21 
years of age, assisting his father and acquiring a knowledge of agriculture. 
At the time of his marriage, June 23, 1894, to Anna M. Hagestad, he bought 
his present farm, which contains 158 acres of excellent land. On this prop- 
erty he has made practically all the improvements, and his farm is now 
equipped with substantial modern buildings. Mr. Knutson has other finan- 
cial interests aside from his farm, being a stockholder in the Ettrick Cream- 
ery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Farmers Exchange at 
Blair and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. His wife, Mrs. Anna M. (Hage- 
stad) Knutson, was born in Ettrick Township, this county, daughter of 
Ole and Martha (Gunderson) Hagestad, who were natives of Norway. Her 
father died when she was a babe one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Knutson have 
been the parents of eight children: Margaret Amanda, wife of Alfred 
Ekern; Omar, deceased; Alma Ovidia, deceased; Newman Sylvester and 




FRED W. GRAVES 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 507 

Ernest William, residing at home; Grunild Irene, who is deceased; Orrin 
Alexander, residing at home, and Lillian Marie, deceased. Mr. Knutson is 
affiliated by membership with the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. In politics he is an independent Republican. He has served on 
the township board a number of years and is its present chairman, render- 
ing efficient service and supporting all practical measures for the betterment 
of the community in which he lives. He and his family are members of the 
United Lutheran Church. 

Oscar Ystenes, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising in 
section 11 East, Ettrick Township, was born in Beaver Creek Valley, this 
township, July 31, 1886, son of Nels and Elizabeth (Instenes) Ystenes. 
The parents were natives of Hardanger, Norway, the father born Dec. 4, 
1851, the mother, Aug. 16, 1861. The former came to the United States 
when a young man, settling on Beaver Creek, this county. He first found 
work driving a team for the Iver Pederson Company of Ettrick, but after- 
wards began farming where his son Oscar is now located, and which he 
made his home for many years, or until the fall of 1915, at which time he 
retired from active labor and took up his residence in the village of Hegg, 
where he is now living. His farm consisted of 120 acres of valuable land, 
which he had greatly improved and highly cultivated. He and his wife 
were the parents of six children: Emma, who resides on the farm with 
her brother; Clara, deceased; Oscar, the present proprietor of the farm; 
Selmar and Nicholia, both residents of this state, and Cornelius, who lives 
with his parents. 

Oscar Ystenes in his boyhood acquired the elements of an English 
education in the school at Hegg. He was trained to agricultural work and 
for two summers worked away from home. In 1908 he began farming the 
homestead as its manager, and so continued until 1914, in which year he 
bought the property. The farm is well equipped with modern buildings 
and all necessary implements and machinery, and he is working it with 
profitable results. Mr. Ystenes is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Tele- 
phone Company. His religious affiliations are with the United Lutheran 
Church, while in politics he is independent. 

Fred Warren Graves, secretary and manager of the Cooper & Graves 
Lumber Company, Trempealeau, dealers in lumber, building material, posts, 
wire fencing, feed, grain, flour and other supplies, is one of the progressive 
business men of the village, and has developed an important industry. He 
was born near Gi-anite Falls, Chippewa County, Minn., Sept. 13, 1873, son 
of Warren A. and Sarah (Metcalf ) Graves, now living in Trempealeau. He 
passed through the country schools and spent three years in the Granite 
Falls high school. As a young man he was variously employed. In 1893 
he went to Salt Lake City, Utah, and was employed there for about two 
years by Nolton & Graves, paper hangers and decorators. Since 1895 he 
has lived continuously in Trempealeau Village. In the fall of that year he 
entered the employ of his father in a general store, and two years later 
was received into partnership, the firm name becoming W. A. Graves & Son. 
Selling his interest in this establishment in the fall of 1906 to E. L. Atwood, 
he purchased a warehouse in Trempealeau, and became a grain dealer. 



508 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY 

buying, storing and shipping on a lai'ge scale. While thus engaged he was 
impressed with the opportunities for a good lumber yard, in combination 
with the grain business, so he organized the Cooper & Graves Lumber 
Company. This company was incorporated Feb. 18, 1907, with a capital 
of $25,000, and with W. E. Cooper as president, F. W. Graves as secretary 
and manager, Linnie U. Cooper as vice-president, and E. W. Graves as treas- 
urer. This company absorbed the business of F. W. Graves at the time of 
organization, and that of William Merwin in May of the same year, and has 
since been without competition. Mr. Graves, in addition to his holdings 
in this concern, has a pleasant home on West Second street, which he bought 
in the spring of 1900, and renovated and remodeled it so that he was enabled 
to move in that fall. He is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. An 
enthusiastic booster, he is a thorough believer in the future of the village, 
and is always ready to do his share for every worthy project. His fraternal 
relations are with Modern Woodmen. He has been a member of the Con- 
gregational church since he was a youth of fifteen years. His wife and 
two children are also members of that church, his son having joined at the 
age of 14 years. Mr. Graves was married Sept. 1, 1898, to Edna May Utter, 
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Utter of Trempealeau Village. Mr. and 
Mrs. Graves have two children: Clyde Warren, born Sept. 7, 1899, and 
Elizabeth May, Jan. 28, 1904. 

Tobias Olson, a resident of Galesville until his death, July 7, 1913, was 
engaged for a number of years in agricultural pursuits in Trempealeau 
County, and was a citizen well known and respected. He was born in 
Sondreland, Norway, March 7, 1836, son of Tosten and Marit Olson, who 
were natives of the same place. Coming to Coon Valley, Vernon County, 
Wis., with his family, Tosten Olson worked as a farm hand for a short time. 
He then moved to French Creek, Trempealeau County, and was engaged 
in farming there until his death. His wife also died on that farm. Their 
family numbered five children, of whom Tobias was the youngest. Tobias 
Olson attended school in Sondreland, Norway, until he was nine years old. 
He was then sent successively to Denmark and Germany to learn the lan- 
guages and also the tailor's trade, at which he worked in Denmark about 
seven years. In 1861 he came to the United States with his parents. 
Remaining with them for a year subsequently, he then went to La Crosse, 
where he worked at tailoring, and also opened a general store, being engaged 
in business there for a number of years. Then selling out his business he 
moved to Frenchville, Gale Township, and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness for many years. He then rented his store and moved to La Crosse, 
where he remained one year, then returned to Gale Township, where he 
devoted the next 12 years of his life to agriculture. The rest of his life was 
spent retired in Galesville, his death, however, occurring at the Lutheran 
Hospital in La Crosse, following an operation. He was a member of the 
Synod Lutheran Church. A Republican in politics, at various times he held 
local office and was postmaster for a number of terms in Frenchville. July 
21, 1894, Tobias Olson was married to Nettie Linnerud, who was born at 
French Creek, Wis., daughter of Andrew and Gunnild (Nilson) Linnerud. 
Her parents were born in Sondreland, Norway, the mother Sept. 3, 1825. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 509 

Andrew Linnerud, who was a farmer, came to Coon Valley, Wis., with Mr. 
Olson's father in 1861, and worked for others on farms for about a year. 
He then purchased land on French Creek and was there engaged in agricul- 
ture till three years before his death, when his health became impaired. 
He died at Frenchville Oct. 30, 1903. His wife, who survived him, died at 
the home of her son, John, Dec. 8, 1915. Their daughter Nettie, who was 
born July 20, 1864, was the fourth born of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias 
Olson had one child, Oscar Albert, who was born in Frenchville, Wis., Jan. 
21, 1896. He graduated from the Frenchville grammar school, and from 
the Galesville high school in the class of 1915 and is now attending the 
University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Olson has recently sold the home farm and 
has a comfortable modern home in Galesville. 

Andrew P. Ofsdahl, who is now living practically retired in the village 
of Ettrick, after a successful career as an agriculturist, was born in French 
Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Aug. 2, 1870. 
His parents, Peter 0. and Martha (Nelsestuen) Ofsdahl, were both natives 
of Norway. In 1858 Peter 0. Ofsdahl came to the United States, a single 
man, and located at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., where he found employ- 
ment. Being an ambitious man, he was not satisfied to work long for others, 
but after awhile made his way to Trempealeau County, where he bought 
land and became a farmer. The Civil War coming on, he enlisted as a 
private in Company B, in 1861, and went to the front to fight in defense 
of the American Union. Receiving a gunshot wound at the battle of Stone 
River, Dec. 31, 1862, he was confined for some time to the Nashville hospital 
and was subsequently discharged on account of physical disability at Louis- 
ville, Ky., April 4, 1863. He thereupon returned to Trempealeau County and 
resumed residence on his farm in Ettrick Township, which he set to work 
to cultivate and improve, and where, after a long and successful career as 
a farmer, he died Oct. 10, 1906. His marriage to Martha Nelsestuen took 
place in Trempealeau County, but after living a few years together she died 
when her son Andrew P. was but eight weeks old. Their family numbered 
in all seven children. Andrew P. Ofsdahl, after attending school in Ettrick 
Township, became a student at Galesville University, now known as Gale 
College, and still later attended the La Crosse Business College. At the age 
of 19 he began farming independently on French Creek, buying a farm there 
which he still owns, consisting of 100 acres, which was purchased from his 
uncle. Later he increased its size by buying 60 additional acres. At a 
subsequent period he began specializing in Holstein cattle, in which industry 
he is still engaged and in which he has been very successful, having bred 
many fine animals. His arduous labors terminated in 1913, when he gave 
up the hard work of the farm and took up his residence in the village. He 
is treasurer of the Ettrick Scandinavian Fire Insurance Company, a stock- 
holder in the Ettrick Creamery, to which he devotes much of his time, also 
in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad and in the Ettrick Lumber Company, 
besides being a director in the Bank of Ettrick. He is also secretary of 
the creamery company, having held that position nearly ten years, and is 
serving in his third year as trustee of the County Asylum at Whitehall, 
besides having served five years as chairman of the township board. In 



510 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

politics he is a Republican, his religious affiliations being with the Lutheran 
church. Mr. Ofsdahl was married in 1889 to Laura Larson, who was born 
in French Creek Valley, daughter of Lars Dafinsrud and Bertha (Johnson) 
Dafinsrud. Mrs. Ofsdahl's father died before she was born and her mother 
four years later, so that she has no recollection even of her mother. She 
was educated in the district schools of Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ofsdahl have five children: Loraine, who resides at Fessenden, N. D., 
where he holds the position of cashier in a business house ; Blanche Mabel, 
employed by the Pederson Mercantile Company of Ettrick; Arthur L., 
Agnes L. and Esther Magdalena. 

John Oppengaard, proprietor of a blacksmith and repair shop, and also 
a dealer in plows in Ettrick Village, is, like so many of the enterprising 
citizens of this part of Trempealeau County, a native of Norway, his birth 
having taken place in Fauberg, in the northern part of that country, May 
14, 1877. His parents were Christ Johnson and Carrie Amundson Johnson, 
who were born in Biri, Norway, the father being a farmer and blacksmith. 
They died in their native land, Christ Johnson in 1910 and his wife in 1886. 
John Oppengaard was the younger of two children born to his parents. 
He attended school in Norway and afterwards served an apprenticeship to 
the blacksmith's trade at Lillehammer, being thus occupied for four years. 
Subsequently until 1901 he worked as a journeyman in Christiania, and 
then, desirous of advancing his fortunes, took passage for the United States, 
coming direct to Galesville. Here he found employment in the blacksmith 
shop of Sever Johnson, for whom he worked until the fall of the same year. 
The next three winters were spent in Ettrick, where he followed his trade. 
Having now saved some money, he went back to Norway, where he was 
married, Aug. 7, 1904, to Anneta Christenson, who was born. in Lier, Nor- 
way, daughter of Christ Gulickson and Gunild Anderson, both natives of 
Lier, now deceased. Her father was a sailor many years and also for some 
time a watchman on a railroad bridge. He died in 1893 and his wife in 1905. 
In the latter year Mr. Oppengaard returned to America with his wife. On 
arriving here he engaged in business in Ettrick for one year as blacksmith, 
after which he established himself at his present location. His shop is 24 
by 50 feet in ground dimensions and is well equipped with a stock of gas 
engines, trip hammers and various kinds of machinery, being adapted to 
repair work of all kinds. He also engages in horseshoeing and sells the 
Gale plow, having built up a good trade in the various departments of his 
business. In 1906 he purchased a lot in Ettrick, on which in the following 
year he erected his present residence, a good, substantial building, and in 
addition to this he owns other property in the village. The Ettrick & 
Northern Railroad also numbers him among its stockholders. He is a 
member of the board of directors of the Norwegian school at Ettrick, and 
in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are the parents of two 
children: Kalbyjirn and Carta Amelia Josephina. The family are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Oppengaard's lodge affiliations are 
with the Order of Beavers. 

Warren A. Graves, a highly respected citizen of Trempealeau, now living 
retired, was born at Walpole, N. H., Oct. 16, 1841, son of Aaron M. and 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 511 

Abigail (Sanderson) Graves. The parents, who were natives and farmers 
of New Hampshire, are both now deceased. Warren A. acquired his educa- 
tion in the "httle red schoolhouse" in the State of his birth, and there grew 
to manhood, remaining on the farm until 20 years of age. On starting out 
in hfe for himself he accepted a position as attendant at the Concord, N. H., 
Insane Asylum, and was thus occupied for two years. He then went to 
Boston, Mass., and was there employed in the New England Glass Factory. 
He also delivered express in Brookline, a suburb of Boston, driving from 
Boston. In 1864 he returned to New Hampshire and accepted a position 
as superintendent of the West Mooreland Poor Farm, at West Mooreland, 
N. H. In 1866 he migrated west to Trempealeau County, Wis., and for 
one year was engaged in farming in Dodge Township. He then removed to 
Winona County, Minn., and purchased a farm in Wiscoy Township. Four 
years later he sold that farm and removed to Chippewa County, Minn., 
taking a government homestead of 160 acres, which he cultivated and 
developed, erecting buildings, and becoming one of the leading farmers of 
the county. He served as county commissioner of Chippewa County for 
three years and for a long time did the assessing of the unorganized town- 
ships of the county, being appointed to do this work by the county commis- 
sioners. After his township (Stoneham) was organized, he became chair- 
man of the town board and also held other offices. From 1882 until 1894 he 
lived in Granite Falls and was salesman for agricultural implements. In 
1894 he moved with his family to Trempealeau Village and purchased a 
store building, putting in a line of general merchandise, with J. C. Utter 
as an equal partner, the firm name being Utter & Graves. In 1895 Mr. 
Graves purchased the Utter interest and conducted the business alone for 
one year. His next partner was his son, Fred W., who purchased a half 
interest, and the firm became W. A. Graves & Son. This partnership 
continued for seven years, when Fred W. sold out his interests to E. L. 
Atwood and the firm became Graves & Atwood, which it remained until 
1913. The Atwood interest was then purchased by C. H. Growt and for 
one year the firm was Graves & Growt. In January, 1914, Mr. Graves 
sold out and the stock was removed to the Trempealeau Mercantile's 
building, of which Mr. Growt is manager. Mr. Graves then retired and 
later disposed of his building. On coming to Trempealeau he purchased 
his present home, where he has since continued to Uve. 

Mr. Graves served as a member of the board of education in Granite 
Falls and is now a member of the Trempealeau Village Council. Mr. Graves 
was married at East Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 20, 1864, to Sarah Metcalf, 
who was born Sept. 9, 1843, who in all their married life has proved a 
faithful wife and loving mother. To them have been born five children: 
Lester H., Idella, Fred W., Mabel and Cora. Lester H., born Jan. 3, 1868, 
and died at Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 21, 1895. Idella, born Dec. 19, 1870, 
who for eight years taught in the high school at Trempealeau, subsequently 
graduated from the Chicago Dental College, and is now a dentist at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where she has been located for the past seven years, and in her 
work stands in high repute. Fred W. was born Sept. 13, 1873. Mabel, 
bom Dec. 11, 1874, is now Mrs. Fred C. Ford, of Trempealeau, was before 



512 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

her marriage for eight years a proficient teacher. She has six children: 
Lester, a student at the State University at Madison ; Ruth, Lyle and Lynn 
(twins), Fred C, Jr., and Charles. Cora, born Nov. 23, 1883, was gradu- 
ated from the Trempealeau High School and the Winona State Normal 
School, subsequently entered the State School for Deaf and Dumb at Mil- 
waukee, from which she was graduated, and was retained there to teach 
for three years. She married Wallace Hannaman, then principal of the 
Durkee School at Kenosha. He later accepted a position at the State 
University at Madison, and there Cora died in June, 1914, leaving no children, 
Mr. Graves is deacon in the Congregational church at Trempealeau and 
chairman of its board of trustees. He is a stockholder in the Citizens' State 
Bank, also president of the Trempealeau Cemetery Association, and a 
member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Graves are members of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Graves is 
a member of the Ways and Means Society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graves are 
interested in church work and are liberal supporters to that benevolent 
cause. 

Frank A. Kellman, who is conducting at Galesville one of the most com- 
plete hardware stores in Trempealeau County, and also carrying on a good 
business in plumbing, gas fitting and the installation of heating apparatus, 
was born at Barras, Sweden, April 24, 1869, son of John and Anna C. Kell- 
man. His parents came to the United States with their family in the year 
of his birth, settling in Galesville, Wis., where they are still living, the 
father having been engaged in the jewelry business for many years. Frank 

A. attended school in Galesville when a boy. At the age of 17 he entered 
the hardware store of Aaron Oribbs, in this village, where he learned the 
tinner's trade and the hardware business in general, and continued with this 
employer for about eight years. He then engaged in the hardware business 
for himself, opening a store in the building now occupied by the Galesville 
postoffice. After remaining at that location for seven years, he moved 
to the corner on which the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank now stands. 
There he carried on business for ten years, by the end of which time his 
trade had so increased that he had to find more commodious quarters, and 
so moved into his present building. Here he occupies two floors, 40 by 60 
feet, but owing to the continued growth of his business is so crowded that 
he has hardly any room for display. He carries a large stock of shelf 
and heavy hardware, occupying the space from floor to ceiling, and also has 
a number of outside warehouses. In his plumbing, gas fitting and heating 
department he employs several highly skilled workmen. Mr. Kellman has 
also been secretary of the Davis Mill Company since its organization, and 
is a director in the Bank of Galesville and in the Western Wisconsin Tele- 
phone Company. Mr. Kelhnan was married in October, 1892, to Lizzie Belle 
Thompson, who was boTn in Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of William 

B. and Allie (Atwood) Thompson, who are both now deceased. Her father, 
who was born in the State of New York and was engaged in farming and 
stock raising most of his life, was also a stockholder in the Bank of 
Galesville. For many years he was a large land owner in the county and 
also had extensive property interests in Galesville, being one of the most 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 513 

prominent cicizens of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Kellman have three chil- 
dren: Vilas A., who is associated with his father in business; Forest T. 
and Norris J., residing at home. 

J. Alfred Kellman, who for many years has been established in the 
jewelry business in Galesville, and is one of the leading citizens of the village, 
was born in & A'eden, Oct. 16, 1865, son of John and Anna C. Kellman. The 
father was born in Sweden, April 24, 1831, and learned the jeweler's trade. 
Coming to th 'Jnited States in 1869, he settled in Trempealeau County the 
same year, . a. ting a jewelry store in Trempealeau, where he remained 
for four year\ He then established himself in the same business in Gales- 
ville, of whici place he has since been a resident. Although now advanced 
in years, he is still hale and hearty, as, also, is Mrs. Kellman, who has 
reached the advanced age of 83 years. They were the parents of four 
children : Ch irles A., John A., Frank A. and Solomon L. (deceased) . 

J. Alfred Kellman was educated in the Galesville graded school and 
at Gale College. He learned the jewelry business from his father, with 
whom he has Leen associated since he was 15 years old, and who, it may be 
said, was the fir *•. jeweler in Galesville. For a place of the size of Galesville 
he has a remarkably well-stocked store and does a good business in watch 
cleaning and repairing. He has also been manager and treasurer of the 
Galesville Improvement Company since its organization in 1892. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he has served on the village board for a number of years, 
has been town and village treasurer and is at present serving as assessor 
of Galesville. He owns both business and residence property in Galesville. 
Fraternally he u connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern 
Woodmen of Ar-ierica. Mr. Kellman was married in June, 1897, to Julia 
Ziegler, daughter of John and Barbara (Raichel) Ziegler, both she and her 
parents being natives of Germany. The Ziegler family came to the United 
States many years ago, locating immediately in Galesville, Wis., where 
Mr. Ziegler followed his trade of blacksmith and machinist. Some time 
after coming here he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained for a year, 
after which he returned to Galesville. About 1896 he retired and moved 
to La Crosse, \,here he and his wife subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. 
J. Alfred Kellman are the parents of two children: Arleen Thelma and 
John Morton, who reside with their parents. 

George Rail, one of the leading business men of Galesville, Wis., where 
"he is engaged in manufacturing, also dealing in automobiles, was born in 
Dettingen, Wuriemberg, Germany, Oct. 10, 1849. His parents, George 
and Sophia (Kuehlbrei) Rail, were also born in Germany, the father in 
Dettingen and the mother in Bissingen. They came to the United States 
in 1852, locating in Erie County, N. Y. After residing there for five years, 
during which time Mr. Rail worked for others, they came to Trempealeau 
County, Wis., and settled in Gale Township. There, in the spring of 1857, 
he engaged in farming, and was thus occupied until 1895, when he retired 
and moved to Galesville, where he died in 1901. He had long survived his 
wife, who passed away in 1874. 

George Rail, the younger, began his school attendance in New York 
State, and continued it after coming to Trempealeau County in District No. 



514 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

7. He resided on the homestead, assisting his father until about 1880, when 
he engaged in farming for himself on the home place. In 1895 he came to 
Galesville and founded the George Rail Manufacturing Company, building 
his present mill, and engaging in planing and general woodwork manufac- 
ture, adding a feed mill to his other enterprises in 1897. His two sons, 
William A. and Louis A., have been associated with him from the beginning. 
In 1910 he took up the automobile business and at present is handling the 
Studebaker car only. Mr. Rail was married May 26, 1872, to Katherine 
Frasch, who was born in Bissingen, Germany, Jan. 22, 1858. He and his 
wife have four children : William A., Sophia Barbara, George M. and Louis 
A. William A., who was born Dec. 1, 1872, is associated in business with 
his father. He married Lena Spors, and has four children: Glenn W., 
Gladys M., Edson G. and Gerald L. Sophia Barbara, born Dec. 15, 1873, 
is residing at home. George M., born Feb. 24, 1876, also resides at home. 
Louis A., born Dec. 22, 1883, is associated with his father in business. He 
married Anna Kienzle, of Galesville, and has two children: Kathryn L. 
and Lloyd L. The family are members of the German Lutheran church. 
John Grover, owner of the old Grover homestead in section 26, Trem- 
pealeau Township, but now living practically retired in Trempealeau Village, 
was born on the Grover farm, Dec. 23, 1867, a son of Archelaus and Esther 
E. (Brandenburg) Grover. He was educated in the district school, which 
he attended during the winters only, after he was 11 or 12 years old, his 
services at other times being needed on the farm. When he was 15 his 
school days were ended and he gave his whole time to assisting his father. 
About two years later, the father having retired in 1885, he entered into a 
partnership with his brother, S. D. Grover, and they operated the farm 
together for two years and a half. The partnership was then dissolved, 
and for two years and a half more John lived on the homestead as a bachelor. 
Sept. 10, 1890, he married Anna Irvine, daughter of B. A. and Hannah 
(Ballis) Irvine, of Stillwater, Minn. Mr. Grover continued to carry on 
farming operations until March, 1914, at which time he took up his residence 
in the village. In 1901 he engaged in the breeding and selling of registered 
Shorthorn cattle, shipping them to many States and as far west as Montana. 
This business is now taken care of by his two sons, Harry and Albert, who 
live on the homestead. On this farm is the largest apple-bearing orchard in 
Trempealeau County, containing 17 acres and 1,800 trees. Mr. Grover is 
one of the directors of the Galesville Elevator Exchange, and has been a 
stockholder in it since its organization in 1909. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, and though he has held no county offices, he has served on the school 
board of District No. 3, Trempealeau Township, and was one of the township 
supervisors one year. He and his wife have been the parents of eight 
children: Harry Irvine, Amy Maria, Myrtle Evelyn. Albert, Howard A., 
Ehzabeth E., Ethel and Gertrude, whose record in brief is as follows: 
Harry Irvine, born Nov. 9, 1891, and now residing on the old Grover farm, 
married Flora Larson, daughter of Hans Larson, of Galesville, Wis., the 
marriage taking place March 15, 1914. He has one child, Wayne Merle, 
now 19 months old. Amy Maria, born June 16, 1893, is unmarried and 
resides at home. Myrtle Evelyn, born July 7, 1895, is unmarried and for 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 515 

three years has been engaged in teaching country schools. Albert, born 
March 24, 1897, who works in partnership with his brother Harry, is 
unmarried. Howard Anderson, born Sept. 27, 1899, resides at home and 
is attending high school. Elizabeth Esther, born Nov. 10, 1902, died on 
the old homestead, Sept. 15, 1904. Ethel, born April 10, 1904, is attending 
school. Gertrude, born July 3, 1906, also attends school. 

Lincoln S. Keith, a well-known and respected citizen, residing on the 
outskirts of Galesville, where he is engaged in cattle and horse raising, 
and who has also been closely connected with the educational interests 
of the county, was born in Winslow, Me., Oct. 29, 1860, son of Richard H. 
and Jane D. (Hiscock) Keith. His parents were natives of the same place, 
the father born March 1, 1820, the mother March 8, 1826. The former, 
who was a carpenter by trade, in 1863 enlisted in the Third Maine Battery of 
Artillery and fought for the Union until the close of the Civil War. Al- 
though never wounded, he suffered from illness, which caused blindness 
of one eye. On being mustered out he returned to his native State, where 
he resided until 1891, when he and his wife went to the Pacific coast, 
locating at Puyallup, near Seattle, Wash., where they resided until Mr. 
Keith's death, Nov. 12, 1897. His wife died April 26, 1900. 

Lincoln S. Keith was the seventh-born in a family of nine children. 
In his youth he attended school in Waterville, Me., and in Fairfield, that 
State, becoming a proficient teacher. When 20 years old he came West, 
almost directly to Trempealeau County, and in the following year, 1882, 
became principal of the schools at Osseo, this county, beginning his duties 
in the spring and continuing them for the two following years. For one 
year subsequently he was school principal at Independence, later occupying 
the same position six years at Whitehall, si.K years at Galesville and one year 
at Blair. By this time he had become well known and had made so good 
a record that he was elected county superintendent of schools and held that 
office for six years and a half. In 1893 Mr. Keith purchased 90 acres of 
land just outside the city limits of Galesville, where he is now engaged in 
breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle and high-grade coach horses. On 
account of an injury he is not able to do heavy farm work, but for some 
years has held the position of rural mail carrier. Aug. 16, 1887, Mr. Keith 
was united in marriage with Cora A. Cain, who was born in Clinton, Me., 
daughter of Moses R. and Ruth L. (Richardson) Cain, both natives of the 
same town, and the father a farmer by occupation. Her parents remained 
in the East and are now both deceased. Mrs. Keith, herself, has also passed 
away, her death occurring Jan. 21, 1916. She had been the mother of 
four children: Winifred Maud, Ruth Alice, Helen L. and Donald C. Winifred 
Maud, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, had charge of 
vocational training in the Normal School at Aberdeen, S. D., holding that 
position for two years. She is now instructor of methods at La Crosse Normal 
School. Ruth Alice, who was graduated from the Valparaiso University 
in music, and in science and letters from the Wisconsin University, and was 
formerly assistant supervisor in the city schools of Madison, and supervisor 
at DeForest, is now engaged during the summer months in Chatauqua 
circuit work for the University of Wisconsin, and is also superintendent 



516 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of music in the La Crosse city schools. Helen M., who graduated from the 
Galesville High School, is now a student in the La Crosse Normal School. 
Donald C. is a student in the Galesville High School and resides at home. 
Mr. Keith is independent in politics, but has always taken an interest in 
good local government. His fraternal society affiliations are with the 
Beavers and the Modern Woodmen of America. 

Philip G. Kribs, who is engaged in farming and dairying on a good 
80-acre farm in section 15, Trempealeau Township, was born in Elgin, 111., 
Dec. 1, 1859. His parents were Paul and Sarah (Van Buren) Kribs, the 
father a native of Guelph, Canada, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They 
were married in Guelph, and went from Canada to Elgin, 111., at an early day, 
residing in the latter place until 1865, when they came to Trempealeau 
County, Wis., locating on what is now the Theodore Schmidt farm in section 
3-W, Trempealeau Township. This was an 80-acre tract of partially im- 
proved land, with a log house and barn. By additional purchases Mr. Kribs 
enlarged the farm to 160 acres, 40 acres of his new purchase lying across 
the road east. Here Paul Kribs resided until his death, December 3, 1877, 
his wife surviving him and living with her son Philip, who carried on the 
farm. Their children were: David, Ludwig, Mary, Jane, Aaron, Henry, 
Sarah, Paul, Philip G. and one that died in infancy. Those now living in 
addition to the subject of this sketch are: Ludwig, who resides in Alta, 
Canada; Paul, living in Aberdeen, S. D. ; Sarah, who resides at Grants Pass, 
Ore., and Mary, residing in Medford, Ore. Philip G. Kribs acljuired his 
education in the district school, which he attended until the age of 16 years, 
and then spent two winters at the La Cross Business University and one 
winter at Gale College, Galesville, Wis. Dec. 4, 1884, he was married at the 
home of his bride's parents, by the Rev. J. Irwin Smith, a Presbyterian 
minister, to Ella, daughter of Wil?iam J. and Eliza Suttie, of Caledonia Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, and after marriage took his wife to his father's 
old home in section 3, Trempealeau Township. He was at that time working 
his father's farm, on which he lived until March, 1886. He then changed 
his occupation by going into the grocery business in Galesville, Wis., and 
was thus occupied until March, 1888. He then sold out in Galesville and 
went into the same business in Midway, La Crosse County, Wis., and while 
there was appointed postmaster. Remaining in Midway until the spring of 
1890, he then made up his mind to go back to farming, and accordingly 
purchased 80 acres of improved land in section 15, Trempealeau Township, 
which constitutes his home farm. On it, however, he made a number of 
improvements. The original buildings were poor, but in 1904 he remodeled 
the house, which is now a good two-story frame dwelling of eight rooms. 
He has also erected a number of other buildings, including a new frame 
barn, a granary, milk house, corn crib, poultry house and a garage. As 
a farmer and dairyman he is doing a profitable business, having a herd of 
graded cows and a good sty of Poland-China hogs, together with a sufficient 
number of horses for the farm work and a good equipment of tools and 
machinery. He and his wife have four children: Grace S., Harry W., 
Paul W. and Mary E. Grace S., who was born in Galesville, Wis., April 21, 
1887 is the wife of George Sagen, assistant cashier of the Merchants' Bank 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 517 

at Galesville, Wis. Harry W., born at Midway, Wis., July 10, 1889, is 
unmarried and resides at home with his father. He owns 40 acres in section 
15 and 40 acres in section 22, improved land, which he farms in connection 
with the home place. Paul W., born in Trempealeau Township Feb. 12, 
1892, is unmarried and lives on the home farm. Mary E., born in Trempea- 
leau Township Oct. 19, 1902, lives at home and is attending the Galesville 
High School. In politics Mr. Kribs is a Democrat, but is not active polit- 
ically beyond casting his vote. Since 1897 he has been a member of Liberty 
Peak Camp, No. 2813, M. W. A., having passed all the chairs. He and his 
wife and daughter Grace are affiliated with the Centerville Methodist Episco- 
pal church. 

Ludwig 0. Goplin. Among the farmers of Gale Township who are 
recognized as successful men in their branch of industry is the subject of 
this sketch, whose farm of 220 acres is situated in sections 3, 14, 23 and 24, 
town 23 north, range 7 west. Here Mr. Goplin was born Jan. 27, 1883, son 
of Glaus E. and Mathia (Benrud) Goplin, the homestead having been in 
the family since the time of the grandfather, who settled on it in 1869. 
Olaus E. Goplin, who was born in Norway in 1861, purchased 80 acres of 
the farm and lived on it many years, dying in December, 1901. He added 
to his land until the farm comprised 220 acres. His wife, also a native of 
Norway, survived him about a year and four months, passing away in 
April, 1903. Ludwig O. Gophn worked on the old home farm for his parents 
from his boyhood until his father's death, and afterwards for his mother 
until she, too, died. He then rented the farm from the heirs for five years, 
buying it in April, 1915. Here he is carrying on general farming and 
dairying, keeping graded Durham and Holstein cattle, of which he has 35 
head, milking 20. The residence on the farm is a good two-story and base- 
ment fi'ame house of 10 rooms. A man of progressive nature, in 1902 Mr. 
Goplin built a round barn, 64 feet in diameter, and 26 feet to the eaves, and 
in 1915 he erected a stave silo, 14 by 34 feet. He is a stockholder in the 
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and also in the Whitehall Hospital. Since 
1913 he has served as treasurer of the school board. His religious affilia- 
tions are with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of Pigeon Falls, of 
which he is a member, and of which his father was secretary from the time 
of its organization until his death. Dec. 10, 1910, Mr. Goplin was united in 
marriage with Ruth Mortenson, of Whitehall, Wis., who was born in Pigeon 
Township, this county, Sept. 15, 1887. Her father, Hans H. Mortenson, 
who was born near Hammerfest, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, is now residing 
in Whitehall. Her mother was born in Norway, Jan. 11, 1847, and is 
now living in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Goplin have two children: 
Margaret Alverne, born Oct. 15, 1911, and Obert Harvey, born Oct. 27, 
1913. 

Sigvald N. Hegge, cashier of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall, has 
had an important part in the upbuilding of that institution, and is one of 
the energetic young men of the village. A native of this county, and de- 
scended from a pioneer family, he had considerable experience in business 
before assuming the duties of his present position, and his well-merited 
success is built upon a firm foundation. He was born in Pigeon Township, 



518 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

May 18, 1887, the son of Nels F. and Lena (Nelson) Hegge, and there grew 
to manhood, receiving his early education in the district school of his 
neighborhood, and in the graded schools of Whitehall. In 1905 he gradu- 
ated from the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, and soon there- 
after became interested in the lumber business. Entering the employ of 
the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Co., he first took charge of their lumber 
yard at Hatton, N. D., and so thoroughly demonstrated his ability there, 
that he was employed for the next few years in opening and establishing 
yards at various points in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. 
Sept. 29, 1913, he returned to his native county to become assistant cashier 
of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall. Jan. 1, 1914, he was promoted 
to his present position. Fraternally Mr. Hegge is a former secretarj' of 
the local Masonic lodge, and past Noble Grand of the local Odd Fellows' 
lodge. He is also connected with other clubs and organizations. Mr. 
Hegge was married Dec. 29, 1915, to Emelia Bensen, of Whitehall, who 
was born in that village Aug. 13, 1888, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth 
(Frederickson) Bensen, the former of whom is a mail carrier and the latter 
of whom died in 1911. Before her marriage, Mrs. Hegge was a teacher 
in the kindergarten department of the Whitehall public schools. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hegge have one child, Harriet Elizabeth, born Oct. 8, 1916. 

Nels F. Hegge, a pioneer, from whom is named Hegge Valley, in Pigeon 
Township, was born at Biri, Norway, came to America as a young man, 
lived in La Crosse for a while, came to Trempealeau County in 1872, lived 
in Pigeon Township until 1900, and then moved to Whitehall, where he died 
in 1912 at the age of 73 years. His widow, Lena Nelson, still makes her 
home in that village. She and her husband have been actively affiliated 
with the United Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hegge was a strong 
Democrat in politics and had considerable influence in local affairs. 

David R. Dissmore, well known to the inhabitants of Pigeon Township 
as proprietor of the old Dissmore homestead, consisting of 200 acres in 
section 8, was born in Viroqua, Wis., Sept. 16, 1863, son of George P. and 
Mary E. (Rogers) Dissmore. His father was one of the well-known and 
respected citizens of the township, of which he was a resident for many 
years. Born in Marblehead, Mass., in 1835, George P. Dissmore, while 
still a young man, emigrated to the great Northwest. He was married in 
Mauston, Juneau County, Wis., in 1859, to Mary E. Rogers, who was born 
in 1841, and for some time he resided in Vernon County, coming to Trempea- 
leau County in 1863. In the spring of the following year he homesteaded 
the farm on which his son David now resides, and here he made his home 
until 1895. As a minister affiliated with the Baptist denomination, he 
served the church at Whitehall for several years, and also preached three 
years in Polk County and two years in Barron County. He died at White- 
hall in 1908, his wife passing away in 1914 at Whitehall. They were the 
parents of a family numbering 14 children, of whom four are now deceased. 
The record of the living is as follows : Mary, wife of Forest Van Sickle, a 
retired farmer of Ryder, N. D. ; Lyvenia, wife of James Maloney, a farmer 
of Hale Township, Trempealeau County; David R., of Pigeon Township; 
Jessie, wife of Archie Wood, a contractor of Whitehall ; Sarah, now Mrs. Ole 





MW^.^: 




REV. AND MES. GEORGE DISSMORE 
DAVID K. DISSMORE AND FAMILY 




< 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 519 

Knosberg, her husband being a farmer and gardener of Barron, Wis. ; 
Emma, wife of Louis Dowd, a farmer rf Weston, Ore. ; Martha, wife of 
Gotlieb Nogossek, a farmer of Hale Township, this county ; George, who is 
farming in Oregon; Ruth, now Mrs. Fred Wallace, of Osceola, Wis., and 
Rheuamy, wife of Oscar J. Olson, of Saginaw, Ore. 

David R. Dissmore was reared on his parents' farm in section 8, Pigeon 
Township, and in the year 1900 became its manager. It became his prop- 
erty by purchase in 1914 and as owner he is continuing the work of improve- 
ment which he began as manager. Besides general farming, he is a consid- 
erable producer of honey, keeping 130 colonies of Italian bees. In these 
enterprises he has achieved success and now takes rank among the pros- 
perous citizens of his township. He was married. May 18, 1892, to Alice 
Breed, of old Whitehall, daughter of Calvin and Anna (Crane) Breed, 
her parents being now residents of Whitehall. He and his wife are the 
parents of eight children : Elbert, Clinton, Sidney, Reuben, Lily, Florence, 
George and Lulu. The family are affiliated religiously with the Baptist 
church. 

Andrew K. Skumlien, who in former days was an active and successful 
farmer of Pigeon Township, was born in Vardal, Norway, in 1833. Coming 
to the United States in 1876, at the age of 43 years, he settled in Trempea- 
leau County, Wis., working the first summer on the farm of Olaus Knutson 
in Moe Couley. He then bought 160 acres of land in section 28, it being 
the southwest quarter of town 23 noi'th, range 7 west. Pigeon Township, the 
locality being known as Fuller Cooley. This farm was purchased from the 
estate of Peter Anderson, who homesteaded it. Here Andrew K. Skumlien 
spent the rest of his life, which lasted but ten years longer, his death taking 
place June 6, 1886. He was an industrious man, working hard to improve 
his property, and was 'well liked and respected by his neighbors. He was 
married in his native land, in 1860, to Anna Olson, who was born in Norway, 
Dec. 24, 1830, and who now lives with her children on the old homestead. 
There were eight children in their family : Ole C, who owns the old farm 
in company with his brother Anton ; Anton, above mentioned ; Mary, who 
married Ludwig Thompson, a farmer, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Carl, a 
farmer of Pigeon Township ; Anna, who is the wife of L. C. Olson, who was 
a farmer in section 34, Pigeon Township; Maren, wife of Albert Kaas, a 
farmer of Jackson County, Wis. ; TiUie, wife of Bent Myren, a farmer of 
Pigeon Township, and one that died in infancy. 

Ole C. Skumlien, who, with his brother Anton, owns and operates the 
old Skumlien farm in section 28, Pigeon Township, was born in Vardahl, 
Norway, July 25, 1861, son of Andrew K. and Anna (Olson) Skumfien. 
After residing in his native land until he was 14 years of age, in 1875 he 
accompanied his grandparents, Knute and Anna (Thorson) Skumlien, to the 
United States, they taking up their residence on the farm of Olaus Knutson, 
a relation, who lived in Moe Couley, Pigeon Township. There the grand- 
parents spent the rest of their lives. Andrew K. Skumlien came to the 
county in 1876 and worked that summer on Mr. Knutson's farm, the family 
being thus united. He soon, however, purchased a farm of his own, con- 
sisting of 160 acres in section 28, Pigeon Township, the exact location being 



520 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

defined as the southwest quarter of town 23 north, range 7 west, and here 
he resided until his death, June 6, 1886. Ole C. Skumlien was reared on 
his father's farm and trained to agricultural pursuits, which he has since 
followed on the old homestead, he and his brother Anton buying it in 1899. 
Since it came into their possession they have made a number of improve- 
ments on it, including the erection of new buildings. In 1903 they built a 
barn, 34 by 64 by 18 feet, with an 8-foot basement, cement floors and run- 
ning water, and lighted by acetylene lights. A house was built in 1912, 
and is a cement block building 32 by 38 feet, two stories and basement, and 
containing 10 rooms. It is installed with hot water heat, acetylene lights, 
hot and cold running water, bath and toilet, and is a fine and attractive resi- 
dence. Mr. Skumlien has served as township supervisor six years and as 
school clerk 15 years. He is also a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and 
Stock Company, the People's State Bank at Whitehall and the Whitehall 
Hospital. April 6, 1901, Mr. Skumlien was united in marriage with Clara 
Larson, of Fitch Cooley, where she was born Jan. 6, 1884. Her parents 
were Anton and Gertrude (Blegen) Larson, who have resided in Fitch 
Cooley since 1875, the former being now 75 and the latter 67 years old. 
They came to America from Norway, the mother in 1877, the father in 1866, 
and were manned in this country, he locating first in Coon Valley, Vernon 
County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Skumlien are the parents of seven 
children, born as follows : George Arthur, March 20, 1903 ; Oscar Clarence, 
Sept. 10, 1905; Laura Amanda, Jan. 29, 1907; Carl Albert, Nov. 11, 1908; 
Agnes Mabel, April 14, 1911; Inga Thealine, April 18, 1913, and Jennie 
Matilda, March 9, 1915. Mr. Skumlien and his family are members of the 
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Anton Void, D. D. S., of Whitehall, Wis., was born in Hale Township, 
Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1879, son of John J. and Martha (An- 
derson) Void. The father, born in Norway, came to America in 1872 and 
settled in Trempealeau County, where he followed farming and blacksmith- 
ing for some years, was a merchant in Whitehall, but is now retired. His 
wife is also living, both of them having reached the age of 70 years. Anton 
Void was graduated from the Whitehall High School in 1899. He then 
applied himself to the study of dentistry and was graduated from the Chi- 
cago College of Dental Surgery in 1902. July 1 the same year he located 
in Whitehall, where he has fine offices in the Model Building. Since begin- 
ning his professional labors here he has built up a good practice and gained 
a reputation for skilled dentistry which extends throughout the northern 
part of the county. As a citizen interested in good local government, he 
has served on the village board for three years, supporting the' cause of 
progress and efficiency. He retains his membership in the college frater- 
nity of Psi Omega, has advanced in the Masonic order as far as the Com- 
mandery, being a Knight Templar, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen 
of America. Dr. Void was married, Feb. 4, 1909, to Verne F. Ingalls, of 
Whitehall, whose father, John M. Ingalls, who came to Trempealeau County 
in 1856, is a farmer and agent for the Standard Oil Company. Mrs. Ingalls 
was in maidenhood Carrie Gage. Dr. and Mrs. Void have had three 
children, the second-born of whom died at birth. The others, Evangeline 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 521 

C, was born Oct. 27, 1909, and is now a bright girl of 7 years, and Anton J., 
born May 4, 1917. 

Axel K. Olsen, M. D., of Ettrick, Wis., was born in Stavanger, Norway, 
Sept. 16, 1865, son of Peter and Bertha Elisabeth (Olsen) Olsen. The 
father, who was a ship carpenter, died of yellow fever in South America, 
in 1873, his wife dying in Norway a few years later. He came to the United 
States in 1886, at the age of 21 years. He attended the high school and 
college in Norway and in the year 1885 he passed the examen artium (B. A.) 
at the University of Christiania, Norway. He went to Vermilion, S. D., 
where he became a student at the State University, taking his degree of 
Master of Arts in the Class of 1890. He commenced his medical studies at 
Northwestern Medical College, in Chicago, 1892-93, attended the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons in 1893-94, passed the Illinois State Board 
examination in 1895. In the winter of 1895-96 Dr. Olsen was interne in 
the Lutheran Hospital at Chicago, and in the following summer began 
practice in Westby, taking charge of the practice of Dr. J. Schreiner. In 
the fall he returned to Chicago and entered Rush Medical College, where he 
took his degree in medicine in 1897. He now located in Baldwin, Wis., but 
after three months there came to Ettrick, where there was then no 
physician, and here he has since resided, having built up a good practice in 
the village and the surrounding territory. His neat and commodious resi- 
dence in Ettrick was erected by him in 1915. At the present time he holds 
the position of health officer. Dr. Olsen was first married in the fall of 
1897 to Sarah Brager, who was born in Norway, in which country her father 
gained his living as a timber expert. He died there and his widow came 
to the United States, locating in Blanchardville, where she subsequently 
died. Mrs. Sarah Olson was killed in a runaway accident in 1899, leaving one 
child, Esther, who died at the age of Syears. May29, 1901, the Doctor married 
Miss Inger Brager, who was a sister of his first wife, and was also born 
in Norway, being about 10 years of age when she came to America. The 
children of this second marriage are three in number: Axel K., Jr., Erna 
'Brager and Borge Halyard. Dr. Olsen is a member of the County, State 
and American Medical Associations. He attends the Lutheran church. 
He is a well-known and popular citizen, and with his family moves in the 
best society in this part of the county. 

Anton P. Brohelden, who is engaged in farming 160 acres of land in 
sections 24-25, Ettrick Township, with prosperous results, was born in 
Sunderland, Norway, Oct. 25, 1871, son of Andrew Peterson and Bertha 
Svenson, his wife, both natives of the same district, and neither of whom 
ever came to America. Anton P. emigrated to this country in 1892 and 
after arriving in Trempealeau County, found employment with Christ 
Brenengen, of Abraham's Cooley, for whom he worked two years, after- 
wards working two years for Chris Skunberg and later for others. About 
1899 he bought his present farm, which is a good piece of agricultural 
property and where he is carrying on general fai'ming' successfully, being 
also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery. Mr. Brohelden was married 
at French Creek, in 1899, to Anna Brenengen, who was born in Norway, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nils Brenengen, her family being one well known 



522 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in this part of the county. He and his wife have four children : Sanf ord 
Amandus, Esther Alvena, Bernice Lenora and Stella Lillian. The family 
are members of the Lutheran church. 

George Amoth, proprietor of a well-improved farm of 135 acres in 
Ettrick Township, near the village of Ettrick, was born in a log house in 
this locahty, May 29, 1873, son of Gilbert and Helen (Haldvorsdatter) 
Amoth. The parents were natives of Norway, in which counti-y they were 
married, and a few years later, about 1867, came with their two eldest 
children to the United States. After a long voyage across the Atlantic 
in a sailing vessel they landed at an eastern port, and came directly to 
Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., which locality they had 
been infoi-med was favorable for settlement. Having little knowledge, 
however, of what he would have to do, Gilbert Amoth was practically 
unprovided with necessaries for making a start in the wilderness, and at 
first had scarcely anything but his bare hands with which to begin work. 
In spite of this handicap, he managed to erect a log house and as soon as 
possible procured an ox team, with which he began the work of pioneer 
farming. A number of years later, after he had made good progress in 
developing his farm, he increased its size by the purchase of 40 additional 
acres, and here he resided until he retired and moved to Ettrick about six 
years before his death, which occurred March 17, 1916. He was a member 
of the Lutheran church and a respected member of the community in which 
he had cast his lot. His wife died on the farm about 1908. They had a 
family numbering 11 children. George Amoth worked on the home farm 
until he had reached the age of 18 years, at which time he began working 
out on other farms, and also for a while hauled cream to the creamery at 
Ettrick. At the age of 26 years he was married to Julia Johnson, daughter 
of Hans and Martha Johnson, of Ettrick. He then rented a farm in section 
20, working it for three years, at the end of which time he bought his 
present farm near the village, where he raises various crops, and also more 
or less stock, including Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs, a good grade 
of horses and full-blooded Black Monarch chickens. Since taking this 
place he has erected on it a good silo, machine shed and chicken coop. His 
barn is 100 by 28 feet in size. Mr. Amoth takes an interest in all local 
enterprises, giving active support to the creamery in particular. He has 
been successful as a farmer and he and his wife are prominent and esteemed 
residents of the community in which they live. They have two children: 
Hazel Marie and Guy Hubert. 

Ole Tomter, proprietor of the Tomter Dairy Farm of 158 acres in sec- 
tions 27 and 28, town 23, range 7, Pigeon Township, was born on the farm 
where he still lives, Nov. 11, 1877, son of John L. and Martha (Olsdatter 
Rolieie) Tomter. John L. Tomter died Dec. 24, 1915, and Mrs. Tomter 
resides with her son Ole. He was reared on the home place, attended the 
district schools, and learned farming from his father. In July, 1903, he 
and his brother Anton rented the farm, and three years later they pur- 
chased it. In 1909 he acquired his brother Anton's interest, and has since 
continued as the sole owner. On this place he conducts general farming 
operations, making a specialty of grade Holstein cattle. His home is a 





JOHN L. TOMTER AND FAMILY 
OLE TOMTER AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 523 

pleasant frame structure of 12 rooms. Like the other buildings on the 
farm, it is lighted with acetylene gas. The barn, 50 by 62 by 31 feet, was 
erected in 1915. It has cement floors, steel stanchions and other modern 
features. The silo, constructed in 1916, is of glazed blocks. The other 
buildings are also in keeping with these sightly structures. Mr. Tomter 
is a prominent man in the community and has been on the town board since 
1914 and on the school board since 1915. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon 
Grain & Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. His fraternal 
relations are with the S. A. F. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian 
Lutheran church, of which he is efficiently serving as treasurer. Mr. 
Tomter was married Oct. 27, 1906, to Hilda Maria Skoyen, who was born 
in Hale Township, Jan. 15, 1886, daughter of Hans and Martha Skoyen, 
early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Tomter have four children : Hensel Joseph, 
born Aug. 8, 1907 ; Lester, born March 28, 1910 ; Lawrence Raymond, born 
July 19, 1912 ; and Sylvia Amanda, born April 8, 1916. 

James C. Beirne, a well-known agriculturist in section 31, east, Ettrick 
Township, where he has a farm of 120 acres, is a native of Wisconsin, having 
been born at St. Mary's Ridge, La Crosse County, March 25, 1855. His 
parents were Thomas and Catherine Beirne, both natives of Ireland. 
Thomas Beirne came to the United States when a mere lad, residing for 
some years in Albany, N. Y., where he began industrial life. In later years, 
after attaining maturity, he came to Wisconsin, locating at Watertown, in 
the vicinity of which place he bought land and became a farmer. From 
there he removed to La Crosse, and subsequently, about 1857, to Galesville, 
here continuing his farming operations. After residing in Galesville for two 
years he bought land in what is now the northern part of Ettrick Township, 
on which he built a smaU house and started to develop a homestead. He 
improved about 160 acres of land and resided there until 1898, when he 
moved to Ettrick, where he subsequently died. His wife is also deceased. 
They had a family of nine children. James C. Beirne was the fourth-born 
child of his parents. He acquired the elements of knowledge in a primitive 
log schoolhouse in Ettrick Township and remained at home assisting his 
parents until he was 30 years old, having the practical management of 
the farm at an early age. About 1886 he purchased his present farm, 
which he has since lived on and improved. Mr. Beirne was married May 10, 
1897, to Ellen Cleary, daughter of John and Ellen Cleary. Mrs. Beirne, 
who was one of seven children, being the sixth-born, was educated in the 
schools of Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Beirne have two children: 
Vincent, born Oct. 21, 1898, and Mildred, born Aug. 28, 1902. The family 
are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Beirne is independent in politics. 
He is an industrious and substantial citizen. 

Charles L. Brenengan, who is profitably operating a farm of 120 acres 
in sections 8 and 6, Gale Township, was born on this farm, Jan. 29, 1869, son 
of Christian and Mary (Jorde) Brenengan. Both parents were natives 
of Norway, the mother born in Berie. Christian Brenengan came to this 
country in 1862, locating near Stoddard, in Vernon County. He was em- 
plbyed by others at threshing and other labor until he came to the farm 
now owned by his son Charles, which he developed and improved. This was 



524 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

not his only property, as he owned altogether 370 acres. Besides carrying 
on general farming, he dealt in stock for a number of years. About 1905 
he retired from the farm and went to Galesville, where he is now living. 
For a number of years during his active period he was a member of the 
school board. Their family consisted of three children, of whom 
Charles L. was the first-born. The others were: Alfred J., who 
resides on the old home farm, and Elma Stella, wife of Alex Toppen, 
residing on an adjoining farm. In September, 1896, Mr. Brenengan was 
married to Julia Skundberg, who was born on French Creek, Trempealeau 
County, daughter of Andrew and Bertha Skundberg. He and his wife have 
one child, Katheryn Margaret, who is now attending school. Mr. Brenen- 
gan is a member of the Order of Scandinavian Workmen, a beneficial insur- 
ance society of Oshkosh, Wis. He has always resided on the parental 
homestead, which he purchased in 1900 from his father, and is engaged in 
general farming, including dairying and stock raising, being also a stock- 
holder in the Galesville Creamery. His education, besides the usual district 
school course, included two years in the La Crosse High School, and he has 
since increased his general knowledge by reading and acquaintance with the 
practical things of life. In politics he is independent, as a rule voting 
for the man rather than for the party, and though interested in good 
government, he has not been politically active, either in town or county 
affairs. As a reliable citizen and good neighbor he commands gen- 
eral respect. 

Stark Butman, one of the oldest living citizens of Trempealeau County, 
having resided continuously for 60 years in Gale Township, was born in 
Huron County (now Erie County), Ohio, March 28, 1832. He was educated 
and grew to manhood in his native State. In 1852 he came West to La 
Crosse County, Wis., where he located 160 acres of land, returning to Ohio 
that same year. In 1853 he and his brother Hiram came to La Crosse 
County and settled on this land, which was situated near Stevenstown. In 
1857 he exchanged 80 acres of his land for 40 acres of land on this side of 
Black River, in Gale Township, Trempealeau County, and there he laid the 
foundations for his future prosperity, building a house, with the proper 
accompaniment of outbuildings, and breaking and developing his land. 
Later he acquired other land by purchase and by homesteading until he 
owned at one time several hundred acres, becoming one of the leading 
and representative men of Trempealeau County. He has followed diversi- 
fied farming all his life, and has given away and sold land to his children, 
at the present time having only 160 acres in his own name. For about 
28 years Mr. Butman served as postmaster at Decorah Prairie, the office 
being in his own home, and for his services he received the large recompense 
of 1 per cent of the cancellations. He has also rendered efficient service in 
various town offices. In 1855 Mr. Butman was married at La Crosse, Wis., 
to Mary Jane Lynn, who was born in New York State, July 22, 1836. After 
56 years of wedded life, she passed away, March 19, 1911, sincerely mourned. 
Mr. and Mrs. Butman were the parents of 10 children, whose record in brief 
is as follows: Eugene S., born Oct. 4, 1856, was mari'ied Jan. 22, 1882, to 
Lizzie Stellpflug, and they reside at Pipestone, Minn. Emma J., born Nov. 






GQ 



bd 




HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 525 

3, 1858, was married, July, 1885, to David Lonie, and they now reside at 
Pullman, Wash. Eva I., born Aug. 11, 1861, was married Feb. 17, 1884, to 
Ally Bartlett, and they reside at Alexandria, Minn. Erie H., born May 28, 
1863, married. May 15, 1904, Charles E. Potter. Nancy M., born May 8, 
1865, was married Oct. 20, 1883, to Clinton V. Lovell. Nettie L., born 
March 17, 1867, on May 4, 1888, became the wife of W. E. McKown. She 
died May 25, 1897. Ernest H., born Aug. 31, 1873, was married March 15, 
1899, to Lizzie M. Burt, and they reside in Gale Township. An infant 
daughter, born May 9, 1876, died May 14, 1876. Frank M., born Feb. 25, 
1880, was married Nov. 12, 1906, to Janet M. Smith. They reside in Gale 
Township. Since her mother's death Mary Edna McKown has always 
lived with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Butman, and since her grand- 
mother's death in 1911 has been the sole housekeeper for her grandfather. 
Mr. Butman, althought over 85 years old, is still hale and hearty and in 
full possession of all his faculties, enjoying an opportunity to relate the 
many hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, and above all, proud to 
boast that he has 27 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. 

George Christiansen, M. D., a popular physician of Galesville, was born 
in La Crosse, Wis., May 14, 1886, son of Peter and Anna (Iverson) Chris- 
tiansen. The father was born in Norway, Aug. 7, 1844, and came to the 
United States when about 18. or 20 years of age, locating in La Crosse, Wis., 
where he worked for some time in a store. Subsequently he engaged in 
rafting on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans and continued in 
this occupation until the Southern Minnesota Railroad was built, when he 
found work on it at building telegraph lines. Later he became inspector 
of a telegraph line, holding this position for a number of years. His next 
employment was in the Kline dry goods store in La Crosse, and he remained 
there until he was appointed substitute mail carrier in that city, later 
becoming a member of the regular force. In 1911 he ceased industrial 
activity and is now living retired in La Crosse. His father died October 
22, 1916. His wife Anna, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1860, died 
Feb. 6, 1900. Their family numbered four children, of whom George is 
the third in order of birth. 

George Christiansen acquired the main part of his literary education in 
the grammar school at La Crosse. Then, after two years of preparatory 
medical work in Milwaukee, he entered Northwestern University Medical 
School, at Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. in 1911, after a four years' 
course. Returning to La Crosse, he became resident physician to the 
Lutheran Hospital there, which position he held for three years. He then 
went to Holman, Wis., where he practiced for about 18 months, at the end 
of which time he came to Galesville as successor to Dr. G. H. Laurence in 
general medical practice. Though here but a short time. Dr. Christiansen 
has already made a favorable impression on the community, and, being 
thoroughly well qualified in his profession, has the best prospects of a suc- 
cessful career as long as he chooses to remain here. He is a member of 
the County, State and American Medical Associations. His other society 
affiliations are with the Masonic Lodge, No. 177, of Galesville, the Elks' 
Lodge, No. 300, and the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. In politics he is a 



526 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Republican. The Doctor was married, May 25, 1917, to Miss Dena Edna 
Myhre, of Galesville. 

N. E. Dale, buttermaker for the Preston Creamery Company, of Blair, 
was born in Pigeon Township, Trempealeau County, July 12, 1878, son of 
Benedict Olson and Guina Halvorslein. The father and mother came to 
America as young people, and after the father's death, the mother married 
Louis A. Larson, of Pigeon Falls, now residing at Onalaska, Wis. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared by his grandparents, Nels and Christina 
(Gunderson) Halvorslein, in Curran Township, Jackson County. As a 
youth he was employed at farm work, and for some three years, while 
attending school in Minneapolis, he was engaged as a coachman. In 1901 
he began his career as a buttermaker by working in the York Creamery, 
in Jackson County. But desiring to further perfect himself in the art, he 
entered the Dairy School of the University of Wisconsin, in 1902, and was 
duly graduated. Then, after two years' experience at Flint, Mich., he 
returned to Jackson County, and worked at the creamery in Irving Township 
for seven years. He has occupied his present position since July 1, 1911. 
He is thoroughly competent and efficient, and his work is highly valued by 
the stockholders of the company. Mr. Dale was married at Hixton, Wis., 
June 20, 1904, to Edith May Dimond, of Flint, Mich., who was born in 
Otisville, Mich., May 10, 1886, daughter of Eugene and Eva Dimond. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dale have seven childi'en : Gladys, Evelyn, Glenn, Maurice, Mer- 
lin, Marjorie and Byron. 

Theodore M. Hanson, who is aiding in developing the agricultural 
resources of Preston Township, as proprietor of Clear Mound Farm, con- 
sisting of 100 acres in section 20, was born on this farm, April 5, 1881. 
His parents were Martin Hanson Skyrud and Olea Stutterud, a memoir of 
whom appears elsewhere in this work. Theodore M. Hanson resided at 
home with his parents and worked on the home farm until 1908. Then 
at the age of 27 years he became a general merchant, opening a store at 
Waldorf, Minn., which he conducted until 1912. He then sold out and 
returned to the Hanson homestead. Here he is successfully engaged in 
agi-icultural pursuits, dairying and stock raising, his farm being well im- 
proved, having fertile soil, capable of producing all the crops indigenous 
to this region, and his buildings substantial, convenient and supplied with 
all necessary equipment. Besides operating this farm, Mr. Hanson is 
secretary of the Blair Elevator Company and a stockholder in the Home 
Bank of Blair. Though not politically active, he is alive to the general 
interests of the community in which he lives and ever ready to support any 
good, practical measure for its advancement. Mr. Hanson was married 
Sept. 7, 1904, to Helen Grinde, of Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, 
where she was born Jan. 15, 1883, daughter of Lars L. and Helga (Hilleboe) 
Grinde. Her father was born in Norway in 1847 and came to the United 
States with his parents in 1856, they settling in Presfon Township. Mr. 
Grinde became a very prominent citizen in the county, serving as county 
treasurer four years and as a member of the State legislature two years. 
He was also at different times a member of the township and county boards. 
His wife H.elga was born in 1850 and died in 1885. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 527 

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had six children born to them : Lucile Theo- 
dora, born June 23, 1907, who died April 16, 1908; Martin Grinde, born 
Oct. 10, 1909; Sylvia Helen, born Aug. 16, 1911; Dorothy Lucile, born Feb. 
23, 1914 ; Mildred Louise, born Sept. 30, 1915, and George Anthony, born 
July 12, 1917. 

Sanford J. Johnson, who holds the responsible position of buttermaker 
with the Ettrick Creamery, was born three miles northeast of Ettrick Vil- 
lage, Aug. 27, 1881, son of John T. and Juha (Johnson) Johnson. His 
parents were natives of Norway, the father born in Ulwig and the mother 
in HoUingdahl, but their marriage took place in Trempealeau County. John 
T. Johnson came to the United States when 20 years old, at that time being 
unable to speak English. Settling in Trempealeau County, he bought land 
and engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued until his death 
in 1906, his farm being located in section 20, range 7. He served as town- 
ship assessor for a number of terms and was agent for the Ettrick Scandi- 
navian Mutual Fire Insurance Company from the time of its organization 
until his death, and also served on the school board, in these various positions 
proving himself a man of keen intelligence and sound business judgment. 
His wife survived him only about nine months. They had a large family 
numbering 12 children, of whom Sanford J. was the sixth in order of birth. 

Sanford J. Johnson was educated in the district school in Ettrick Town- 
ship and afterwards took a course in the dairy department of the State 
Agricultural College at Madison. He resided at home until he was 20 years 
of age and then worked eight months in a creamery at Hegge, this township. 
At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Ettrick Creamery as 
buttermaker, and has since remained with the company in that capacity, 
having established a good and satisfactory record. In addition to this em- 
ployment, he also operates an 80-acre farm near Ettrick and is a dealer in 
wagons, buggies," carriages and other vehicles. He is a stockholder in the 
Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company and in the Ettrick Lumber Company, 
organized in January, 1917. Dec. 19, 1906, Mr. Johnson was united in 
marriage with Clara M. Brorold, who was born in Ettrick Village, daughter 
of Erick and Anna (Olson) Brorold. Her parents were natives of Ulwick, 
Norway, Erick Brorold coming to the United States with his parents when 
a young man. They located about two miles northeast of Ettrick on a farm, 
where he resided until his marriage. He then entered the employ of the 
Iver Pederson Mercantile Company as clerk and continued with them for 
22 years. Appointed postmaster, he served in that position 17 years until 
his death, which took place May 7, 1914. His reliable character and good 
citizenship was recognized by his election to several positions of responsi- 
bility and trust, and his record includes service as township treasurer, clerk 
and chairman of the township board, also a fifteen years' membership on the 
school board. He also held office in the United Norwegian Lutheran church 
as treasurer, trustee or otherwise for a number of years. His wife is still 
living and resides in Ettrick. They were the parents of three children, 
Clara M. being the second-born. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, 
Lillian Genevieve, who is attending school. Mr. Johnson belongs to the 
Modern Woodmen of America and to the Beavers, of which latter order his 



528 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

wife is also a member. She is now postmistress of Ettrick, having been 
appointed under civil service rules. The family faith is that of the United 
Luthei-an church, and in politics Mr. Johnson is a Repubhcan. 

Madts M. Skyrud, proprietor of Hillcrest Farm of 100 acres in section 

20, Preston Township, was born in this section of Preston Township June 26, 
1871. Madts M. resided at home until reaching the age of 21 years. He 
then worked out for two years and at the end of that time bought his present 
farm — in January, 1901 — from his father. After operating it until 1908, 
he rented it out to a tenant and went to Colorado, near Limon, where he 
farmed until the fall of 1913, subsequently returning to his farm in Preston 
Township. Here he has since remained, cultivating the land and improving 
the property generally. Among other improvements, in 1903 he built a 
good, three-story frame house of nine rooms and basement, equipped with 
furnace heat and other conveniences, and in the following year, 1904, he 
erected a frame barn 34 by 68 by 16 feet, with basement and concrete floors. 
He keeps a herd of graded Shorthorn cattle, of which he milks 18. As one 
of the responsible citizens of his township, he has been called upon to serve 
in public office, having been township treasurer and a member of the town- 
ship board. Jan. 1, 1903, Mr. Skyrud was married to Louisa Johnson, of 
Blair, who was born in Jackson County, Wis., April 13, 1877. Her parents 
were Johannes (Johnson Tytegraff ) and Caroline Johnson, the former being 
a native of Norway, who came to America when a boy and resided most 
of his life in Jackson County, dying in 1883 at the age of 50 years. His wife 
Caroline died in 1892 at the age of 46. Five children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Skyrud : Alden Clement, Oct. 24, 1903 ; Milton LeRoy, Feb. 

21, 1904; Kenneth Johannes, June 12, 1907; Elsie Irene, Oct. 24, 1909, and 
Orene Margaret, March 28, 1914. The family are members of the United 
Norwegian Lutheran church, Mr. Skyrud also belonging to the Independent 
Order of Foresters. 

Gilbert Mikkelson has lived in this county for over 45 years, and on his 
present farm in Hale Township for over forty years. He was born in Biri, 
Norway, Jan. 2, 1834, the son of Mikkel and Annie Mikkelson. In that 
country he was reared and there he was married March 26, 1859, to Annie 
Huskelhus. They came to America and located in Mindora, in La Crosse 
County, where they lived about a year. About 1870 they came to this 
county, and three or four years later secured 260 acres in sections 15 and 21, 
township 23, range 7 (Hale), where they developed a good farm. There 
the wife died in 1908. Of the children in the family there is now living but 
one, Ben, born at Mindora, Oct. 2, 1869, and is married. He was reared on 
the home place, educated in the common schools, and has become a substan- 
tial man in the community. He has been supervisor for three years and 
school clerk for nine years. His financial holdings include stock in the 
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. The 
family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. The father 

is still living. 

David C. Tucker, whose fertile farm of 160 acres lies in sections 23 and 
26, Gale Township, was born at New Anan, Nova Scotia, April 14, 1853. 
His parents, Alexander and Eunice (Wartman) Tucker, were both natives 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 529 

of Nova Scotia, the place of their nativity being in the vicinity of Truro. 
The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He located at North 
Bend, Jackson County, with his family, in 1874, and resided there for a 
number of years. For awhile he worked for others, but later took a farm 
and engaged in agriculture. He finally went to Grafton, N. D., where he 
died about 1910. His wife died in 1908. David C. Tucker is the oldest 
of five living children of his parents. He was educated at New Anan, N. S., 
and began industrial life when 17 years of age, working for others a part of 
his time, but also helping his parents at intervals for five or six years. 
When 26 years old he began farming at Grafton, N. D., taking a homestead 
there. After operating that farm for about seven years he returned to 
Wisconsin and for eleven winters worked in the woods cutting timber. 
He then came to his present farm, which he has since cultivated and im- 
proved, having recently built a fine barn, 100 by 36 feet, with 16-foot stud- 
ding. He is a stockholder in the North Bend Milling Company and in the 
La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Tucker was first married, April 7, 1879, 
to Margaret Bibby, who was born in Maryland, daughter of Richard and 
Mary (Faulds) Bibby. Of this union there were the following children 
born : William, deceased ; Richard A., residing at home with his father ; 
Alexander R., who died in California in April, 1916 ; Mrs. May Waller, who 
lives on an adjoining farm; Eunice, wife of Ray Cram, and Florence, David 
W. and George R., who reside at home. The mother of these children died 
July 20, 1904, and on June 5, 1915, Mr. Tucker married for his second wife 
Mrs. Rebecca Chase, a native of Nova Scotia, and widow of Frank Chase, 
who was a farmer in Jackson County, Wis. Of this second marriage there 
are no children. Mr. Tucker is practically independent in politics, with 
leanings toward the Prohibition party. He has served as a member of the 
board of education for a number of years and is now a director on the board. 
His religious aflSliations are with the Presbyterian church at North Bend, 
of which he is an elder. 

Thomas Hunter, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, where he is engaged 
in the hardware business, was born at Decorah Prairie, on his parents' farm, 
Nov. 15, 1868, son of Thomas Russell and Agnes (Grant) Hunter; a memoir 
of whom may be found on another page of this volume. Of their 11 children 
he was the fourth in order of birth. In his boyhood he attended district 
school at Decorah Prairie and when 15 years old began working in the woods 
for Michals & Co., of Onalaska, Wis. After being thus employed for the 
winter, in the following spring he worked on the river as a log driver. He 
remained at this occupation for seven years and for the next five years was 
employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River. Then going to Chase 
County, Neb., where he was engaged in farming until June, 1894, when he 
returned to Galesville, Wis. After residing at home for one season, or more, 
he was married, Jan. 19, 1897, to Blanche Cram, who was born in Galesville, 
Wis., daughter of Almon E. and Isabelle (Gunderson) Cram, of Gale Town- 
ship. In 1903 he returned to Nebraska and for one year was engaged in 
cattle ranching. Then selling his ranch, he drove a span of mules to Minne- 
apolis and worked there for a sugar factory a short time. Returning again 
to Galesville, he bought a farm near the village and operated it two years, at 



530 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the end of which time he sold it to John Dick and opened his present hard- 
ware store in Galesville. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware 
and his trade is constantly increasing. He also operates a threshing 
machine and clover puller each season and owns property in the village of 
Galesville. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Red Men, 
and he is also a member of the Galesville Fire Department. Mr. Hunter's 
wife died Dec. 18, 1914, leaving five children: Rose Almon, Russell, Bruce 
Raymond, Thomas Russell and Marion, all of whom are residing at home. 
In politics Mr. Hunter is a Socialist, but has taken no active part in local 
government. He is an enterprising and industrious citizen, successful in 
business, and has a wide circle of friends in this part of the county. 

Mile Albert Jones, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm 
of 126 acres in sections 25 and 36, Gale Township, was born on this farm 
March 22, 1870, son of John H. Jones, who was a well known and respected 
farmer of this community, the father born Feb. 29, 1824, and the mother 
June 12, 1833. Milo Jones in his boyhood attended the Glasgow school in 
Gale Towmship. He has always resided on the homestead his parents 
settled on, and when 19 years of age became its manager, operating it as 
such until 1900, at which time he purchased the property. He carries on 
general farming and stock raising, keeping cattle, hogs and other stock. 
He is also financially interested in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville. 
Mr. Jones is independent in politics, with Republican proclivities, and at- 
tends the Presbyterian church. He is unmarried. As a farmer he has been 
successful, and though not an office holder, he is recognized as a good, reli- 
able citizen, interested in the welfare of the community in which he resides. 

Charles F. York, a prosperous farmer residing on a farm of 160 acres in 
section 26, town 23 north, range 8 west. Hale township, was born on this 
farm, which he now owns, Nov. 14, 1874, son of Abel and Susan (Pierce) 
York. The father, born in New York State, April 10, 1827, migrated to 
Wisconsin, residing for some 20 years in the vicinity of Whitewater. In 
1868 he purchased the farm now owned by his son Charles and resided on 
it subsequently until his death, Nov. 11, 1912. He had been a widower 
for eight years, as his wife Susan, who was born in New York State in 1836, 
died on the homestead Sept. 11, 1904. They were the parents of two 
children : James, who is a carpenter at Black River Falls, Wis., and Charles 
F. Charles F. York, who in his youth had received a thorough training in 
agriculture, operated his father's farm on shares from 1895 to 1912, the year 
of his father's death, at which time he purchased the property, and has since 
continued farming on it, with remunei'ative results. He was married, Nov. 
10, 1897, to Alice G. Heath, of Hale Township, who was born at Arcadia, 
Wis., in 1875, and who died Oct. 22, 1899. She was the daughter of Barney 
and Adella (Briggs) Heath, farming people of Hale Township, and at her 
death left one child, Iva Ahce, who was born Aug. 4, 1898. April 26, 1903, 
Mr. York married for his second wife Jennie Dean, a school teacher by 
occupation, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, this county. May 17, 
1880. Her parents, Barney and Delia (Hess) Dean, are well known farmers 
of Hale Township. Mr. and Mrs. York are well known and popular members 
of the community, having a wide circle of friends in this part of the county. 




uSfiTv4i'.'*'?0M('^I''i*" 



MR. AND MRS. ABEL YORK 
CHARLES F. YORK AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 531 

Herbert Duxbury, proprietor of Valley Belle Farm of 173 acres in 
sections 8 and 17, Preston Township, was born near Hixton, Jackson County, 
Wis., Aug. 5, 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah Ann (Ashworth) Dux- 
bury, the former of whom was born at Hyde, Cheshire, England, in 1835, 
son of James and Jane Duxbury. James, who was a weaver by occupation, 
died in England, and about 1854 his widow, with the other members of the 
family, came to the United States, locating at Lonsdale, R. I., where she 
died, and where her son Joseph, father of the subject of this sketch, worked 
at the weaver's trade, which he had learned in England. In 1855 Joseph 
joined the tide of westward emigration, coming to Fond du Lac County, 
Wis., where he remained for about a year. He then went from there to 
Hixton, Jackson County, this State, but soon returned to Lonsdale, R. L, 
where he was married in 1858 to Sarah Ann Ashworth. In 1865 he located 
on a farm near Hixton, Jackson County, Wis., and was engaged in farming 
there for 35 years, or until 1900. Then removing to Blair, Trempealeau 
County, he engaged in the livery business there, being thus occupied for 
three years. In 1904 he retired to Alva Center, where he now lives with his 
wife. Herbert Duxbury resided at home until the age of 26 years, and 
gave all his earnings to his father. He learned agriculture on his father's 
farm and was manager of the Hugh Price farms in Price County, Wis., from 
1887 to 1891. He then bought a farm in Garden Valley Township, Jackson 
County, operating it until 1902, at which time he purchased his present farm 
in Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here he is engaged in general 
agricultural work, breeding graded Brown Swiss cattle, Berkshire hogs 
and White Orpington chickens, doing a successful business. June 1, 1888, 
Mr. Duxbury was united in marriage with Julia Grunlien of Northfield 
Township, Jackson County. She died March 30, 1901, at the age of 36 
years, leaving four children: Mrs. Mary Dilworth of Campbell, Minn.; 
Lyle, now a barber at Blair ; Glen and Robert, who reside with their father, 
and one that died in infancy. Mr. Duxbury married for his second wife, 
June 28, 1903, Mrs. Dorthea Frederickson, widow of Mathias Frederickson, 
a farmer of Jackson County. She was born in Norway, June 14, 1864, her 
family name being Shanke. By her first husband Mrs. Duxbury had eight 
children : Alice, who died at the age of nine years ; Milton, who died at the 
age of one year; Christian, who resides on the farm with his mother; 
Reidar, now a student in the State Agricultural College; Milton (second), 
employed in the C. J. Gibson furniture store at Blair, Wis. ; Oscar, who is 
learning the business of railroad agent at Blair; Gudfreid, who married 
Lester Sly, a farmer of Jackson County, and Helen, who lives with her 
mother. By her marriage with Mr. Duxbury three children have been born : 
Arthur and Harold, who are hving on the farm with their parents, and one 
that died at birth. Mr. Duxbury was elected assessor of the town of 
Preston in 1916 and re-elected in 1917. 

Frank A. Uhl, proprietor of Spring Glenn farm, located in section 36, 
Gale Township, is one of the leading stockmen in this part of Trempealeau 
County, his farm being one of the largest and best equipped. He was born 
here July 26, 1871. son of George and Christina (Harth) Uhl. The father 
was a native of Germany, born near Frankfort on the Rhine, Oct. 6, 1833. 



532 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

He came to the United States when 17 years old and for three years resided 
in the vicinity of Milwaukee. Later he came to Trempealeau County and in 
1853 settled on the farm now owned by his son, Frank A., which had been 
homesteaded by his father, Michael Uhl. Both the grandfather and father 
of the subject of this sketch died on the farm, as did also the grandmother, 
Mrs. Michael Uhl. The mother of Frank A., who was born near Milwaukee, 
Wis., July 2, 1844, is still living, being now a resident' of Galesville. When 
the family first settled here there were no improvements whatever on the 
place. Michael Uhl homesteaded 160 acres and started the improvements, 
which were continued by his son and successor George Uhl, who added to 
the size of the farm until it contained 400 acres. The latter gave his whole 
attention to this work, taking no part in public affairs. He and his wife 
had five children, Frank A. being the third born. Frank A. Uhl acquired 
his education in district school No. 4, Gale Township, and leai'ned agricul- 
ture on his home farm under his father's tuition. When he was 21 years 
old he became manager of the farm, it coming into his possession four years 
later on the death of his father. Since then he has cleared more of the 
land and added to the improvements, enlarging the buildings, or erecting 
new ones, as circumstances required. The farm still contains 400 acres 
and is a fine piece of agricultural property. Mr. Uhl makes a specialty of 
breeding Hereford cattle and Percheron horses, of the former keeping 
about 60 head and of the latter 12. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic 
Springs Creamery Company and in the Independent Harvester Company 
of Piano, 111. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Beavers, 
Yeomen and Red Men. May 25, 1898, Mr. Uhl was united in marriage with 
Sophia O'Neill, who was born in Gale Township, about one mile from the 
Uhl farm, daughter of James and Mary (Coleman) O'Neill. Her father 
was born in Ireland in 1812 and her mother in Belfast, Maine, in 1835, 
they being married near Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. O'Neill came to Trempealeau 
County about a year before the Uhls, taking a homestead of 160 acres, 
where he farmed and raised stock until his death. Their daughter, Sophia, 
who was the eighth born in a family of ten children, was in girlhood a 
schoolmate of her future husband. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl have one child, 
Helen Grace, who is now attending the high school at Galesville. Mr. Uhl 
is a Republican in politics and has served six years as a member of the 
school board. He and his family attend the Catholic church. 

Ole F. Lovlien. One of the best-improved farms of Pigeon Township 
is that known as Pine Grove Stock Farm, of which Ole F. Lovlien is the pro- 
prietor. Mr. Lovlien is a native of this township, having been born on his 
parents' farm in the southwest quarter of section 33, April 23, 1873. His 
father, Fred LovHen, was born in Norway in 1840, and married Guri Nilson. 
They came to this country and for a number of years made their home on 
the farm above mentioned, in section 33, where Fred Lovlien died in 1913. 
His wife is still living on the homestead. Ole F. Lovlien was reared on 
his parents' farm, on which he resided until reaching the age of 23 years. 
Then deciding to start in for himself, he purchased his present farm and 
has since been actively engaged in its cultivation and improvement. It con- 
tains 120 acres, two "forties" lying in section 28 and one "forty" in section 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 533 

27, town 23 north, range 7 west. In the work of improving this farm Mr. 
Lovlien has been highly successful, and his barn and houses are, in par- 
ticular, excellent buildings. The former, erected in 1905, measures 34 
by 64 by 16 feet, with basement, and an addition 22 by 20 feet. The house 
was built in 1913, and is a brick veneer structure, two stories and basement, 
containing eight rooms, with oak finish and maple floors downstairs and 
finished in fir upstairs. It is installed with hot water heat, with hot and cold 
running water, bath and toilet, and is located in Fuller Cooley in a nice 
grove of pines, whence it derives its name of "Pine Grove" stock farm. On 
a hill near the house is a cistern, 10 by 11 feet in diameter, which is filled by 
a windmill. Mr. Lovlien is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock 
Company and the Whitehall Hospital. For nine years he has been a director 
of the school board of his district. He was married to Lena Lindberg, who 
was born in Norway Aug. 11, 1879, daughter of Martin and Johanna (Tosak- 
til) Lindberg. Her father, born in Norway, April 1, 1847, came to this 
country in 1883, locating at the head of Fly Creek, on the north side of 
Preston Township, where he resided until he was killed at Ingram, Wis., 
Feb. 20, 1906. He had homesteaded his farm and for 18 winters worked in 
the woods. His wife Johanna, who was born in Norway in 1854, is still 
Uving at Fly Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Lovlien have had four children: Os- 
wald, who died when only 6 days old; Mabel, born Sept. 27, 1901, who died 
July 13, 1915; Oscar, born April 9, 1908, and Gerhard, born Nov. 29, 1911. 
The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. 

William A. Wyman, manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company at 
Galesville, was born in Groton Township, Tompkins County, N. Y., Sept. 3, 
1852. His parents were Allan R. and Esther (Stron) Wyman, the latter 
born in the State of New York, Sept. 3, 1831. Allan R. Wyman, who was 
5 years older than his wife, was a native of the State of Maine. In 1856 
he came to Galesville, Wis., with his family and subsequently became one 
of the prominent men of the village and the vicinity. He was connected 
with a machinery business here for a number of years and also carried on 
farming. A man of unusual energy and determination, he made a strong 
impress on the community, being a leader or strong supporter of all worthy 
public enterprises, besides helping to promote the industrial resources of 
the village. For a long period he was chairman of the village board and 
township clerk and treasurer; he was for 13 years and up to the time of 
his death in 1880 county clerk of Trempealeau County, and for a number 
of years he was treasurer of Gale University. 

WilUam A. Wyman was the younger of his parents' two children, and 
is the only survivor. In his youth he attended school in Galesville, then 
was a student at Gale College, and later spent a year at La Crosse Business 
College. When only 16 years old he was given charge of his father's farm 
and when 24 took a homestead near Madison, S. D., where he resided three 
years. He soon after went to Baldwin, Wis., in which place also he 
remained three years, having charge of a sawTnill and lumber yard. For 
the next seven years he was a resident of Amherst, S. D., holding the 
position of wheat buyer for a large elevator company. The scene of his 
next industrial efforts was Austin, Minn., where he spent three years. Five 



534 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

years were subsequently spent in Winnebago, Minn., three as grain buyer 
for the Peary Elevator Company and two for the Winnebago Milling Com- 
pany, and while living there he bought grain in Canada for some four years. 
He then had charge of a Farmers' Elevator in Grenada for 18 months, after 
which he came to Galesville as manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company. 
Mr. Wj^man has spent the greater part of his hfe as a grain buyer and 
thoroughly understands the business. He has never held local office, but 
in politics is an independent Republican. Mr. Wyman was married Dec. 
29, 1880, to Julia Pace, who was born at Beaver Dam, Wis., daughter of 
William and Lavina (Castle) Pace. Her father, who was born in England, 
thei-e learned the trade of miller. Coming to the United States, he followed 
his trade in New York and later at Beaver Dam, Wis., where he lived for 
a number of years. Thence he went to Oakland, Minn., where he engaged 
in the miUing business. About 1858 he opened the first mill at Austin, 
Minn., and continued in business there until he was too old to work. Both 
he and his wife died in Minnesota. They had a family of five children, of 
whom their daughter Julia was the youngest and is one of the two survivors, 
the other being Mrs. J. R. Ogden, of Black River Falls. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wyman have two children : Myrtle G. and Allan W. Myrtle G. is the wife 
of Thomas Loft and resides in Winnebago, Minn. She has two children : 
Allan Thomas and Irwin. Allan W. Wyman, who is single, is a resident or 
Blue Earth, Minn., where he has charge of the grocery department in a 
general mercantile store. William A. Wyman has been a member of the 
Masonic order since he was 24 years old and is now a member of Decorah 
Lodge No. 77. In this he follows the footsteps of his father, who was 
Master of the Masonic Lodge for a number of years, besides being a member 
of the Orders of Odd Fellows, Good Templars and the Grange, of Patrons of 
Husbandry. The latter's wife is hving, and resides with her son, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Mattinus J. Skogstad, who is engaged in agriculture on a farm of 185 
acres in section 12, Preston Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 20, 1861, 
son of John B. and Gurie (Peterson) Skogstad. The father was born in 
Norway May 28, 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1864, settling 
in Dane County, Wis., where he remained until 1869. He then homesteaded 
a farm at Lake's Cooley, in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where 
he resided until his death in January, 1913. His wife died in 1904 at the 
age of 72. Mattinus J. Skogstad was reared on his parents' farm, which 
he operated for a number of years, afterward farming nine years in Albion 
Township. Then, in 1906, he bought his present farm, which is a well- 
improved piece of property, and has since been successfully engaged in its 
cultivation. Mr. Skogstad was married Feb. 1, 1891, to Josephine Scow, 
of Arcadia Township, daughter of Matt and Ingeborg Scow, her father being 
one of the pioneer farmers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad are 
the parents of six children : Margaret, who graduated from the Blair High 
School in 1912 and later from the La Crosse Business College, and has been 
a teacher for two years ; Maurice and Bennie, residing at home ; Laura, who 
graduated from Arcadia High School in 1916 and is now a teacher, and 
Irwin and John Lloyd, residing with their parents. 




< 

O 






HIISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 535 

Lemuel H. Waller, a resident of Gale Township, who is operating a farm 
of 235 acres in section 24, was born at Glasgow, this township, June 24, 1870. 
His father was Hans Waller, and his mother's name before marriage was 
Martha Maria Braatsvein. Both parents were born in Norway, the father 
on March 16, 1841, and the mother on June 8, 1831. They were married in 
Norway, Hans Waller coming first to the United States in 1868, and his 
wife coming in the following year. They settled in Hardie's Creek Valley, 
but resided there only a short time, moving to the farm on which their son 
Lemuel now lives, where Hans Waller died in 1899. His wife died Dec. 21, 
1914. They were among the pioneer settlers of their neighborhood. Lemuel 
H. Walker was the seventh born in a family of eight children. He ac- 
quired his elementary education in the school at Glasgow, Gale Township, 
and afterward attended two winter terms at Gale College. Remaining on 
the homestead, he followed agriculture, assisting his father until the latter's 
death, when he became the owner of the property. Here he is engaged in 
general farming, including dairying and stock raising, and is doing a profit- 
able business. He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the 
North Bend Creamery, the Independent Harvester Company, of Piano, 111., 
and the Farmers' Elevator Company at GalesviUe. Mr. Waller has always 
been a member of the Lutheran church of Hardie's Creek and is much 
interested in church work. He has served as trustee for the congregation 
for six years and has been appointed to serve on different committees. In 
politics he is a Republican. Mr. Waller was married Feb. 24, 1904, to Mary 
Alice Tucker, daughter of David C. and Margaret (Bibby) Tucker, of Gale 
Township. He and his wife have six children: Goodwin Edward, Roy 
Orvald, Sanford Milton, Alice Emeline, Martha Helen and Victoria Maria, 
all residing at home. 

Ludwig C. Olson, who was actively connected with the farming industry 
of Pigeon Township, as proprietor of Maple Dale Stock Farm, in section 34, 
town 23 north, range 7 west, was born in Ulensager, Norway, Oct. 24, 1858. 
His father was Christopher Olson, who was born in Norway in 1829 and 
who came to the United States in 1870, settling in Dane County, Wis. In 
1873 Christopher located in Trempealeau County, homesteading the farm 
owned and operated by his son Ludwig until the latter's death. He obtained 
it by buying the relinquishment of the widow of Hans Harralsrud. Here 
he spent many years in improving the property, tilling the land and erecting 
buildings, and here he died at an advanced age in January, 1916. His first 
wife, mother of Ludwig, whose maiden name was Inga Marie Larson, was 
born in Norway in 1824. She died many years before her husband, passing 
away in May, 1874. In January of the following year Christopher Olson 
married for his second wife Mrs. Karen Harralsrud, widow of Hans Harrals- 
rud, from whom he had obtained his farm. She is now living near White- 
hall. Ludwig C. Olson at an early age became acquainted with all the 
various duties of farm life. At the age of 18 he began working out for 
others and was thus occupied until 1888. He then bought a farm — then 
containing 160 acres — from his father, he and his brother, Ole C. Harralsrud 
dividing it between them. In its present condition it is a well-improved 
piece of property, having a good house and barns. Mr. Olson bred Holstein 



536 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

cattle, having a herd of about 50 graded animals. He purchased a home 
in Pigeon Falls, to which he moved in the fall of 1916. He died Jan. 2, 1917. 
He was married in 1895 to Anna Skumhen, of Fuller Cooley, Pigeon 
Township, who was born in Vaardahl, Norway, Aug. 5, 1870, daughter of 
Andrew and Anna (Olson) Skumlien. Her father, a native of Norway, 
came to America in 1876 with his wife and children, settling in Fuller Cooley, 
where he bought a farm on which he resided until his death, June 9, 1882. 
His wife, who was born in Norway in 1848, is still residing on the homestead. 
Five children wei-e born to Mr. and Mi's. Olson : Agnes Mabel, born Oct. 15, 
1895, who married Thoroald Fremstad Oct. 21, 1916; Christine Alette, born 
Sept. 13, 1897 ; Lila Anna, born Nov. 9, 1901, who married Benone Foss, July 

8, 1916, who is working on the farm of Mrs. Olson ; Hazel Othilde, born Nov. 

9, 1901, and Olger Clarence, born Dec. 22, 1904. The family are members 
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Roy E. James, secretary and manager of the Galesville Lumber Com- 
pany, was born in Alexandria, S. D., March 4, 1883, son of C. P. and Ella 
(Stebbins) James. C. P. James, the father, was born in the State of New 
York and was a farmer the greater part of his life. In 1881 he went West 
to South Dakota, where he resided operating a farm until 1898. He then 
removed to Michigan, was there two years, and next moved to Monroe, Wis., 
where he stayed a year. From Monroe he went to Wausau, Wis., in which 
city he is now residing, operating a large plant for the manufacture of 
potash. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, is also living. Roy E. James 
was the eldest son of his parents' four children. He acquired his education 
in the public schools in South Dakota, Michigan and Monroe, Wis., and in 
a business college at Wausau, Wis. At the age of 18 years he was employed 
as a stenogi'apher in the ofRce of a sawmill at Schofield, Wis., remaining 
there about five years, after which he was employed two and a half years 
in a lumber office at Dunbar, Wis. He then went to Wausau, Wis., and for 
a while was connected with a firm in the same line of business there, but 
subsequently became sales manager for a large sawmilling concern, with 
which he remained about 18 months. He next became connected with the 
W. E. Cooper Lumber Company, of Milwaukee, and has since remained 
with this concern, of which the Galesville Lumber Company is a branch. 
He was appointed to his present position as secretary and manager in Octo- 
ber, 1912. He is a stockholder in the company and also owns property in 
Galesville. Aug. 21, 1907, Mr. James was united in marriage with Ida 
Berger, who was born near Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wis., daughter 
of William and Emma (Howard) Berger. The father at different times 
followed the trades of house painter and cooper and was also engaged in 
farming. He is now practically retired and resides in Wausau, Wis., where 
he owns a large ginseng garden and truck farm. Mr. and Mi's. James have 
two children: Mary Elizabeth and Frank Berger. Mr. James is Master 
in the local Blue Lodge of Masons, a trustee of the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He attends the Presbyterian church, but is not a member. In 
politics he is independent. 

Frank J. Hartman, now residing in La Crosse, Wis., is a native son of 
Trempealeau County, having been born in Arcadia Township, March 7, 1865. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 537 

son of Henry and Augusta (Sheldon) Hartman. The father was born in 
Ohio, March 16, 1839, and came West with his parents in 1856, making the 
journey by train to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat to Fountain City, 
Wis., and from Fountain City to "Bishop Settlement," now Arcadia, by ox 
team. His father, John P. Hartman, homesteaded 160 acres near Arcadia 
Village. It was wild land with no buildings on it, and the family had a 
hard time to procure the necessities of life, being often obliged to haul sup- 
plies from Fountain City on a hand sled. Mr. Hartman, grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch, worked with his sons, Philip and Henry, for the 
father of John Gavney, to earn foodstuifs. Henry Hartman was 17 years 
of age when he came to Trempealeau County, and he had to make himself 
useful on the farm and help his parents in various ways. In 1864, when 25 
years old, he was married in Iowa to Augusta Sheldon, who was born in 
Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 8, 1840, a daughter of 
Benjamin Sheldon. It was not until 1869, however, that Henry Hartman 
began farming for himself ; in the meanwhile he lived on the parents' farm, 
except for his trip to Iowa, where he obtained his bride. When he started 
in for himself he bought 160 acres of land in Wickham Valley, between 
Arcadia and Independence, and here he remained for 14 years, engaged in 
developing his farm, transforming it in time into a good piece of agricultural 
property. In 1883 he rented the farm to Wilber Wickham and moved to 
East Arcadia, where he and his family hved for 10 years. Selling the 
above-mentioned farm in 1892, he bought one near Alma Center in the fol- 
lowing year, which he lived on and worked for ten years. He then sold this 
farm and retired to a home that he built in Alma Center, where he and his 
wife resided till 1914, in which year they sold the residence and moved to 
Spokane, Wash., where they are now living with their son Howard. Their 
children were: Myrtle, born May 31, 1866, who was married in 1889 to 
Claud Higbee and is now residing with her husband at Whitepine, Mont. ; 
Cora, born Feb. 13, 1868, who died unmarried at Alma Center, June 13, 1913 ; 
Howard, born May 2, 1873, now living in Spokane, Wash., where he is en- 
gaged in i-ailroading ; Bert, born March 7, 1881, who is a druggist at Eleva, 
Wis., and Frank J., of La Crosse. All the children were born in Trempealeau 
County. Frank J. Hartman in his youth attended the common schools and 
the Arcadia High School, from which he was graduated in 1887, subse- 
quently teaching one winter in Sieger district, Trempealeau County. In 
the year of his graduation he entered the employ of the Holway Lumber 
Company, of North La Crosse, and remained with them as time keeper and 
clerk for three and a half years, being in the mill during the summers and 
in the woods during the winters. From October, 1890, to April, 1898, he 
held the position of hardware clerk with the W. P. Massuere Company. On 
July 4, 1892, the day on which the wagon bridge across the Mississippi River 
at Winona was dedicated, Mr. Hartman was married in that city to Cora A., 
daughter of John and Nancy (Frey) Danuser, of Fountain City, the Rev. 
Mr. Higbee, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. They began house- 
keeping in Arcadia Village, where they lived until 1898, in which year Mr. 
Hartman went to Eleva and engaged in the hardware business, being thus 
occupied until 1913. He and his family then moved to Onalaska, where his 



538 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

son Cecil was attending the high school. In the following year, 1914, he 
moved to La Crosse and entered the employ of the Tausch Hardware Com- 
pany, with which concern he is still connected. He and his wife have had 
three children, of whom two daughters died in infancy. The son, Cecil, was 
born in Arcadia, Aug. 5, 1895, and after passing through the graded school 
of Eleva, attended the Onalaska High School. Mr. Hartman is not active 
in politics, but votes the Republican ticket. He is a prosperous business 
man and has not lost his interest in his old home in Trempealeau County. 

Iver A. Berg, garage owner at Blair, Trempealeau County, Wis., was 
born in Preston Township, this county, Aug. 24, 1886, son of Arne I. and Eli 
(Arneson) Berg. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm 
pursuits by his father, and remained at home until February, 1916, when 
he engaged in his present business. His garage occupies a suitable two- 
story building, 44 by 72 feet, on the corner of Broadway and Dover streets. 
He has a well-equipped plant, including a machine shop, with a steam vulcan- 
izer and tools suitable for all kinds of repairing. A full Line of supphes are 
always on hand. He has the agency for the Studebaker cars and does livery 
work at reasonable prices. He was married, July 29, 1916, to Emma Briggs, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Briggs. 

Joachim Schmidt, a pioneer of Gale Township, Trempealeau County, 
now deceased, was born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, in 1827, and 
was there educated and reared to manhood. There also he was married to 
Sophia Engel, who was born in the same province in 1825. Seeking a wider 
field of opportunity, with better prospects of success, in November, 1866, 
they said good-bye to their native land and came to the United States, locat- 
ing in Gale Township, this county. In March, 1868, Mr. Schmidt took a 
homestead in section 19, and he and his wife set to work at once to improve 
the land and better their condition ; a task involving persevering industry 
continued through a long period of years, but which was finally accom- 
plished. Mr. Schmidt's honesty and activity were supplemented by the 
energy and womanly qualities of his wife, and they won the esteem of the 
neighbors, which they retained to the end of their lives. Mr. Schmidt died 
on the homestead in 1896, his wife surviving him until 1907, when she, too, 
passed away. They were the parents of three children : Joachim J., who 
after hving on the home farm for nearly 50 years is now retired and resid- 
ing in Galesville ; Sophia, now the wife of Christ Kroger, a prominent farmer 
of Tipton, Iowa, and Henry who is a representative agriculturist of Geneva, 
Nebraska. 

Joachim J. Schmidt, now living retired in the city of Galesville, was 
born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Joachim and 
Sophia (Engel) Schmidt. In 1866 he was brought to America by his 
parents, who located at once in Trempealeau County. He was educated in 
the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining on 
the home farm and working for and with his father until his marriage in 
1889, at which time he became proprietor and manager of the homestead. 
To him are due some of the most modern improvements on it, including a 
good and substantial set of buildings, with all subsidiary equipment. His 
operations included general farming and stock raising, which he carried 




MR. AND MBS. JOACHIM SCHMIDT, SB. 
JOACHIM SCHMIDT, JR., AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 539 

on with satisfactory results, becoming one of the leading and substantial 
agriculturists of Trempealeau County. His business interests also identify 
him as a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery at GalesviUe. In the 
spring of 1917, after living for nearly 50 successive years on the old home- 
stead, he sold out and retired to GalesviUe, where he and his wife are now 
living, surrounded by the comforts gained by years of hard labor on the 
farm. Their farm was beautifully located in section 19, Gale Township, 
and consisted of 230 acres. Mr. Schmidt was married, April 17, 1889, to 
Sophia Wangelin, who was born near Princeton, 111., Jan. 11, 1870, daughter 
of John and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Wangelin, her parents being natives of 
Mecklenberg, Germany. John Wangelin came to the United States in 
1863, locating in Illinois. In 1868 Wilhelmina Schmidt came, and they 
were married in Illinois in 1869. Three years later, in 1872, Mr. Wangehn 
moved to Nebraska, taking a homestead in Fillmore County, where he 
engaged in general farming, becoming a representative and influential 
citizen. He died there in 1910, and his wife now resides in Geneva, Neb. 
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of two children: Emma, born 
in 1890, who died in infancy, and Bertha W., born in 1892, who is living at 
home with her parents. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian 
church. In politics Mr. Schmidt is an independent Repubhcan. 

Fred Hagen, who is aiding in developing the agricultural resources of 
Gale Township on his farm of 104 acres in section 5, was born at Lilleham- 
mer, Norway, July 11, 1870, son of Simon and Ingeborg Hagen. The father 
was a mechanic and neither he nor his wife ever left their native land. Both 
are now deceased. Fred Hagen was the fifth born in a family of six chil- 
dren. He attended school in Norway and began regular industrial life at the 
age of 17 years. In 1893 he joined the tide of westward emigration and, 
landing in the United States, proceeded to Iowa, where he worked as a 
farmer in Ward County for about three years. He then spent a winter in 
Trempealeau County, Wis., but at the time did not settle here permanently, 
going instead to Dodge County, Minn., where he worked as a farm hand for 
about seven years. Then returning to Trempealeau County, he rented a 
farm in Gale Township, having previously rented one for three years in 
Minnesota, and went to farming for himself here. Eight years later, having 
saved money, he bought his present farm of 104 acres, on which he has since 
been engaged in general farming and stock raising. His property is well 
improved and he is enjoying a well-earned prosperity, being also a stock- 
holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company. Mr. Hagen was married, Oct. 
10, 1902, to Clara Dahl, who was born in Gale Township, daughter of Gustave 
and Len Dahl. Her parents, both now living in this township, are natives 
of Norway, the father being a retired farmer. Mrs. Hagen died Oct. 26, 
1911, leaving three children: Stanley, born Sept. 14, 1903; Lester, born 
July 20, 1905, and Norman, born Nov. 8, 1908. The family are members 
of the Lutheran church at French Creek, and in politics Mr. Hagen is a 
Republican. When he first came to this country he was entirely ignorant 
of the English language, but acquired it quickly, considering his opportuni- 
ties, and has since carved his way to a position of comparative prosperity, 
with good prospects for the future. 



540 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY 

Johanas N. Brenengen, who is engaged in farming a tract of 40 acres 
in section 33 west, Ettrick Tois-nship, was born near Christiania, Norway, 
July 12. 1864, son of Nels C. and Nettie (Johnson) Brenengen. The family 
came to Trempealeau County in June, 1880, locating in Gale Township and 
in Ettrick Township. Nels C. Brenengen worked for awhile at the car- 
penter's trade, which he had learned in his native land. Afterwards he 
engaged in farming and was thus occupied for the most part until his death 
in October, 1904. His wife sur^dved him only ten days. They had a family 
of seven children. Johanas N. Brenengen attended school in Norway and 
also the Smith school in Gale Township, being 13 years of age when he 
came to this country. He began industrial life as a farm hand in Abraham's 
Cooley, Trempealeau County, and worked for others until 20 years of age. 
For ten years longer he resided \\ith his father on the homestead, and 
then, when 30 j-ears old, bought the farm, which then contained 160 acres, 
of which he has since sold 120 acres. He carries on general farming and is 
a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company. June 14, 1902, Mr. 
Brenengen was married to Anna Nelson, who was bom in Preston Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., at Plumb Creek Cooley, daughter of Knut 
Field and I\Iattie (Learing) Field. Her parents, born in Biri, Norway, 
came to America about 1884, locating in Preston Township, this county, 
where her father at first worked out for others, but afterwards bought a 
farm in that township, on which he still resides. He and his wife had 
nine children, of whom their daughter Anna was the fifth'in order of birth. 
Mr. and ]Mrs. Brenengen have a family of two children : Clarence Norman, 
born Feb. 1, 1906. and Alfred Meier, born June 25. 1910. The family are 
members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Brenengen is an independent voter 
and is not politically active, preferring to devote his attention to his private 
business. He is in good circumstances and is counted among the reliable 
citizens of his neighborhood. 

Olaf M. Myhre, of the firm of Berg & Myhre, garage o^^Tiers of Blair, 
was born in Preston Township, this county, June 7, 1882, son of Ole H. and 
Caroline (Berg) Myhre, natives of Norway, the former of whom died in 
1908, and the latter of whom now lives in Northfield, Wis. He attended 
the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits, and remained at home 
until 1912. Then he farmed for himself in Ettrick Township. In February, 
1916. he engaged in his present business. He is an energetic and public 
spirited man, and is building up a successful business. Mr. Myhre was 
married Nov. 18. 1912. to Mabel Mow of Preston Township, and they have 
three children: Vema, Erwin and Edna. 

Rev. Christian Brandt Bestul, pastor of several Lutheran congregations 
in Trempealeau County, and a member of the official board of Gale College, 
was bom near Morris\-ille. Wis., Nov. 13. 1870. His parents were John E. 
and Ingeborg (Brandt) Bestul, both natives of Norway, the father bora 
in Telemarken in 1828. and the mother in Valders in 1826. They were 
married in Wisconsin in 1855, John E. Bestul coming to the United States 
in 1844. in which year came also his father. EUef J. Bestul. Later John 
located in the Rock River settlement near Milwaukee, the father also locat- 
ing in that \ncinity, and was there for several years engaged in farming. 




REV. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN B. BESTUL 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 541 

In 1853 John T. Bestul, father of EUef J. and great-grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this memoir, came to America. He was then an aged man of 90 
years and died in the same year. In 1860 John E. Bestul removed to 
Columbia County, Wisconsin, and there continued his agricultural opera- 
tions until his death, which occurred in 1878, when the subject of this sketch 
was eight years old. His widow, after living there a year longer, removed 
with her family to Shawano County, Wisconsin, which place was her home 
for six years. The last thirty-seven years of her life she lived with her 
children in this and adjoining states. She died May 20, 1917, at the home 
of her daughter, Mrs. Rev. E. Berrum, Holmen, Wis. 

Christian Brandt Bestul was the youngest and the only boy of his 
parents' eight children. He attended school at Wittenberg, Wis., and sub- 
sequently became a student at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, being gradu- 
ated from that institution with the class in 1893. His theological education 
was obtained at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., where he spent three 
years, finishing there in 1896. After graduating in theology he became 
pastor of a Lutheran church at Marshfield, Wis., where he remained one 
year. His next charge was at Viroqua, as assistant to the president of the 
Eastern District of the Norwegian Sjmod, and covered a period of four 
years. In 1901 he became pastor of the Lutheran congregation at French 
Creek, Trempealeau County, and has since held that position, also serving 
the congregations at Hardie's Creek, South Branch of Beaver Creek, 
Tamarac and Eagerness. There are 130 families in the French Creek con- 
gregation, and in that of Hardie's Creek, which is the smallest, 44 families. 
Since the transfer of Gale College to the Lutherans, Mr. Bestul has served 
as secretary of the board and assisted in establishing the college on a 
Lutheran basis. He was secretary of the Church Extension Board nine 
years and for a similar period of time was a member of the Board of Home 
Missions. His whole time is devoted to church and educational work, in 
which he has shown an ability that has made him a power for good in his 
denomination. On June 27, 1900, Mr. Bestul was united in marriage with 
Harriet Halvorsen, who was born at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., daughter 
of Halvor and Marie (Olson) Halvorsen. Her parents were both born in 
Norway, the father in Stavanger in 1845, and the mother in Christiania 
in 1846. Married in their native land in 1871, they came to the United 
States in the following year, locating at Westby, Wis., where Mr. Halvor- 
sen became pastor of the Lutheran Synod Church, a position which he still 
retains. The entire period of his residence in this country has been spent 
in church work. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen consisted of eight 
children, of whom Harriet was the fourth in order of birth. She was 
educated at the Ladies' Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., and the 
high school at Viroqua, Wis., and is a lady of culture and refinement and 
an able assistant to her husband in parish work. Mr. and Mrs. Bestul are 
the parents of eight children: Marie Ingeborg, Harold Brandt, Valborg 
Elizabeth, Erling Johan, Harriet Ragna, Christian Wilhelm, Signe Emelie 
and Anna Matilda. The family residence is in section 27, Ettrick Township. 

Sever Instenes, who was for many years a well known and successful 
farmer of Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Oct. 23, 



542 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1848, son of Johanes and Anna (Brovald) Instenes. Johanes and his family 
came from Norway in 1861, and first located in Dane County, Wisconsin, 
where he remained one year. As he was born March 20, 1824, he was 
then a man of about 37 years, and in the prime of life. Coming from Dane 
to Trempealeau County, he settled on a farm in Ettrick Township, where 
nearly 20 years later his wife Anna died, on Jan. 7, 1882. There he con- 
tinued to reside for 28 years longer, or until his death, which occurred 
March 21, 1910. He was a sturdy pioneer farmer, who accepted condi- 
tions as he found them and did his share in developing the agricultural 
resources of his township. Sever Instenes was a youth of 14 years when 
he came to this country. He was reared on the home farm, acquiring a 
good knowledge of agriculture from practical experience, and following it 
when young under pioneer conditions. In time he succeeded to the posses- 
sion of the farm which his father had homesteaded, and which he stll 
further improved, operating it successfully until his death, Jan. 14, 1906. 
On Oct. 22, 1872, he was united in marriage at Roche a Cri, Adams County, 
Wis., to Anna Instenes, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 26, 1854. 
She is still living on the old farm, making her home with her son John S., 
who is its present owner. Sever and Anna Instenes were the parents of 
three children: Anna, John S. and Lewis O. Anna, who was born Nov. 
13, 1873, was married June 4, 1898, to Albert Saed, a resident of Ettrick 
Township, this county, and has two children : Althord Sulliven, born June 
29, 1904, and Adella (Corinthia), born July 23, 1906. John S., born June 
20, 1876, is now, as previously mentioned, operating the old homestead. 
Lewis 0., born Nov. 25, 1880, is a jeweler, residing in Blair. 

John S. Instenes, who is successfully operating the old Instenes farm 
of 200 acres in Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 20, 1876, 
son of Sever and Anna (Instenes) Instenes. In his boyhood he attended 
the Beach school in Ettrick Township. Brought up on the home farm, he 
assisted his father in its operation, but at intervals was away from home, 
working elsewhere. On his father's death in 1906 he came into possession 
of the farm, on which he has made a number of valuable improvements, 
and now has very good buildings, including a nice modern residence. 
Besides carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, he is interested 
financially as a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Ettrick Telephone 
Company and the Farmers Exchange of Blair. On May 28, 1908, Mr. 
Instenes was united in marriage with Anna Herreid, daughter of Tosten G. 
and Ragnhild (Bue) Herreid, prosperous farming people of section 17, 
Ettrick Township. He and his wife are the parents of two children: 
Evelyn Jeanette, born Aug. 29, 1912, and Spencer Thomas, born Jan. 2, 
1916. They have also an adopted daughter, Clara Olive, born May 11, 
1906, who is attending school. The family are members of the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Instenes is independent in politics. He is a mem- 
ber of the order of Beavers, and is an enterprising agriculturist, widely 
known and respected. 

Lewis O. Instenes, who is prosperously engaged in the jewelry business 
in Blair, Trempealeau County, is a native of this county, having been born 
in Ettrick Township, Nov. 25, 1880, son of Sever and Anna (Instenes) 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 543 

Instenes. He was educated in the district schools and spent his early 
life on his parents' farm. Graduating from the Minneapolis School of 
Watchmaking in 1905, he acquired experience by working in various shops 
until he came to Blair in 1907. Here he bought out the jewelry stock of 
Ed. Bersing and established his present business. He handles a general 
line of jewelry, does expert watch repairing, and also deals in clocks, silver- 
ware, Edison phonographs and similar goods. He has built up a good 
trade and won the confidence of his patrons by honest dealing and cour- 
teous attention to their wants. Thus estabhshed on a firm basis, his future 
prospects are as favorable as his present prosperity is gratifying. Mr. 
Instenes was married Oct. 5, 1910, to Nettie Dale, who was born in Ettrick 
Township, Jan. 12, 1885, daughter of Sam and Catherine (Herreid) Dale. 
Her father, a native of Norway, was a pioneer of Ettrick Township, and is 
now carrying on business, as a stock buyer in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. 
Instenes have two children: Stanley LeRoy, born Sept. 2, 1911, and Ardyce 
Catherine, born March 22, 1916. 

John W. Nash, proprietor of a good farm in section 1, Trempealeau 
Township, was born in Du Page County, Illinois, Jan. 13, 1851, son of Isaac 
and Anna Nash. The parents were natives of New York state, the father 
born at New Lisbon, Otsego County, Feb. 18, 1810, and the mother in 
Hartford, May 21, 1811. They were married in Hanover, Chautauqua 
County, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1832.' In 1837 they came west and from that time 
until 1854 resided at different times in various sections of Illinois. In May, 
1854, Isaac Nash came to Wisconsin and in September of that year brought 
his family from Illinois with an ox team, locating in section 1, Trempealeau 
County, where he bought 100 acres of timbered government land, on which 
there were no buildings. For a residence he erected a single-room log 
house, which the family of eight occupied, the subject of this sketch being 
then between three and four years of age. Mr. Nash began the work of 
clearing his farm at once, but at first made slow progress, as he was poor 
and had to work out for means to support his family. The log house was 
occupied for 12 years, and then, in 1866, Mr. Nash sold the farm and bought 
another of 120 acres just north of West Prairie schoolhouse. This land 
was partially improved, there being a small clearing, together with a frame 
house and stable. Here Isaac Nash resided until 1871, in which year, in 
the spring, he sold out and went to Nebraska, where he and his wife spent 
the rest of their lives. Mrs. Nash was the first to pass away, her death 
taking place Feb. 14, 1882, and his, Nov. 30, 1883. Joel W. Nash, who 
accompanied his parents to Nebraska, remained in that state tiU March, 
1884, and then came back to Wisconsin. After his return, he resided in 
La Crosse until July, 1885, and then rented a farm in Trempealeau Town- 
ship, which he operated until 1887. He then removed to the "Bell Farm" 
in section 3, this township. In the winter of 1888 he purchased 40 acres of 
improved land in section 1 E, which place is his present home. There was 
a frame house on the farm, in which he lived until 1915, when he erected 
a comfortable cottage in the same yard, his son Gustave and family mov- 
ing into the older building, and he taking up his residence in the cottage. 
In 1904 he built a good frame barn, 32 by 60 feet, and has also put up a 



544 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

granary, 14 by 20, a machine shed, 16 by 30, and a poultry house, 12 by 14 
feet. Mr. Nash was married, June 23, 1884, at the home of his bride's 
parents, by the Rev. Mr. Ilert, Evangehcal pastor, to Lydia, daughter of 
Jacob and EUzabeth Staublein of Buffalo County, Wis. He and his wife 
have one child, the son Gustave above mentioned, who was born at Center- 
ville. Wis., Jan. 30, 1886, and who is now operating the home farm. 
Gustave married Ida Myer of Winona, Minn., and they have one child, 
Myrtle. Mr. Nash and his son carry on general farming, having 60 acres 
under the plow and 60 in pasture land. They keep from 12 to 15 grade 
cows and as many graded hogs, and have an ample equipment of tools, 
machinery, teams and whatever is necessary to the successful operation 
of a modern farm. Mr. Nash is a Republican in politics, but has not served 
in public office. He and his wife are members of Centerville M. E. Church. 
Mrs. Nash belonging to the King's Daughters. 

Walter D. Young, proprietor of Decorah Valley Stock Farm, located 
in section 33, town 19, range 8, just outside the city limits of Galesville, 
formerly known as the Sterns homestead, was born in the town of Melrose, 
Jackson County, Wis., Aug. 22, 1863. He lived at the old home until 1891, 
when he was married to Miss Belle Baird, and they moved to their present 
home. Mr. Young is of German parentage. His grandparents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Morris Young, came to this country from Saxony Meiningen, Germany, 
in 1847. There were six children besides the parents when they came to 
America. They settled at Bloomfield, Walworth County, Wis., and took 
up farming, which was their occupation in Germany. They crossed the 
ocean in a sailing vessel, which took 41 days. They did not purchase any 
land until they emigrated to Burr Oak, La Crosse County, Wis. At this 
time the six children — three sons and three daughters — were grown to 
manhood and womanhood, and all emigrated with their parents overland 
with oxen, driving their cattle with them, and loading all other belongings 
on the wagons drawn by four oxen each. It took them 14 days to make the 
trip. Yust D. Young, father of Walter D. Young, was born in Germany 
in 1837 and died at Melrose, Jackson County, Wis., March 14, 1897. He 
was the eldest son of Morris Young and a pioneer in this part of the country. 
After helping his parents hew out a home in the new country, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Williams, and in 1862 they started to build a home 
in the town of Melrose, Jackson County, Wis. Taking 80 acres of land as 
nature gave it, they transformed it into a successful and prosperous farm 
home of 240 acres by additional purchases. Mr. Yust D. Young was a 
progressive farmer in his day. He was one of the first to adopt diversified 
farming and rotation of crops, and also owned one of the first twine binders, 
which was considered extravagant in those days, as it cost $265. Game 
being plentiful, it was his custom to kill a couple of deer each fall for his 
winter meat. He very seldom had to go more than a mile to get them. 
There were from four to twenty in a drove. Bear meat was also indulged 
in. He was a respected citizen and served his county in local affairs. His 
wife Elizabeth was born in Saxe Meiningen, Germany, Nov. 13, 1836. She 
came to America at the age of twenty, was married to Yust D. Young in 
1862; she died Nov. 17, 1910. She was the mother of three children living: 




MORRIS HANSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTt 545 

Walter D. Young, Milton M. Young and Libbie S. Petterson. She was a 
kind and good mother, always willing and ready to sacrifice herself for the 
good of others and did her work nobly in building of a new country. Belle 
E. Baird, wife of Walter D. Young, was born Jan. 16, 1861, She is of 
Scottish parentage. Her father, John Baird, was born in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, Sept. 27, 1830. He came to America in 1852, locating in Pennsylvania, 
where he worked in the mines. Later he moved to Big Sandy, Kentucky, 
where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Willson. In 1857 they moved to 
North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., and took up farming as their occupa- 
tion, which Mr. Baird followed until several years before his death on May 
1, 1910. He knew much of the trials of the early pioneer. Having followed 
mining until he was 27 years old, he had many difficulties to contend with 
in his new chosen field — farming. As a pioneer he was equal to the occa- 
sion. He acquired a nice farm, which he sold to his youngest son, John 
Baird, at his death. He was an honored citizen, one of the charter mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church at North Bend. He was noted for his 
musical talent and led the singing in church for years before either organ 
or choir were installed. Mrs. Elizabeth Baird was born in Scotland April 
6, 1833, and came to America with her parents in 1841. She was the mother 
of six children and is still living at this writing, Sept. 1, 1917. She and her 
brother Wilhe WiUson, six years her senior, have the distinction of being 
two of the old pioneers still living. She was a kind and loving mother and 
knows much of the early pioneer life. Walter D. Young and wife moved 
onto their present farm in the spring of 1891. The farm was badly run 
down. The soil had been depleted of its fertility by continuous cropping 
for over 30 years. The buildings were badly dilapidated, as it had been 
occupied by renters for most of that time. Mr. Young began at once to 
build up the soil by rotation of crops, including clover, feeding the same to 
stock, and also fattening sheep for the spring market, which practice he still 
continues. This farm is now considered one of the best in the town of Gale 
and the buildings are all modern, having been erected in recent years. 
Mr. Young has always taken a prominent part in church, school and local 
town matters, having held offices in the various organizations, but devoting 
his entire time in working hours to the management of his farm. He and 
his wife have five children: Roy D., Alvin W., Ralph E., Vilas D. and 
Hazel E. All have graduated from the Galesville high school but Hazel, 
who expects to graduate in 1920. 

Morris Hanson, register of deeds of Trempealeau County, was born 
at Blair, this county, April 1, 1864, son of Martin and Oha (Stuterud) Han- 
son, natives of Norway. The father, born at Soler, Norway, came to 
America in 1862, settling in Blair, where he became a highly respected 
citizen, being a member and trustee of the United Norwegian Lutheran 
Church. He died Sept. 5, 1912, at the age of 77 years. His wife, to whom 
he was married in Norway, died in 1896 at the age of 53. They had a 
large family of 13 children, of whom nine are now living. Morris Hanson, 
who was the third born child in the family, remained at home until 1887, 
and then began to work out. He attended business college at La Crosse 
one year, and in 1890 found employment in a general store in Blair, remain- 



546 HISTORY OF TREAITEALEAU COUNTY 

ing with the firm seven years. He then became a partner in the firm of 
Halvorson, Hanson & Co., general merchants of Blair, and was thus occupied 
until 1910. In the fall of 1912, having by this time become widely known 
and respected, he was elected to the office of registrar of deeds, and was 
re-elected in the fall of 1914. He has devoted a considerable part of his 
time to the public service, as he was a member of the village council of 
Blair for 10 years, being president one year, and was clerk of the Blair 
school board four years. Aside from his present occupation he is a stock- 
holder in the Home Bank of Blair. Mr. Hanson was married Sept. 9, 1891, 
to Lena Halvorson, who was born in Blair, Wis., May 9, 1866, daughter of 
Nels and Turi (Newland) Halvorson. The father, who was a farmer, was 
a native of Norway, came to America in 1855 and took a homestead about 
two miles east of Blair. He died in 1912 at the age of 78 years. His wife 
died in 1913 at the age of 72. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have five children: 
Verna. a graduate of Stevens Point normal school, who is now a teacher 
in the sixth grade at Waterloo, Iowa; Edna, also a graduate of Stevens 
Point normal school, and a teacher in domestic science at Mukwanogo, Wis. ; 
Mendez, assistant cashier in Trempealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor, 
Jackson County, Wis. ; Dagna and Donald, residing at home. Mr. Hanson 
belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters, and he and his family are 
members of the United Lutheran Church. 

Gilbert S. Rice, manager of the Auto Sales Co. of Whitehall, has devel- 
oped that institution into one of the most important industries in the village. 
Eflficient in his chosen line, affable of manner, and keenly interested in pub- 
lic affairs, he has taken his place as one of the public spirited citizens of the 
county, and his influence has ever been used in behalf of progress and 
betterment. He is a native of this county, born on Trempealeau Prairie, 
Jan. 11, 1872. His father, Tracy E. Rice, was born in New York state, 
came to Trempealeau County in the early days, and here married Ellen G. 
Hanson; he died many years ago, and his widow, who married Christian 
Everson, now fives in Lincobi Township. The subject of this sketch was 
educated in the schools of Whitehall, and devoted his early life to farm 
pursuits. Since boyhood, however, he has been interested in machinery, 
and in 1895 the opportunity came to enter his chosen fine by embarking 
in the implement business at WhitehaU. With the development of the auto- 
mobile industry he saw a still wider opportunity, and late in 1910 organ- 
ized the Auto Sales Co. For a time he was president and manager, but 
as the business grew he retired from the presidency to devote all his time 
to the active management. Busy as he has been with his life work, he has 
found time for pubfic service, and has given general satisfaction at different 
times as village president, village clerk and vifiage treasurer. His business 
holdings include stock in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Independence. 
Mr. Rice was married May 30, 1895, to Ida 0. Wold, born in this county, 
a daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Bang) Wold, both now deceased. Their 
happy home has been blessed with six children: Tracy 0., born May 18, 
1896; Kathryn I., born April 14, 1898; Elsie V., born July 10, 1900; Evelyn 
M., born Jan. 13, 1904 ; Donald 0., born April 14, 1906, and Marion, born 
March 12, 1914. 




A. W. ANDERSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 547 

The Auto Sales Co. is one of the most important business concerns in 
Whitehall. The company occupies its own sightly building, located in a 
commanding position, and has an extensive trade not only in Whitehall 
and Blair, but also throughout a wide territory in the rural districts. The 
building is two stories in height, with a full basement, equipped with an 
elevator, and all the latest appliances for auto repairing. In the basement 
are stored the oils, gasohne, tires and heavy equipment. The first floor 
is devoted to the salesrooms and offices. The top floor is used for repairing 
and for carrying the stock. The concern employs an expert staff of 
mechanics, headed by the manager, Gilbert S. Rice. A full line of acces- 
sories is carried. The company does a large business in Ford automobiles, 
and is constantly demonstrating and selling these machines. The Auto 
Sales Co. was organized Dec. 15, 1910, by Gilbert S. Rice, with a capital of 
$6,000, Mr. Rice being the president and manager and Charles B. Melby 
the secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: President, F. D. 
Hopkins; secretary, F. A. George; treasurer, E. L. Immell; manager, 
Gilbert S. Rice. 

Andrew W. Anderson resides on section 26, town of Lincoln, where 
he settled in 1870, when but little improvement had been made there. 
Mr. Anderson was born in 1836. In 1848 his father, Gilbert Anderson, 
emigrated to the United States with his family, except the subject of this 
sketch, who came six years later. The family settled in the town of Blue 
Mound in Dane County, Wis. The family made their home there until 
the year 1870, when they came to Trempealeau County. Here the parents 
lived till death. In 1854 Mr. Andrew W. Anderson, who was the only one 
of the family who had remained in Norway, came to this country. He 
went to Dane County, where the family was living. There he remained 
until 1859. At this time the gold excitement at Pike's Peak was at its 
height, and Mr. Anderson with many others decided to go to that place. 
He numbered one of a party of five young men who started from Dane 
County, and all reached Denver in safety. He continued in Denver engaged 
in work till the spring of 1863, when in company of five, though not the 
company who had gone with him to Denver, started with team and wagon 
for Virginia City, Nevada, but on reaching that place decided to continue 
to San Francisco, which they reached in safety after a long and eventful 
journey. He stayed there until spring of 1864, and then he went to Boise 
City, Idaho, where he stayed a short time, when the excitement occurred 
regarding the Alder Creek Mines in Montana, when he left there and went 
to what is now Helena, Mont. There he remained until 1870, when he 
returned. Going from Helena to Fort Benton, he descended the Missouri 
River on a steamer to Sioux City, when he crossed the state of Iowa, and 
thus returned home. Soon after his retui-n to Dane County he came here 
and brought his father's family with him. The subject of this sketch is 
the oldest son, and the oldest but one of his father's family. Mr. Ander- 
son bought his farm of Elder Aldrich. He has 160 acres. He was married 
in 1870 to Julia Evenson, native of Norway. They have an adopted 
daughter, Clara Solberg. She is now Mrs. Gustav Thompson of Donaldson, 
Minn. She has two children: George T. and Marie A. One daughter, 



548 UlSTURY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Lena Maria, born in 1871, died at age of ten months. Mr. Anderson is one 
of the representative men of his town. He has a pleasant home, etc. He 
has had much experience with the world. His trip to the Pacific coast in 
the early days, before the railroad had crossed the continent, was fraught 
with events and incidents of much interest. In his political affiliations 
Mr. Anderson, as is the entire family, is a Republican, and is a warm 
advocate of the principles of that party. Mr. Anderson is numbered among 
the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Trempealeau County. 

Ever B. Anderson, who is operating a good farm of 160 acres in Lin- 
coln Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, Oct. 30, 1863, son of 
Bennett and Ellen (Everson) Anderson, and grandson of Gilbert and Inge- 
borg (Fladegaard) Anderson. Like all boys of the early days he grew 
up on the parental farm and acquired his education at the district school- 
house. Remaining at home until 24 years of age, he then engaged in farm- 
ing for himself in Lincoln Township, near Independence, and there followed 
agricultural operations until 1904. Selling his farm that year he moved 
to his present one, which he still operates. This farm was owned and 
operated for many years by A. W. Anderson (an uncle of Ever B.), or 
until his death, Sept. 10, 1902. Mr. Anderson's farm is well improved and 
bespeaks thrift and good judgment of its owner. His stock is of the Dur- 
ham grade breed, numbering about 35 head. Mr. Anderson is a man of good 
judgment and ability and the family are highly respected in the county. 
Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 15, 1890, to Carrie Evenson, then of 
Arcadia Township. She was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 5, 1866, 
daughter of Peter and Maria Evenson, early settlers of Trempealeau County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have seven children: Ellen M., born Oct. 22, 1891, 
is now Mrs. George A. Anderson. She and her husband reside on a farm 
in Long Lake Township, Washburn County, Wis. They have one child, 
Hans A. Palma B., born Dec. 2, 1893 ; Gerald A., born Oct. 2, 1896 ; Ina E., 
born Oct. 28, 1898; Clark E., born May 6, 1901; Robert W., born March 13, 
1903, and Ruth L., born May 2, 1908, are all residing at home. The family 
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Bennett Anderson, deceased, one of the early settlers of Trempealeau 
County, was born in Valders, Norway. In 1868 he brought his family to 
Trempealeau County from Dane County and estabhshed himself as a farmer 
in Arcadia Township, being one of the earliest settlers in that neighbor- 
hood. He labored early and late and under these conditions prospered. He 
became one of the representative farmers of Trempealeau County, remain- 
ing on his farm until his death, Feb. 15, 1902. He was married to Ellen 
Everson, who still survives and resides on the old homestead in Arcadia 
Township. They had a family of nine children, as follows : Inger Maria, 
who became Mrs. H. 0. Wold and the mother of one child, Oscar B. Wold 
(she passed away in 1893) ; Gabriel, who died at the age of seven years; 
Ever B. and C. H., farmers in Lincoln Township ; Sarah A., who died at the 
age of ten years ; Gabriel, second, residing on the old homestead in Arcadia 
Township, who married Julia Nelson and has four children: Bennett 0., 
Irene E., Carrie M. and Goodwin J. ; Carrie, who died in 1914 ; Edward, a 
resident of the state of Washington, and Polly A., wife of Henry Amundson, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 549 

who resides in Ostrander, Minn., and has three children : Sidney B., Cyril W. 
and Madehne M. 

Gilbert Anderson and his good wife, Ingeborg Fladegaard, natives of 
Norway, were among the early people of that hardy race who have done 
so much to better the agricultural conditions of America, coming to the 
American land at a very early date. On reaching this country they found 
their means exhausted when they had got as far west as Milwaukee, but 
undaunted they set out with an ox team, proceeding to Dane County, where 
they settled. The elder members of the family, including Gilbert's aged 
mother, about 80 years, had walked the entire distance. They were ambi- 
tious God-fearing people, being representative and prosperous. Both are 
now deceased. They were the parents of Ever B. and Charles H. Anderson, 
who are representative farmers of Lincoln Township, this county. 

Peter Evenson, deceased, was born in Norway and was there educated 
and grew to manhood. He was married in Norway to Maria Dahl. In 
1854 they sailed for America, settling that same year in Dane County, 
Wisconsin, near Blue Mounds, where they resided until 1870. They then 
came to Trempealeau County, where they became representative and influen- 
tial farmers. The wife Maria passed away on the farm, July 12, 1893. 
Mr. Evenson then made his home with his daughter, Mrs. E. B. Anderson, 
until his lamented death, Aug. 2, 1901. They were the parents of nine 
children, of whom but two, Juha and Carrie, are now living. Julia is the 
widow of A. W. Anderson and resides with the E. B. Anderson family on 
the old farm now owned by E. B. Anderson, and of which her lamented 
husband was for many years owner and operator. Carrie is now Mrs. 
E. B. Anderson. The other children: Even, Erik, Mathias, Edward, 
Edward (2d) , Mary and Carrie, all of whom died in infancy. 

Eugene J. Kidder., who for a number of years has served as clerk of 
the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, was born in Sauk County, Wis- 
consin, Feb. 13, 1859, son of Pomeroy and Lucy (Scott) Kidder. About 
1862, when the subject of this sketch was a small boy, his father died, as 
the result of an accident while engaged in rafting lumber down the Trem- 
pealeau River, their home at that time was Sechlerville, Jackson County, 
Wis. In the spring of 1863 they moved to Trempealeau County, where 
they have since resided. The mother subsequently married Oscar F. Har- 
low, a wagon maker of Whitehall. By the first marriage there were three 
children: Ada A. Kidder (deceased), Eugene J. Kidder and W. S. Kidder 
(deceased), of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of 
birth. The only child of the second marriage was William E. Harlow, who 
is now engaged in the automobile business in Whitehall, Wis. Eugene J. 
Kidder while a young man learned the barber's trade, and subsequently 
went into business for himself in Whitehall, where he has owned and 
operated a shop for many years. In the fall of 1904 he was elected clerk 
of the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, and has since served in that 
position by successive re-elections. He was formerly township treasurer 
for the Town of Lincoln one year, and served on the village council of 
Whitehall for a number of years. His knowledge of local affairs is exten- 
sive and he has always been found arrayed on the side of progress and 



550 HISTORY OF TREI\rPEALEAU COUNTY 

efficiency. He is a charter member of Whitehall Lodge No. 271, F. & 
A. M., and served as m.aster of the lodge for two years, and is also a mem- 
ber of Whitehall Lodge No. 2549, M. W. of A. Mr. Kidder was married 
Feb. 4, 1884, to Christina Harris of Pigeon Township, a native of Perthshire, 
Scotland, and daughter of David and Mary HaiTis, who came to the United 
States from that country in 1877. Both her parents died in 1912 at Groton, 
S. D. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder have three children : John L. Kidder, who now 
resides at Timber Valley, Wash., and who is now engaged in the lumber 
business, and Gladys and Mary, residing at home. 

Peter C. Peterson has a well improved place called "Lozenge Farm," 
located in Fly Creek Valley, and consisting of 158 acres in the northeast 
quarter of section 29, Pigeon Township, where he has lived since its pur- 
chase Nov. 15, 1901. He has a comfortable home and suitable barns, and 
successfully carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising high 
grade Holstein cattle. His public service has included membership on the 
school board since 1913. His church affiliation is with the Norwegian 
Lutheran Church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Peterson was born in 
Madison, Wis., April 29, 1867, and remained at home until locating on his 
present farm. He was married April 29, 1894, to Christina Eidsvoog, who 
was born in Norway, May 9, 1868, and came to America in 1890, her father, 
Peter Eidsvoog, dying in Norway in 1893, and her mother, Cecelia Nelson, 
in the same year. The children in the Peterson family are four : Nettie, 
born Jan. 9, 1895, who was graduated from Gale College and the Winona 
Business College, and is now a bookkeeper for Jones-Kroeger & Co. of 
Winona, Minn.; Cora, born Jan. 27, 1899, who was graduated from the 
Whitehall high school in the class of 1917, and is now teaching at Lidger- 
wood, N. D. ; Tilmer, born April 25, 1904, and Palmer, born March 23, 1911. 
The two youngest are living at home. The parents of Peter C. Peterson 
were Christian Peterson and Toro Olson Nordness. The father was born 
in Norway, May 10, 1837, came to America in 1857, and worked as a clerk 
in Madison, Wis., until August, 1868, when he came to Trempealeau County, 
and settled in section 16, Lincoln Township, where he died June 29, 1917. 
He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served a year in Company F, 45th 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The mother was born in Norway, Jan. 23, 
1844, and died Jan. 22, 1916. 

Andrew J. Ringlien, proprietor of the Ringlien Farm of 240 acres in 
sections 5 and 6, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundreland, Norway, April 
29, 1857, son of John and Mary (Nilson) Ringlien. He resided in his native 
land until about 26 years old, and then, in 1883, came to the United States 
in search of better opportunities for self-advancement than he had there. 
Locating in Pigeon Township, this county, he obtained employment and 
also attended school in order chiefly to acquire a knowledge of the English 
language, in which he made good progress. For three years he worked 
for P. Ekern, carefully saving his earnings, or as much of them as possible, 
with the view of achieving industrial independence. This purpose he accom- 
plished in 1890 when he bought his present farm and began working for 
himself. Since that time he has made considerable progress and is now 
one of the prosperous citizens of his township, a fact conspicuously mani- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 551 

fested by the fine brick house he erected in 1914, a two-story building with 
basement, containing ten rooms and installed with furnace heat and other 
conveniences. His barn, 30 by 60 by 18 feet, with basement and concrete 
floors, is also a good and substantial structure, and the other buildings on 
the farm are well kept and of neat appearance. Mr. Ringlien keeps graded 
Durham cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20. He is also 
a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Whitehall. His religious 
afliliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which 
he has been trustee and auditor for ten years. For the past six years he 
has been a member of the Norwegian school board. Mr. Ringlien was 
united in marriage, April 4, 1890, with Helen Knutson, daughter of Olaus 
and Nicolena (Netten) Knutson. She died in September, 1909, leaving eight 
children: John Olger, Nettie Melvina, Arthur Maurice, Arnold Norman, 
Axel William, Herman Calbjorn, Menick Cornelius and Erling Conrad, who 
reside at home with their father. 

David Wood, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born 
in Cattaraugus County, New York, Feb. 10, 1840, son of Alva and Amanda 
(Porter) Wood. Alva Wood was born near Utica, N. Y., in 1810, and in 
1848 came to Dane County, Wisconsin, where he farmed until 1856. He 
then purchased government land in sections 21, 25, 26 and 11, Lincoln 
Township, later going to live with his son David on his farm in section 17, 
where he died in 1883. His wife Amanda, who was born in Utica, N. Y., 
died in 1853 at the age of 58. David Wood was the fourth born in a family 
of ten children. He remained at home until his marriage, March 17, 1863, 
to Mary Parsons of Whitehall. Her parents were Lincoln and Maria (Sher- 
wood) Parsons, the former of whom died at Marshall, Wis. In the year 
of his marriage Mr. Wood began farming in section 17, Lincoln Township, 
where he remained until 1872. He then removed to another farm in the 
southeast quarter of section 15, which he operated until March, 1913, at 
which time he retired and took up his residence in Whitehall. Some time 
previous to this he had built a warehouse in Whitehall and bought and 
shipped grain for many years, also baling and shipping hay (1874). Mr. 
Wood is a director in the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank and a stockholder in the 
General Trading Company of Whitehall. He served as chairman of the 
township board for 25 years and was on the building committee of the 
county asylum. While on the county board he had charge of some bridge 
building in Lincoln Township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wood are the parents of five children : Archie E., James L., Sarah, Alta 
and Ralph W. Archie E., born in 1864, is engaged in contracting and build- 
ing in Whitehall. He married Jessie M. Dissmore and has four living chil- 
dren: Elmer, Ernest Y., Elsie M. and Chester. James L., born in 1867, is 
a carpenter living at Whitehall. He married H. Olive Tull. Sarah, born in 
1870, died in 1877. Alta, born in 1875, died in 1877. Ralph W., born in 
1879, is a farmer on the old homestead in Lincoln Township. He married 
Martha Johnson and has two children : Harold and Helen. 

William J. Webb, who is conducting a successful lumber business in 
Whitehall, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 7, 1859, son of 
William and Adelaide J. (Warner) Webb. The father, who was born in 



I 



552 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Vermont in 1808, was a contractor and builder by occupation, and during 
his residence in Dane County helped to build the state capitol. In 1874 he 
came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm two miles north of 
Whitehall, where he died in 1876. His wife, who was born in 1835, is now 
living in Whitehall. William J. Webb was educated in the public schools 
of Black Earth, and in 1889 engaged in the hardware business in Whitehall. 
He was thus occupied until 1891, in which year he bought the lumber 
yard of T. H. Earle here and has since been proprietor of the business. 
He is also a stockholder and director in the concern of John 0. Melby & Co., 
the Bank of Whitehall and a stockholder in the Peoples State Bank of 
Whitehall. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
June 1, 1886, Mr. Webb was united in marriage with Ella N. Lake, daughter 
of Thomas and Mary J. (Carpenter) Lake. Her father was a pioneer of 
Preston Township, where for a number of years he was engaged in farming. 
Mr. and Mrs. Webb have one child, Archie, who was born May 7, 1888. He 
was graduated at Brown University in the class of 1907, and subsequently 
engaged in the bond and investment business with Councilman & Co., of 112 
W. Adams street, Chicago. He has been very successful in business. 

Paudor K. Risberg, county clerk, educator and prominent citizen, was 
born north of Christiania, Norway, at Risberget, parish of Vaaler, Feb. 
15, 1866, son of Knut and Martha (Anderson) Risberg, both of whom died 
in Norway in 1893. Paudor K. Risberg was reared in his native parish, 
and in 1883, as a youth of seventeen, set out by himself to join his brother 
Carl and his sister Agnetha (now Mrs. John Matson) in Chimney Rock 
Township, this county. Upon arriving here the courageous and ambitious 
boy secured employment where he could work for his board while he 
attended school. His first winter in this country he attended the Chimney 
Rock district school. Later he alternated work with attending school, 
laboring as a farm hand, lumberjack, river man and railroader in order 
to get money to pay his board and tuition. In the winter of 1884-1855 he 
attended the graded schools of Eau Claire. After a summer's work on the 
Canadian Pacific Railroad in British Columbia he took a two years' teachers' 
course at the Wittenberg (Wis.) normal school. In 1892, after teaching 
school one year, he took a special teachers' course in the Northern Indiana 
University at Valparaiso. After preparing himself for the profession of 
teaching he was engaged as principal of the Chimney Rock graded school 
for nine years. In 1903 Mr. Risberg purchased a farm of 90 acres in 
section 14, Chimney Rock Township. There he farmed until Jan. 1, 1909, 
when he assumed the duties of his present position, to which he had been 
elected the previous fall. He has since then been successively re-elected. 
In addition to this service, Mr. Risberg has been chairman of Chimney 
Rock town four years, clerk five years and treasurer one year. For four 
years he has been clerk of the school board in Whitehall. The United Nor- 
wegian Lutheran Church has found in him a valued member. Since 1890 
he has been superintendent of the Sunday school, and in the same time he 
has been leader of the church choir. He has also served on various com- 
mittees and boards. His financial holdings include stock in the Peoples 
State Bank, of which he was a director for a time. Mr. Risberg was mar- 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 553 

ried Sept. 2, 1893, to Agnethe Larson, born in Chimney Rock Town, Feb. 15, 
1871. His wife is a daughter of Eric and Ohvia (Omestad) Larson, who 
came to this country in 1866. Mrs. Risberg's mother died in 1906 and her 
father in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Risberg have eight children : Arthur, Walter, 
Alice, Clifford, Ethel, Harvey, Louise and Pearl. Walter, who is his father's 
deputy, is married to Dora L. Brandon of Whitehall, and Arthur, who is a 
restaurant keeper in Whitehall, is married to Stella Kloety of Arcadia. 

Henry C. Shephard, Jr., a retired farmer now residing with his son, 
Ray D., on the latter's farm in section 12, Preston Township, was born in 
Prescott, Canada, near Montreal, Sept. 30, 1835. He is a son of 
Henry C. Shephard, Sr., who was born in England and was there married 
to Jane Collins. In 1839 the elder Henry came to America with his family 
and located in Wisconsin, living, for awhile at Milwaukee and also for some 
time at Waukesha. Later he removed to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, 
where he followed the trade of brick mason, and also carried on farming 
until his death. His wife Jane died June 30, 1911. Henry C. Shephard, Jr., 
resided at home until 1855. He then came to Black River Falls, Wis., and 
on August 10, that year, began working in the pineries and on the river. 
In this work he continued until he had spent 36 winters in the woods and 
taken part in 21 spring drives. In 1856 he entered the farm on which he 
now resides with his son and which has been his home many years. This 
farm formerly contained 400 acres, but has since been divided among Mr. 
Shephard's sons. Here he cut his first grain with a cradle and threshed it 
with a flail. It is now finely improved, the land being well tilled and the 
buildings substantial and adequate. In 1884 Mr. Shephard began 
breeding Holstein cattle and continued to do so as long as he was farming. 
He has served in the offices of school clerk and supervisor. Sept. 20, 1861, 
Mr. Shephard was united in marriage with Phylena Sterling of Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, who was born in Maine in 1840, daughter of C. I. and 
Abigail SterUng. He and his wife have had ten children: Lettie, who 
married William Bright of Trempealeau, Wis. ; Nellie, wife of F. D. Hopkins 
of Whitehall ; Guy, who is engaged in farming a part of the old homestead ; 
Ray, who owns and operates the old homestead ; Frank, who died at the age 
of 37 years, leaving a widow, Libby Bidgood Shephard, and five children, 
she being now a resident of Mellen, Wis. ; Margaret, wife of Edward Gilbert, 
president of the State Bank of Foreston, Minn. ; Harry and Henry, twins, 
the former of whom died at the age of four days and the latter at that of 
two years ; Mabel, who died at the age of 21 years, and Sadie, who married 
George Bohen, a barber of Dickinson, N. D. Ray married Thina Gilbert, 
June 26, 1896, and has had two children: Ralph, born Aug. 16, 1904, and 
a daughter, who died in infancy. Mrs. Henry C. Shephard died June 
30, 1912. 

Amund G. Tjoflat, a contracting carpenter residing in Ettrick, Wis., 
where he is conducting a good business, was born in Hardanger, Bergen 
Stiff, Norway, Jan. 30, 1870, son of Guttorm and Herborg (Djonne) Tjoflat. 
The parents were natives of the same locality, Bergen, a famous old sea- 
port, being the nearest large city. The father, who was a sailor most of 
his life, died in his native land in January, 1912, but his wife is still living 



554 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in Norway. Neither of them ever came to America. Amund G. Tjoflat 
was the second born of eight children. He attended school in Norway, and 
at the age of 16 years began working as a farm hand. Two years later he 
commenced an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
for three years in his native land. In 1891 he set out for the United States 
and on arriving in this country continued west to Jackson County, Wiscon- 
sin, locating near the Trempealeau County line. He was at this time unable 
to speak English, but for five months attended an English school in Ettrick, 
where he learned the rudiments of the language and later increased his 
knowledge through association with English speaking people. Soon after 
arriving here he began working at his trade in Ettrick and continued to do 
so as a journeyman until 1899, in which year he engaged in contract work, 
and has been thus occupied up to the present time, his contracts having 
been for work in Ettrick and the vicinity. In 1906 he built his present 
residence in Ettrick. Besides owning good pi'operty in the village, he is a 
stockholder in the Ettrick Lumber Company, Ettrick Farmers Telephone 
Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and is recognized as one 
of the enterprising and prosperous business men of the village — a position 
gained through his own unaided efforts. June 2, 1898, Mr. Tjoflat was 
united in marriage with Elenora Torkelson, who was born in Jackson 
County, Wisconsin, daughter of Haldor and Breta (Grinde) Torkelson, 
the parents being natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Tjoflat are the parents 
of six children: Ceroid B., Berglot H., Oliver E., Esther V., Howard L. and 
Joseph Kenneth, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. Tjoflat belongs to 
the order of Beavers, being trustee of his lodge. His political principles are 
in the main those of the Republican party. He and his family are members 
of the Lutheran Synod Church. 

Amos Jacobsen, for nearly twenty years proprietor of the Coral City 
Flouring Mills, has been connected with the milling business since early 
boyhood, as were his father and grandfather before him. He was born 
in Schleswig, now a part of Germany, Nov. 23, 1849, son of Hans and 
Dorothy (Hansen) Jacobsen, the former of whom died in 1896 and the 
latter in 1900. He learned the milling business from his father, and worked 
for several years in the mills of his native country. In 1870, however, 
he determined to seek the broader opportunities of America, and accord- 
ingly came to this country and resumed his occupation as a miller, working 
first at Dexter, Mich., then in various places in Iowa and Wisconsin, and 
finally in St. Paul. Then he rented a mill at Lansing, Iowa, next he bought 
a mill near Desota, Wis., still later he built a mill at Washburn, N. D., and 
subsequently he rented a miU at Mishamwoka, near Durand, Wis. June 1, 
1898, he secured the Coral City mill, in Pigeon Township, this county, built 
by Silas Wright in 1862, destroyed by flood in 1874 and rebuilt in 1876. This 
mill he remodelled and improved, and has since continued to operate it. 
It is a frame building, located on Pigeon Creek, nearly three miles- north- 
east of Whitehall. It is operated by waterpower, and is equipped with five 
double sets of rolls, and two sets of old French stone buhrs. The capacity 
is about 50 barrels, and the product includes wheat flour and rye, and all 
kinds of cereals and feeds, both merchant and custom work being done. 




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MR. AND MRS. AMUND AMUNDSEN— MR. AND MRS. JOHN EIDE 
PAUL EIDE AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 555 

Mr. Jacobsen was married at St. Paul Nov. 19, 1877, to Nancy Rapp, who 
was born in Jefferson County, New York, Aug. 11, 1849, and came to St. Paul 
with her mother. This union has been blessed with two sons, Fred P. and 
John A., both born in Lansing, Iowa, and both now employed in their 
father's mill. Fred P. was born July 26, 1879, was married April 21, 1909, 
to Edna V. Olson of Blair, born at Blair May 3, 1886, and has six children : 
Dorothy, Edith, Harold, John, Fred and Elenore. John A. was born Feb. 
18, 1881, and was married Jan. 1, 1908, to Augusta Reinhard, born in Ger- 
many May 12, 1884. Mrs. Nancy (Rapp) Jacobsen died Dec. 28, 1910, 
and on May 2, 1914, Mr. Jacobsen married, secondly, Mrs. Letacia (Stevens) 
Wright. She has one daughter, Mary Stevens, now 15 years old. 

Paul Eide, a well known and prosperous farmer of Hale Township, 
was born in Romsdal, Norway, Jan. 1, 1859, son of John and Ellen (Larson) 
Eide. His parents were both natives of Norway, the father born in 1843 
and the mother in 1835. They came to America with their family in 1882, 
settling in Hale Township, this county, on 160 acres of land in section 5, 
where they lived 15 years. They then took a farm in section 4, where John 
Eide died in 1908; his wife died in the spring of 1910. Paul Eide, who 
accompanied his parents to the United States, settled on his present farm 
with his parents in 1884 and has since resided on it, having purchased the 
property in 1890. It contains 300 acres or more and is located in sections 
4 and 5, township 23 north, range 8 west. Hale Township. The house, a 
two-story frame structure, was rebuilt in 1903. It contains 10 rooms and 
is a substantial and commodious dwelling. In 1911 Mr. Eide built a barn, 
40 by 70 by 16 feet in dimensions above stone basement, with cement floor 
and steel stanchions. In the same year he put up a stave silo, 12 by 30 
feet. His herd of graded Durham cattle numbers 35 head, of which he 
milks 20. For three years he has served as a member of the school board 
of his district. Mr. Eide was married in November, 1890, to Millie Amund- 
son, who was born in section 8, Hale Township, this county, June 27, 1870, 
daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Mr. and Mrs. Eide 
have been the parents of nine children: Thea, born April 9, 1891; John, 
Dec. 25, 1892; Arthur, Aug. 21, 1895; Elvina, Jan. 2, 1898; Palmer, Aug. 1, 
1900; Magnus, Feb. 14, 1903 (died Feb. 23, 1903) ; Mabel, Nov. 23, 1904; 
Ruth, Aug. 26, 1907, and Millard, July 16, 1910. All the living children are 
residing at home. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
Church of America, of which Mr. Eide is a trustee. 

Peter Nelson, who settled in Pigeon Creek Valley, Pigeon Township, 
in 1875, and in the course of his 30 years' residence there became one of 
the leading citizens of the township, was born in Hidemaker, Norway, April 
30, 1844, son of Nels Peterson. The father, who was governor and man- 
ager of a farm, hved and died in Norway. Peter Nelson was the fourth born 
in a family of eight children. In his native land he attended school and 
learned the carpenter's trade. On April 3, 1866, he was married to Jom 
Olson and on the 14th of the same month they left home for the United 
States, the journey thus being practically a honeymoon trip. After a 
voyage of six weeks and two days in a sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec, 
Canada, and from there made their way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, arriving 



556 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

June 24. One fall and winter were spent in Louis Valley, and subsequently 
Mr. Peterson worked nine years at lumbering on Black River, being a part 
of the time in the camp. His wife had died in 1867 and for his second wife 
he subsequently married Bertha Johnson. In 1875 Peter Nelson went to 
Pigeon Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, and bought a partly improved 
farm of 160 acres. There he lived for 30 years, during which time he 
bought more land until he had 240 acres, most of which he cleared and 
improved, erecting good buildings. For 30 years also he served on the 
township board, and for a number of years was justice of the peace and 
school clerk. Then selling his farm, he came to Whitehall, whei-e he has 
since made his home. Here he bought out the Farmers Trading Associa- 
tion and started an implement company, of which he was the active man- 
ager until the spring of 1917, when he sold out his shares, and since then 
has been retired from industrial life. In addition to the above mentioned 
activities he was president of the first creamery in his locality and was 
its manager for two years, directing all its operations. At the present 
time he is a shareholder in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, and is a 
prosperous and highly respected citizen, who has made a success in life 
through industry and perseverance. He has had ten children, three of 
whom were carried off by that formerly much dreaded scourge diphtheria. 
The living are Joseph, Isaac, Oscar, Nels, Alia and Laulia. He and his 
family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. 

Joseph P. Nelson, proprietor of Silver Brook Stock Farm of 160 acres, 
in section 30, Pigeon Township, is a native of Trempealeau County, having 
been born in Fitch Coulie, this township, April 10, 1882. His parents were 
Peter and Bertha (Jensen) Nelson, natives of Norway, now living retired 
at Whitehall. Mr. Nelson passed his youthful days up to the age of 15 
in Fitch Coulie, and was trained to agricultural pursuits on his parents' 
farm. When he had reached that age the parents with their family moved 
onto the farm in section 30, and Joseph was associated with his father in 
its operation until 1908, in which year he purchased it, and it has since 
remained his property and place of residence. Mr. Nelson keeps graded 
Durham cattle, milking 16, and also raises Poland-China hogs and Black 
Minorca chickens. His farm is well improved and is conducted on a profit- 
able basis. On April 7, 1906, he was married to Ingeborg T. Sogen, daughter 
of John and Amelia (Rud) Sogen, her parents being farmers residing near 
Pigeon Falls. He and his wife have five children : Esther, Palmer, Ervin, 
Harold and Ernest. Mr. Nelson has been a director of the school board 
since 1915. He and has family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
Church of America. 

William G, Hyslop, proprietor of the Blair Flour Mills, has been one 
of the most prominent mill and creamery men in this part of the state. 
He was born at Osseo, in this county, Feb. 26, 1864, the son of Ebenezer 
and Anna (Gillespie) Hyslop. Ebenezer Hyslop, a retired carpenter, now 
living in Osseo, at the age of 88 years, was born in Scotland, came to 
America in 1850, lived two years in New York City, and four years in Rich- 
land County, Wisconsin, and in 1859 came to Osseo, this county, where he 
has since resided, his wife, whom he married in 1850, having died in 1899, 




THOMAS HOGAN AND FAMILY 



niSTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 557 

at the age of 69 years. William G. Hyslop was reared in Osseo, and there 
received his education. For 25 years he devoted his time to the creamery 
business, having at one period no less than five establishments under his 
management. He learned his trade at Osseo ; he was manager of the cream- 
eries at Ettrick and Blair; he built the creamery at Alma Center, and he 
purchased the creameries at Melrose and Neillsville. In 1901 he bought 
his present mill, and operated it in connection with his management of 
the Blair creamery. In 1909 he rented the mill and took up farming at 
Bowman, N. D. In February, 1916, he again resumed charge of the mill. 
A prominent man in the community, he has been on the village council for 
many terms, ten years of which he was its president. He also served one 
year as a member of the county board of supervisors. His fraternal asso- 
ciations are with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. 
Mr. Hyslop was married Oct. 22, 1887, to Ella Quinn, born in Ettrick, April 
26, 1864, daughter of James and Susan Quinn, the former of whom died 
in 1912 at the age of 91, and the latter in 1899 at the age of 69 years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hyslop have five children: Clayton, Orton, Leland, Faye and 
Virda, the three last mentioned residing at home. Clayton and Orton were 
graduated from the Northwestern Medical School, then performed interne 
service in Mercy Hospital, Chicago, and are both now practicing physicians, 
located in that city. 

Thomas Hogan, proprietor of the Thomas Hogan & Son Lumber Com- 
pany at Blair, was born in Kvitised, Telemarken, Norway, March 18, 1854, 
son of Knudt ToUefson and Gunhild Tvedt, the former of whom died in 
1863 and the latter in 1862. The original family name was Hougen. Knudt 
Tollefson was a lieutenant in the standing army of Norway. The first of 
the family to come to America was Gunder (brother of Thomas), who 
reached this country in 1878. He was joined two years later by Thomas, 
at Humbird, Wis. For a time Thomas Hogan worked in the lumber yard 
there, then he secured employment in a sawmill four miles southeast of 
Hatfield. So faithfully did he perform his duties there that after the first 
year he was placed in charge of the shipping. In 1886, with Simon Lein, 
he opened a lumber yard at Blair, under the firm name of Hogan & Lein. 
Owing to ill health, Mr. Lein sold out to Mr. Hogan, and the firm became 
the Hogan Lumber & Stock Company. From 1898 until Jan. 1, 1917, the 
business was conducted under Mr. Hogan's name as an individual. Jan. 
1, 1917, the firm became Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan deals in all 
kinds of lumber and building material, and has built up a good business, 
the success of which has been due to his fairness and business integrity. 
Mr. Hogan enjoys an excellent standing in the community and has served 
on the village council for eight years. Fraternally he is affihated with the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He was married Jan. 28, 1885, to Anna 
Olive Lyhnes, who was born in Edsvald, Norway, daughter of Andrew and 
Johanna Lynnes, the former of whom now lives with the Hogan family. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have had six children : Louisa, Jennie, Clifford. Agnes, 
Gena and Arthur. Louisa lives at home. Jennie died at the age of 17 years ; 
Clifford at the age of 24 years, and Agnes at the age of 15 years. Gena 
married Tosten Thompson, and they have two children, Truman and Ruth. 



558 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Ai'thur married Mabel Johnstad and resides at Blair, where he is associated 
in business with his father in the firm of Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan 
and family are afiihated religiously with the Lutheran church. 

Hans Holtan was born in Vik, Sogn, Norway, Jan. 9, 1834, son of Anfin 
and Gjertrud Holtan. The mother died in the old countrj^ and in 1846 the 
father, with his second wife Turi and his children, came to America, set- 
tling in Pleasant Springs Township, Dane County, where the father and 
stepmother spent the remainder of their days, the former dying Sept. 1, 
1872, and the latter about 1865. Hans Holtan was reared to farm pur- 
suits, and with the exception of a few years from 1906 to 1910, when 
he lived at Stoughton, Wis., remained on the home farm until his death, 
Jan. 1, 1911. In 1858 Hans Holtan was married to Raandi Lunde, who was 
born in Laurdal, Telemarken, Norway, Sept. 30, 1833, and came to America 
with her parents, Austin and Jorond Lunde, in 1851. Austin Lunde died 
in 1884, and his wife in 1857. Mrs. Hans Holtan died Jan. 23, 1906, having 
been the mother of the following children: Anfin and Austin, who are 
farmers in Dane County, Wisconsin; John, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton, 
Wis., of which city he was formerly mayor for three terms ; Gertrude, wife 
of Louis Severson, also a tobacco dealer of Stoughton ; George, a farmer in 
Dane County ; Ole, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton ; Andrew, who is farming 
in Dane County; Josie, wife of Albert Asleson, a farmer of Dane County, 
and Richard H. of Whitehall, Wis. 

Richard H. Holtan, dealer in leaf tobacco at Whitehall, Wis., was born 
in Dane County, this state, Aug. 11, 1876, son of Hans and Randi (Lunde) 
Holtan. He resided at home with his parents until his marriage, Oct. 28, 

1897, when he engaged in farming for himself until 1902. He then moved 
to Stoughton, engaging in the tobacco business under the style of Richard 
Holtan & Co. After carrying on the business there until 1905 he moved 
to Whitehall, estabhshing himself here August 28. In 1914 the concern 
was incorporated with a capital stock of $45,000, taking the name of the 
Holtan Leaf Tobacco Comany, with John Holtan, president ; R. H. Holtan, 
secretary, and 0. H. Holtan, treasurer. The concern has two offices, one at 
Whitehall and the other at Stoughton, with warehouses at Stoughton. 
R. H. Holtan is also vice-president of the People's State Bank of White- 
hall. He has served four years as a member of the village council and was 
its president three years. Fraternally he is a member of the Beavers and 
Odd Fellows, in which latter order he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Holtan 
was married Oct. 28, 1897, to Betsey Johnson of Utica, Dane County, who 
was born Nov. 24, 1876, daughter of Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) John- 
son. This union has been blessed with two children : Herbert, born Oct. 7, 

1898, and Rollin A., born Dec. 7, 1902. Jokum Johnson, farmer and mer- 
chant, now residing at Stoughton, Wis., was born in Nummedal, Norway, 
in 1853, and came to America in 1871, settling in Dane County, Wisconsin, 
where he engaged in farming. In 1894 he became a merchant at Utica, in 
the same county, and in 1910 retired and moved to his present home. He 
married Aasil Smithback, who died March 24, 1909, at the age of 59 years. 
They were the parents of six children : Oscar, residing in the township of 
Christiania, Dane County, Wis. ; Betsey (Mrs. R. H. Holtan) ; Aline, who 




MR. AND MRS. RICHARD H. HOLTAN AND SONS 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 559 

died at the age of two years ; Emma (Mrs. Sorensen) ; Nellie of Utica, Dane 
County, who married E. Adolph Johnson, and Olga, now Mrs. B. Logan of 
Christiania, Dane County. 

Ole G. Herreid, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 155 
acres in section 16 E., Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wis- 
consin, near Lodi, April 5, 1863, son of Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg (Torgers- 
dater) Herreid. A memoir of his parents may be found in the sketch of 
his brother, Gilbert M. Herreid. Mr. Herreid acquired his education in the 
local schools, his parents having settled in Trempealeau County in the year 
of his birth, and was brought up on the home farm. At the age of 18 years 
he began working in the woods in the winter time, but continued to make 
his home with his parents until he was 27, at which time he purchased his 
present farm from his father. Besides carrying on general agricultural 
operations on his own farm, he has operated a threshing outfit for the last 
37 years. Since taking possession of his present homestead, he has made 
many improvements on it, his barn being a substantial structure, 32 by 70 
feet, with 16-foot stockboards and cement floors, equipped in modern style. 
Mr. Herreid is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and also 
operates a cream route, which takes two or three days of his time each 
week. Since he began farming on his own account he has made steady 
progress and is now one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He 
has served on the school board for nine years and in politics is independent. 
Oct. 9, 1891, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Mattie Paine, who 
was born at Medalia, Minn., daughter of William G. and Julia (Dale) Paine. 
Her father was born in Wrentham, Mass., of Scotch-Irish stock, and in early 
life was a sailor, going to sea on his uncle's whaling vessel at the age of 
14 years. After five years spent in this adventurous employment, the Civil 
War having broken out, he enlisted in the Eighth Rhode Island Artillery 
and served three years. On the conclusion of his term of service he engaged 
in the hotel business at St. Cloud, Minn., having come west with a military 
company under the command of General Sibley, which company disbanded 
at St. Cloud. Later he engaged in business at Madelia, Minn., where after 
a residence of seven years, he died. His wife, who was born in Norway, is 
now residing with her daughter in Ettrick Township. By her marriage 
with Mr. Paine she had three children, and after his death she became the 
wife of Ed Johnson, who subsequently died in this township. Of this latter 
union two children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have 10 children: 
Emma, Willa, Gordon, Carl, Lea, Rachel, Blanche and Bernice (twins), 
Grace and Richard. Mr. Herreid belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and he and his family are members of the United Lutheran 
Church. 

Theodore A. Breitenfield, proprietor of a blacksmith establishment and 
planing mill at Blair, was born in Portland Township, Monroe County, this 
state, May 2, 1890, youngest of the eight children of William and Annie 
(Oswald) Breitenfield, the former of whom still lives in that township, and 
the latter of whom died in 1906, at the age of 58 years. Theodore A. 
remained at home until nineteen years of age. It was then that he started 
in the blacksmith trade. After a year at Lyndon Station in Juneau County, 



560 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and eight months at Mauston, in the same county, he rented a shop near his 
old home for a year. Subsequently he rented a shop at Augusta, in Eau 
Claire County, for nine months. June 10, 1914, he rented his present place. 
Here he does all kinds of blacksmith work, horseshoeing and wagon work. 
The establishment is well equipped with drill pi-ess, trip-hammer and other 
conveniences, and turns out some excellent work. In connection with it is 
operated the planing mill, which does sawing, turning, planing and other 
woodwork. As already mentioned, Mr. Breitenfield comes of a large family. 
Albert, the oldest, and Barbara, the fifth, now Mrs. Even Everson, a widow, 
live in La Crosse. The others, all of whom live on farms in Monroe County, 
are: Clara, wife of Albert Erickson; Herman; Emma, wife of Thomas 
Jones ; Laura, wife of Carl Moody, and Otto. 

Frank Wood, agent in Galesville, Wis., for the Standard Oil Company, 
was born in Bangor, Wis., Jan. 14, 1874, son of David and Mary (Morgan) 
Wood. The father, who was born in Wales, Feb. 14, 1840, was a farmer for 
many years and now lives retired in Bangor. His wife Mary, mother of 
the subject of this sketch, was born near Waukesha, Wis., in 1846, and died 
July 1, 1911. Frank Wood was the elder of two children. His early educa- 
tion was acquired in the country schools and was supplemented to some 
extent by a three months' attendance at high school. He resided at home 
until he was 25 years old and then engaged in farming in LaCrosse County, 
following that occupation for si.x years. He then sold out and went into the 
transfer business in Galesville. In 1912 he entered the employ of the 
Standard Oil Company, but still continued in the transfer business until 
1916, when he gave it up and has since devoted his whole attention to the 
Standard Oil Company's business. Mr. Wood was married Oct. 25, 1899, 
to Grace Phillips, who was born in West Salem, Wis., daughter of Hollister 
and Marian (Gage) Phillips. Her parents, who are now living retired in 
Galesville, were born in eastern states. The father, Hollister Phillips, 
was a farmer in early life at West Salem, Wis. He served in the Civil 
War with a Wisconsin regiment and was promoted to the rank of captain 
of his company. Later he served a term as sheriff of LaCrosse County. He 
and his wife had seven children, of whom their daughter Grace was the 
third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of one child, 
Dorothy Marian. He is chief forester of the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and belongs also to the Yeomen and Red Men, being clerk in the lodge of the 
last mentioned order. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and in 
politics is independent. 

Ferdinand Witt, who is engaged in farming 160 acres of land in section 
8, Lincoln Township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, Sept. 14, 1855. 
His parents were Gottfreid and Maria (Betcher) Witt, both of whom died 
in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of farmer. Ferdi- 
nand was the only member of the family to come to America, making the 
journey in 1878. Locating in Whitehall, this county, he worked there two 
years and then bought the farm on which he now lives from Lars L. 
Skjonsby's widow, making the purchase in 1881. Here he has since resided, 
engaged in improving his property. In 1916 he built a barn, 36 by 84 by 12 
feet above basement, with concrete walls and cement floors, and his seven- 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 561 

room frame house was rebuilt by him in 1913. In 1917 he built a silo 12 by 
30 feet of cement blocks. He keeps 35 cattle and 10 horses, milking 14 
cows, and also has a number of White Leghorn chickens and mammoth 
bronze turkeys, the appearance of his farm presenting evidences of industry 
and prosperity. Mr. Witt was married in March, 1881, to Olive Larson 
Skjonsby, whose father, Lars L., died in November, 1879. Her mother, 
Ingebor Larson, died Feb. 29, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Witt have been the 
parents of 11 children: Gottfreid, who died at the age of three months; 
Clara, residing at home ; Louis, a farmer in Lincoln Township, who married 
Agnes Kurth and has two children — Arthur and Florence ; Fred, Josephine, 
William, James and Emma, who reside at home; Minnie, who died at the 
age of a year and a half ; Milhe and Alice, at home. Mrs. Witt was born in 
Norway, Nov. 6, 1860, and came to America with her parents in 1866, they 
spending two years in LaCrosse County. Afterwards her father home- 
steaded the land on which she and her husband now reside. 

Gilbert F. Steig, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born 
in Biri, Norway, Sept. 25, 1849, a son of Frederick and Bertha (Jenson) 
Steig. The pai'ents came to the United States in 1867, settling in Mindora, 
LaCi'osse County, Wis., where they remained one year, afterwards moving 
to Trempealeau County. They died on the farm of their son, the subject 
of this sketch, the father March 28, 1888, and the mother, in March, 1897. 
Gilbert F. Steig bought his farm in section 23, Hale Township, this county, 
in 1870, when he was 21 years old, and resided there, operating the farm 
until the fall of 1898, when he was elected county sheriff, at which time 
he moved to Whitehall, which has since been his place of residence. After 
filling the office of sheriff two years he went into the hay and grain busi- 
ness, also conducting an elevator with Christ Torgerson (of Independence) 
at Whitehall, and this was his occupation until 1914, when he retired. He 
was treasurer of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company for five years 
and has been president of the company since 1901. A considerable part of 
his time has been devoted to the public service. He was township superin- 
tendent four years, township treasurer five years, school clerk two years, 
school treasurer 18 years, and president of the village board of Whitehall 
four years, in all these offices rendering good and faithful service. Mr. 
Steig was married May 30, 1874, to Gelina M. Lewis, who was born in 
Norway May 22, 1854, daughter of Gilbert and Marie (Thomervolden) 
Lewis. Her parents came to the United States with their family in 1865, 
locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they spent three years. They 
then removed to a farm in section 14, Hale Township, Trempealeau County, 
on which place the mother died in 1894, and the father ten years later, in 
1904. Mr. and Mrs. Steig have eight children : Frederick, now a farmer in 
Bowman, N. D. ; Gustav M., who graduated from the Whitehall high school 
and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, and is now a merchant at Church's 
Ferry, N. D. ; Benonie I., a merchant at Edmond, N. D. ; Minnie, who 
graduated from Steven's Point normal school, was a teacher two years, and 
is now the wife of Martin Swenson, a merchant of Esmond, N. D. ; Louise, 
also a graduate of Stevens Point normal school, who was a teacher six 
years, and is now the wife of C. P. Larson, a banker of Eleva, Wis.; 



562 HISTOKY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Josephine, a graduate in the class of 1907 of the University of Wisconsin, 
and who is now teacher of mathematics in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools; 
Olga, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1914, who is a 
teacher of German in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools, and George C., a graduate 
of Whitehall high school and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, Wis., who 
is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Lakota, N. D. It will be 
seen that Mr. Steig has given his children a good education and that they 
are making a good use of it to their own advantage and the credit of their 
parents. 

David M. Sorenson, a well known resident of Ettrick Village, who is 
connected with the government mail service, was born near Jutland, Den- 
mark, June 19, 1863, son of Christian C. and Gettie Sorenson, who were 
natives of the same locality. When he was less than a year old his mother 
died and his father thereupon emigrated to the United States with his 
family, consisting of six children, of whom David M. was the youngest. 
Setthng in Davenport, Iowa, Christian C. Sorenson there found work at his 
trade, which was that of a wheelwright. He remained in that city about 
18 months and then removed to LaCrosse, Wis., where he took up carpenter 
work, which occupation he followed until his retirement many years later. 
His death took place in LaCrosse in 1912. When a young man he had served 
in the regular army of Denmark in the War of 1848. David M. Sorenson 
when a boy attended school in LaCrosse, and at the age of 16 years began 
working as a farm hand in La Crosse County. When 19 he took up the 
blacksmith's trade with E. R. Savage, with whom he continued for three 
year, going from his employ to that of Sullivan & Buchanan of LaCrosse. 
Later he worked two years for McDonnell Bros. & Burchard of the same 
city. At the end of that time he came to Ettrick, where he started a general 
blacksmith and horseshoeing shop, which he conducted for 18 years. It 
was at the end of this latter period that he took the mail route, and since 
then he has remained in government employ as carrier, being not otherwise 
occupied. In 1912 he built his present residence in Ettrick, one of the best 
in the village, to which is attached three acres and a half of land. Interested 
in the growth and development of the community in which he lives, he aids 
in supporting local or other enterprises calculated to benefit the town or 
county, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company. 
Mr. Sorenson gave up bachelor life Oct. 10, 1886, when he was united in 
marriage with Lena Nelson Brenengen. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson are the 
parents of four sons : Arthur Guy, Norman C, Joel L. and Oscar M., all 
residing at home. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Masonic order, belong- 
ing to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and also to the Beavers, being worthy 
councillor of his lodge. 

Frank W. Young is operating the farm in the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 22, Sumner Township, where he was born April 12, 1887, the second 
of the seven children of Walter and Minnie (Chamberlain) Young. He 
carries on general farming, and has a good grade of Holstein cattle and 
Duroc Jersey swine. His public work consists of service as justice of the 
peace since 1913, and his fraternal relations are with the M. W. A. Mr. 
Young was married Dec. 23, 1912, to Louise Anderson, who was born in 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 563 

Unity Township, this county, Aug. 23, 1887, daughter of Daniel Anderson, 
and they have two children: Marjorie and Sarah Alice. Walter Young came 
to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania and his wife from New York state. They 
had seven children : Lester married Grace Kennedy and lives in Duluth ; 
Lee is married and lives in Minot, N. D. ; Owen lives with his mother at 
Augusta, Wis. ; Grace married Joe Anderson and lives in Eau Claire County 
on a farm ; Stella married Frank Justenson and lives on a farm in Eau 
Claire County ; Frank and Neva live with the mother at Augusta. 

John Wagstad, secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Mill & Power 
Co., of which he is also the miller, was born in Sonfjord, Norway, Nov. 
13, 1876, son of Simon and Marie (Hanson) Wagstad. His mother died in 
1879 at the age of 36 years and Simon Wagstad subsequently married for 
his second wife Anna Flekke. Simon and his wife Anna are both Hving in 
Norway, the former at the age of 87 and the latter at that of 55 years. 
During his active career he was engaged in farming. John Wagstad came 
to America in 1894 with his brother Samuel, locating in Whitehall, Wis., 
where his first work was unloading a car of brick for John 0. Melby & Co.'s 
new bank. After working for this company two years he began in 1896 to 
learn the miller's trade with the concern of which he is now an officer, and 
with which he has remained ever since, except for one year, when he was 
in the employ of the Arcadia Milling Company. In 1904 he became miller 
and has since retained that position. His fraternal affiliations are with the 
Independent Order of Foresters, while religiously he is connected by mem- 
bership with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. John Wagstad was 
married July 19, 1910, to Martha Peterson of Unity Township, Wisconsin, 
whose father, Gilbert Peterson, formerly a farmer, is now living retired 
in Whitehall. Her mother's maiden name was Olive Osgaard. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wagstad have one son, Gerald S. Wagstad, born Aug. 27, 1916. 

Delbert G. WiUiams, who with his brother Hezekiah P., owns and 
operates 280 acres of land in sections 10 and 15, Unity Township, was born 
on his present farm, Feb. 13, 1868. His parents were Prince Barnard and 
Mary (Atkins) Williams. The father, who was born in Maine in 1832, 
subsequently migrated to Kane County, Illinois, with his parents, who died 
there. Prince B. Williams then went to Michigan, where he resided for 
some years. In 1859 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and pur- 
chased the land now constituting the Williams farm from the raih-oad com- 
pany. Here he resided until his death, devoting his time and labor to the 
development and improvement of the farm. His residence was the first house 
built in Unity Township, and it was he who named the township, in honor of 
his okl home in Maine. After a strenuous life, spent mostly in hard work, he 
passed away May 4, 1895. His wife, Mary Atkins Williams, who was born 
in Maine, Jan. 14, 1830, died on the home farm May 4, 1906, having survived 
her husband just 11 years. Delbert G. WiUiams at an early age became 
practically acquainted with the various branches of farm work, being well 
taught by his father. From the latter he and his brother, Hezekiah, in 
1890 purchased the old homestead and have since continued to own and 
operate it, with profitable results. In 1906 Hezekiah P. Williams moved to 
Osseo and the two brothers are now engaged in contracting, in addition 



564 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to farming, building state roads in Trempealeau County. Delbert G. Wil- 
liams was married June 1, 1890, to Mary Boetzer, who was born in Ger- 
many, March 10, 1867, daughter of William and Wilhelmina Boetzer. Her 
father, who also was born in Germany, Jan. 13, 1824, came to America in 
1874 and resided in Eau Claire County for several years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams are the parents of six children: Grace May, who was mari'ied 
Oct. 19, 1913, to Melvin Holmen of Strum; Charles, residing at home; 
Guy, also at home ; Lottie, who was married Aug. 2, 1916, to Jesse Hogue 
of Strum, and Leona and Fred, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Williams 
served as township supervisor for two years, and has been a school director 
since 1898. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers. 

Oliver Waller, a prosperous merchant of Osseo, member of the firm 
of Hagen & Waller, was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1851, son of Ole Jacob 
Johnson and Martha Olsdotter, both of whom spent the span of their years 
in the land of their birth. OUver Waller was reared in Norway, and as a 
youth was apprenticed to a tailor, from whom he learned the trade. In 
1877 he came to this country, and found his way directly to Trempealeau 
County, where he worked several years at his trade, first at Independence 
and then at Whitehall. In 1882 he opened a store at Stephen, Minn., under 
the firm name of 0. P. Larson & Co. Six years later he returned to Inde- 
pendence. It was in 1895 that he came to Osseo, and with Eric Hagen, 
under the firm name of Hagen & Waller, estabUshed his present business. 
The firm enjoys a good trade, and carries a suitable line of general mer- 
chandise. Mr. Waller is a stockholder in the Osseo State Bank. His 
religious affihation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Osseo, of 
which he has been treasurer for some years. Mr. Waller was married Nov. 
15, 1905, to Christina Haugen, daughter of M. K. and Guliana (Preste- 
gaarten) Haugen. Mr. and Mrs. Waller have had five children: Ohver 
Maynard, Thelma Gilma, Maynard Oliver, Julian Donald and Theola Ophelia. 
Oliver Maynard and Maynard Oliver died in infancy. 

Allen B. Thompson, who is engaged in dairying and horse breeding on 
a fine farm of 70 acres, 25 acres of which are located within the city limits 
of Galesville and the rest of the property in Gale Township, section 53, was 
born in Galesville, this county, Aug. 30, 1880. His parents were WiUiam 
and Allie (Atwood) Thompson, the father a native of the state of New 
York and the mother of Waupon, Wis. WiUiam Thompson, who early in 
life engaged in the stock business, settled in Wisconsin and was engaged 
in farming in Trempealeau County for many years, residing on his farm 
and personally conducting it for some 12 years, at the end of which time 
he took up his residence in Galesville, where he died in 1894. He had come 
to the county when a lad of 17 years and had closely identified himself with 
its development. He was widely recognized as a man of character and 
ability and was elected mayor of Galesville and subsequently re-elected, 
but on account of impaired health did not serve out his second term. In this 
city he was also an extensive property owner, and was also one of the 
founders of and a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville, besides being 
prominently connected with other important enterprises. His wife sur- 



HISTORY OF TRE.MPEALEAU COUNTY 565 

vived him nearly 20 years, passing away in 1913. They reared a family of 
seven children, Allen B. being the fifth in order of birth. Allen B. Thompson 
acquired the elements of knowledge in the schools of Galesville and subse- 
quently continued his literary education at Gale University. He then took 
a course in the State Agricultural College at Madison, having already 
acquired a fair practical knowledge of farming on the parental homestead 
and by working for others, which he began to do when he was 15 years old. 
When he was 21 he began to operate the homestead farm independently, 
and continued to do so for 12 years, at the end of which time he purchased 
his present farm, known generally as the old Waite Johnson farm, but 
registered as Top Notch Farm. Here, besides carrying on dairying suc- 
cessfully, he is engaged in breeding Percheron horses. His residence is 
situated on one of the finest building sites in the county, and his buildings 
and equipment are thoroughly up to date and kept in fine condition. Mr. 
Thompson was married Jan. 1, 1904, to Helen Maud Kilmer, who was born 
in Galesville, daughter of John and Drena (Baldwin) Kilmer. Her father 
was born in Cohoes, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1850, and was a carpenter and builder 
by occupation. He came to Trempealeau County when a lad of ten years 
and for a number of years resided in Stevenstown. Afterwards he became 
a prominent citizen of GalesviUe, served as postmaster one term and was 
city marshal for a number of years, and is still in active life. His wife 
was born in Waupun, Wis., Nov. 14, 1848. Of their children three are now 
hving, their daughter Helen Maud being the second born and one of twins. 
She was educated in Galesville, graduating from the high school class in 
1901. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child, Bernice. In the spring 
of 1916 Mrs. Thompson engaged in the breeding of black and tan terriers, 
using pedigreed registered sires, and has a number now on hand, besides 
a number bred from pedigreed sires and dames. These dogs are noted for 
their cleanliness and their desirability as pets and also as rat dogs, and 
there is a growing demand for them both in this and other states, as well 
as Canada. Mrs. Thompson expects to engage extensively in this hne of 
business. She has erected quarters for the dogs, known as Top Notch 
Kennels, and her business is rapidly increasing. Mr. Thompson is inde- 
pendent Repubhcan in politics, but has taken no active part in govern- 
mental affairs. He is known as one of the prosperous and substantial 
citizens of this locaUty, ready to do his part in advancing the best interests 
of the community. 

Clyde S. Van Gorden. manager of the Osseo branch of the firm of S. H. 
Van Gorden & Sons, was born in Hixton, Wis., Aug. 7, 1892, son of Schuyler 
H. and Clara (Potter) Van Gorden. He passed through the gi-aded schools 
of Hixton and in 1908 was graduated from the Hixton high school. In 
1909 he was graduated from the Winona Business College, and subsequently 
took a year's course in Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin. 
He assumed his present duties June 15, 1911, when the Osseo store was 
purchased. As manager of this store he has been very successful, and has 
built up a flourishing trade. He is a director in the Farmers' Exchange 
Bank of Osseo, and in the Central Wisconsin Telephone Co. For two years 
he has given good service as a member of the village council. His fraternal 



566 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

affiliations are with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. 
In the Masonic order he is a member of the Blue Lodge at Osseo and of the 
Chapter at Eau Claire. Mr. Van Gorden was married Aug. 27, 1912, to 
Elsie Caley of Waterford, Wis., the daughter of Henry and Ellen Caley, a 
graduate of the Whitewater Normal school, and for several years a success- 
ful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorden have two children : Clara Jeanette, 
born Sept. 28, 1913, and Ethel Ellen, born Jan. 10, 1915. 

S. H. Van Gorden, senior member and founder of the firm of S. H. Van 
Gorden & Sons, founder of a chain of stores in western Wisconsin, was 
born in Horseheads, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1852, descended from a long line of New 
York ancestry. He came West in 1866, and spent some seven years working 
on farms near Fredericksburg, Iowa. In 1873 he drove to Jackson County, 
this State, where he engaged in farming. Later he became traveling sales- 
man for the Davis, Rankin Company, manufacturers of creamery supplies. 
In the employ of this company he erected creameries at Whitehall, Strum 
and other places in this region. In 1888 he opened a general store at Hixton. 
This venture was successful, and he decided to enlarge the scope of his 
activities. He bought a store at Taylor in 1893, at Alma Center in 1906, 
and at Osseo in 1911. These four stores were operated under the firm 
name of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, S. H. Van Gorden, himself, managing the 
one at Hixton ; the son, Bert L., the one at Taylor ; the son, Harry H., the 
one at Alma Center, and Clyde S., the one at Osseo. S. H. Van Gorden is 
a prominent man in his community, is a director in the Hixton Bank and the 
Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, and is treasurer of the Central 
Wisconsin Telephone Company. One of the sons, Bert L., is president of 
the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, vice-president of the Trem- 
pealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor, and president and general manager 
of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. He is serving in the Wis- 
consin Legislature as a member from Jackson County. S. H. Van Gorden 
was married July 4, 1871, at Fredericksburg, Iowa, to Clara Potter, who 
was born Sept. 20, 1851. 

Knudt E. Runnestrand, among the prosperous merchants of the Village 
of Ettrick, where he is engaged in the furniture business, is the subject of 
this sketch, who was born in Bergen, Norway, Aug. 3, 1855. His parents 
were Elling and Barbara (Torgerson) Runnestrand, both natives of the 
same city, a noted seaport of Norway. The father was a sailor, but neither 
he nor his wife ever came to this country, both dying in their native land. 
Knudt Runnestrand resided with his parents until he was 17 years of age, 
when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, becoming a journeyman car- 
penter at the age of 21. After continuing work at his trade for one year 
in Norway, he decided to emigrate to the United States and soon after, 
June 5, 1877, arrived in Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wis., where at that 
time there were but two or three houses. Here Sylvester Johnson gave 
him work in the harvest field, and after that he became acquainted with 
Almond Holhnger, a carpenter and contractor of Blair, who was known as 
the "church builder," and was then engaged in building the church at French 
Creek. Mr. Hollinger employed him to assist on that job and he remained 
with him 18 months, during which time he also helped to build Gilberson's 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 567 

store at Blair. He then began contracting on his own account, among other 
jobs building Swen Johnson's residence at Bear Creek. In 1880 Mr. 
Runnestrand returned to Norway, where, April 18, 1881, he was married 
in the city of Bergen to Anna Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, 
where her father was engaged in farming. Her parents remained in their 
native land, but in June, 1881, about two months after their marriage, Mrs. 
Runnestrand accompanied her husband on his return to this country. Here 
he resumed his work as contractor and builder and has since continued in 
that line of industry, adding to it in 1907 his present furniture and under- 
taking business. His store is well stocked with a good line of furniture and 
his trade has gradually increased until it is now on a profitable basis. 
Mr. Runnestrand has been industrious and enterprising and is reaping the 
reward of his labors, having financial interests aside from those ah'eady 
mentioned. He owns valuable property in Ettrick and is a stockholder in 
the Bank of Ettrick and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now in process 
of construction. He and his wife are the parents of six children : Bertha, 
wife of Maurice Casey, who is engaged in the implement business in Ettrick ; 
Emma, wife of Arthur Knudtson, a merchant of New England, N. D. ; Clara, 
wife of William Truax, a farmer of Gale Township; Alfred T., who is en- 
gaged in assisting his father; Helen, a telephone operator in Ettrick, and 
Archie. Mr. Runnestrand and his family are members of the Norwegian 
Synod Lutheran church. In politics he is an independent Republican. He 
has served one term as township treasurer and is a man who occupies an 
honorable place in the community, which he has won by his own efforts. 

Ole 0. Thomasgaard. Among the well-developed agricultural proper- 
ties in Unity Township is that known as Oak Grove Farm, in sections 20 
and 29, of which Ole 0. Thomasgaard is proprietor. Mr. Thomasgaard 
was born in Tolgen, Norway, June 3, 1848. His father, Ole L. Thomasgaard, 
died in Norway, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Petronelle 
Hanson. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1870, locating first 
in Hesper, Iowa, where he worked on farms for two years. He then came 
to Trempealeau County, Wis., and worked two years on farms in Sumner 
Township, at the end of which time he bought 40 acres of his present farm 
in Unity Township, having since added to it the other 80 acres. In 1877 he 
assisted in the organization of Unity Township and served as its first 
assessor, two years later being chairman of the township board, which 
office he held for 20 years, and, by virtue of that office, a member also of 
the county board. He also served as justice of the peace for 20 years, and 
has been school clerk, serving three years, and school treasurer nine years. 
He helped to organize Unity Co-Operative Creamery at Strum, of which he 
has been a director for your years, and he is also a stockholder of the First 
State Bank of Strum. In these various positions, both business and official, 
Mr. Thomasgaard has shown capacity and a conscientious regard for duty 
which have given him a high place among the citizens of his township. As 
a farmer he has been prosperous, his land being productive and his place 
well improved. Mr. Thomasgaard was married Aug. 4, 1872, to Marit E. 
Kleven, who was born in Vingelen, Norway, Feb. 9, 1847, and who came to 
the United States on the same vessel with him. Her father, Esten 0. 



568 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Kleven, who was a farmer, died in Norway, as did also her mother, whose 
maiden name was Johanna Roesplaece. Mr. and Mrs. Thomasgaard have 
had a family of eight children, but only three ai'e now Uving. Their record 
in brief is as follows : Pauline, who is the wife of 0. C. Olson, and has five 
children — Colonel Oscar Olson, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Julia ; Josephine, 
who died at the age of four years ; Emelia, who died when 2 years old ; 
Josephine (second) , who is the wife of Gilbert Svendby, of Strum, and has 
three children — Mabel, Odin and Clifford ; Edward, who died at the age of 
1 year; Edward (second), who resides on his father's farm, which he is 
managing ; Oscar, who died at the age of 4 years, and PauUna, who died at 
the age of 3 years. The surviving members of the family belong to the 
United Norwegian Lutheran church, which Mr. Thomasgaard has served 
six years as trustee and six years as treasurer. 

C. O. Thomas, who conducts an ice cream parlor and variety store in 
Osseo, was born in Lodi, Wis., Oct. 14, 1879, son of Charles Edmond and 
Adeline (Odell) Thomas, and grandson of James and Polly (Lyman) 
Thomas. Charles Edmond Thomas was born in Canada, and was a pioneer 
in Lodi, Wis., where he farmed and worked in hardware stores. He died 
Nov. 11, 1915, and his wife died May 30, 1903. C. 0. Thomas was reared 
in his native place, and learned the trade of buttermaker there. Thus 
pi'epared he worked in creameries in Loyal, Wis., Osseo, and Poynette, Wis. 
In 1907 he came back to Osseo and entered the employ of John Carson, 
merchant. March 4, 1912, he purchased the variety store of A. B. Arvidson, 
and this he has since successfully conducted. He has a lunch counter and 
ice cream parlor, and handles soft drinks, cigars, pipes, tobacco, bakery 
goods, fancy groceries, candy and nuts, fruits and vegetables, sporting 
goods, kodaks and kodak supplies, books and magazines, 5- and 10-cent 
goods, toys, jewelry and post cards. He also has a clothing department, 
taking orders for custom-made clothes. Mr. Thomas' financial holdings 
include stock in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and in the Farmers' Elevator, 
both of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and 
Modern Woodmen, and he is a member of the Osseo Band. Mr. Thomas 
was married Aug. 15, 1906, to Emma Nelson, daughter of Eric and Betsy 
(Roberts) Nelson. 

Ador G. Peterson, manager of the electric Hght plant at Blair, was born 
in Norway, Nov. 12, 1866, son of Guttorm Rognrud and Karen Braskerud, 
who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father dying in 
1890 at the age of 66 and the mother in 1878 at the age of 50 years. He 
was educated in the schools of his native land, and in 1888 came to this 
country and located in Blair. For a considerable period he divided his time 
between working in the pineries winters and on farms summers. As miller 
for W. G. Hyslop, at Blair, he did most efficient work for some seven years. 
For eight months Mr. Peterson was marshal at Blair. His fraternal affili- 
ations are with the Independent Foresters and the Beavers. Mr. Peterson 
was married Aug. 21, 1898, to Lottie Kvenmon, of Blair, the daughter of 
Christ and PeuneUie (Braskerud) Kvenmon, and this union has been blessed 
with seven children : Goldie, Alf , Alden, Gladys, Orrie, Robert and Pearl. 
The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 569 

Donald M. Phillips, D. D. S., of Galesville, was born in La Crosse County, 
Wis., July 30, 1891, a son of H. M. and Lillie (McKenzie) Phillips. The 
father was born in West Salem, Wis., April 5, 1868, and in early manhood 
was a farmer. He is now residing in Galesville, where he is in business as 
a bridge builder and contractor. His wife, the Doctor's mother, was born 
near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Phillips, who was the eldest of a 
family of six children, attended school in Galesville and subsequently took 
a preliminary college course from instructors connected with the University 
of Northern Indiana. His degree of D. D. S. was obtained later, after the 
usual course of study, from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. 
In 1914 he began practicing his profession in Galesville and has 
since remained here. He has already gained a good reputation 
for skill and the number of his patrons has steadily increased, so 
that he is kept busy most of the time. He owns some valuable property 
in Galesville. Dr. Phillips' fraternal affiliations are with the local Masonic 
lodge, of which he is now junior deacon, the Red Men, Beavers, Modern 
Woodmen of America and Yeomen. He is also a member of the Galesville 
Fire Department. Dec. 26, 1914, Dr. Phillips was married to Florence 
Song, of Evanston, 111., daughter of A. F. and Adeline (Ryerson) Song, both 
natives and present residents of Chicago, where her father is connected 
with the printing business. Dr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children: 
Donald M., Jr., who was born Jan. 7, 1916, and Robert Milton, born April 26, 
1917. 

Adolph C. Olson, harness manufacturer and dealer, now located at Blair, 
was born in Preston Township, this county, March 11, 1873, son of Carlos 
and Caroline (Christenson) Olson, and grandson of Andrew and Olea Chris- 
fenson, all of whom were born in Norway, and immigrated to the United 
States, Andrew Christenson and his family coming first and Carlos Olson 
coming in 1871. Left fatherless when but little more than a year old, 
Adolph C. Olson, was reared by his mother and grandparents until he was 
10 years of age, at which time he was adopted by Andrew Shelly, a farmer 
of Springfield Township, Jackson County, Wis. At the age of 24 he started 
out for himself, and for several years was employed as a farm hand. In 
1900 he began to learn the trade of harnessmaking under Ed. Arneson, of 
Taylor, this State. He came to Blair in 1904 and purchased a half interest 
in the shop of A. H. Boe. For several years the business was conducted 
under the firm name of Boe & Olson. Then, in 1907, Mr. Olson bought out 
his partner, and has since been the sole owner and proprietor. He manu- 
factures and repairs leather goods and horse supplies. A substantial man 
in the community, he has been especially prominent in the local lodge of 
the Sons of Norway, in which he has been vice-president since 1912. He 
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. His religious affiliations are 
with the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson was married Nov. 
2, 1904, to Olive Peterson, daughter of Ole and Lena Peterson, formerly 
of Jackson County, this State, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olson 
have had three children : Lillian (died at the age of 4 years) , Agnes and 
Lloyd. 

Glaus and Carl Thompson, proprietors of 187 acres of land in section 



570 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

16, Unity Township, are the sons of Klemet and Cecil (Sletto) Tandlokken, 
and were born on the family homestead in Unity Township — Glaus, Feb. 8, 
1883, and Carl, Feb. 6, 1885. The original family name of Tandlokken has 
been Americanized to Thompson. The father, Klemet, who was born in 
Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, came to America in 1865, settling first in Vernon 
County, Wis., where he remained until 1870. He then purchased the farm 
in Unity Township now owned by his sons Olaus and Carl and spent the 
rest of his hfe in its improvement. His death took place January 16, 1909. 
His wife Cecil was born in Norway, June 26, 1854, and died Aug. 8, 1916. 
There were seven children in their family, of whom the two brothers above 
mentioned are the only ones now living. Carl Thompson was married June 

21, 1911, to Nettie Nelson, of Unity Township, who was born in this town- 
ship Sept. 4, 1876, daughter of Peder and Karen (Anderson) Nelson. Her 
father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 

22, 1843, son of Nels Peterson and Christina, his wife, and came to America 
in 1866, settling in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained two years. In 
1869 he located on his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Unity Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, where he has since remained, having well 
improved the farm. He was married, April 26, 1868, to Karen Anderson, 
of Vernon County, Wis., who was born in Norway, Oct. 21, 1841, and whose 
father, Andrew, died in Norway. Peder Nelson and wife were the parents 
of six children : Nels, who died at the age of 6 years ; Marcus and Matilda, 
residing at home ; Nettie, who is now Mrs. Carl Thompson ; Albert, who 
married Selma Johnson, resides in Minneapolis and has had one child, 
Lincoln, who died at the age of 9 years ; and Palma, who married Gust Peter- 
son, of St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thompson have one child, Mabel Sylvia, 
who was born Dec. 13, 1912. Both Carl and Olaus Thompson are stock- 
holders in the Farmers' Bank of Osseo. They are members of the Sjoiod 
Norwegian Lutheran church, of Strum. Carl has served two years as 
township supervisor. 

Louis J. Schansberg, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits as proprie- 
tor of Meadow Lake Farm of 155 acres, situated in section 24, Lincoln town- 
ship, was born in Vernon County, Wis., near Chaseburg, Oct. 16, 1881. He 
is a son of John Schansberg, who was born in Norway in October, 1841, and 
who came to the United States in 1860, locating in Vernon County, Wis., 
where he resided until 1897. In that year John Schansberg removed to 
Trempealeau County, settling on the farm where his son Louis J. now 
resides, and which he cultivated until 1907. He then sold it to the latter and 
retired to a small farm near Whitehall, where he is now living. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Berget Steenberg, is still living, being now 69 
years old. Louis J. Schansberg resided at home working with his father 
until 1907, in which year he bought the home farm with his brother, Henry 
J., and they operated it together in partnership until 1912, when Louis 
purchased his brother's interest in the place and has since remained sole 
proprietor. The buildings include a two-story, seven-room house, with full 
basement, and provided with furnace, bath, toilet and all necessary con- 
veniences. In 1916 Mr. Schansberg built an ell-shaped, frame bam,- the 
main part being 32 by 60 feet, and the ell 34 by 44, with concrete blocks four 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 571 

feet from the bottom, and 17 feet above the blocks. It is furnished with 
25 Louden stanchions and Utter carrier, and has concrete floors, concrete 
mangers and individual drinking fountains. He has also two silos — one 
a stave silo, 14 by 29 feet, the other of cement blocks, 12 by 29. Mr. 
Schansberg keeps graded Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 45 head, of 
which he milks 20 ; he also feeds 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs a year. Aside from 
his direct farming interests, he is a director and vice-president of the Pigeon 
Grain & Stock Company. Since 1909 he has been treasurer of joint district 
No. 1, of Lincoln and Pigeon Townships, has served on the township board 
two years and as township treasurer two years. April 7, 1907, Mr. 
Schansberg was married to Clara Simonson, who was born in Pigeon Town- 
ship, this county, Dec. 18, 1878, and whose father, Peter Simonson, now a 
retired farmer of that township, came to America from Norway in 1870. 
Her mother, whose maiden name was Helena Weverstad, is now 78 years old. 
Mr. and Mrs. Schansberg have five children : Selma V., born Jan. 28, 1908 ; 
Odell N., born June 19, 1909; Helen, born March 13, 1912; Lawrence, born 
Dec. 31, 1914, and Ralph H., born Jan. 8, 1917. The family are members 
of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Schansberg has 
been secretary since 1911. 

Paul Sura, a well-known real estate dealer and business man of Inde- 
pendence, was born in this village, June 11, 1880, a son of Peter and Agatha 
(Lucasek) Sura. The father, who was born in Germany, came to America 
in 1857, was the first Polish settler in Burnside and died May 11, 1879, 
at the age of 79 years. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who was 
his father's second wife, is still living in the village, being now 60 years of 
age. Peter Sura had a large family numbering 18 children, nine by each 
wife, all of those by the first wife being now dead. Paul Sura, who was 
the second-born child of the second marriage, after beginning industrial 
life worked out for others for some seven years. He then, in 1904, bought 
the saloon of Ignaatz Jelen in Independence and has since carried on business 
here, occupying a modern brick building of two stories with basement, 46 
by 28 feet in dimensions. He deals in real estate and has recently built a 
modern garage, a brick building of two stories and basement, with concrete 
floors, 30 by 60 feet, with machine shop, washing rack and all necessary 
fixtures. He deals in Oldsmobiles (8's and 4's) and Dodge Bros, cars, 
together with all supplies and accessories. He is also a stockholder and was 
a promoter of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence. Mr. 
Sura was married Nov. 16, 1904, to Annie Woychik, of Independence, a 
daughter of Thomas and Frances (Gierok) Woychik, her father being a 
farmer. He and his wife have three children: Benedict, Lucy and Clar- 
ence. Mr. Sura is a member of the CathoMc church. Active and enter- 
prising, he takes a keen interest not only in the advancement of his own 
fortunes, but also in the general prosperity of the village and is prompt to 
lend his aid to a worthy cause. 

Marcus Olson, who is conducting a farm of 78 acres in sections 10 and 
15, Gale Township, was born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, 
Wis., Dec. 28, 1873, son of Samuel and Bertha (Larson) Olson. The 
parents were natives of Berey, Norway, in which country they were mar- 



572 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ried. On coming to this country they settled near Sparta, Wis., from which 
place they later removed to Ettrick Township, where Samuel Olson engaged 
in farming. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted eai'ly in the Fif- 
teenth Wisconsin Volunteers, Company B, and served until the close of the 
war, escaping death, wounds and imprisonment. He is now a resident of 
Gale Township, and is a widcTwer, his wife having died in February, 1900. 
Their family was large, numbering 12 children, Marcus being the fourth in 
order of birth. Marcus Olson was obliged to support himself at the early 
age of 10 years, working for his clothing and board. Besides doing farm 
work, he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for a number of 
years at intervals. Later he engaged in hauling cream to the creamery at 
Galesville and was thus occupied for 12 years. In 1907 he bought his 
present farm and has since resided on it, carrying on general farming and 
dairying. He has made extensive improvements on the place and now has 
good modern buildings with an adequate supply of tools and implements 
and all the accessories needed for modern agriculture. Besides operating 
his farm he still hauls cream to the creamery. Mr. Olson was married, 
June 15, 1899, to Julia Jurgensen, who was born at French Creek, Ettrick 
Township, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Johnson) Jurgensen. Her 
parents were natives of Norway, the father born June 15, 1830, the mother 
in 1834. Simon Jurgensen, who died in August, 1916, was a Civil War 
veteran, having enlisted in the same company and regiment as Samuel Olson, 
the father of the subject of this sketch. Receiving a gunshot wound in 
battle, he was sent home disabled, but recovering sufficiently, he returned 
to the army and served until the close of the war. The greater part of his 
life was spent in farming. His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Juha, 
who was the ninth born in a family of 12 children, was educated in the 
schools of Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of six 
children : Aslang Lelma, Bert Selinar, Mabel Josephine, Lester Vilas, Clar- 
ence Richard and Hazel Irene, all of whom are residing at home. The 
Olson family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his 
political allegiance to the Republican party, but is not active in politics, 
devoting his entire attention to his farm, his cream route and his home. 

Louis Crawford Olson, manager of the Arctic Springs Creamery at 
Galesville, was born at Wild Rose, Waushara County, Wis., May 13, 1885. 
His parents were Louis and Ida (Nelson) Olson. The father, who was 
born in Norway, June 5, 1849, was brought to the United States when a 
child of four years and was reared in Wisconsin, becoming a farmer and land 
owner near Wild Rose. He has held various local offices and is still in 
active life. His parents reside in that vicinity. His wife Ida was born in 
Sheboygan, Wis., April 10, 1855. Louis Crawford Olson was the youngest 
of four children, of whom three are still living. He attended the grammar 
and high school at Wild Rose, also business college in Grand Rapids, Wis., 
subsequently taking a course in dairying at the University of Wisconsin. 
When about 18 years of age he was given the practical management of his 
parents' farm and remained at home until about 1911, when he entered the 
employ of the Wild Rose Creamery Company, with whom he remained two 
years. It was immediately after this that he took the dairy course at the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 573 

university. He then spent a year in Peshtigo, Wis., at the end of which 
tirtie he came to Galesville to assume the duties of his present position. He 
is also a stockholder in the Wild Rose Creamery Company, but devotes his 
entire time to the creamery in Galesville. Mr. Olson v^fas married June 5, 
1913, to Jane Ramsdale, who was born in Madison, Wis., daughter of Frank 
and Mary (Jones) Ramsdale. Her parents were natives, respectively of 
Madison and Cambria, Wis. The father, who was a printer in early life, 
about the year 1900 became connected with the State Fish Commission, and 
is at present in its employ. He and his wife reside at Wild Rose, Wis. Mr. 
and Mrs. Olson are the parents of a daughter, Lorraine Clara. Mr. Olson 
belongs to the Masonic lodge at Wild Rose, No. 274, and to the Eastern Star 
in Galesville. In politics he is a Republican. 

Henry Russell, proprietor of the Russell farm of 190 acres in section 4, 
Burnside Township, was born on this farm Oct. 4, 1874, son of William and 
Christina (Cooper) Russell, who were married in Scotland, their native land. 
William Russell was born in 1834 and his wife Christina Nov. 26, 1840, the 
former's birthplace being Edinburgh. In 1863 William, with his wife, four 
children, and his wife's parents, Henry and Isabelle (McKay) Russell, 
emigrated to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania, where 
William Russell found employment in the coal mines. In the spring of the 
following year all the other members of the family came to Trempealeau 
County, Wis., he joining them in the fall. Here he bought the farm now 
owned by his son Henry, the subject of this sketch. At the time he did 
so he had neither team nor tools for agricultural purposes and the family 
was destitute of furniture. How they managed to get along and achieve 
final prosperity might well puzzle anyone brought up under modern condi- 
tions, but they accomplished this seemingly impossible task, after enduring 
many severe privations. Obtaining a few tools, perhaps by borrowing 
from his neighbors, who were always ready to help newcomers, Mr. Russell 
erected a small log house, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, having a puncheon 
floor and slab roof, which was the family home for some years; and by 
some arrangement he obtained the use of an ox team for breaking the land. 
His subsequent labors were similar to those of other pioneers, which may 
be found often described in this volume. Here William Russell lived and 
toiled for 22 years, or until his death in 1886. He had made good progress 
with his fai'm and its subsequent development has since been taken care 
of by his son Henry, now the owner of the property, with whom resides 
the latter's mother, and other members of the family. One of the most 
recent improvements is a good barn, built in 1916, which measures 38 by 
70 by 20 feet. It is of frame construction, except for the lower four feet, 
which is of concrete blocks, and has cement floors all through, being also 
provided with steel stanchions, litter carriers and other modern conven- 
iences. Mr. Russell has a herd of 35 Durham cattle, of which he milks 15, all 
being high-grade animals, while he raises the various crops indigenous to 
this region. For fifteen years he has served as clerk of the school board. He 
was married June 7, 1899, to Allie Back, of Chimney Rock Township, daugh- 
ter of George and Charlotte (Branch) Back, her father being a well-known 
farmer of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children : Russell 



574 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU ( ^UNTY 

A., born in September, 1900, and Christina, born in December, 1908. The 
following is a brief record of the children of William and Christina (Cooper) 
Russell: Alexander, who died in 1891; Mary, wife of A. W. Liver, a mer- 
chant of Independence, Wis. ; Isabelle, who married William Koepke, of 
Racine, Wis., and died in 1910 ; Christina, who died in 1892 ; Henry, proprie- 
tor of the old homestead ; William, now a farmer at Portland, Ore. ; and Tona, 
wife of Albert Olson, a farmer of Preston Township, this county. 

Peter C. Skroch, a well-known business man of Independence, agent for 
the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse, was born in German 
Poland Aug. 12, 1864, a son of John and Mary (Sobota) Skroch. The father, 
John Skroch, a native of German Poland, came to the United States in 1882 
and, settling in Trempealeau County, Wis., bought a farm in Lincoln Town- 
ship, where he resided until 1900, when he retired to Independence. He died 
Jan. 14, 1916, aged 84 years. His wife Mary died Dec. 25, 1911, at the age 
of 63. Peter C. Skroch was reared on the home farm in Lincoln Township 
and lived there until his marriage. He then engaged in mason work in 
Independence. In 1889 he accepted his present position as agent for the 
G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse. Since 1892 he has held the 
office of assessor in Independence. He is a stockholder and was one of 
the organizers of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. A 
member of the Catholic church, he has been secretary of the Congregation 
Sts. Peter and Paul for five years. He is president and was one of the 
organizers of Sts. Peter and Paul Society, having held the office of president 
seven years. This society is a branch (No. 14) of the Polish Union of 
America. In politics Mr. Skroch is a Democrat. Mr. Skroch was first 
married, Sept. 8, 1892, to Mary Sygula, of Burnside Township, who died in 
1900 at the early age of 28 years. She left two children : Mary, now Mrs. 
John Klink, of Independence; and Rosa, a clerk in Garthus' store in this 
village, who resides at home. June 6, 1904, Mr. Skroch married for his 
second wife Rosa Firlus, of St. Paul. Of this union there are six children : 
Aloysius, Clara, Martha, Alphonse, Helen and Clarence. 

Simon Skroch, a business man of Independence, of which village he is 
now postmaster, was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., 
Oct. 28, 1885. His parents were Frank and Agnes (Sobota) Skroch. The 
father, who was born in German Poland, came to America in 1880, settling in 
Burnside Township, this county, where he died in 1892 at the age of 58 
years. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1903 at the age 
of 52. They had 10 children, of whom Simon was the ninth in order of birth. 
He received his education in the parochial school and the Independence 
High School, graduating from the latter in 1903. Simon Skroch in his 
youth acquired a knowledge of farming, and from. 1904 to 1908 worked 
at that occupation for his brother Michael. From 1910 to 1914 he earned a 
good living as painter and paper-hanger, following that occupation at Inde- 
pendence. Dec. 22, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Independence 
by President Wilson, and has since retained that office. In politics he is a 
strong Democrat. Aside from his immediate occupation, he is a stock- 
holder in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. He belongs 
to the Knights of Columbus in Arcadia and is a member of the Catholic 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 575 

church. Oct. 13, 1914, Mr. Skroch was united in marriage with Lucy Zilla, 
of Independence, who was born Dec. 11, 1892, daughter of John F. and Agnes 
(Motszko) Zilla. Her father, who was a plumber by trade, died in 1907 
at the age of 39 years. Her mother is still living and resides in Inde- 
pendence, being now 44 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Skroch have one child, 
Florence, who was born May 8, 1916. 

Edwin C. Hanson, of the firm of Hanson & Johnson, hardware and 
implement dealers of Blair, is a native of the village where he now lives, 
having been born April 9, 1881, son of Christ C. and Bertha (Peterson) Blair, 
the former of whom, a retired merchant now living in Blair, came to 
America in 1869, and found his way directly to Trempealeau County. 
Edwin C. Hanson remained at home until 20 years of age, and then became 
timekeeper in an iron mine at Ely, Minn. Returning to Blair, he clerked 
for a number of years in the store of G. L. Solberg. Sept. 12, 1912, he 
purchased the hardware stock of F. L. Immel, and on Jan. 1, 1913, the 
implement stock of A' B. Peterson, carrying on the joint business under 
his own name until Jan. 20, 1915, when he took Oscar B. Johnson as a 
partner under the firm name of Hanson & Johnson. May 1, 1916, they 
purchased the building on the corner of Broadway and Gilbert Street, and 
have since carried on business there. The structure is a brick-veneered 
building, 28 by 64 feet, two-story with a basement, steam heated and modern 
throughout, and the firm carries a complete line of goods, being known far 
and wide for its reasonable prices and honest dealings. Mr. Hanson has 
done good service on the village council for six years. His fraternal rela- 
tions are with the Modern Woodmen, the Sons of Norway and the Beavers. 
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson 
was married Oct. 30, 1907, to Helga Olson, born in Hale Township, Aug. 8, 
1880, daughter of Ole C. and Martha (Paulson) Hanson, the former of 
whom came from Norway in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson had three chil- 
dren: Bessie, who died in infancy; Corinne, born Nov. 20, 1910, and Helen 
E., born Oct. 20, 1914. 

Michael J. Romui\dstad, proprietor of Valley View Farm, Unity Town- 
ship, a highly improved piece of agricultural property, was born on this 
farm, Jan. 27, 1874, son of Ole J. and Gertrude 0. Romundstad. The father 
was one of the early settlers in this locality. Born in Rindalen, near Trond- 
jem, Norway, Sept. 3, 1840, he came to the United States in the spring of 
1869 and homesteaded the farm on which his son Michael J. now lives. 
This farm now consists of 280 acres, of which 200 lie in section 4 and the 
other 80 in section 33. Here Ole J. Romundstad spent some 37 years, adding 
to the size of his farm and improving it by cultivation and the erection of 
buildings as needed until it became a valuable piece of property. His labori- 
ous career was brought to a close by death, Sept. 10, 1906. His wife 
Gertrude, who was born in the same part of Norway as himself, Oct. 23, 
1847, came to this country in the spring of 1870, their marriage taking 
place Nov. 7, that year. She is still living and resides with her son, Michael 
J. Their family numbered nine children: John, a farmer at Fergus, 
Mont.; Odin, who is engaged in ranching at that place; Michael J., subject 
of this sketch ; Ellen, wife of John Karo, a farmer of Fergus, Mont. ; Mollie, 



576 HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

wife of Dan Moltzau, a farmer of Fergus, Mont.; Marit, wife of Harry 
Haanstad, a sawyer of Medford, Wis. ; Louisa, now Mrs. Anton Clementson, 
her husband being a merchant at Mondovi, Wis. ; Annie, wife of H. P. Frodal, 
of Shevlin, Minn., her husband being a farmer; and Olga, wife of Harry 
Oquist, a farmer of Roy, Mont. Michael J. Romundstad has resided on his 
present farm — the old parental homestead — all his life, becoming its man- 
ager in 1905 and its owner in 1906, after his father's death, he purchasing 
the property. The improvements are very extensive, and include a bam, 
20 by 52 by 18 feet, for horses ; another barn, 30 by 50 by 16 feet, with an ell, 
24 by 52 by 18 feet, having cement flooi's and equipped with steel stanchions ; 
also a residence of frame construction, two stories and basement, and con- 
taining ten rooms. Among his other buildings are a skimming house, 10 
by 12 feet ; a granary, 20 by 32 by 14, and a machine shed, 32 by 22 by 8 feet, 
these three being frame buildings, together with a concrete silo, 14 by 33 
feet. Mr. Romundstad keeps a herd of 32 Shorthorn cattle, graded, and also 
raises Plymouth Rock chickens. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Ex- 
change Bank, of Osseo, and the Unity Co-Operative Creamery, of Strum. 
As one of the responsible citizens of Unity Township, he has been called 
upon several times to aid in local government affairs, having been a member 
of the township board four years, school clerk four years and assessor one 
year. June 2, 1909, Mr. Romundstad was united in marriage with Marie 
Fossum, of Eau Claire, Wis., who was born in that city Dec. 26, 1886, 
daughter of Anton and Mathia (Johnsgaard) Fossum, her father being a 
carpenter by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Romundstad are the parents of four 
children born as follows: Ohve, July 6, 1910; Muriel, Dec. 9, 1911 ; Astrid, 
Sept. 23, 1914, and Gjermund, Feb. 25, 1916. The family are members of 
.the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Claud Harrison Hare, proprietor of a dairy and stock farm of 160 acres 
in section 12, Gale Township, was born in Trempealeau Township, this 
county, Oct. 6, 1888, son of William and Aurilla (Hovell) Hare. His parents 
were natives of Wisconsin, the father born in La Crosse County, Sept. 4, 
1860, and the mother in Trempealeau County, Oct. 31, 1870. William Hare 
became a land owner in this county in 1887 and has always been a farmer. 
He still resides on his old homestead of 180 acres and is one of the active 
agriculturalists of his township. He and his wife have been the parents 
of four children. Claud H. was the first born. Claud H. Hare in his boy- 
hood attended District School No. 13, which was located on his father's farm. 
He learned agriculture under his father's tuition and lived at home until 
he was 20 years of age. He then worked on a dairy farm for two years, 
afterward moving to Galesville, where he resided for five months, during 
this period being engaged in operating a threshing outfit. At the end of 
that time — in December — he rented the Harris farm in Big Tamarac and 
operated it until December, 1913, when he purchased his present farm of 
160 acres of improved land. This he is operating as a general dairy farm 
and stock farm, giving particular attention to the breeding of Durham 
cattle. He is not active in politics, preferring to give his entire attention 
to his business, which is growing larger each year. June 30, 1909, Mr. 
Hare was united in marriage with Mabel Harnslein, who was born at French- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 577 

ville, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Andrew and Julia (Sagen) 
Harnslein. Her father, who also was born at Frenchville, this county, and 
raised there, was a ti-aveling salesman up to the time of his death, Nov. 
4, 1911. His wife, Mrs. Hare's mother, who is a sister of Ole Sagen, of 
Galesville, was born in Norway, Sept. 6, 1862. Mrs. Hare was educated in 
Trempealeau County, attending the Galesville High School and also Gale 
College. She and her husband are the parents of two children : Lyle Fern 
and Ruth Mae. Mr. Hare's fraternal society affiliations are with the Yeo- 
men and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family stand high 
in the community and have a wide circle of friends. 

Walter Hunter, a well-known farmer in section 35, Gale Township, was 
born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, this township, Aug. 12, 1863. 
His parents were Thomas and Agnes (Grant) Hunter. He was educated in 
the district school and remained at home until he was 20 years old. He then 
went to Cheyenne, Wyo., under contract and for one summer was employed 
in cutting wood for the soldiers at old Fort Laramie. He then went to 
southwestern Nebraska, where he homesteaded Government land, residing 
there until the spring of 1902, and during this time being engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raising on a tract of 320 acres, which he sold in 1906, four 
years after his return home. In 1902 he purchased his present farm of 
120 acres of valley land, which adjoins his father's farm in section 35, and 
here he has since carried on general farming, devoting his entire time to 
the business. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company 
and in the Independent Harvester Company at Piano, 111. Mr. Hunter was 
married April 28, 1892, to Jeanette Oliver, daughter of Robert and Mary 
(Scott) Oliver. Her parents, who were natives of Lanarkshire, Scotland, 
were early settlers in Trempealeau County, Mr. Oliver becoming an extensive 
land owner here. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have a family of eight children: 
John, Lucian, William, Agnes, Mamie, Ollie, Norman and Donald, all of 
whom reside at home. 

■ Frederick A. Smith, senior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard- 
ware and implement dealers of Osseo, was born at Bedford, near Cleveland, 
Ohio. Sept. 25, 1853, son of Matthias M. and Ehzabeth (Thomas) Smith. 
The family moved to Richland County, Wis., when Frederick A. was an 
infant, and there he was reared. In the spring of 1877 he came to Trempea- 
leau County, and entered the employ of C. H. Shores & Co., general mer- 
chants. In 1888, with his brother, James W., he established his present 
business, and has since been successfully engaged therein. His standing 
as a citizen is shown by the fact that he has served as president of the vil- 
lage for 13 years. He has also been treasurer of the village, a member of 
the school board, and an assessor in the township of Sumner. His fraternal 
affiliation is with the Masonic order. Mr. Smith was married Nov. 4, 1874, 
to Mary E. Jaquish, daughter of Joseph and Antoinette Jaquish, of Rich- 
land County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Charles G., 
who works in his father's store ; Frank M., who farms near Osseo ; and Julia, 
the wife of Leslie H. Field, also a farmer near Osseo. Mrs. Smith died 
Feb. 17, 1917. The firm of Smith Brothers, which does a large business, 
and which by fair dealing and sound business integrity has built up a large 



578 HISTORY OP TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

trade, had its origin in 1888, when Frederick A. and James W. Smith bought 
the business of A. G. Cox, estabHshed in 1876, and continued it on an en- 
larged scale. The original structure was burned in 1891, and the firm 
erected a new building, 24 by 60 feet, brick veneered, fully equipped for its 
purpose in every way. The firm handles hardware, implements, paints, 
leather goods and the like. 

James W. Smith, junior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard- 
ware and implement dealers, of Osseo, was born in Richland County, Wis., 
March 30, 1857, son of Matthias M. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Smith. He 
received his education in the public schools, and as a young man taught 
school in various Wisconsin districts. For a time he was merchant and 
postmaster at Neptune, Wis. In 1888 he came to Osseo, and established 
his present business. With the exception of the year 1900, he has been 
clerk of the village of Osseo since its organization in 1893, and in this 
capacity has done most excellent service. The Congregational church has 
found in him an active worker, and he has served that organization as treas- 
urer since 1889 and as superintendent of the Sunday school since 1894. Mr. 
Smith was married Dec. 25, 1882, to Delia M. Warner, who was bom in Rich- 
land County, Wis., and died at Osseo, June 17, 1891. 

Sivert Rekstad. Among the leading farmers and business men of 
Unity Township is the subject of this sketch, who was born near Trondjem, 
Norway, July 8, 1852, son of John E. and Kari Rekstad. Both parents 
died in Norway, the father, who was a farmer, in 1863, and the mother in 
1893. Sivert Rekstad came to America in June, 1873, locating first in Ish- 
peming, Mich., where he worked as a carpenter for one year. Then going 
to Eau Claire, he found employment in the sawmiU and pineries, spending 
one year in these closely related occupations. Subsequently until 1883 he 
worked as a carpenter and on farms in Unity Township, and at the end of 
that time purchased the farm he now owns in section 19, Unity Township, 
and which contains 172 acres and is known as Pine Grove Farm. This 
property is highly improved, the buildings, which are fine in appearance 
and substantially constructed, consisting of the following: A barn, 32 by 
60 by 18 feet ; horse barn, 20 by 42 by 16, with an addition of 16 by 16 feet ; 
sheep barn, 24 by 32, with an ell 12 by 22 feet ; granary, 20 by 32 feet, and 
a good frame residence of one and a half stories. Besides carrying on this 
farm Mr. Rekstad has been actively interested for a number of years in other 
important business enterprises. For 14 years he was manager of the N. C. 
Foster Lumber Company, of Strum, and then for two years he held the same 
position for their successors, the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company, and 
during the two following years was manager for the North Star Lumber 
Company, successors to the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company. In 1908 he 
assisted in organizing the First State Bank of Strum, of which he has since 
been a director. He was its vice-president for two years and since Jan. 1, 
1916, has held the office of president. Jan. 1, 1911, he became treasurer 
of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery and still holds that position. He was 
treasurer of the town of Unity for five years, town clerk two years and 
treasurer of the school district 33 years, has been identified with the Mutual 
Insurance Company of Ettrick for 35 years. Mr. Rekstad was married. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 579 

June 23, 1882, to Annie Knutson, who was born in Brown County, Kan., Aug. 
17, 1859. He and his wife have been the parents of six children : Christo- 
phine, who is residing at home ; Mary, residing at home, and a teacher in the 
parochial school ; Martha, a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at Eau Claire ; 
Joseph, who died when 31/2 years of age; Clara, a music teacher living at 
home; and Katrine, who is a student at St. Olaf's College at Northfield, 
Minn. Mr. Rekstad and his family are members of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran church, of which he has been secretary since 1880. Both as a 
farmer and business man he has made an excellent record and is highly 
respected throughout Unity and neighboring townships. 

Peter J. Callahan, a prosperous farmer in section 5 South, Ettrick 
Township, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 9", 1859, son of James and 
Katherine (O'Keefe) Callahan. His parents were born in County Kerry, 
Ireland, the father in March, 1825, and the mother in 1839, their marriage 
taking place in Boston. James Callahan was 30 years old when he came 
to the United States. He was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade and 
was thus employed in Boston for a number of years. In 1864 he came from 
that city to Wisconsin and homesteaded land in section 32, this township, 
which place he has since developed into a good farm with substantial build- 
ings, and is still active in agricultural work. During his early years in this 
vicinity he followed at times his trade of carpenter, and many of the old 
residences here were built by him. His wife is also living. Peter J. Callahan 
was the second born in a family of four children. He was educated in the 
district school and remained at home until 20 years of age. He then began 
working in the northern woods, and continued working for others until 
he was 25, when he bought his present farm. He had some previous experi- 
ence in farming, starting when a lad of eight or nine years, when he used 
to lead the oxen his father used in plowing and subsequently assisted his 
father in other branches of farm work. After buying his farm Mr. Callahan 
resided on it for two and a half years and then went to La Crosse, where 
he entered the employ of a firm for whom he traveled for eight or nine 
years. He then returned to his farm, which consists of 80 acres of valu- 
able land. He is carrying on general farming with some stock raising, 
breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is also a stockholder in the Ettrick & 
Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Callahan was married June 25, 1892, 
to Catherine Corcoran, who was born at Ettrick, this county, daughter of 
John and Catherine (McKay) Corcoran. Her father, who was born in 
County Kerry, Ireland, in 1825, was a farmer all his active hfe, coming 
to Trempealeau County in 1864, and residing here until his death in 1875. 
Mrs. Callahan's mother was born at Horseheads, Pa., Jan. 15, 1833, and in 
her younger days was a cook on the Erie canal, having 40 cooks under her 
supervision, her husband being employed on the canal at the same time. 
They were thrifty and industrious people and a valuable addition to the 
farming community of their township. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are the 
parents of two children: Catherine Mae and Arnold James. Catherine 
Mae, who was born Aug. 27, 1893, is the wife of William Bishop, of Canadian 
birth, and they reside on the Callahan farm. They have two children: 
William Stanley and Catherine Fay. Ai'nold James Callahan was born 



580 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Aug. 2, 1896. Alter graduating from the local schools he attended the 
La Crosse normal school and has taught school for four terms, making a 
creditable record. Mr. Callahan is a member of the Catholic Order of For- 
esters, he and his family being members of the Cathohc church, in which he 
is serving as a trustee. In politics he is independent, though usually voting 
the Democratic ticket. 

Melvin P. Skogstad, the energetic cashier of the Farmers Exchange 
Bank, of Osseo, of which he is one of the organizers, was born in Chimney 
Rock Township, Aug. 18, 1886, son of Peter J. and Mary (Hanson) Skogstad. 
Peter J. Skogstad was born in Norway, came to America in 1865 with his 
parents, lived in Dane County, this state, a number of years, came to Trem- 
pealeau County in 1868, and for several years has been associated with his 
son-in-law, Harvey Havenor, at Eleva, Wis., in the hardware and imple- 
ment business. In the family there were six children: Clara died at the 
age of ten months ; Cora is the wife of Harvey Havenor, a hardware man 
in Eleva; Melvin P. is the subject of this sketch; Luella is the wife of Ben 
Bergerson, a farmer of Albion Township ; Henry is at home ; Palmer served 
as clerk for a time in the First State Bank of Strum, and now making his 
home at Eleva. Melvin P. Skogstad remained on the farm until twenty 
years of age. Then he entered the State Bank of Strum, where he was 
bookkeeper until the spring of 1911, when he became cashier. May 1, 1916, 
he organized the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo, and has since been its 
cashier. Fraternally Mr. Skogstad is a member of the Masonic order and 
of the Modern Woodmen. He was married May 10, 1913, to Goldie Cardinal, 
of Sumner Township, born Sept. 9, 1894, daughter of Samuel and Emma 
(Olson) Cardinal, both of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad have two 
children: Marjorie Eleanor, born Feb. 22, 1914, and Stanford Pierre, born 
March 19, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran 
Church of America at Osseo. 

Charles F. Peterson, M. D., of Independence, a man of excellent stand- 
ing in his profession, was born in Pomerania, Prussia, June 5, 1871. His 
father, August Peterson, born in Germany in 1838, came to the United 
States in 1884 and for some years operated a stone quarry at Arcadia, 
Trempealeau County, Wis. He died Jan. 25, 1917. August married Minnie 
Anklam, who was born in 1842 and came with her husband and the rest 
of their family to this country, including the subject of this sketch. She is 
no longer living, having passed away in 1904. Charles F. Peterson was 13 
years of age when he left Germany with his parents. He had attended 
school in his native land and after coming to Trempealeau County entered 
the Arcadia high school, where he was graduated in 1892. He taught eight 
years and in 1900 he was graduated from the River Falls (Wis.) normal 
school, and for the next two years followed the occupation of a teacher. 
As such he proved his ability and was principal of schools at Independence, 
Osceola and Galesville. In the meanwhile he entered medical college 
in 1902 and began the study of medicine and was graduated from the 
Northwestern Medical College at Chicago in 1907, while there becoming a 
member of the Phi Beta Pi college fraternity. On June 1 of the year of 
his graduation he opened an office in Independence, Wis., where he has built 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 581 

up a successful practice both in medicine and surgery. He has never 
allowed himself to get into a rut, but keeps in close touch with the advance 
of his profession, continuing his studies and subscribing for the best med- 
ical journals. He is a member of the county, state and national medical 
associations, being now secretary of the county association, of which he 
served as president one year. Aside from this he keeps up his interest in 
educational matters. He has been clerk of Independence school district 
since 1907, and it was he who started and kept up the agitation for the 
new and splendid school building, costing $32,000, which is at once an orna- 
ment to the town and an important factor in the training of the younger 
generation. This enterprise was not brought to fruition without consider- 
able labor on his part, for there were many who objected to the cost of the 
building, preferring to put off the work to some future time and to get 
along for the present with inferior accommodations, but Dr. Peterson and 
a few others looked farther ahead and finally brought a majority of the 
citizens to see the expediency of present and thorough action and the work 
was accomplished, which probably few of the original objectors are now 
sorry for. Dr. Peterson has also taken an active interest in the local library, 
having served as president of the board since 1908, in which position he has 
used his influence to augment the quantity and raise the qualitative 
standard of the books in the circulating department. He has also served 
as health oflScer of the village since 1908 and has been physician of Trem- 
pealeau County asylum since July 1, 1915. The State Bank of Independence 
numbers him among its stockholders. Dr. Peterson was first married Jan. 
18, 1896, to Julia Runkel, of Independence, a daughter of J. W. and Margaret 
(Steiner) Runkel. She died Feb. 13, 1904, at the early age of 28 years, 
having been the mother of two children: Maxwell, who died when a year 
old, and Donald, now (1917) aged 16 years. June 5, 1906, Dr. Peterson 
married for his second wife Helen Runkel, who is a sister of his first wife. 
They have a wide circle of friends in the best society of Independence. 

Ever A. Olson, M. D., has practiced medicine in Osseo for nearly forty 
years. Arriving here June 20, 1877, he at once opened an office, and with 
the exception of one year, 1889-90 spent in Sioux Falls, S. D., has since 
continued to live here. Aside from ministring to a constantly increasing 
number of patients he has been actively engaged in public life for many 
years. When the village of Osseo was organized he served as president 
of the first council, and continued in that position for four years. For 
thirty years he has been health officer of Osseo and Sumner Township. A 
conservative Republican in politics, he has been delegate to district, county 
and congressional conventions, and has served as a member of the Repub- 
lican County committee. His financial holdings include an interest in the 
Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. In the Masonic order he has passed 
through the chairs of the Blue Lodge, and is a member of the Chapter 
and Commandery. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mem- 
ber of the State Medical Society and the Eau Claire County Medical Society. 
He was married Feb. 28, 1875, to Helen E. Valleau, of Mauston, Wis., born 
in Lindina Township, Juneau County, Wis., Aug. 29, 1863, daughter of 
Theodore and Eliza (Linderman) Valleau, pioneers, who were married in 



582 HISTORY OF TREHIPEALEAU COUNTY 

Illinois, and settled in Juneau County in 1855, the former dying in 1913 at 
the age of 89 years. Mrs. Valleau died in Juneau County, July 8, 1917, aged 
89. Dr. and Mrs. Olson have a daughter, Blanche Louise, who was born 
Oct. 18, 1882, was married Nov. 27, 1909, to Dr. Roy C. Ferguson, a dentist 
of Osseo, and has two children, Marlen Neville and Virginia. Dr. Olson 
was bom near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 18, 1850, was brought to Wis- 
consin as an infant, passed through the schools of Mauston, in that state, 
and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa. 
His parents, Ole T. and Sarah (Everson) Olson, were born in Norway, came 
to America in 1853, and after living in Milwaukee, Wis., for a time went 
to Mauston, where the father engaged in the show business and where he 
still lives at the age of 92, the mother having died in 1894 at the age of 75 
years. Dr. Olson in 1900 spent four months in Europe, traveling extensively 
through Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, 
Ireland and Scotland. He attended the Paris Exposition and visited land 
of the midnight sun. He had the pleasure of viewing the midnight sun. 

John A. Rumpel, formerly a member of the firm of Rumpel & Coy, but 
now sole owner, having purchased the interest of Mr. Coy Jan. 15, 1917, 
engaged in the meat market and grocery business in Independence, was 
bom Jan. 11, 1892, in this village, son of Nicholas and Josephine (Filla) 
Rumpel. The father, a native of Poland, was formerly proprietor of the old 
Welcome House, which for many years was a well known landmark in this 
locality. He died in 1903 at the age of 42 years. His wife, now 50 years 
old, is living in Independence. John A. Rumpel after leaving school learned 
the butcher's trade in Independence and worked for others until the 
firm of Rumpel & Coy was organized, April 1, 1916. Then with George A. 
Coy he bought the business and fixtures of the Peter Filla Market, renting 
the building, which is a two-story brick structure with basement. He does 
his own killing and handles a full line of fresh and cured meats, groceries, 
canned goods and bakery goods. Though so recently started he has made 
good progress and his estabUshment is favorably known throughout this 
part of the county, enjoying a good and increasing patronage. Mr. Rumpel 
was married Nov. 3, 1914, to Anna Smick, of Independence, daughter of 
Juhus and Hattie (Blacha) Smick, her father being a retired fanner now 
residing at Elk Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Rumpel have one child, Marion Lucile, 
born Jan. 7, 1916. The family are members of the Catholic church. 

John B. Corcoran, a well known and popular citizen of Ettrick Village, 
engaged in the mail service as carrier, has lived in Trempealeau County all 
his life, having been born a quarter of a mile from the site of Ettrick, May 
15, 1858. His parents were James and Hannah (Callahan) Corcoran. 
James Corcoran was bom in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830, and his wife 
in Ireland in 1831. The former was a young man when he came to the 
United States, settling in New York State. For two years he was employed 
as clerk in the old Van Dusen Hotel at Elmira, N. Y., and then, about 1855, 
came west to Wisconsin, locating in Galesville, Trempealeau County. Here 
he entered the employ of Judge Gale, his wife — for he had married in New 
York State — boarding the men who were engaged in building the judge's 
residence, which now stands on the Gale farm. After being thus occupied 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 583 

for awhile James Corcoran, anxious to become independent, availed himself 
of the opportunity to homestead a farm on the East Branch, near Ettrick, 
and having secured this property, settled down to develop and improve it. 
There he resided until his death, which occurred about 1890. His wife 
survived him many years, dying in 1913. They had a family of seven chil- 
dren, of whom John B. was the first born. John B. Corcoran first attended 
school in the Ettrick district and distinctly remembers the small log shanty 
in which he mastered his A, B, C. Afterwards he went to school at French- 
ville, where he gained some further knowledge. He had to make himself 
useful at an early age, however, especially as being the eldest child and 
son he was the best able to assist his father. At that time he frequently 
drove cows over the site of the present village of Ettrick. Wild game was 
abundant and he has counted as many as 15 or 20 deer at one time, while 
there were also many beaver. When 12 years old he often used to haul 
wheat from Ettrick to Trempealeau with an ox team. Later he became a 
regular farm hand and also tried other industrial Lines, working some four 
or five years as a machinist in Ettrick, following the same trade for awhile 
in Galesville and later at Eau Claire, in which place he continued at it three 
years. Then returning to Ettrick he built a hotel and feed barn, and has 
continued in that business since, being now engaged in erecting a new hotel 
of 16 sleeping rooms, office, dining room, parlor and kitchen. The building 
is of brick veneer two full stories, with ground dimensions of 65 by 34 feet, 
and will be operated as a commercial hotel. Mr. Corcoran is now serving 
in his thirteenth year as railroad mail carrier from the Ettrick office and 
will continue in that occupation, his son, Edwin J., operating the hotel. He 
is also the owner of a farm of 160 acres, situated a mile and a quarter east 
of Ettrick on the south branch of Beaver Creek, and is a stockholder in the 
Ettrick & Northern Railroad. At times he has held office as a member of 
the township and school boards, his political principles being those of the 
Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic church at Ettrick. June, 
1884, Mr. Corcoran was married to Margaret Lane, who was born in 
La Crescent, Minn., daughter of Timothy and Mary (Buckley) Lane, her 
parents, like his own father, being natives of County Kerry, Ireland, though 
coming to America seven years later. They settled six miles east of Ettrick, 
on the Willie Mack farm, where they resided practically for the rest of 
their lives, though they finally retired and removed to Ettrick Village, 
where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Corcoran are the parents of three children : 
Edwin J., who resides in Ettrick and has charge of his father's hotel and 
barn; Florence, wife of Ray Trunbar, proprietor of a European hotel in 
Sioux City, Iowa, and Perry, who lives with his parents. Mr. Corcoran's 
fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Beavers. He is noted through- 
out this region as a skillful hunter, never missing a season of deer hunting 
in the north woods. Among his trophies of the chase are a jacket, gloves 
and mittens of buckskin, made from the hides of deer which he killed. 

Maurice Casey, Sr., in former years a well known farmer and stock 
dealer in Ettrick Township, but now deceased, was born at Fort Covington, 
N. Y., near the Canadian line, and was in early business life a stock dealer 
exclusively. He resided in the state of New York until 21 years of age, 



584 HISTORY OF TREirPEALEAU COUNTY 

coming to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, in 1858, to take advantage of 
the opportunity for buying cheap land in this section, then but partially 
developed. Homesteading land in Ettrick Township, he farmed there for 
many years, also at times deaUng in stock. Finally he retired to Ettrick 
Village, where, after for some time in quiet and easy circumstances, he died 
July 29, 1909. While not particularly active in public affairs, in early days 
he served as constable and was a member of the school board for a number 
of years. Mr. Casey married Helena Daley, a native of New York City, 
their marriage taking place in La Crosse, Wis. They were the parents of 
six children. Mrs. Helena Casey died in Ettrick some 18 months previous 
to her husband, on Dec. 4, 1907. They were highly respected people and 
had a multitude of friends. 

Maurice Casey, a prominent resident of Ettrick Village, where he is 
profitably engaged in the implement and automobile business, was born in 
Ettrick, this county, April 14, 1880, son of Maurice, Sr., and Helena (Daley) 
Casey. He attended school in Ettrick and at an early age was obliged to 
make himself useful on the home farm, speedily acquiring a knowledge of 
agricultural methods, stock raising, dairying and all branches of farming 
science. Up to the age of 19 years he assisted his father and then rented 
the latter's farm, which he operated for two years with his brother William 
as partner. At the end of that time he entered the employ of J. E. Cance, 
of Ettrick, in whose store he learned the tinsmith and plumbing business, 
continuing with Mr. Cance until 1912, at which time he engaged in his 
present business. He has a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, enjoys 
a good patronage, and his trade is steadily increasing. Mr. Casey is th3 
owTier of a good residence in Ettrick, besides three village lots, and is a 
stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Com- 
pany, and in Ettrick Hall. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers 
and the Modern Woodmen of America, he having been secretary of his 
camp in the latter order for the last 12 years. On March 16, 1911, Mr. Casey 
was united in marriage with Bertha Runnestrand, who was born in Ettrick, 
Wis., daughter of Knudt E. and Anna (Larson) Runnestrand, natives of 
Norway, her father coming to Ettrick in 1877. Further mention of the 
family may be found in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have one child, 
Helen Anna. In politics Mr. Casey is practically independent, though 
usually voting the Democratic ticket. He reserves the right, however, to 
judge of the fitness of candidates for public office, not being bound by strict 
party ties. As a citizen of Ettrick he has the interests of the general 
community at heart, and is quick to support any practical measure with 
that end in view. He and his family are well known and popular residents 
of the village. 

Andrew J. Beirne, who has a good farm of 160 acres in section 13, 
Gale Township, was born in the neighboring town of Ettrick, this county, 
Feb. 2, 1869, son of Thomas and Catherine (Smith) Beirne. Both parents 
were natives of Ireland, the father born in County Roscommon, Dec. 22, 
1821, and the mother in County Cavan, April 1, 1831. Coming to America 
in 1847, Thomas Beirne spent several years in the eastern states, and then, 
in the fifties, came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, homesteading a 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 585 

farm in Ettrick Township, on which he lived for half a century. Finally 
retiring, he took up his residence in the village of Ettrick, where he died 
Nov. 22, 1905. His wife did not long survive him, passing from this life 
in 1907. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Andrew J. was 
the eighth born. Andrew J. Beirne was educated in the district school of 
his neighborhood and while still young picked up a good knowledge of agri- 
culture on his father's farm, of which he had the practical charge after 
reaching the age of 16 years. He was married to Alice Crogan, who was 
born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Monahan) Crogan. 
Mrs. Beirne's father, Hugh Crogan, was born in County Roscommon, Ire- 
land, June 27, 1829, and had a somewhat adventurous career. When a 
young man he went to California, then the Mecca of gold seekers from all 
parts of the world, where men of every station in life mingled together in 
a wild scramble for sudden wealth, most of them, however, meeting only 
with disappointment, and not a few with speedy death, accidental or other- 
wise. Mr. Crogan was a man well able to take care of himself, and he 
remained in the state for a number of years, engaged in mining with mod- 
erate success. In 1866 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and 
purchased land, becoming a farmer in Ettrick Township, in which occupa- 
tion he continued until he was killed in a runaway accident on his farm in 
1876. His wife, Mary; who was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, May 
18, 1839, died Feb. 15, 1913, having survived him 36 years or more. Their 
daughter Alice was the fourth born in a family of five children. Mr. Beirne 
after his marriage continued on his father's farm for four years longer, 
and then settled on his present property, on which he has made all the 
improvements. He is engaged in general farming and is a stockholder in 
the Farmers Exchange of Galesville, the creamery at Galesville and the 
La Crosse Packing Company. He and his wife have seven children, born 
as follows : Lester Stephen, Dec. 7, 1895 ; Gerald Francis, April 19, 1900 ; 
Edward Joseph, Aug. 15, 1902; Myrtle Elizabeth, Aug. 7, 1904; Donald 
Andrew, April 12, 1906 ; Mary Katherine, May 31, 1907 ; and Smith Ray- 
mond, Jan. 17, 1914. The family are members of the Catholic church, and 
in politics Mr. Beirne is a Democrat, voting generally his party's ticket, but 
taking no active part in local government. 

George A. Markham, who from 1887 to 1909 was proprietor of the 
Independence News, was born in Independence, Trempealeau County, Wis., 
May 7, 1865, a son of George H. and Fannie (Bishop) Markham. His parents 
are still living in Independence, the father, a retired farmer, being now 80 
years old and the mother 76. George A. Markham acquired a good educa- 
tion, attending Gale College at Galesville, and afterwards the Winona nor- 
mal school. He learned the newspaper business in Galesville while attend- 
ing school, but subsequently remained on his parents' farm, raising fancy 
poultry, until the spring of 1887, when he branched out into newspaper 
work for himself, buying the Independence News, which he edited and 
published until his death, July 16, 1909. His premature demise, for he was 
only 44 years old, caused widespread regret, for he was a man of many 
friends, and in his journalistic work he never neglected any opportunity of 
advancing the interests of the community of which he was a prominent 



586 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

citizen, and where he had been born and passed so many years of his life. 
Mr. Markham was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada E. Rogers, who was born 
Dec. 26, 1867, in Burnside Township, this county, daughter of Alfred H. and 
Abby A. (Buzzell) Rogers. After Mr. Markham's death Mrs. Markham 
took charge of the office and has since continued the publication of the 
News. She is secretary of the library board and is active in a number 
of ways in promoting the general interests of the village. Religiously 
she is affihated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Ernest H. Remington, who is carrying on agricultural operations in 
section 11, Sumner Township, his farm of 120 acres being known as Clover- 
hill Farm, was born in this township. May 16, 1874, son of D. L. and Ella 
(Zhe) Remington. After residing at home until reaching the age of 26 
years, he bought a farm in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, which 
he operated from the year 1900 until the spring of 1907. He then pur- 
chased his present farm from Frank Svobada and has since remained here. 
The property has good buildings on it, the house being a frame structure of 
two stories and basement, with eight rooms. There is also a frame barn 
30 by 56 by 20 feet above stone basement, with cement floors, and a stave 
silo, 14 by 36 feet. The farm is well fenced with woven wire. Mr. Rem- 
ington, besides raising the usual crops, keeps graded Holstein cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. He was first married Thanksgiving Day, 1903, to 
Ethel Ferguson, of Eau Claire County, daughter of Charles and Jane Fer- 
guson, her father being a farmer and logger, who is now deceased. Mrs. 
Eethel Remington died Feb. 15, 1907, at the age of 33 years, leaving one 
child, Vyan Keith, who was born April 24, 1905. On June 29, 1909, Mr. 
Remington contracted a second marriage, to Cornelia Campbell, who was 
born Feb. 9, 1877, daughter of Charles R. and Martha Jane (Rosebrook) 
Campbell. Graduated from Stevens Point normal school in 1898, she fol- 
lowed the vocation of a teacher for 18 years, and was elected county super- 
intendent in the fall of 1905, being re-elected in the fall of 1907, and thus 
serving four years in that position. Her father, Charles R. Campbell, who 
was born in Illinois, came to Wisconsin in boyhood. He died in Augu^, 
1912, at the age of 72 years. His wife, Martha Jane, died in February, 1913, 
at the age of 65 years. Of Mr. Remington's second marriage three children 
were born : Owen, who died at the age of three days ; Lucile, born June 27, 
1911, and Winnifred Janet, born Sept. 25, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Remington 
are members of the Congregational church at Osseo, and he belongs also to 
the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served 
as township supervisor three years, has been chairman of the township 
board and a member of the county board since 1916, and while a resident 
of Eau Claire County served as clerk of the school board one year. In addi- 
tion to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Osseo Telephone 
Company and the Osseo Farmers Elevator. 

John Ring, postmaster at Osseo, is one of the leading men in this part 
of the county. As chairman of Sumner Township he did most efficient 
service on the county board for fourteen years, and as a member of the 
school board of his district for a considerable period he also did good work. 
In 1916 he was candidate for county treasurer. For many years he has 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 587 

been a leading Democrat, and as such has been a member of numerous com- 
mittees, and a delegate to several conventions. His financial holdings 
include stock in the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal affilia- 
tions are with the A. F. & A. M. and the M. W. A. Mr. Ring was born in 
Milwaukee, March 1, 1857, son of Robert and Sarah (Murphy) Ring, natives 
of Ireland, who went down with the ill-fated Lady Elgin, on Lake Michigan, 
Sept. 8, 1860, leaving, besides John, two sons, one of whom, James, worked 
his way up until he was a successful railroad conductor, and was killed at 
Hawthorne, Wis., and the other of whom, Michael, became a prominent 
citizen of Kansas City, Kan., and died a short time ago. Young John, left 
an orphan by the Lady Elgin catastrophe, was taken into the home of his 
uncle, Michael Ring, of Cleveland, Ohio, by whom he was reared. As a 
young man he became interested in farm pursuits. It was in 1879 that he 
came to Trempealeau County, and secured a farm in section 2, Sumner 
Township. There he successfully farmed until November, 1915, when he 
moved to Osseo, to fulfill the duties of the'postmastership to which he had 
been appointed July 2 of that year. Mr. Ring was married April 11, 1877, 
to Bertha Dighton, daughter of Francis and Dolly Ann (Gillett) Dighton, 
the former of whom was a Methodist clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. Ring have 
had eight children : Robert, of Plentywood, Mont. ; Jessie, wife of Alva 
Isom, a farmer of Sumner Township ; Julia, wife of Mr. Sever Semmingson, 
a farmer of Crosby, N. D. ; Laura C, wife of Bert Zee, a farmer of Sumner 
Township ; Glen, a farmer of Whitetail, Mont. ; Francis, who died at the age 
of seven years ; and Pearl and James, who are at home. 

Richard Brophy, who is conducting a farm of 108 acres in section 31, 
Gale Township, Trempealeau County, was born in this township in October, 
1865, son of John and Honora (CoUiday) Brophy. His parents were both 
natives of Ireland, but were married in this country, the father coming 
here when a lad under 20 years of age. After working for others for a 
number of years John Brophy became a land owner and engaged in farming 
for himself, continuing in this occupation until his death in March, 1913. 
His farm consisted of 100 acres of good land in Gale Township, a part of 
which is still owned by the subject of this sketch, the latter's mother living 
with him. Richard Brophy was the eldest in a family of six children. He 
attended school at Galesville and resided on the homestead with his parents 
until he was married, except during the winters for eight years, when he 
worked in the timber woods. Jan. 23, 1893, he married Margaret Cantlin, 
who was born in Ettrick, this county, daughter of Owen and Margaret 
(Shay) Cantlin, her parents being natives of Ireland, who came to this 
country and were married in La Crosse. Owen Cantlin was a farmer, set- 
tling at an early date in Ettrick Township, where he resided until his death 
in 1886. His wife died in June, 1896. Richard Brophy at the time of his 
marriage rented the farm and operated it on his own account for several 
years until he finally became its owner, and, as already mentioned, he still 
owns a part of it. He carries on general farming, raising grain, keeping 
hogs and cattle, some of the latter being pure-bred Durham, to which breed 
he is devoting special attention, with the view of raising them almost exclu- 
sively. Aside from these immediate interests he is a stockholder in the 



588 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Farmers Shipping Association and in the Farmers Co-Operative Packing 
Company, of La Crosse, while fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- 
men of America. He and his wife are the parents of seven children : Hazel 
Ann, LaVerne Eugene, Dorothy, Margaret Esther, Blanche Mary, May 
Ellen and Katherine Evelyn, all residing at home. Mr. Brophy and family 
are members of the Catholic church. 

Fred W. Lowe. Among the farms of moderate size in Lincoln Town- 
ship there are few better improved or equipped than that of Fred W. Lowe, 
of section 22. The property is known as Fair Oaks Farm and contains 160 
acres — a size ample for profitable handling without requiring too much 
outside assistance, which most farmers have found expensive. Mr. Lowe 
was born in Preston Township, this county, July 14, 1874. His parents were 
William and Mary Jane (Colwell) Lowe, the former, born in Ulster County, 
New York, in 1841, being a son of Wessel and Hannah (De Pew) Lowe. 
When a boy William accompanied his parents to Belvidere, 111. There were 
two other children in the family, both of whom died there, and Wessel Lowe, 
with his wife and surviving son, in 1856 homesteaded a farm in section 7, 
Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here they hved for a number 
of years or until their death. On the breaking out of the Civil War William 
enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and during his absence 
of four years his father homesteaded a farm for him in section 7. At 
Hixton, Wis., in 1869, he married Mary Jane Colwell, who was born in 
Ulster County, New York, and who died in the hospital at Winona, Minn., 
Dec. 5, 1910. Fred W. Lowe was educated in the district schools and in the 
school at Blair, after which he taught for five years. At the age of 21 he 
bought his grandfathrr's old farm in section 7, which he operated until 
March, 1905, considerably improving the property. He then sold it and 
removed to his present farm in section 22, which he acquired by purchase, 
and on which he has since resided. Here also he has made some important 
improvements, in 1912 rebuilding the barn, which is a good frame structure, 
34 by 64 by 20 feet, with concrete floors and steel stanchions, and provided 
with running water. His residence he built in 1916, a two-story framt 
building, 28 by 32 feet, containing nine rooms, and with kitchen added to 
the back. It is lighted with electricity, as are also the other buildings on 
the farm, Mr. Lowe owning his own electric plant, and is also provided with 
other modern conveniences, hot water heat and running water. Mr. Lowe's 
dairy building is also of frame construction, is 16 by 20 feet in dimensions, 
and was equipped with boiler, sterilizer and bottle washer, cooler and bottle 
filler and refrigerator. Mr. Lowe operated a retail dairy in Whitehall until 
he sold it Sept. 1, 1917, together with bottling equipment. He has a herd of 
40 cattle and milks 30, using the "B. L. K." milking machine of two units. 
Aside from his farming interests he is a director in the Farmers Telephone 
Company and the Peoples State Bank. For eight years he has assisted in 
local government as a member of the township board. He served as town- 
ship treasurer one year and is now treasurer of the Whitehall school. In 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has passed all the chairs and is a 
member of the Grand Lodge of that order, also of the Modern Woodmen of 
America and of the Beavers Reserve Fund Fraternity. June 19, 1895, Mr. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 589 

Lowe was united in marriage with Berenice Lamberson, who was born on 
the Lamberson farm in Lincoln Township Feb. 29, 1872, daughter of John C. 
and Lucene (Becker) Lamberson. Mrs. Lowe is a lady of more than average 
education. She was graduated from the Whitehall schools and from Soper's 
School of Oratory at Chicago, and was teacher of oratory for six years, one 
year of which time was spent at the Glendale Female College, Glendale, Ohio. 
She has been an efficient helpmate to her husband and by her wise manage- 
ment of the household has contributed in no small measure to his success. 
Their family now includes six children, all residing at home, who were born 
as follows: John W., April 19, 1897; Mirpah M., is attending La Crosse 
normal school, Jan. 15, 1899; Helen P., April 1, 1903; Portia E., Dec. 5, 
1906; Marion B., Jan. 4, 1913, and Esther M., April 30, 1915. The son, 
John W., is now at the University of Wisconsin, taking a course in chemistry, 
while the older daughters are able to assist their mother in the work of 
the household. 

D. L. Remington, secretary and manager of the Osseo Telephone Com- 
pany, is one of the active men of Osseo Village. In 1902, two years after 
the company was organized, he became secretary, served a year, was then 
made president, and held that office until 1912, when he assumed the duties 
of his present position. In public life he has served several years as town- 
ship chairman and town clerk, and in 1911 he was supervisor of assess- 
ments for Trempealeau County. He was vice-president of the Citizens 
State Bank from 1906 until it was absorbed by the Osseo State Bank late 
in 1907. In the Congregational church, of which he is an active member, 
he has been trustee since 1894. Mr. Remington was born in Otsego County 
New York, March 28, 1851, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Crumley) Rem- 
ington. Charles Remington was born in New York in 1815, came to Reeds- 
burg, Wis., in 1852, farmed there until 1860, and then moved to Mower 
County, Minnesota, where he died in 1886. His wife died in Wisconsin 
in 1853, and in 1858 he married Elizabeth Olp, who died Nov. 10,' 1915. 
The subject of this sketch, having lost his mother, was reared by his uncle, 
D. L. Remington, who came from Washington County, New York, to Wal- 
worth County, Wisconsin, in 1858, and farmed there until 1869, when he 
came to Trempealeau County and homesteaded a tract of land two miles east 
of Osseo, where he lived until his death in 1870. The nephew, D. L. Reming- 
ton, operated the place until 1911, when he moved to Osseo. Mr. Remington 
was married in 1873 to Ella Zhe, who died in 1884, leaving two children, 
Ernest, chairman of the town board of Sumner, who farms near the village ; 
and Jessie, who married James W. Rorabeck, a grain man of Frankhn, Ment. 
In 1891 Mr. Remington married Mrs. Emily (Shores) Chamberlain, who 
was the mother of two children : Harvey, drowned in 1896, and Perry, who 
operates the home farm. 

Nicholas M. Rognlien, a well known and respected citizen of Unity 
Township, proprietor of a farm of 320 acres, forming the east half of sec- 
tion 30, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Jan. 31, 1862. His parents were 
Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognhen, the father born in Norway, Jan. 
13, 1826, and the mother in 1823. The family came to America in 1870, 
taking a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 30, Unity Town- 



590 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ship, this county, where Martin E. Rognlien died March 21, 1911, his wife 
having passed away in 1900. Their family numbered eight children : Even, 
now deceased, whose widow and childi'en now reside on the farm of the 
subject of this sketch; Bertha, who married John M. Rice, a farmer of 
Johnson Valley, and died in 1882 ; Georgia, who died at the age of 22 years ; 
Nicholina, wife of Louis Dahl, a farmer of Unity Township; Anton, who 
is farming in Albion Township, this county; Martin, a farmer of Unity 
Township; Nicholas M., also of Unity Township, and Otto, who is a farmer 
in Griggs County, North Dakota. Nicholas M. Rognlien, like most farmers' 
sons, was early trained to agricultural work, and when quite young was able 
to be of some assistance to his father. When he got large and strong he 
began working out in the pineries, but after being thus occupied for a while 
he bought 120 acres of land in section 17, Unity Township, which he sold 
later to Even Holte for $1,500, Mr. Holte paying $5.00 down and the balance 
at the rate of $100 a year for 15 years. After selling this farm Mr. Rognlien 
rented the home farm from his father and operated it on that basis for 14 
years. Subsequently he bought a 200-acre farm in Albion Township, but 
sold it five years later. Feb. 5, 1896, he purchased his present farm, moving 
onto it the same year, and here he has since remained, with the exception 
of three years which he spent in Europe. As a farmer Mr. Rognlien has had 
a prosperous career, due to his industry and sound practical knowledge of 
the business. His farm is well handled and presents a thriving appearance, 
showing the guiding hand of a good manager. Mr. Rognlien is a stock- 
holder in the Osseo Creamery and in the First State Bank of Strum. He 
is affiliated religiously with the Beef River Synod church, and in 1916 gave 
$1,000 to help build the church edifice of that denomination in Strum. Few 
men in this vicinity have been more successful and perhaps it may be said 
that none have been more hberal in supporting enterprises for the religious, 
moral or material advancement of the community. 

Martin M. Rognlien, who is engaged in farming 170 acres of land in 
section 20, Unity Township, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Feb. 17, 1859, 
son of Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognlien. The father came to 
America in 1868, homesteading a farm in section 30, Unity Township, this 
county, his wife and the children, including the subject of this sketch, fol- 
lowing him in 1870. Martin M., on arriving in Wisconsin, spent three weeks 
in Sparta, after which he proceeded to his father's homestead, on which 
he resided until reaching the age of 21 years. He then rented a farm on 
Big Creek, Albion Township, operating it for four years. Then building a 
house on his father's farm, he lived there for the next six years while work- 
ing out by the day with a team. In the spring of 1889 he bought his present 
farm of Sam Hoag, and has been occupied in its cultivation and improve- 
ment, owning besides his farm of 160 acres on Big Creek, Albion Township. 
On the farm where he makes his home he has a barn 36 by 56 by 16 feet 
above basement, equipped with steel stanchions and with cement floors, 
and all his buildings are good and suitable for up-to-date farming. Mr. 
Rognlien was married Nov. 22, 1879, to Matilda Dahl, who was born in 
Norway, April 26, 1860, daughter of Johannes and Mary (Hanson) Dahl. 
Both her parents died in Unity Township, they having settled in section 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 591 

27 in 1876, six years after coming to this country, the intervening period 
having been spent in Vernon County. Mr. and Mrs. Rognlien have had a 
family of 12 children : Mary, who died at the age of 15 years ; Josephine, 
vifho died at the age of 12 years; Annie (born after Mary and before 
Josephine) , who is residing at home ; Martin, now living in Calgary, Canada ; 
John, a farmer in Unity Township, who married Johanna Flaten and has 
one child, Abraham ; Louis, who is engaged in operating his father's farm 
In Albion Township ; two who died in infancy, and William, who died June 
26, 1917; Anton, Emma and Margaret, who are residing at home. 

Eric Hagen, manager and partner in the firm of Hagen & Waller, gen- 
eral mei'chants, Osseo, was born in Sondreland, Norway, April 23, 1863, 
son of Hans E. and Anne (Lunde) Hagen, the former of whom came to 
America in 1869, farmed in Arcadia Township for many years, and now 
lives a retired life in Whitehall, the latter having died in 1875. Eric Hagen 
was reared to farm pursuits, and attended the country schools. His atten- 
tion, however, was early turned to mercantile lines, and while still a youth 
he secured employment as a clerk in a store at Elk Creek. Further experi- 
ence in the same line was secured in St. Paul and in Independence. In 1895 
he came to Osseo and organized with Oliver Waller the firm of Hagen & 
Waller. This firm succeeded Larson, Getts & Co. in the general mercantile 
business. It has a large trade, and well deserves the esteem and confidence 
in which it is held by its numerous patrons. From 1897 to 1907 the firm 
owned a creamery at Osseo, and from 1904 until it was destroyed by fire 
in the winter of 1915, owned and operated the elevator there. Mr. Hagen 
is also interested in the State Bank of Osseo, in which he is the assistant 
cashier and one of the directors. Busy though he is with his financial 
interests, Mr. Hagen has found time for some excellent public service. 
Since the spring of 1914 he has been a member of the county board, and he 
has also been a member of the school and village boards. His fraternal 
relations are with the A. F. & A. M., while his rehgious affihations are with 
the Congregational church, in which he is one of the trustees. Mr. Hagen 
was married March 17, 1891, to Mary Reid, of Burnside Township, daughter 
of James and Margaret (Lange) Reid. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have five 
children : Mabel A., who graduated from the La Crosse normal school and 
was teacher in the Osseo schools. She was married to E. A. Nelson, a banker 
of Maddox, N. D., July, 1917. Henry, a farmer in Steele, N. D. ; and Ralph 
E., Margaret and Alice, who are at home. 

Henry N. Robbe, cashier of the First National Bank of Strum, has been 
an important factor in the business and financial life of the community for 
several years. He was born at Elk Mound, Wis., March 3, 1868, son of 
Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. Gunder Robbe was born in Roldal, 
Christiansand, Norway, in 1838, came to America in 1856, lived in Waupon, 
Wis., for a while, and then located at Elk Mound, Wis., where he has since 
resided, his wife, who was born in Norway in 1838, having died in April, 
1918. Henry N. Robbe passed through the public schools and took special 
courses in the Curtiss Commercial College at Minneapolis. Thus prepared 
he taught in the schools of Dunn County, Wisconsin, for seven years. In 
1899 he came to Strum as a teacher. Deciding to locate here he purchased 



592 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a half interest in the store of O. M. Solberg. Later he resold his interest to 
Mr. Solberg, erected a building and opened a store of his own. After con- 
ducting this alone he formed a partnership with his brother, Nils H., under 
the firm name of Robbe Brothers. Later admitting 0. J. Dahl to partner- 
ship, and changing the firm name to Robbe Bros. & Dahl, they bought the 
store of H. Williamson and added his business to their own. In the mean- 
time, in 1905, the subject of this sketch had assisted in organizing the State 
Bank of Strum, of which he became director and examiner. Jan. 4, 1912, 
he was elected president, a position he held until May 1, 1916, when he 
became cashier and assumed the active management, as at present. About 
the same time he disposed of his mercantile interests. He is also president 
and manager of the Strum Telephone Company and for a time was treas- 
urer and manager of the Unity Co-operative Creamery Company. In pub- 
lic life he has done good service as clerk of the school board since 1912. Mr. 
Robbe was married Jan. 28, 1900, to Malena Albertson, born in Strum, May 
7, 1884, daughter of Reinhard and Marie (Teveand) Albertson, the former 
of whom died in 1909, and the latter of whom lives in La Crosse. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robbe have three children : Gordon, born Sept. 13, 1905 ; Harvey, born 
Aug. 8, 1907, and Ethel, born June 1, 1909. 

Nils H. Robbe, of the firm of Robbe & Myhers, general merchants at 
Strum, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Elk Mound, Dunn County, May 10, 
1865, son of Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. He remained with his 
parents until 1900, when he came to Strum, and with his brother, Henry 
N. Robbe, engaged in the line of business with which he is now connected. 
In public life, Mr. Robbe has been a supervisor of the township a year. His 
financial holdings include stock in the First State Bank of Strum. In the 
Synod Norwegian Lutheran church he has been especially active, having 
been secretary of the building committee when the new church was erected 
in 1915 and 1916. Mr. Robbe was married Jan. 11, 1903, to Clara Peterson, 
of Strum, daughter of Ole and Clara Peterson, and they have six children: 
Marshall, Gladys, Nobel, Alice, Helen and Francis. 

H. George Peterson, organizer, president and manager of the Strum 
Automobile Company, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Jan. 4, 1890, son of Hans 
Peterson Stai and Hannah Halvorson. Hans Peterson Stai was born in 
Norway in 1853, and now farms in Unity Township, having come to this 
country in the '90s. H. George Peterson was reared to farm pursuits by 
his father. His mechanical experience was received in automobile shops 
in Minneapolis and St. Paul. For a time he was foreman of engines for 
the Hackney Land & Credit Company, McLeod, N. D. In Hill County, Mont., 
he pi'oved up on a homestead. But in 1915 he determined to cast his lot 
in Strum. Accordingly he erected a building 26 by 50 feet, and opened 
a garage. His friends became interested in the project and in September, 
1915, his firm was incorporated as the Strum Automobile Company with a 
capital of $2,500, by Melvin P. Skogstad, Joseph Mathison, Olof J. Dahl 
and H. George Peterson. The officers are: President and manager, H. 
George Peterson; vice president and treasurer, Olof J. Dahl; secretary, 
Joseph Mathison. The firm handles the Dodge, Ford and Reo cars, carries 
a full line of supplies and accessories, and does all kinds of repairing. Under 




Q 

O 

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 593 

the personal supervision of Mr. Peterson the business is constantly growing 
and is one of the important assets in the general prosperity of the com- 
munity. In April, 1917, Mr. Peterson purchased the interest of the other 
stockholders and now conducts the business alone under the name of H. 
George Peterson, the corporation having been dissolved. On Aug. 7, 1917, 
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Hannah Amundson, daughter of 
Christ Amundson, a prosperous farmer of Bruce Valley, in Gale Township. 
C. K. Edison was born on his father's farm near Vassevangen, Norway, 
Nov. 5, 1854, a son of Knud Aadson and Cecelia Sjursdatta Gjelle, who were 
natives of Vass, Noi*way, where they were numbered among the most dis- 
tinguished and representative farmers of their community. Both died in 
their native land, he in 1859, and his wife in 1883. C. K. Edison attended 
the pubhc and high school of Norway and at the age of 16 set out for the 
new country across the seas. In April, 1870, we find him and his sister 
embarking m a sail ship bound for America. They had to furnish their 
own board while on the ship. It took them seven weeks from the time of 
leaving the port of Bergen, Norway, until they arrived at Quebec, Canada, 
and then they spent about three weeks traveling on steamboats and rail- 
roads before they reached their destination near Decorah, Iowa, in which 
place they arrived in July. They stopped there during summer and in the 
fall the same year they, in company with their cousin, started for Dodge 
County, Minnesota, going in a so-called prairie schooner pulled by a yoke of 
oxen. Mr. Edison spent about three years at that place working in the 
harvest fields in summer and working for his board and attending school in 
winter. In 1874 he returned on a trip to his native land to pay a visit to 
his mother and brother, returning to his adopted country the next year. In 
1880 he came to Trempealeau County, Wis. July 30, 1881, he was united 
in holy bonds of matrimony to Mary Herbjornson, who was born in Iowa 
County, Wis., Aug. 8, 1862, a daughter of Hans and Guri Herbjornson, both 
now deceased, the father dying in 1898 and the mother in 1903. In 1884 
he purchased part of his present farm in section 7, Chimney Rock Township. 
He has resided on this place continuously since, with the exception of three 
years spent in Eleva and two years in Superior, Wis. Mr. Edison on his 
arrival in Trempealeau County did valuable service as pioneer school teacher 
for about ten years. He now owns a good dairy farm of 333 acres, on 
which he keeps on an average about 30 milch cows, with young stock and 
a lot of horses. The farm is under a good state of cultivation. He has 
erected modern and substantial buildings. The neatness in appearance 
of the entire place bespeaks thrift, coupled with good judgment, in behalf 
of its owner. Mr. Edison has always acted as a leader in his community. 
As such he was a member of a committee who built the new church and 
the brick school house, also in laying out a good road in Bennett Valley, etc. 
He has served as town supervisor, justice of the peace, clerk of his school 
district for 12 years, and for 23 years he has done efficient service as town 
clerk. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edison has been blessed with the birth of 
nine children : Ed, Cecelia, Gertie, Hilma, Charles, George, Gertie Bertina, 
Horace, Kemel and Marvin. Ed married Lizzie Holten and is associated 
with his father on the home farm. CeceUa became the wife of John Killnes, 



594 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a farmer of Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis. George married Jose- 
phina Austen, and is farming. Horace is clerking in a store at Mondovi, 
Wis. Marvin is attending high school at the same place. Charles and 
Kemel are farming at home. Gertie Helma died at the age of 4 years. 
Gertie Bertina keeps house for her father, the mother having died Aug. 23, 
1917. In the death of Mrs. Edison the family are deprived of a most accom- 
plished woman, who through all her years was a loyal wife and loving 
mother. The family are members of the Bennett Valley Norwegian Luth- 
eran church, Mr. Edison being one of the organizers, and of which he 
has ever been a beneficent supporter. 

Tobias M. Olson, who has e.xtensive mercantile and farming interests in 
the village of Strum and Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, 
Norway, March 2, 1869. His father, Michael, who was born in Norway in 
1834, married Kari Tandlokken, who was born in that county Nov. 14, 1836. 
In 1872 the family, which then included eight children, left their native 
land for the United States, and settled in Monroe county, Wis. Here they 
remained five years, and then, in 1877, came to Unity Township, Trempea- 
leau County, where the father bought 80 acres of land in section 9, on which 
he spent the rest of his hfe, engaged in farming.. His death occurred Sept. 
12, 1885. His wife, who survives him, resides with her son, the subject of 
this sketch. Tobias M. Olson, who was brought up to agricultural work, 
operated the home farm from the time of his father's death until 1910, 
and is still the owner of the property. On March 1, 1897, he purchased 
160 acres constituting the northeast quarter of section 22, where he now 
lives. Here he has built at a cost of $10,000 a fine three-story and base- 
ment solid brick house, 34 by 36 feet in ground dimensions, and containing 
12 rooms. The furnishings are strictly modern, including quarter-sawed 
oak finish and floors, with electric lights and other conveniences. He has 
also very large barns and out-buildings, electrically lighted, and in addition 
owns several other farms, both in Unity and Sumner Townships. In 1897 
Mr. Olson bought an interest in a hardware and implement business at 
Strum, with John A. Call, and was engaged in business there for two years. 
In 1899 the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. Olson has carried on 
the implement business alone. His brick store at Strum, 30 by 70 feet, two 
stories and basement, which he uses for implements and automobiles, was 
erected in 1913. In 1898 he built a large grain elevator at Strum, and in 
1916, another at Eleva, and both of these he operates at the present time. 
His business interests have grown with good management until he is now 
recognized as the most prominent business man in the community, his 
transactions being the most extensive. Dec. 25, 1900, Mr. Olson was 
married to Mary Romundstad, of Unity Township, who was born in this 
township Jan. 15, 1877, and whose father, Ole 0. Romundstad, is a farmer 
in Eau Claire County. Seven children have been born of this marriage: 
Milton (who died at the age of 7 months) , Myrtle, Edwin, Ruth, Helen, Olga 
and Harriet Thelma. Mr. Olson is a member of the Synod Norwegian 
Lutheran church. His example should be an inspiring one to all young 
men just starting in life, proving, as it does, that industry and perseverance, 
guided by intelligence, still meets with due reward. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 595 

Dell Nicols, who is engaged in operating a farm of 160 acres in section 
11, Burnside Township, was born on his present farm Feb. 29, 1880, a son of 
William and Emma J. (Cripps) Nicols. The father, William, was born in 
Scotland in 1836 and came to America with his parents in 1850. In 1866 
he bought the farm on which his son Dell now lives and was engaged in 
its operation and improvement until 1904, a period of 38 years. He then 
took up his residence in Independence, this county, in which place he died 
May 17, 1916. His wife is still living in Independence, being now 60 years 
old. Dell Nicols, who received a good agricultural training on the parental 
homestead, assisted his father until the year 1900, and then rented the 
farm until 1916, in which year he bought it. It is well improved and 
furnished with good buildings and adequate equipment for profitable farm- 
ing. Mr. Nicols was married July 3, 1900, to Annie Olson, of Independence, 
this county, who was born at Traverse Valley, this county, April 17, 1881, 
daughter of Mat and Martha Olson. Her mother now resides at Inde- 
pendence ; her father died April 22, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Nicols have three 
children : Edith May, born Oct. 11, 1900 ; Lester A., born Jan. 30, 1904, and 
Giles W., born Oct. 30, 1908. 

Richard Mattson, president of the Whitehall Mill & Power Company, 
was born in Soler, Norway, Nov. 11, 1869, son of Martinus and Dorothy 
(Lund) Mattson. The father, a farmer by occupation, was also a native 
of Norway and came to the United States in 1872, and after reaching Blair, 
Wis., bought a farm in Pigeon Township, which was his home until 1908. 
He then retired and moved to Whitehall, where he died Nov. 22, 1916, at 
the age of 82 years. His wife, who is also living, is 77 years old. Richard 
Mattson, who accompanied his parents to America when a young child, at 
the age of 18 years began working in the woods at the lumber industry, 
and was thus occupied for six years during the winters, being employed 
on his father's farm in the summers. He subsequently learned the car- 
penter's trade and followed the business of carpenter and contractor in 
Whitehall until 1910. He then bought an interest in the Whitehall Mill 
& Power Company, with which concern he has since been connected. While 
a contracting carpenter he built the schoolhouse in Blair and another in 
Taylor, also a bank in Hixton, additions to the schoolhouse and jail in 
Whitehall, and the residences of E. A. Sorenson and C. B. Melby, besides 
doing other important work. The Whitehall Mill & Power Company, with 
which, as above stated, he became connected in 1910, was incorporated in 
the spring of that year with a capital stock of $10,000, Mr. Mattson 
becoMiing president and John Wagstad secretary and treasurer. The con- 
cern occupies a substantial frame building, and besides furnishing electric 
light and power for the village, has a capacity of 25 barrels of flour per day. 
It was originally started and the building erected in 1880 by Earl, Gates & 
Scott, and was purchased in 1893 by John Larson, who sold out Nov. 1, 1908, 
to T. E. Thompson. With Mr. Thompson as president, John Wagstad as 
vice-president, and M. S. Olson as secretary and treasurer, it was operated 
until its incorporation in 1910, as above recorded. Mr. Mattson is an up-to- 
date business man, and aside from his personal interests has served eight 
years as a member of the village council. He is a member of the church. 



596 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

belonging to the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. He was married in Pigeon 
Township, Sept. 5, 1896, to Augusta Mortenson, who was born in that 
township Aug. 3, 1876, daughter of Hans H. and Mathia (Evenson) Mor- 
tenson. Her father, now 81 years old, is a retired farmer living in White- 
hall with his wife, who is now 70. Mr. and Mrs. Mattson have nine children : 
Hihnan, who enlisted in Company I, Eleventh United States Infantry, April 
24, 1917; Adelia, Agnes, Rudolph, Anna, Edwin, Alfred, Elsie and Helen, all 
of whom reside at home with their parents. 

Christian O. Dahl, president of the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo, 
Wis., and proprietor of Hillsdale Farm of 160 acres, the northeast quarter 
of section 2, Unity Township, was born at Coon Prairie, Vernon County, 
Wis., July 8, 1868. He is a son of Ole Dahl, who was born in Ringsaker, 
Norway, Feb. 4, 1837, and who came to America in 186.5, residing for two 
years in New York City, where he was married in 1867 to Ane Bue. She 
was born in Foaberg, Norway, Sept. 24, 1846. Soon after their marriage 
Ole Dahl and wife came West to Wisconsin, locating first in Vernon County, 
in the village of Westby, where for two years Mr. Dahl followed the black- 
smith's trade. In 1870 they came with their family to Unity Township, 
Trempealeau County, and homesteaded the farm now known as Hillsdale 
Farm, as above described. Here Ole Dahl spent the rest of his life, his 
death occurring June 14, 1916. He was a highly-respected citizen, serving 
on the township board for several years, also on the school board, and for 
a long period being one of the officials of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran 
church. He was also an esteemed member of the Trempealeau County 
Historical Society, taking a keen interest in the growth and development 
of the county and in the preservation of its historical records. His wife 
is still living and resides on the farm with her son Christian. Eight of 
their children are now living: Christian O., subject of this sketch; Marie, 
wife of Charles P. Holman, a farmer of Humbird, Wis. ; Andrew, who is 
engaged in the ranching business at Saratoga, Wyo. ; Hannah, who is house- 
keeper for her brothers, Olans and Thorvald, at Price, Wis. ; Caroline, who 
married Nils Indstefjord, a farmer of Price, Wis.; Olans and Thorvald, 
farmers at Price, Wis., and Tilda, who resides with her brother Christian. 
Christian O. Dahl has resided on his present farm since his parents moved 
onto it in 1870, and since 1896 has been its manager. Besides planting the 
usual crops, he raises cattle, sheep and horses, usually milking 25 cows, for 
which purpose he uses a three-unit milking machine. The farm is well 
improved and yields good returns for the labor spent upon it. Mr. Dahl 
gives his chief attention to this property, but is also interested financially 
in other business enterprises. On July 10, 1916, he aided in organizing 
the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo, of which he has since been presi- 
dent. He is a director in the Inter-County Co-Operative Packing Company, 
of New Richmond, Wis., and helped to organize the Osseo Farmers' Produce 
Company, of which he is treasurer. For a number of years Mr. Dahl has 
taken an active part in official life, having served as township treasurer 
for a period of three years, township supervisor one year, township clerk 
four years, school clerk 20 years, and as chairman of the township board 
and a member of the county board since 1908. He is a member and 




C. O. DAHL 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 597 

treasurer of the Synod Congregation of the United Norwegian Lutheran 
Church of America at Strum, having served in the latter office since 
1904. 

Thomas J. Myhers, D. V. M., Osseo, was born in Eau Claire, July 23, 
1885, passed through the public schools, came to this county when he was 
15, graduated from the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Veterinary College in 1911, 
located at Strum, where he remained for five months, and has since practiced 
in Osseo. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order. July 20, 
1912, he married Julia Nysven, of Strum, daughter of Ole and Ida Nysven, 
the former of whom is postmaster at Strum, as he has been for the past 
30 years. Dr. and Mrs. Myhers have two daughters : Irma, born April 2, 
1915, and Marion, born Sept. 2, 1917. The parents of Dr. Myhers are Jacob 
and Inga (Johnson) Myhers. Jacob Myhers was born in Norway, was 
foreman of the Valley Lumber Company, of Eau Claire, Wis., for 20 years, 
and since 1900 has farmed in Unity Township, in this county. 

Anton A. Myhre, the well-known proprietor of Fair Pines Farm of 159 
acres, in sections 12 and 13, Sumner Township, was born at Biri, Norway, 
Feb. 2, 1851. His parents were both of Norwegian birth, the father. Even 
Anderson Myhre, born in 1807, and his mother, whose maiden name was 
Martha Olson, born in 1820. They came to the United States in 1861, 
accompanied by their four children, and settled in Coon Valley, Vernon 
County, Wis., where they resided until 1868, moving in that year to Tamarac 
Valley, Arcadia Township, where the parents spent the rest of their lives. 
Even A. Myhre dying in 1889 and his wife Martha in 1902. They had six 
children, of whom two died in infancy. Anton A. was the first-born. Then 
came Ole, who is a farmer in Arcadia Township; Pauline, who is keeping 
house for her brother Ole, and Mary. The last mentioned married Olaus 
Johnson, who died in Osseo in 1909, where she now resides. Anton A. 
Myhre when a young man worked out on farms in Vernon County, and in 
Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, until 1872. He was now 21 years 
old, and, thinking it time to start in for himself, he homesteaded a farm 
in Chimney Rock Township, section 25, and until 1893 was engaged in its 
cultivation and development, in which he made good progress. He then 
sold it and bought his present farm, which his son Theodore now rents and 
operates. It is well provided with good buildings and everything necessary 
for modern farming. Mr. Myhre was township supervisor for one year in 
Chimney Rock Township, and assessor for four years in the same township. 
The latter office he has held also for two years in Sumner Township, in 
addition to which he has served for 15 years as school clerk. He is a stock- 
holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company and the Osseo Produce Company. 
March 9, 1878, Anton A. Myhre was married to Helena Anderson, who was 
born at Faaberg, Norway, Feb. 2, 1851, daughter of Andreas and Margaret 
(Leir) Faaberg, both of whom died in Norway. Mrs. Myhre died Jan. 25, 
1895, having been the mother of six children: Emil, now a farmer at 
Spiritwood, N. D. ; Andreas, a carpenter residing in Seattle ; Anna, born Oct. 
10, who died Aug. 24, 1898 ; Mina, who married Lauritz Oftedahl, of Osseo ; 
Theodore, manager of his father's farm, and Benjamin, a farmer at Allen, 
Mont. Theodore Myhre, who was born on his parents' farm in Chimney 



598 HISTORY OF TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Rock Township, July 23, 1888, was married, June 14, 1913, to Minnie Sever- 
son, of Jackson County, Garfield Township, her birth taking place in that 
township, Jan. 2, 1889. Her parents. Sever and Marit (Hattren) Severson, 
were farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Myhre have two children: 
Marion Helen, born April 10, 1914, and Samuel Arnold, born Sept. 11, 1915. 
Theodore has rented his father's farm since 1909 and is cultivating it suc- 
cessfully. The family are affiliated religiously with the Norwegian Luth- 
eran church, of which Anton A. Myhre has been a trustee for 16 years. 

Jakob T. Myhers, who is engaged in farming on a tract of 240 acres in 
section 23, Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Dec. 18, 
1857. His father, Thor G. Myrum, who was also a farmer, was born in 
Norway in 1826 and died in that country in 1910. The mother of our 
subject, Mary Grothe, died in Norway in 1868. In the spring of 1877 Jakob 
T. Myhers sailed from Christiania for Quebec, and from the latter port 
proceeded to Chicago. Finding himself without money, he shipped as a 
railroad hand to Marquette County, Mich., where he worked in the iron 
mines for two years and a half. At this time his future wife, Inga Johnson, 
was working in Eau Claire, Wis., and Mr. Myhers went there and found 
employment with the Valley Lumber Company at $1.25 a day, boarding 
himself. He remained with this firm for 18 years, the first three years of 
this period as yard and barn man. During the last 15 he was salesman and 
foreman of the lumber yard and wood yard. While here he was married, 
May 5, 1880, to Inga Johnson, whose parents, Joseph and Mary (Lee) 
Johnson, had remained in Norway, where the mother is now living at the 
advanced age of 90 years. He and his wife began housekeeping at Shaw- 
town, in Eau Claire, their residence being an old cow barn, which they 
cleaned up, and here they lived for two years. In 1882 occurred the great 
flood which swept away nearly the entire city of Eau Claire, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Myhers lost all that they had. They continued working in Eau Claire, 
however, until 1900, by which time, having been industrious and frugal, they 
had succeeded in saving some money. This they made a good use of in the 
purchase of their present farm from Gilbert Brown, on which they have 
since resided, and which Mr. Myhers has brought into a good state of culti- 
vation. When it came into his possession it had hardly any improvements 
on it, but there is now a good two-story house, a large modern horse barn, a 
good cattle barn, with numerous sheds and a large silo, all evidences of a 
well-deserved prosperity. Mr. Myhers has served as school director for 
nine years. Since childhood he has been a member of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran church. He and his wife are the parents of nine children: 
Thomas J., who is a veterinary surgeon at Osseo; John, a member of the 
mercantile firm of Robbe & Myhers, at Strum ; Mary, wife of Thomas Rice, 
a carpenter residing at Strum ; Martin, who hves at home with his parents ; 
Jacob T., a veterinary surgeon of Eleva, and Ole, Ingwald, Caroline and 
Rena, all of whom reside with their parents. Mr. Myhers left home when 
11 years old and started life for himself, first herding cattle and sheep for 
his uncle, remaining in this position until 14 years old; then engaged on 
a stock farm, remaining there until 21 years old, giving to his parents, who 
were poor and old, all his savings, and after coming to America sent his 










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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 599 

father $400 to pay off all his indebtedness in order that he might remain 
• on the farm. 

John H. Call has been a resident of Sumner Township since 1877, and 
assisted by his good wife has reared a large family of children, developed 
a good farm and established himself as one of the substantial men of the 
community. He is doing the township good service as supervisor, to which 
position he was first ele(;ted in 1915. Born near Bergen, in Norway, 
June 9, 1851, he is the oldest of the eight children born to Henry and Sophia 
(Eirum) Call. The father, born April 21, 1824, and the mother, born 
Dec. 23, 1835, brought their children to America in 1853, reached Dane 
County, Wis., June 9, of that year, after a trip of six months, fourteen weeks 
of which were spent aboard a sailing vessel, and the next year located at 
West Prairie, Vernon County, Wis., where the father died in 1890 and the 
mother in 1910. John H. Call was reared to farm pursuits and for a number 
of years was employed on various farms. After his marriage in 1877 he 
purchased his present farm of 121 acres in section 27, Sumner township. 
From a wilderness he brought the farm to its present high degree of culti- 
vation. On this place he now successfully carries on general farming, and 
makes a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle, of which he has a good-sized 
herd. In this connection he has purchased a two-unit milking machine, 
which is proving a great saving of labor. The farm throughout is equipped 
with the best of machinery and tools, and is fenced with woven wire. The 
buildings are especially sightly. The first house, a frame building, 12 by 
18 feet, was erected in 1877. The present home, a two-story frame struc- 
ture of eight pleasant rooms, was erected in 1899. The barn was con- 
structed in 1912. It is 40 by 64 by 14 feet, with a stone basement and 
cement floors. Steel stanchions and other improvements add to the com- 
fort of the stock. The silo, 12 by 39 feet, is built of substantial cement 
blocks. Mr. Call was married July 1, 1877, to Caroline Prestegaarden, born 
in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 4, 1855, daughter of Andrew and Martha 
(Eirum) Prestegaarden, who came to America in 1869, located in Dane 
County, Wis., and in 1871 took up their residence in Sumner Township, 
Trempealeau County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. 
and Mrs. Call are the parents of ten children : Sophia, born Feb. 22, 1878 ; 
Albert, born Aug. 12, 1880; Helmer, born March 1, 1882; Charles, born 
April 24, 1884; Martha, who died in infancy; Julia, born Oct. 12, 1888; 
Martha, born July 29, 1890 ; Clara, born Dec. 2, 1892 ; James, born June 2, 
1895, and Bernhard, born Feb. 6, 1897. Albert and Helmer farm in Jackson 
County, Wis. Julia graduated from the La Crosse State Normal School 
and taught three years. She married, Nov. 27, 1916, Edwin Anderson, a 
farmer living in Unity Township. The other members of the family are 
at home. The family faith is that of the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran 
church, of which Mr. Call is the treasurer. 

Paul H. Moltzau. Among the many successful agriculturists and 
business men of Trempealeau County no small number are of Norwegian 
birth or ancestry, that class of settlers possessing in a large degree the 
qualities, perseverance and thrift, without which little can be accomplished. 
Few of the Norwegians of Trempealeau County, however, have been more 



600 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

successful than the subject of this sketch, who is one of the best known, 
as he is also one of the most prospei'ous citizens residing in Unity Town^ 
ship, being proprietor of two good farms in section 18 — the Carter Valley 
Dairy Farm of 200 acres, and the Fairview Farm of 160 acres, besides own- 
ing other valuable property elsewhere. Paul H. Moltzau was born in Hur- 
dalen, Norway, May 25, 1862, son of Hans Moltzau and his wife, Mathia 
Roserud. The father, Hans, who was born Sept. ^20, 1835, emigrated to the 
United States with his family, in 1867, locating in La Crosse County, Wis., 
and for three years residing in Bostwick Valley, that county. From there 
he came in 1870 to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, buying 160 acres 
of land in section 31, which became the family homestead, as he lived on 
that farm for 24 years, only leaving it to take up his residence with his son, 
Paul H., on the latter's Carter Valley Dairy Farm in 1894. This place was 
his subsequent home until his death, Jan. 14, 1909. His wife Mathia died 
in 1877, at the age of about 42 years. Of their family six children are now 
living: Mary, wife of Gilbert Halvorson, a farmer of Farmington, Minn. ; 
Martha, wife of Hans Hanson, a barber of Eau Claire; Paul H., of Unity 
Township; Annie, wife of Peter Frodahl, of Wilton, Minn.; Emma, who 
married Nels Nelson, her husband being a hotel keeper at Seattle, Wash., 
and Daniel, who resides at Fergus, Mont. Paul H. Moltzau in his youth 
acquired a good knowledge of agriculture and when old enough began work- 
ing out on farms and in the pineries, in which manner he was occupied 
until he was 21 years old. He then started out on an independent career 
by purchasing the old homestead of his parents, which he operated for a 
number of years, or until 1894. He then bought the Carter Valley Dairy 
Farm and resided on it until July, 1915, on which date he moved to the 
Fairview Farm, a mile and a quarter northwest of Strum, where he is now 
living. This farm is situated on a high ridge, from which a fine view of the 
country may be had for ten miles around. In the year in which he moved 
here Mr. Moltzau built his present residence, a two-story brick veneer 
dwelling, with basement, and containing ten rooms and bathroom. A hot- 
water heating system is installed and there is hot and cold running water 
in the house, which is lighted by electricity from a plant on the premises. 
The floors are all maple, the first floor is finished in quarter-sawed oak and 
the second in pine, great pains being taken in the construction of the house 
and in its modern equipment. Besides operating these two farms, Mr. 
Moltzau is president of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery Company, of 
which he has been a director for ten years, and is a director in the First 
State Bank of Strum. He has also rendered service in township affairs, 
his official career covering eight years as township supervisor and 12 years 
as treasurer of the school board. A member of the Synod Norwegian 
Lutheran church, he has served that organization 15 years as treasurer. 
Mr. Moltzau was married May 30, 1885, to Severene Frodahl, of Albion 
Township, who was born in Toten, Norway, Sept. 3, 1863, a daughter of 
John and Helena (Christianson) Frodahl. The father was born in Norway 
in 1831, the mother in 1827. They were married in their native land and 
came to America in 1869, settling in La Crosse County, Wis., whence they 
came to Albion Township, Trempealeau County, in the spring of 1878. John 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 601 

Frodahl died in January, 1898, and his wife in March the following year. 
Mr. and Mrs. Moltzau have had ten children : Alfred, who died at the age 
of 5 years ; Andor, who married Selma Tronson and is now farming at 
Shevlin, Minn. ; Marshall, a farmer at Shevlin, Minn., who married Tillie 
Martinson and has one child, Muriel ; Herman, assistant cashier of the Bank 
of Eleva, who married Goldie Knutson and has one child, Hewitt ; Doris, 
wife of Dr. J. J. Myhres, a veterinary surgeon of Eleva; Margaret, who 
married Alfred Borgen, of Eau Claire, Wis., chief of the Bell Telephone Com- 
pany, of Chippewa Falls ; Valborg, who graduated from the Mondovi High 
School and is now a teacher, and Esther, Theodore and Paul LeRoy, who 
reside at home. 

Albert J. Lamberson, V. S., proprietor of "The Lamberson Farm" of 
200 acres in sections 22 and 27, Lincoln Township, was born on this farm 
May 2, 1870, a son of John C. Lamberson. John C. was a son of Orson S. 
and Jane (Hoskins) Lamberson, the former of whom died on this place 
Jan. 30, 1904, at the age of 82 years. Orson's wife Jane died in Sauk 
County, Wis., about 1848, when a young woman. John C. Lamberson was 
born in Bradford County, Pa., June 13, 1840, and came to Sauk County, Wis., 
with his parents in 1850. He then removed to Rochester, Minn. In Octo- 
ber, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Minnesota Infantry, with which 
regiment he served four years, taking part in the battles of Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. In 1867 he bought a part 
of the farm now owned by his son Alfred — that part of the farm in section 
22, which place he made his home till 1892. Aug. 8, 1867 he married 
Lucena Woolsey (nee Becker), whose first husband, James Woolsey, died 
in the army, she being then a resident of Adams County. By him she had 
one child, Ella, who is now the wife of A. R. Warren, of Lincoln Township. 
John C. Lamberson and wife had four children: Alfred J., subject of this 
memoir ; Berenice, wife of Fred W. Lowe, a farmer of Lincoln Township ; 
George W., also a farmer of Lincoln Township, and Lloyd H., who is an 
acountant in the employ of the Studebaker Company at South Bend, Ind. 
Mr. J. C. Lamberson died June 20, 1917. Alfred J. Lamberson was reared 
on his parents' farm, and to more fully qualify himself for his intended voca- 
tion as a farmer, he attended for two years the State Agricultural College. 
He then spent two years at the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, 
Canada, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1891. 
Going to Winona, Minn., he practiced as a veterinary there for 12 years, 
after which, in the spring of 1902, he bought the old home farm from his 
father and has since been engaged in its operation. He has made some 
important improvements on the place, in 1916 rebuilding the barn, which 
is a T-shaped structure, 116 feet long, the cross section being 82 feet long. 
In part the barn is 42 feet wide, and stands on 20-foot posts, with full base- 
ment. It is provided with concrete floors, swinging stanchions and litter 
carriers and has room for 50 cows, besides 75 young stock and 10 horses. 
There are two silos ; one 16 by 42 feet, of solid concrete, the other of cement 
blocks, 14 by 42. The house, which he rebuilt in 1904, is an 8-room build- 
ing, two-story and basement, thoroughly modern in its fittings, and tasteful 
in design and appearance. Dr. Lamberson raises Holstein cattle, having a 



602 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

herd of 60 head, of which he milks 40, furnishing whipping cream to the 
Hardwick Dairy, of Winona. He also raises Poland-China hogs, selling one 
carload per year. Feb. 5, 1893, he was married to Birdie L. Johnson, of 
Pigeon Township, who was born March 20, 1873, daughter of Seneca B. and 
Lydia (Bangs) Johnson. Her father was a merchant at Coral City, of 
which place he was a pioneer. He died there in 1881, and his widow 
subsequently became the wife of David Flack, who is also now deceased. 
She is still living and resides in Whitehall. Dr. and Mrs. Lamberson have 
had three children: Raymond, who was graduated from the Department 
of Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin, in 1916, with the degree of 
Bachelor of Science of Agriculture, and who is now with his father ; Win- 
nifred, residing at home, and Sidney, who died at the age of 1 year. Dr. 
Lamberson and family are members of the Baptist church, and he belongs 
to the Masonic order. His father, John C. Lamberson, was a stockholder 
in the Melby Bank, and for a number of years was chairman of the township 
board. 

Jacob Pederson, an early settler in Hale Township, now deceased, but 
who will be long remembered, was born in Norway, Feb. 6, 1848, son of Peder 
and Mangnil (Pederson) Pederson. He was educated in his native land 
and came to America in 1867 with his parents, the family locating at La 
Crosse, Wis. In 1870 they came to Trempealeau County, taking a home- 
stead of 80 acres in section 4, Hale Township. Jacob remained at home 
until 1875, and then began life's battle for himself, buying 120 acres of 
wild railroad land in section 9, in the same township. Moving onto it, he 
threw himself with all his energy, of which he had an abundance, into the 
hard pioneer work of delevoping a farm. Success finally crowned his efforts, 
in time he increased his holdings, and at last found himself in possession 
of a good farm of 240 acres, of which 80 acres lay in section 10, 80 in section 
4, 40 in section 3, and 80 in section .9. He was engaged in diversified 
farming, and became a prosperous and highly-respected citizen of the town- 
ship, also serving as school clerk for three years. His father and mother 
both died on the farm, after doing their part in helping to make the wilder- 
ness a fertile area of production. Jacob Pederson died June 14, 1903, his 
loss being much regretted by all his friends and acquaintances, which 
included practically the entire population of the township. Mr. Pederson 
was married, Jan. 5, 1876, to Anne Marie Granrud, who was born in Norway, 
Jan. 7, 1857, daughter of Ole and Karen (Anderson) Granrud. He and his 
wife were the parents of a large family, numbering 10 children, whose 
names, respectively, were: Peter, Olaf, Martha, Edward, Julia, Sigvart, 
Anna, Emil and Karen. Peter, who married Cora Saxrud, lives in Bow- 
man County, N. D., and has two children, Signa and Viola. Olaf married 
Augusta Johnson and resides in Sumner Township, Trempealeau County. 
He has two children, Edward and Florence. Martha, now Mrs. Sim Lee, 
resides at Osseo, this county, and has two children, Adrienne and Abner. 
Edward died at the age of 18 months, and George at that of 26 years. Julia 
is the wife of WiUiam Wagner and lives in Bowman County, N. D. Sigvart, 
who married Lila Swaim, is living on the home farm and has one child, 
Arline Loretta. Anna, now Mrs. Louis Christianson, lives in Hale Town- 



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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 603 

ship. Emil is on the old homestead and Karen is a student in the Osseo 
High School. The family are members of the Norwegian church. Since 
Mr. Pederson's death Mrs. Pederson has still further enlarged the size of 
the farm, having purchased 120 acres more, of which 80 lie in section 9 and 
40 in section 10. The farm contains 360 acres, over 40 of which lie in 
Sumner Township. The estate is a valuable one, highly improved and well 
taken care of, so as to reach the highest point of productiveness. 

Ole Granrud, a pioneer of Trempealeau County in 1868, was a native of 
Norway, where he married Karen Anderson. In 1866 he came with his 
wife and family to the United States, locating first in Fillmore County, 
Minnesota, whence he soon came to Trempealeau County, taking a home- 
stead of 120 acres in section 4, Hale Township, he being the first settler in 
the South Branch District. He and his family began life here in true 
pioneer style, living the first summer in a dug-out with lumber roof, the 
lumber for which was obtained at Hamburg. In the fall Mr. Granrud built 
a larger dug-out, with lumber, hay and sod roof, in which he and his family 
resided until 1874, when, his circumstances having improved, he built a fine 
house. In 1893 he sold the farm and for the next three years he and his 
wife resided with their daughter, Mrs. Jacob Pederson. At the end of that 
time he bought a farm in Sumner Township, onto which he moved, and 
which he operated for about seven years. He then returned to his daugh- 
ter's home, where he died in 1900. His wife survived him but a short 
time, dying in 1902. Their children were: EUe, now deceased; Andrew, 
deceased; Anne, wife of Jacob Pederson, and Ole, now living in Tacoma, 
Wash. 

Anton W. Liver, a member of the firm of Liver & Torgerson, hardware 
dealers in Independence, was born in the village of Sarn, Canton of Grau- 
buenden, Switzerland, Feb. 3, 1857, son of Anton and Clara (Wazau) Liver. 
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Switzerland in 1867, 
and two years later, or in 1869, his wife also passed away. Young Anton, 
thus left an orphan at the age of 12 years, was reared by his father's sister, 
Mrs. Ursula Masueger. In 1874, when only 17 years old, he came to the 
United States, locating first in Milwaukee, where he found employment and 
remained a year. He then removed to Buffalo County, Wis., and learned 
the tinner's trade at Alma, working at it there for some two years. Sub- 
sequently he followed it in Independence until 1881, in which year he opened 
a hardware store for himself in the village, conducting it until 1888. He 
then purchased the interest of Ferd Horst in the hardware firm of Danuser 
& Horst, the style of the firm being changed to Danuser & Liver. In 1894 
Christ Torgerson bought the interest of Mr. Danuser, since which time the 
business has been carried on under the style of Liver & Torgerson. The 
firm has an up-to-date store, keeping a good and complete stock, and enjoys 
a large and profitable patronage. Mr. Liver is a stockholder in the State 
Bank of Independence, and for some time has taken a more or less active 
part in local government matters. His service in this connection includes 
nine years as clerk of the school board, two years as a member of the 
village council and the same length of time as its president, and six years 
as a member of the county board of supervisors. He is a member, trustee 



604 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he belongs 
to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Liver was married, April 28, 
1880, to Mary Russell, of Burnside Township, whose father, William, a 
farmer born in Scotland, settled in Trempealeau County in 1875 and resided 
there until his death in 1886. Her mother, whose maiden name was Eliza- 
beth Muir, died in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Liver have had five children : Clara, 
who married Alven Elstad, of Independence, and died at the age of 30 years ; 
William, who died at the age of 18 months ; Pearl, who died at the age of 15 
months ; Iva and Bessie, who are residing at home with their parents. 

William K. Levis, a pioneer, was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1814, 
and there married Mary Blanchard, who was born in 1823. He came to 
Black River Falls, this State, in 1846, and operated a sawmill there until 
1860. Then he moved to Alma Center, in Jackson County. From there in 
1867 he came to Trempealeau, and settled on a farm some two miles north 
of the village of Osseo. After a long and useful life on the farm he moved 
to the village in 1890, and here died in 1898, his wife surviving until 
1907. 

Clark M. Levis, meat dealer at Osseo, was born in Black River Falls, 
Wis., June 8, 1859, son of William K. and Mary (Blanchard) Levis. He 
spent his early boyhood in his native town, and at Alma Center, Jackson 
County, this State. In 1867, while still a youth, he was brought to Osseo, 
and was reared on a farm some two miles away. He worked with his father 
for a while, purchased 80 acres of the farm in 1883, and the remainder in 
1899, and there remained until 1904, when he came to Osseo and established 
his present business. A public-spirited man, he has served on the village 
council six years, and as county supervisor one year. His fraternal relations 
are with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Levis was 
married, June 1, 1884, to Delia Sawyer, daughter of John and Caroline 
(Chase) Sawyer, of Eau Claire County, and they have one daughter, Gladys 
C, born July 26, 1896. 

Andrew C. Hagestad, proprietor of the Hagestad Stock Farm, which 
embraces the old Hagestad homestead in section 19, Ettrick Township, is 
one of the best-known agriculturists in this county. He has a wide reputa- 
tion as a breeder of Holstein-Fresian cattle, he has been an important factor 
in many farmers' organizations, and he has been very active indeed in 
church, school and township affairs. Like his father before him, he is 
energetic and progressive, and is recognized as one of the most useful 
citizens in the community. A native of this county, he was born on the 
place where he now hves, Jan. 23, 1876, son of Knut K. and Astri (Knutson) 
Hagestad, the early settlers. He was reared to farm pursuits, attended the 
pubKc schools, and in the winters of 1896-97 he attended the College of 
Agriculture at the State University, receiving his diploma in the spring of 
1897, thereafter became his father's partner in conducting the farm, acquir- 
ing a half interest in the place. In the winter of 1917, before his father's 
death, he secured the other half interest and is now the sole owner. On 
this place he successfully conducts agricultural operations along the latest 
approved hnes. In connection with his breeding of Holstein-Fresian cattle, 
he owns the noted sire, "Prince Korndyke," No. 177,392, whose dam, 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 605 

Princess De Kol Echo, has a world-wide reputation for having in a stated 
tested period given 98 pounds of milk a day and produced over 28 pounds 
of butterfat in a week. The farm is also known for its Berkshire swine 
and Single-comb White Leghorn poultry. Aside from his farm holdings, 
Mr. Hagestad has extensive business interests, including stock in the 
Ettrick Creamery, of which he is vice-president ; in the Ettrick & Northern 
Railroad Company, of which he is a director, and in the Ettrick Lumber 
Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company at Ettrick. In church and 
public life he has been no less prominent, he is a member of the Lutheran 
church, and has held an office of trustee for eight years, has been director 
of the school district for the past nine years and township treasurer for the 
past five years. As a believer in agricultural progress he has affiliated 
himself with the Wisconsin Experiment Association, with headquarters at 
Madison. In advertising his farm, Mr. Hagestad makes use of an inter- 
esting device of his own invention. The device consists of two large wings, 
connected by a circle. The left wing bears the word "Quality," the right 
wing the word "Quantity," the top of the circle the word "Production," and 
the bottom of the circle the word "First," thus giving the slogan : "First in 
Production, First in Quality and First in Quantity." In the center of the 
circle is a picture of the famous Prince Korndyke. Mr. Hagestad was mar- 
ried Jan. 25, 1901, to Martha Christianson, of Ettrick, daughter of Hans 
Christianson, and this union has been blessed with five children : Victor R., 
born June 13, 1902 ; Evelyn C, born June 19, 1904, and died Dec. 27, 1904 ; 
Kenneth H., born Jan. 22, 1906; Elsie M., born June 4, 1910; and Ruth C, 
born April 3, 1914. 

Tom Lomsdahl, of Osseo, dealer in hardware, farm implements, agricul- 
tural machinery and automobiles, was born in Sondre Land, Norway, Aug. 
6, 1874, son of Peter and Maren (Andreasdotter) Lomsdahl. And in 1893 
the mother and her son Tom came to America, where she later married 
E. C. Hagen, of Bruce Valley, Hale Township. The subject of this sketch 
was employed as a farm hand for several years. Then for nearly ten years 
he operated a farm near Osseo. In 1910 he moved to the village and pur- 
chased the business of Fields & Olson. In 1912 he bought out the interest 
of Gilbert Lewis, in the firm of Lewis & Hokland. With Frederick N. Hok- 
land as a partner, under the firm name of Tom Lomsdahl & Co., he carried 
on the business for five years, when he purchased the interest of his part- 
ner, Mr. Hokland, Feb. 5, 1917, and now carries on a large and constantly 
increasing business alone. For three years he was secretary and manager 
of the Farmers' Telephone Company, in which he is still a director. He 
is a stockholder in the State Bank of Osseo. His services for four years as 
a member of the village council have been highly valued, and he did equally 
good work as a member of the town board of Sumner Township for two 
years. He is one of the directors of the Osseo Farmers' Produce Company. 
His religious faith is that of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, and his 
fraternal affiliation is with the Beavers. Mr. Lomsdahl was married Nov. 
12, 1898, to Mary Gunnem, of Bruce Valley, daughter of Thorn and Carrie 
(Osldotter) Gunnem, natives of Norway, who came to America in the early 
'70s, and spent the remainder of their lives in Trempealeau County, the 



606 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

former dying in 1907 and the latter in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Lomsdahl have 
a daughter, LiUian May, born Sept. 25, 1906. 

Sim E. Lee, manager of the Osseo Feed Mill, from which mill the electric 
current of the village is supphed, was born in Burnside Township, this 
county, April 26, 1881, son of Joseph N. and Belle (Simonson) Lee. Joseph 
N. Lee was born in Norway, Aug. 5, 1849, and came to America as a young 
man. After the death of his first wife. Belle Simonson, he married Lena 
Olson. Sim E. Lee was reared on the home farm and educated in the com- 
mon schools. In 1904 he became manager of the Osseo Feed Mill. On Jan. 
28, 1914, he installed therein an electric light plant, which furnishes elec- 
tricity for street, business and residential lighting. In this capacity the 
plant has won wide favor, and its manager is held in high esteem. Mr. Lee 
is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, and also has 
other business holdings. Mr. Lee was married June 16, 1907, to Martha 
Pederson, who was born in Hale Township, July 1, 1882, daughter of Jacob 
and Annie (Grandrud) Pederson. This union has been blessed with two 
children : Adrine, born Dec. 6, 1908 ; and Abner, born June 19, 1911. 

John Konz, Jr., blacksmith, garage owner and opera house manager, of 
Osseo, was born in Dane County, Wis., April 3, 1870, son of John and 
Frances (Krisch) Konz. The second of a large family of 10 children, he 
remained at home until he was 24 years of age. Then he farmed near Osseo 
for a number of years. In 1907 he came to Osseo, and purchased the black- 
smith shop of J. M. Anderson, which he now conducts. He also engaged 
in the sale of farm implements. In 1909 he enlarged and remodeled his 
building, and established an opera house on the upper floor. As a stock- 
holder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and as a director and stockholder 
in the Osseo Telephone Company he has taken his part in the financial and 
business development of the village and community. His fraternal affili- 
ations are with the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. The family faith 
is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Konz was married Feb. 1, 1898, to 
Elizabeth Andrus, of Sumner Township, daughter of Alvah and Angelia 
(Lane) Andrus, and descended from an old New York family. The father 
makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Konz, while the mother died in 1880. 
Mr. and Mrs. Konz have four children: Ardys, Raymond, Mai'garet and 
Maurice. William died at the age of 6 weeks. John Konz, Sr.,. father of 
John Konz, Jr., was born in Germany, came to America in 1860, located on 
a farm seven miles south of Augusta, in Eau Claire County, Wis., in 1873, 
farmed there until 1911, and then moved to Augusta, where he is now the 
proprietor of the Augusta Hotel, one of the leading hostelries of that place. 

J. Reese Jones, attorney at Osseo, was born in Dodge County, this State, 
July 15, 1882, son of Jonah and Margaret (Williams) Jones. Jonah Jones 
was born in Wales, and came to America in 1843 with his parents, living in 
New York for a while, and subsequently locating in Wisconsin, where he 
farmed for the remainder of his life. He died in 1913 at the age of 76, and 
his wife is now living in Columbus, Wis. In the family there are six 
children: Mamye, wife of W. J. Roberts, of Columbus; Hannah, of Colum- 
bus; Kathryn, now Mrs. Richard Griffith, of Columbus; Marjorie, now Mrs. 
Griff. Jones, of Vallejo, Cal., where her husband is employed in the navy 




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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 607 

yards as a machinist; William 0., a farmer of Columbus, and J. Reese. 
Evelyn died at the age of 2 years. The subject of this sketch was reared 
to farm pursuits and received his early education in the schools of his neigh- 
borhood. In 1907 he graduated from the Stevens Point Normal School, 
and then, after teaching school for a year, entered the College of Law of the 
University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1911. Immedi- 
ately upon graduation, he opened an office in Friendship, in this State. In the 
fall of 1915 he came to Trempealeau County, bought out the practice of 
G. O. Linderman, at Osseo, and has since maintained his office here. He 
is one of the successful young lawyers of the county, and his friends predict 
for him a brilliant future. Mr. Jones is a stockholder in the Farmers' 
Exchange Bank, of Osseo. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic 
order. 

Knut A. Knudtson, a retired farmer of Whitehall, and owner of the 
Overland Farm of 160 acres in section 28, and the Ada Stock Farm of 240 
acres in sections 4 and 9, all in Pigeon Township, was born in Telemaarken, 
Norway, June 24, 1852, son of Andrew and Margaret (Halvorson) Knudtson, 
born in Norway in 1827 and 1832, respectively, who came to America in 
1869, and located in Preston Township, this County, where they died, the 
father in 1909 and the mother in 1886. After coming to this country, 
Knut A. worked about among the farmers of the neighborhood until 1874, 
when he bought the Overland Farm on Fly Creek. This farm he operated 
about 30 years. In 1903 he took up his residence in Whitehall. But he 
still longed for farm hfe, so in the fall of 1909 he purchased the Ada Stock 
Farm, on which he lived until 1912, when he again took up his home in 
Whitehall. For three years he served on the town board and for 15 years 
on the school board. He is a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery, the 
Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, the People's State Bank and the Whitehall 
Hospital. Mr. Knudtson was married Nov. 6, 1874, to Julia Knudtson, 
daughter of Aslak and Hannah (Hendrickson) Knudtson, of Pigeon Town- 
ship. This union has been blessed with 10 children : Amanda, Ida, Han- 
nah, Ella, Tina, Clara and Grace, living, and Ada, Adolph and Clara deceased. 
Amanda is the wife of Ira Thompson, a farmer of Preston Township. Ida 
married Patrick Murphy, a stonecutter of Waterbury, Vt. Hannah mar- 
ried E. E. Deppe, a real estate man of Duluth, Minn. Ella married Theo. 
Stendahl, a farmer of Pigeon Township. Tina married Luther Quacken- 
bush, of Whitehall. Clara and Grace are at home. Ada died at the age 
of 2 years, Adolph at the age of 18 years, and Clara at the age of 11 years. 
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Gust G. Johnson, a farmer operating 120 acres of land in section 25, 
Sumner Township, was born at Black Earth, Dane County, Wis., Dec. 15, 
1861. He is a son of Gunerus C. Johnson, who was born at Soler, Norway, 
Oct. 5, 1833, and who, after coming to the United States, participated in the 
Civil War as a member of the Forty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. 
He married Syverine Christianson, who was born in Hedemarken, Norway, 
m 1836, and who died May 12, 1893. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898. 
Gunerus C. Johnson came to the United States in 1854, locating in Detroit, 
Mich. From there he subsequently removed to Iowa County, Wis., where 



608 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

he was married in 1855. In 1870 he and his family came to Trempealeau 
County, homesteading land in section 36, Sumner Township, where he and 
his wife spent the rest of their lives. They had a large family of 12 
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. 
Gust G. Johnson resided on the home farm until his marriage, which 
united him. May 14, 1883, to Martha Erickson, who was born in Iowa 
County, Wis., July 2, 1867. Her parents were Peter and Christina (Olson) 
Erickson, the former being now a retired farmer residing in Osseo, whose 
eighty-second birthday occurred Jan. 31, 1917. Mrs. Johnson's mother, 
who was born in Norway, Sept. 22, 1839, died March 3, 1901. After his 
marriage Mr. Johnson rented a farm in section 25, Sumner Township, and 
cultivated it 12 years, removing to his present farm in the same section 
in 1895, having bought it in 1891. He has served as township treasurer 
since 1912, was township supervisor two years, and has been treasurer of 
the school district since it was organized in 1890. He is also a director of 
the Golden Valley Cheese Factory, the valley in which the factory is located 
having been named by him. He and his wife have been the parents of 
seven children: Swerin, who died at the age of 16 years in 1901; Adelia, 
residing at home ; Philip, who is engaged in farming in Sumner Township, 
and Chfford, Dewey, Lawrence, Viola and Orlando. In addition to the busi- 
ness interests named above, with which Mr. Johnson is connected, he is 
also a stockholder in the State Bank of Osseo. Both as farmer and business 
man he has been successful, and is recognized as one of the reliable and 
substantial citizens of his township. 

David Isom came to Trempealeau County in 1882 and purchased a farm 
in section 19, Sumner Township, which he operated until 1907, when he sold 
it to his son, George J., and moved to Osseo, where he now resides. He 
was born in Leicestershire, England, May 27, 1843, son of Francis and 
Elizabeth (Hoe) Isom, the former of whom, of German descent, was born 
in 1801 and died in 1878, and the latter of whom, of English descent, was 
born in 1814 and died in 1864. Coming to America in 1862, the subject of 
this sketch visited Quebec and Montreal, and lived in Door and Dane Coun- 
ties, this state, before coming to Trempealeau County. Mr. Isom was 
married Dec. 1, 1868, to Emma Jane Elwood, who was born in England, 
April 13, 1851. This union has been blessed with seven children: Ada E., 
Frank W., George J., Alvah E., James, Clarence and Lura Maria Rosella. 
Ada E. died of diptheria at the age of eight years. Frank W. is in the land 
business in Los Angeles. George J. owns and operates the home farm. 
He was married April 25, 1900, to Jennie Nichols, born in Eau Claire County, 
this state, daughter of Caleb F. and Anna (Olson) Nichols, retired farmers 
of Osseo, and this union has been blessed with five children : Eunice Adele, 
born Nov. 30, 1901 ; Grace Elizabeth, born Nov. 21, 1902 ; Ernest Francis, 
born July 11, 1904; Vera Anna, born Sept. 21, 1906, and Harold William, 
born Aug. 27, 1910. James was drowned at the age of two years. Alvah E. 
farms in Sumner Township. He was married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring, 
daughter of John Ring, of Ossoe, and they have three children: Eugene 
Willard, born Nov. 16, 1905 ; Clifford Roy, born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard 
Kent, born Sept. 13, 1911. Clarence died at the age of six months. Lura 




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IILSTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 609 

Maria Rosella was married April 13, 1902, to Sidney Carter, who operates 
a garage at Cadotte, Wis., and tliey have four children: Walter Isom, born 
July 17, 1906 ; Dorothy May, born Aug. 5, 1908 ; Frank Elroy, born Aug. 6, 
1913, and Elwood David, born Sept. 1, 1915. 

Alva E. Isom, a successful and well-known farmer living on 160 acres 
of well-improved land in section 17, Sumner Township, is a native of this 
state, having been born at Black Earth, Oct. 17, 1880, son of David and 
Emma (Elwood) Isom. He was educated in the schools of his neighbor- 
hood, was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and remained with his 
parents until 1903, when he purchased his present place. In public life he 
has been town supervisor for two years and school clerk for seven years. 
His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Osseo and 
the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with 
the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is an officer. Mr. Isom was 
married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring, born in Sumner Township, May 24, 
1880, daughter of John and Alberta (Dighton) Ring, and this union has been 
blessed with three children: Eugene W., born Nov. 16, 1905; Clifford R., 
born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard K, born Sept. 13, 1911. 

Chester Beswick, Jr., a retired farmer residing in section 17, Preston 
Township, was born at Bolton, Warren County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1834, son 
of Chester Beswick, Sr., and Polly Ann (Rice) Beswick. The father was 
born in Warren County, New York, Sept. 22, 1810, and in 1849 migrated 
west to Beaver Dam, Wis., residing there six years. He then came to 
Trempealeau County and pre-empted 120 acres of land in section 17, Preston 
Township. The rest of his life was spent in the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his farm, his death occurring Feb. 13, 1895. His wife, Polly Ann 
Rice, was born in Warren County, New York, June 3, 1815, and died Nov. 
29, 1905. Her parents, with their family, removed from New York state 
to Kenosha, Wis., whei'e the father died at the age of 95 years. Mrs. Rice, 
with her son Simon, came to Trempealeau County so as to be near her 
daughter, Mrs. Chester Beswick, Sr., and with whom she made her home 
until her death, March 31, 1888. She was born in New York state Feb. 25, 
1796. Her son Simon was afterwards a well known farmer of Preston 
Township. Chester Beswick, Jr., came to Wisconsin with his parents, but 
in the spring of 1859 he went to Texas and engaged in sheep herding in 
the valley of the Brazos River. At the outbreak of the Civil war he and 
four companions started home on horseback. While on the way they were 
arrested by Confederate troops as spies and were thrown into prison, where 
they remained for a month. Then, in order to gain their freedom, they 
enlisted in the Confederate army, but soon afterwards deserted. They were 
retaken, however, by a band of Osage Indians, who were in the Confederate 
service, and were again imprisoned and sentenced to be shot. The day 
before the date set for their execution they again escaped, but were once 
more recaptured. In an effort to learn the truth from them their captors 
put ropes around their necks and made ready to hang them, but were finally 
dissuaded from doing so by some members of their own band. At another 
time the Indians had them lined up to be shot, and on still another occasion 
had prepared a fire to burn them, but this time they were saved by their 



610 IllSTOHY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

interpreter. It was in December, 1862, when Mr. Beswick finally made his 
way in safety to his Wisconsin home, and resumed industrial life in a safer 
locality. He was married July 4, 1877, to Anjenette Thurston, of Blair, 
whose father, Ebenezer Thurston, was the first postmaster of that village, 
which was then called South Bend. He kept the post office in his old home 
in section 16, on the farm now owned by Paul Thompson. Mr. Thurston 
was born Dec. 30, 1805, and died May 13, 1880. He married Mary Eveline 
Haywood, who was born June 10, 1811, and died Dec. 15, 1881. Chester 
Beswick, Jr., lived most of his life on the old farm taken by his father in 
1855, except for a period of 20 years, when he was engaged in farming four 
miles north of Independence. He is now healthy and active at 82 years of 
age, being able to read without glasses. He resides with his son-in-law, 
Henry M. Hanson. His wife, Anjenette Thurston Beswick, who was born 
April 28, 1844, died Sept. 10, 1901. Their children were : Alice, born May 
17, 1870, who married Palmer Back, a farmer of Preston Township ; Harriet, 
born Nov. 23, 1872, who died Oct. 10, 1873 ; Charles, born April 3, 1874, who 
died Aug. 20, 1877, and Susan E., born Jan. 9, 1876, and now wife of Henry 
M. Hanson, the owner of Mr. Beswick's old farm. Alice (Mrs. Palmer Back) 
has had seven children, whose names, with dates of birth and death, are as 
follows: Hazel Charlotte, born Aug. 4, 1892; Willis Irvin, May 18, 1894, 
died Sept. 26, 1909 ; Charles Chester, Aug. 10, 1901 ; Myrtle Adine, July 1, 
1903; Dorris Evelyn, April 23, 1906; Florence Irene, Feb. 25, 1911, and 
WyUis Margarite, Aug. 30, 1912. 

Frederick N. Hokland, formerly of the firm of Tom Lomsdahl & Co., 
Osseo, dealers in hardware, farm implements, agricultural machinery and 
automobiles, was born in Nordland, Norway, Sept. 22, 1853, son of Nels 0. 
and Mary (Frederickson) Hokland. Nels 0. Hokland came to America from 
Norway, with his family, in 1867, and farmed in Vernon County, Wisconsin, 
until 1872, when he came to Trempealeau County, and located in Pigeon 
Township, moving a year later to a farm in the east side of Hale Township, 
where he remained until 1903, when he moved to Osseo, where he now lives 
at the good old age of 83, making his home with his son, Frederick N., his 
wife having died in 1884. Frederick N. Hokland was reared on his father's 
farm. From 1897 to 1901 he was manager of the Whitehall & Pigeon Trad- 
ing Association at Whitehall. In 1904, with Gilbert Lewis, he opened a hard- 
ware and implement store in Osseo, under the firm name of Lewis & Hok- 
land. Tom Lomsdahl, in 1912, purchased the Lewis interest, and the firm 
was consolidated in Tom Lomsdahl & Co. Aside from building up a large 
trade, Mr. Hokland has found time for service as a member of the village 
council for four years. He was clerk of the school board of his district in 
Hale Township for eleven years. 

Bert L. Hume, blacksmith and general machinist, now conducting a 
plant at Osseo, was born in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, Wis., 
Feb. 26, 1883, son of Alexander and Amanda (Root) Hume. Alexander 
Hume was born in Canada, came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1863, and 
lived in Eau Claire County until his death in 1902, his wife still living in 
Osseo. Bert L. was reared to farm pursuits by his father and remained on 
the home place until 1901, when he went to Augusta, and learned the black- 




C. L. BOLENG AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 611 

smith trade. In 1909 he came to Osseo, and purchased the shop of E. Nelson 
& Son, which he has since conducted. The shop was destroyed by fire on 
Aug. 30, 1911, and Mr. Hume then built his present plant. The building 
is of concrete, 40 by 40 feet, well equipped for all kinds of blacksmith and 
machinery work and automobile repairing. A feature of the plant is a large 
oxygen-acetylene welding apparatus, and the trip hammer, drill press and 
two lathes add to the efficiency of the work done. The shop occupied the 
corner of Thomas and Main streets, the site of the first house built in the 
village of Osseo. Mr. Hume is well liked in the community, and is a mem- 
ber of the Modern Woodmen and of the Woodmen of the World. He was 
married Sept. 24, 1903, to Emma M. Krienke, of Otter Creek Township, Eau 
Claire County, daughter of Fred and Bertha (Bethe) Krienke. Fred 
Krienke was a native of Germany, served in the German army, and was a 
pioneer in Eau Claire County. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have five children: 
Edna, Selma, Margaret, Edwin and Alice. 

William Henry came to Trempealeau County in 1858 and homesteaded 
a farm of 160 acres in sections 21 and 22, Sumner Township, where he lived 
until his death, May 28, 1913. He was born in County Down, near Belfast, 
Ireland, Jan. 27, 1828, the son of David Henry, who was born in Scotland, 
and for many years was an inn keeper in Ireland. William Henry came to 
America in 1852, and located in Chenango County, New York, where he 
lived until coming to Trempealeau County. In 1859 he went back to New 
York for a short trip and was there married to Elizabeth Skillin, a native 
of Chenango County. They had two sons, Elmer H., who farms in Eau 
Claire County, four miles north of Osseo, and Edward J., who bought the 
home farm about 1898. 

Edward J. Henry, proprietor of the Oakgrove Stock Farm, sections 
21 and 22, Sumner Township, was born on the place where he still lives 
Nov. 29, 1863, son of William and Elizabeth (Skillin) Henry. He has made 
many improvements on the farm, has fenced it with woven wire, and main- 
tains his substantial home, barns and silo in the best of condition. He com- 
pleted in 1917 a barn 36 by 60 feet, with cement floor and steel stanchions, 
for stock. Carrying on general farming in all its branches, he has made a 
specialty of Duroc-Jersey swine, of which he has a good drove. In public 
life he has served as supervisor for two years, and as clerk of the school 
board of his district since 1900. Mr. Henry was married June 1, 1886, to 
Ettie L. Johnson, born in Black Earth, Wis., Aug. 18, 1865, daughter of 
Almond S. and Jane (Oswald) Johnson, and this union has been blessed with 
six children: Vina, William D., Jane E., Nina L., Frank S. and Laura L. 
Vina was born June 1, 1888,. and married Ludwig Johnson, who farms in 
Eau Claire County. William D., born March 21, 1892, farms in Forsythe 
Mont. Jane E., born Dec. 12, 1893, graduated from the Augusta high 
school, and has successfully taught school in the same district for four 
years. Nina L. was born April 23, 1897, and is a graduate of the Augusta 
high school. Frank S. was born Sept. 23, 1902. Laura L. was bom Oct. 
10, 1905, both living at home. 

Christ L. Boleng, proprietor of a grocery store at Tamarac, Arcadia 
Township, was bom in Norway, Sept. 5, 1851, son of Lars and Martha 



612 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

(Iverson) Boleng. As a youth his attention had been drawn to America 
as a land of opportunity and he resolved, as soon as he was able, to seek 
his fortune in the New World. This resolve he made good at an early age, 
for he was only 18 years old when, in 1870, he sailed from his native 
shores, landing in New York June 6, that year. In the same year he came 
to Wisconsin, locating first at La Crosse, where he lived for six years, in 
the summers working in the sawmills and at the log booms of Black River, 
and in the winters in the pine woods of Clark County, Wisconsin. During 
all this time he was looking forward to being his own master, and as a first 
step to this, in 1874 he bought 80 acres of wild land in Trempealeau County, 
four miles west of Independence. This land was situated in Traverse Val- 
ley, its previous owner being Abe Bugee, who had built a log house or shanty 
on it. During the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Boleng again worked in the Clai'k 
County pineries, living economically and saving as much as he could. In 
the summer of 1876 he sent to Norway for his parents, and on their arrival 
settled them on the Traverse Valley land, where they hved until 1882. 
During the years from 1876 to 1882 he went to the woods every fall and 
worked there until the next haying season, when he would return to the 
farm for the balance of the summer. Mr. Boleng's father died in Unity 
Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1915. His wife, surviving him, is still liv- 
ing in that township and is now 87 years old. June 6, 1879, the subject of 
this sketch was married to Ehzabeth, daughter of Halvor and Melinda 
(Lee) Kettleson, of La Crosse County. Her brother Nels Lee was the first 
settler near Lee, III. She was born on the site of Midway, between Trem- 
pealeau and La Crosse Counties, Wisconsin. After their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Boleng took up their residence on the Traverse Valley farm, where 
they lived until 1892. They then rented the farm and moved into Indepen- 
dence Village, making their home there until the summer of 1898. At 
that time they moved to Tamarac, half way between Centerville and 
Arcadia, where Mr. Boleng purchased the stock of a country grocery store, 
also the store building a year later, and where he has since carried on 
business. For eight years he was postmaster at Tamarack until the rural 
delivery came into operation. The first mail he received was on Oct. 10, 
1898, and the last mail arrived at 12 :24 Tuesday, July 31, 1906, and departed 
at 12:40 the same day. On Sept. 7, 1916, Mr. Boleng was assaulted and 
robbed in his store and left for dead, but fortunately recovered. He is a 
stockholder in the State Bank of Trempealeau, in Savage's factories at 
Minneapolis and in Savage's Electric Railway. In politics he is a staunch 
Republican. He and his wife have had five children : Lee H., Lilly (first) , 
Lilly (second), Milton and Milton G., of whom the first named Lilly is 
deceased, and the first Milton died in infancy. Lee H., who was a graduate 
of Wisconsin University, went to China as an instructor in English, and was 
drowned in that country while on a vacation July 3, 1910. Lilly (second) 
is keeping house for her father, and Milton G., who graduated from Gale 
College in the class of 1917, is now with the John Latsch wholesale house, 
Winona, Minn. Mr. Boleng and his surviving family are members of Nor- 
way Coulie Lutheran Congregation. He is a popular citizen in this part 
of the county and the brutal attack upon him last September caused great 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 613 

indignation in the neighborhood. Mrs. Boleng passed away May 19, 1902, 
at Galesville Hospital. 

William Hunter, an early settler, was born in Clackmannanshire, Scot- 
land, and as a young man became a miner. He married Jane Neish, and 
in 1852, after three children had been born, set out for America. His wife 
died shortly after his arrival in the new country. Locating near Pittsburg, 
Penn., he followed his former occupation as a miner for eighteen years. He 
was determined, however, to see other environment for his family, so, in 
1870, he came west and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 5, 
Burnside Township, this county. Here he successfully farmed until his 
death, in 1897. He was the father of six children: William, who lives with 
his brother James N. on the home farm; Janet, wife of D. A. Hunt, of 
Burnside Township ; James N., who owns and operates the old homestead ; 
Annie, now Mrs. Cole, of South Dakota; Kate, the wife of Charles Hoyt, 
of Spokane, Wash., and Mary, wife of Fred Martin, of Trempealeau. 

James N. Hunter, farmer, township chairman, member of the county 
board, bank director, and man of many interests, was born in Clackman- 
nanshire, Scotland, June 21, 1852, son of William and Jane (Neish) Hunter, 
with whom he came to America in 1852. He grew to young manhood near 
Pittsburg, Penn., and in 1870, with his father, brother and sisters, came to 
Trempealeau County, and located in section 5, Burnside Township, where 
he has since resided. Coming here as a youth, he has led his life day by 
day, uprightly and honorably, and has won the respect and esteem of the 
entire county. Since 1898 he has been chairman of the township board 
and a member of the county board, having served as president of the latter 
body for four years. He has served as justice of the peace for many years, 
and as health officer of the township he has looked after the physical wel- 
fare of the community. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers 
& Merchants Bank of Independence, in which he is a director. His broad 
interest in the county and its affairs is shown by his work as president of 
the Trempealeau County Historical Society. Fraternally his associations 
are with the Masonic lodge at Arcadia. He is unmarried. 

Alfred Hagen, buttermaker for the Unity Co-operative Creamery at 
Strum, is one of the popular young men of the village, and is thoroughly 
proficient in his chosen line of work. He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 
10, 1882, son of Segvart A. and Karen (Olson) Hagen. Segvart A. Hagen 
was born in Norway, came to Trempealeau County in the nineties, settled 
on a farm in section 12, Albion Township, and there lived until his death 
in 1906, since which time the widow has continued to make her home there. 
Alfred Hagen remained with his parents until 15 years old. Then he was 
employed as a farm hand for several years. In 1911 he entered the Unity 
Creamery as a helper, and gradually perfecetd himself as a buttermaker 
until he was promoted to his present position in the spring of 1916. Mr. 
Hagen was married April 7, 1915, to Clara Engen, of Eleva, daughter of 
Ole and Mathia Engen, for many years residents of section 22, Albion Town- 
ship, where the father died in 1908 and where the mother stiU lives. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hagen have a daughter, Myrtle Kathrine, born March 12, 1916. 

Olaf C. GuUord, contractor and builder of Osseo, was born on a farm 



614 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY 

four miles south of the village Sept. 4, 1881, son of Christ and PauUna 
Gullord. Christ Gullord, a mason by trade, was born in Norway, came to 
America in June, 1880, bought a farm in Sumner Township, this county, 
farmed here until 1911, and then went to BiUings, Mont., where he died in 
1914, his wife dying in 1905. Olaf C. Gullord started to learn the trade of 
mason from his father at the age of 14 years, and after following this trade 
for a number of years, gradually worked into his present business. He has 
been successful in his undertakings, and is regarded as a substantial and 
well-to-do man. He is a holder of business property in the village, having 
in 1915 erected a garage, 50 by 60 feet, of soKd concrete, with two stories 
and a basement, fully equipped in every way. This garage he now operates 
in connection with the sale of Overland automobiles. Mr. Gullord was mar- 
ried April 14, 1905, to Emma Stensby, daughter of Berndt Stensby, who was 
born in Norway, and has farmed in Hale Township since 1886. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gullord have two children, Franzel and Lester. 

George Gjuul has lived in this county as manager of the Midland Lum- 
ber & Coal Company at Osseo since Jan. 4, 1912. In advocating better farm 
buildings he has assisted in the development of the surrounding rural 
region, while his work for the progress of Osseo has included his efforts 
toward the organization of the Farmers Exchange Bank, of which he is 
now one of the directors. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. F. & 
A. M. Mr. Gjuul was born in Mankato, Minn., May 13, 1874, the youngest 
in a family of three children. As a youth he worked with his father. At 
the age of twenty-four he secured employment in a hardware store at 
Erskine, Minn. A year and a half later he took up his present line of work 
as manager for the Stenerson Brothers Lumber Yard at Menton, Minn. 
Six years later he became manager for the Lamper Lumber Company at 
Ruthton, Minn. Subsequently he occupied a similar position for the H. W. 
Ross Lumber Company at Hancock, Minn., for the Glattley Lumber Com- 
pany at Hot Springs, S. D., and for the John J. Queal Lumber Company at 
Leeds, Sioux City, Iowa. With this experience he came to Osseo. Mr. 
Gjuul was married April 25, 1906, to Elva Williams, of Amboy, Minn., 
daughter of Cyrus and Mary Nixon, the former of whom died in 1914 at 
the age of 72 and the latter of whom died in 1916 at the age of 70. Torris 
F. Gjuul, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Trondjem, Nor- 
way, came to America, and after living at Stevens Point, Wis., a year, 
located in Mankato, where he became a successful contractor and builder. 
In later years carried on farming at Mankato, Minn., and died Feb. 26, 1906. 
He married Randi Dahl, who lives in Texarkana, Tex., with her son Frank. 

Bert Thompson, for several years proprietor of Maple Lawn Farm of 
176 acres, in section 31, Preston Township, but now living in Whitehall, 
was born in section 6, this township, July 4, 1877, son of William and Laura 
E. (Hine) Thompson. He resided at home, assisting his father and brothers 
until the spring of 1914, at which time he bought the above mentioned farm 
from his father. There he was engaged in raising the usual crops and in 
breeding Shorthorn graded cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Partridge Wyan- 
dotte chickens, doing a successful and increasing business. He had a good 
eight-room house, with a substantial barn, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, and 




MR. AND MRS. EDWARD D. WEEKS 
MR. AND MRS. BERT THOMPSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 615 

a glazed-tile silo of ample capacity. In the spring of 1917 he disposed of 
the tai-m and moved to the village of Whitehall, where he erected a com- 
fortable residence, which is now the home of himseK' and wife. Mr. Thomp- 
son was first married Jan. 1, 1900, to Jennie B. Ecker, who was born Aug. 17, 
1881, daughter of Charles A. and Margaret (McKimm) Ecker. Her father, 
who was a pioneer railroad agent for the G. B. & W. R. R. at Whitehall, 
Wis., died in 1915, aged 65 years, and is survived by his wife, who is now 
living in Whitehall at the age of 67. Mrs. Jennie B. Thompson died Nov. 
18, 1902, and after remaining a widow nearly 12 years Mr. Thompson mar- 
ried for his second wife Cecil M. Weeks, Sept. 30, 1914. She was born Dec. 
6, 1882, daughter of Edward and Minnie (Hodgdon) Weeks. Mr. Thompson 
is secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Presbyterian Church. He is 
recognized as one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists and 
stock breeders of his township and has a wide circle of friends. He and his 
family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is also a member of 
the Sons of Veterans and for several years was commander of the camp. 

Edward D. Weeks, a retired farmer now residing at Coral City, Pigeon 
Township, Trempealeau County, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego County, 
N. Y., Dec. 24, 1840, son of Stephen and Sehna (Lyon) Weeks. The father 
was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1812. When a young man he went 
to New York City, where he was engaged in the butcher's trade until 1855. 
In 1833 he married Selina Lyon, and they had a family of seven children: 
Elmira, who married Floyd Washburn, and died at Black River Falls, Wis., 
in 1864 ; George, who died at Watertown, S. D. ; Luzerne, who died at White- 
hall, Wis., in June, 1916 ; Edward D., subject of this sketch ; Marcus L., now 
living at Beaver Dam, Wis., and two who died in infancy. The mother died 
at Beaver Dam in 1894, and her husband at Neillsville about 1886. The 
latter was a Civil war veteran, having served three years in Company I, 
Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, his son Marcus serving four years in 
the same regiment, and Luzerne three years in the Tenth Wisconsin 
Infantry. The aggregate service of the family in the army amounted to 13 
years, the other three years being served by the subject of this sketch, 
Edward D., who enhsted at La Crosse in Company B, Second Wisconsin 
Infantry. Edward was shot in the shoulder at the battle of Gettysburg 
and taken prisoner, and was in a parole camp at West Chester, Pa. He took 
part in 11 important battles, including, besides Gettysburg, the second battle 
of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam, South Mountain and the Wilder- 
ness. At the last mentioned battle he was shot through the leg and was 
subsequently confined to the hospital for four months. After his discharge 
from the army he came to Trempealeau County and in 1865 took a home- 
stead in Chimney Rock Coolie, Hale Township, where he lived for 15 years, 
engaged in agriculture. In 1880 he removed to Coral City, where he worked 
as a laborer for some years, but is now retired. June 29, 1870, Mr. Weeks 
was married to Minnie Hodgdon, who was born at Epping, N. H., Oct. 13, 
1851, daughter of Charles and Lamira (Cummings) Hodgdon. Her father 
also a native of New Hampshire, served four years in the Civil war. He died 
in his native state. The wife, with her children, came to Wisconsin, locating 
at Lake Geneva in 1852. There in 1862 she was married to George Follett, 



616 HISTORY OF TREaiPEALEAU COUNTY 

and they afterwards came to Trempealeau County, Mr. FoUett conducting- 
a store at old Whitehall for a year. They then removed to Coral City, where 
he conducted a store and hotel until 1880. He died at Wadena, Minn., about 
1901, which was the year of his wife's death, she being aged 73 years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Edward D. Weeks have been the parents of four children : Ruby, 
wife of Alfred Taintor, a retired farmer of Meadow, S. D., and the mother 
of four children : Myrtle, Edward, Lyle and Perry (Mrs. Taintor died Aug. 
8, 1916) ; Lewis E., employed in the Crosby Lumber Yard at Crosby, N. D., 
who married Kate Martin and has had six children: Norma, Edward W. 
(died 1906), WilUam H., Howard, Ervin and Robert; Jennie, who died at 
the age of one year, and Cecile, wife of Bert Thompson, of Whitehall Vil- 
lage. Mr. Weeks is a member of Winfield Scott Post, No. 104, of Whitehall, 
Wis., and is well known and respected in Coral City and vicinity. 

William S. Gilpin, editor and proprietor of the Osseo News, was born 
in Alexandria, Minn., Nov. 19, 1872, son of Joseph and Sarah (Walker) 
Gilpin, the former of whom is a retired newspaper man. Of the four chil- 
dren in the family there are now living three: William S., the subject of 
this sketch ; Mary T., an accomplished musician, a graduate of Carleton 
College at Northfield, Minn., and principal of the public schools of Hopkins, 
Minn., and NeUie, wife of Walter B. von Fredenburg, a traveling salesman 
living in Minneapolis. William S. Gilpin attended the public schools of 
Alexandria, and learned the printing and newspaper business in the office 
of the Douglas County News, then owned by his father. In 1891 he bought 
the Eagle Bend (Minn.) Pilot, and later the Browerville (Minn.) Citizen. 
In 1893 he moved the Citizen to Alexandria, and there published it until 
1896. For two years he conducted Gilpin's X Rays at Hamilton, N. D. It 
was in 1898 that he came to Osseo, and purchased the Osseo Weekly 
Recorder. In 1911 he sold out. The next year he established the Osseo 
News, which on Jan. 1, 1915, absorbed the Recorder. From 1903 to 1915 he 
was postmaster at Osseo. For one term he served on the village council. 
He has also done good service on the library board. By helping to organize 
the Osseo Telephone Company he assisted in making possible a valuable 
modern improvement. Mr. Gilpin was married Oct. 3, 1893, to Evelyn M. 
Abbott, of Eagle Bend, Minn., the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Crich- 
ton) Abbott, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin have three children: 
Myle de Vere, born March 3, 1897 ; Selby A., born June 4, 1898, now in United 
States navy, and Beatrice, born Aug. 7, 1901. 

Ole Gilbertson, proprietor of a 240-acre farm in section 22, Unity Town- 
ship, and also of 188 acres in section 28, the same township, was born in 
Telemarken, Norway, Oct. 9, 1860, his father being Gilbert Olson, and his 
mother, before marriage, Thorild Nilson. Gilbert Olson was born in Norway 
in 1825 and passed the greater part of his life in his native land, coming to 
this country in 1898, when he was about 73 years old. He and his wife 
resided in Bruce Valley for six years and then removed to Hale Township, 
where Mr. Olson died in the spring of 1914. His wife now lives with her 
daughter, Mrs. John Lee, of Hale Township. Ole Gilbertson was a young 
man 20 years old when he came to the United States in 1880. He located 
in Arcadia, this county, and for about a year worked in the pineries and on 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 617 

farms. Then for six years he was engaged in farming in Bruce Valley, 
afterwards farming a place near Pleasanton one year. The next 20 years 
were spent by him on a farm in section 28, United Township, and at the ent; 
of that time he bought his present farm in section 22, moving onto it in 
the spring of 1914. This farm has good buildings, the house being a two- 
story frame structure with basement, and containing 12 rooms, lighted with 
gasoline and furnished with hot water heat and running water. The barn 
measures 48 by 105 by 16 feet above stone basement, and there are two 
solid cement silos, each 16 by 36 feet. Mr. Gilbertson is conducting a suc- 
cessful farming business and has akeady attained a considerable degree of 
prosperity. His present farm was purchased from Samuel R. Anderson 
and is a fine property. He is also a stockholder in the First State Bank of 
Strum. In June, 1890, Mr. Gilbertson was married to Tina Christopherson, 
who was born on the farm he owns in section 28, Unity Township, July 8, 
1870, daughter of Paul and Anna (Olson) Christopherson, a memoir of 
whom may be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson 
have seven children: Paul, Oscar, Theodore, Amanda, Melvin, Joseph and 
Ida, all residing at home. 

Ernest E. French, D. D. S., has practiced his profession in Osseo since 
1909, and has established an admirable reputation. His office is equipped 
with the most modern appliances, and his standing is shown by his mem- 
bership in the Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn County Dental Society, the 
Wisconsin State Dental Society and the National Association, as well as in 
the dental college fraternity, the Gamma Epsilon. Dr. French was born 
in Eau Claire, Wis., March 18, 1876, son of Dr. Edmund C. and Esther 
(Edward) French. After passing through the pubhc schools of his native 
city he entered the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Penn., with which 
preparation he studied three years in Hamline University in St. Paul, and 
Macalester College in Minneapolis. His dental training was received in the 
offices of his father in Eau Claire of Dr. Frank Brooks, in Charleston, 111., 
and of Dr. Jason Lyons in New York City. For four years he had charge 
of the Chicago Dental Laboratories at Chicago, and in 1905 established the 
Reliable Dental Laboratories in the same city, which he conducted for some 
two years. Then he practiced in Eau Claire for a while before coming to 
Osseo. Dr. French was married Aug. 8, 1906, to Lillian K. Spencer, who 
was born in Genesee County, New York, June 10, 1871, daughter of Alanson 
and Mary (Thorp) Spencer. Dr. French has one daughter, Mignon. 

Edmund C. French, D. D. S., now of Eau Claire, this state, has practiced 
in that city since 1874. He has attained prominence in his profession, and 
was a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Board of Examiners, as well 
as president of the Wisconsin State Dental Society. His fraternal relations 
are with the Masonic order, and his politics are those of the Republican 
party. Dr. French was married Jan. 27, 1867, to Esther Edwards, who was 
born in Salem, Penn., and this union has been blessed with four children, 
Myrta, Ernest E., Dwight Day and one who died in infancy. Myrta, known 
as Madam Kursteiner, the Wisconsin Nightingale, is a famous grand opera 
singer. She lives in New York, and is the wife of Jean Paul Kursteiner, 
a composer of some note, and the director of music at Bryn Mawr and 



618 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Ogontoz Colleges. She has been soloist for the Strackash Grand Opera 
Company, of London, Berlin, Paris and Vienna with Madam Nellie Melba 
and Madam Phoebe Strackash, and leading soprano with the International 
Grand Opera Company, Andrews Grand Opera Company, Sousa's Band, the 
Walter Damrosch Orchestra and the Siedel Orchestra in this country. 
Ernest E. is a dentist in Osseo, Wis. Dwight Day is an interior decorator 
at Minneapohs. 

Chester L Field, garage man and automobile dealer of Osseo, was born 
in the village where he now resides, Aug. 18, 1891, son of Horace A. and 
Zoe (Shephard) Field. Horace A. Field was born in Richland County, Wis- 
consin, came to Sumner Township, this county, in 1861, with his parents, 
was reared on the farm, and devoted his life to that occupation and to keep- 
ing a hardware store in Osseo. He died in 1913 at the age of 62, while his 
wife died in 1896 at the age of 36 years. In the family there were six 
children. Roy died in infancy. Genevieve is secretary to Superintendent 
L. D. Harvey, of the Stout Institute, at Menominee, Wis. Her twin, Elinor, 
is the wife of Bartlett Cole, an attorney of Portland, Ore. Martha is a 
teacher in the primary grade of the Osseo schools. Marshall F. is an insur- 
ance agent at Osseo. Chester I., the youngest of the family, received his 
early education in the schools of Osseo and Menominee. For a time he 
helped his father operate the farm. In the spring of 1911 he established 
his present business. He handles the Chevrolet cars, does general repair- 
ing, and carries a full line of accessories and supplies. His financial hold- 
ings include stock in the State Bank, of Osseo; the Farmers Exchange 
Bank, of Osseo, and the Osseo Telephone Company, in the latter of which 
he is the vice-president. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic 
order and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Field was married Oct. 29, 1915, to 
Mrs. Ella (Stearns) Bradley, born in Fairchild, Wis., May 14, 1881, daughter 
of Charles and Barbara Stearns, who conduct a hotel at Fairchild. By her 
previous marriage to Charles Bradley, a traveling salesman of St. Paul, 
Mrs. Field has a daughter, Louise. 

John Thompson, one of the most prominent citizens of Preston Town- 
ship, who is both a farmer and business man, was born in the northern 
part of Sweden, March 16, 1848. His father, who was Thomas Olson, was 
born in 1810, and in 1857 emigrated to the United States with his family, 
locating first in Racine County, Wisconsin. After residing there until 1864 
he decided to remove farther west, and accordingly, hitching an ox team 
to a wagon, he started with his family for Trempealeau County. On arriv- 
ing here he located in Preston Township, taking up land which forms the 
present farm of his son John — a fine piece of agricultural property con- 
taining 218 acres, in sections 21, 22 and 27, and known as "The Oaks." 
When he took it, however, it was unimproved and he spent many years in 
its cultivation and development until it began to assume somewhat the 
appearance it has today. On this farm he died in 1890. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Brita Johnson, and who was born in Sweden in 1820, 
passed away before him in 1882. John Thompson, who was reared on his 
parents' farm, remained at home until the year of his mother's death. 
Some years before that event, or in 1878, he had purchased his present 




MR. AND MRS. JOHN THOMPSON AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 619 

farm, and he now moved onto it and has since made it his home. Aside 
from his interests represented therein he is president of the First National 
Bank of Blair, Wis., and for two years has been a stockholder in the 
creamery there. His success has been marked, both as farmer and busi- 
ness man and there are few citizens of Preston Township who stand higher 
in public confidence and esteem. For ten years he served as township 
assessor, and he has also held the office of township treasurer, in both posi- 
tions making a creditable record. June 26, 1880, Mr. Thompson was united 
in marriage with Ellina Mattison, who was born in La Crosse County, Wis- 
consin, daughter of Mattes and Anna (Olson) Mattison. Her father, bom 
in Sweden in 1827, came to America in 1852, residing in Pennsylvania until 
1866, in which year he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, making 
his home here until his death in 1905. Mrs. Thompson's mother, who was 
born in 1828, died in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of 
eight children : Anna, who married Gilbert G. Anderson, a farmer of Ettrick 
Township, and Melvin, Oscar, Emma, Edmund, Victor, Arthur and Gilford. 
The seven last mentioned are residing at home, except Edmund, who is 
traveling in the interests of the Agricultural Department of the United 
States at Washington. The family are members of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran Church. 

Anton N. Freng came to Trempealeau County in 1875, and has lived 
on his present place of 160 acres in sections 27 and 28, Sumner Township, 
since 1883. As chairman of the town board of supervisors he has served 
on the county board eleven years, he has been assessor seven years, and 
clerk on the school board for twelve years. His financial relations are with 
the State Bank of Osseo, his business holdings include a half interest in his 
son's furniture store in Osseo, and his church connections are with the 
Hauge Norwegian Lutheran congregation, of which he has been secretary 
nearly a quarter of a century. As a modern farmer he keeps well abreast 
of the times and takes great pride in the development and improvement 
of his estate. Mr. Freng was born in Ringsacker, Norway, July 31, 1852, 
and was brought to America by his parents, Nels and Bertha (Johnson) 
Haakenson Freng, living with them in La Crosse, Wis., two years, before 
coming to this county. He was married July 10, 1880, to Louise Huskelhus, 
born in Biri, Norway, Feb. 20, 1862, daughter of Peter Arneson Huskelhus 
and Sedsel Jorgenson, who came to America in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Freng 
have four children : Bernt A., Peter N., Sena E. and Albert L. Bernt A. is 
a furniture dealer and undertaker at Osseo. He has two children, Mildred 
and Nels. Peter N. is employed in a garage at Osseo. He has two children, 
Blanche and Sena. Sena E. died at the age of twenty-five years. Albert L. 
farms with his father. He has two children, Anton and Elmer. Nels 
Haakenson Freng settled in Golden Valley, Sumner Township, in 1875, and 
five years later moved to Hale Township, remaining there until he took 
up his home with his son, Anton N. Freng, where he lived until his death 
in 1905 at the age of 79 years. His wife, Bertha Johnson, died in Sumner 
Township in 1878 at the age of 67. Before locating in this county they had 
hved in La Crosse, Wis., to which city they came from their native land of 
Norway in 1873. 



620 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

David L. Davidson, proprietor of a good farm of 169 acres in sections 
22 and 27, Lincoln Township, was born near Bergen, Norway, March 5, 
1861. He is a son of Lars Davidson, also a native of Norway, who came 
to America in 1866, locating in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, 
Wis. Later he removed to Preston Township, where he subsequently resided 
until his death in 1909 at the age of 79 years. Lars married Julia Johnson, 
who did not long survive him, passing away in 1910, at the age of 81 years. 
David L. Davidson was reared on his parents' farm, which he purchased in 
1887. He conducted it thereafter until 1911, at which time he sold it and 
bought his present place. In 1914 he rebuilt the barn, which is a substan- 
tial frame structure, 30 by 50 feet, with an L-shaped addition 34 by 46 feet, 
and having a capacity of 50 head of cattle. In 1915 he built a cement block 
silo, 16 by 40 feet. He keeps graded Holstein cattle, milking 25. Mr. 
Davidson is a member of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church. He has 
served three years on the Preston Township school board, and is a man 
who takes a personal interest in the welfare and development of the com- 
munity in which he lives. He was married July 3, 1887, to Bertha Everson, 
of Arcadia Township, whose father, Ever, died in Dane County, Wis. Mr. 
and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of six children: Louis, John, Elmer, 
Clarence, Ernest and Mildred. The last mentioned was the third in order 
of birth, and is now the wife of Jacob Wilitzky, a farmer of Arcadia Town- 
ship. All the others reside at home. Mr. Davidson and his family are well 
known and prosperous people, he and his wife reaping the reward of industry 
and thrift. Their children have been brought up to be a credit to the family 
name. 

John Carson, of Osseo, was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, Dec. 24, 
1867, oldest of the thirteen children of Ole and Jennie Carson. Ole Carson 
was born in Norway, came to America in 1865, and farmed near Decorah, 
Iowa, until his death in 1898, since which time his second wife, Julia Green, 
has made her home in Osseo. John Carson was reared in his native county, 
and started out on his own responsibility at the age of 13 years. When 
he was about 15 he came to Osseo. After working on various farms for 
a number of years he opened a general store in Osseo in 1900. For a time 
he had J. N. Lee as a partner, but for some 15 years he conducted the busi- 
ness alone, selling out to M. I. Gilbert in 1916. In 1908 he erected a cement 
block building, with two full stories and a basement, thus giving him ample 
room for his rapidly growing trade. As justice of the peace for six years 
Mr. Carson won the respect of the community. He is especially interested 
in church work in the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran congregation, and has 
been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly twenty years. Mr. 
Carson was married June 5, 1899, to Anna Nelson, daughter of Eric and 
Betsy (Robertson) Nelson. Eric Nelson was born in Norway, came to 
America as a boy of nine years, has lived in Osseo 35 years, and now makes 
his home with the Carson family, his wife having died in 1914. With the 
family also lives Lottie Nelson, an Osseo miliner, who was reared by Mr. 
and Mrs. Carson. 

William Thompson, Sr., a retired farmer residing in section 31, Preston 
Township, was born in Broome County, New York, Feb. 17, 1840, son of 




MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM THOMPSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 621 

Robert and Elizabeth A. (Scott) Thompson. The father, also a native of 
New York State, came to Wisconsin in 1847, locating in Milwaukee, where 
he resided two years. The next six years of his hfe were spent in Columbia 
County, Wisconsin, after which, coming to Trempealeau County, he bought 
360 acres of land a mile and a half east of Blair, and farmed there until 
1865. He then bought a farm in Little Tamarack Valley and resided there 
two years. Selling that place, he bought a farm near Mankato, Minn., where 
he lived three years. The next two years of his life were spent at the home 
of his son William. He then retired to Blue Earth County and there died 
at the age of 74 years. His wife died at the home of her son William, Jan. 
8, 1892. They had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the second in order of birth. William Thompson Sr., was 
brought up on his parents' farm and early acquired a practical knowledge 
of agriculture. He was in his twenty-first year when the Civil war broke 
out and in the following year, Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, at Reynolds' Coolie school house, 
Preston Township. After a military service of three years he returned 
home and for the first year worked in the woods. Then in partnership with 
Cyrus H. Hines he built Pigeon Falls mill. In 1867 he traded his interest 
in the mill for Mr. Hines' farm in section 6, Preston Township, where he 
resided for some years engaged in farming. Again he traded, this time 
for a one-half interest in Coral City mill, residing at Coral City for several 
years, or until 1885, at which time he bought the farm on which he now 
lives, which is a good piece of agricultural property, with very fine improve- 
ments. During his active career as a farmer Mr. Thompson was an exten- 
sive cattle raiser, specializing in Durham cattle and doing a considerabl'^ 
dairy business. At an early date he hauled for Ole Knutson the first load 
of lumber ever carried to old Whitehall. Since 1914 he has been prac- 
tically retired from active work, the farm being operated by his son, Ira 
Thompson. Mr. Thompson was first married Dec. 14, 1866, to Laure Hine, 
daughter of Cyrus H. and Catherine (Barber) Hine, of Pigeon Falls. Of 
this union there were six children born: Dewey, who died in infancy; 
William C. and Ira, who are both farmers in Preston Township ; Catherine 
E., who was born after WilHam and before Ira, Nov. 15, 1871, and who 
died Oct. 15, 1877, and Bert and Selon, both of whom are farmers in Preston 
Township. On Friday, June 18, 1882, Mrs. Laure Thompson met an instant 
and tragic death. The family were at that time occupying J. W. Snow's 
house, on his farm half way between Blair and Whitehall. It was 11 o'clock 
at night, and she and her husband and youngest child were asleep in bed, 
three elder children being asleep upstairs. A terrible storm was passing 
over the neighborhood, when suddenly a bolt of lightning passing down to 
the bed room, killed Mrs. Thompson instantly and shocked Mr. Thompson 
and his child and threw them both out of bed. For several minutes he was 
unconscious, but neither he nor the child was seriously injured. Two of 
the other children upstairs were thrown out of bed onto the floor, but not 
seriously injured. The house was splintered more or less all through and 
several trees and posts standing near were split open. Mrs. Thompson was 
born at Lenox, 111., July 4, 1849. She was a very popular lady in this 



622 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

vicinity, and her funeral was attended by a large number of friends and 
neighbors. Mr. Thompson subsequently married Mrs. Emma Ellison, by 
whom he had two children: Grace E., now the wife of Alvah Van Sickle, 
a farmer of Pigeon Township, and Alice M., wife of Oscar Cummings, a 
carpenter living in Whitehall, Wis. Dec. 28, 1898, Mr. Thompson con- 
tracted a third marriage, with Agnes Wright, who was born at Staff ords- 
ville, Ontario, Oct. 4, 1864. Her father, Joseph Wright, a native of Canada, 
came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, by team, accompanied by his wife 
and family, and was subsequently a resident of Pigeon Township until his 
death in 1901 at the age of 71 years. His wife, Mrs. Thompson's mother, 
whose maiden name was Georgiana Douglas, is now residing at the age 
of 84 years on the old farm in Pigeon Township, operated by her son James 
Wright. The family attended the Presbyterian church. Mr. Thompson 
is a Republican in politics. He is a man who takes an intelligent interest 
in all measures calculated to advance the interests of the community in 
which he lives, but has never sought public office. 

Samuel Cardinal dates his residence in Trempealeau County from 
1897, when he came to Sumner Township and purchased 140 acres in sec- 
tions 18 and 19, then owned by John Lovesey. To the development of this 
place he has since devoted his attention. In 1909 he built a barn, 38 by 6 
feet, with cement floors; in 1910 he rebuilt his house, making a pleasant 
home of eleven rooms, and in 1911 he erected a stave silo, 14 by 35 feet. He 
keeps a good herd of Durham cattle, four of which are registered, and a 
drove of Duroc-Jersey swine, eight of which are registered. His public 
work has included service as township supervisor for three years and as 
clerk of the school board of his district for five years. His financial hold- 
ings include stock in the Farmers Exchange Bank and the Farmers Products 
Company, both at Osseo. Mr. Cardinal was born in Montreal, Canada, April 
18, 1868, the son of Gideon and Rose Ann (Roberts) Cardinal, natives of 
Canada, the former of whom was born in 1836 and died in 1904, and the 
latter of whom was born in 1832 and died in 1908. The family came to 
the United States in 1872, to a homestead in Chippewa County, Wis- 
consin, and there lived until 1892, when they moved to Tomahawk, in 
Lincoln County. There Samuel Cardinal was employed at home and on 
various farms until coming to this country. He was married Aug. 26, 
1891, to Emma Olsen, who was born in La Crosse, July 20, 1870, and was 
reared at Strum, in this county, where her mother, Mary Anderson Olsen, 
now lives, the father, Christ Olsen, who was born in Christiania, Norway, 
in 1844, having died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal have had nine children, 
of whom there are living seven : Nora, a nurse at Eau Claire, Wis. ; Goldie, 
the wife of M. P. Skogstad, the cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank at 
Osseo, and Leo, who married Pearl Ring, daughter of John Ring, post- 
master at Osseo, March 28, 1917 ; Marshall, Lillie, Mabel and Juanita, who 
are at home. Ethel died at the age of six years and Marian died in infancy. 
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. 

John A. Call, an influential and prosperous business man of Strum, 
was born in Crawford County, Wisconsin, March 1, 1864, son of Andrew 
and Brita (Johanasdotter) Call. Andrew Call was born in Sogon, Norway, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 623 

in 1826, came to America in 1850, farmed in Crawford County, Wisconsin, 
until 1872, and then came to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where 
he remained until his death in 1896, his widow now making her home in 
Strum. John A. Call was reared in Crawford County and came to Unity 
Township when eight years old. He attended district school and devoted 
his life to agricultural pursuits until 1896. In that year he came to Strum 
and engaged in the hotel and livery business. Subsequently he became a 
salesman of farm machinery. In 1904 he engaged in the hardware and 
implement business. In addition to this he handles harnesses and pianos 
and deals extensively in live stock. He has been a director of the school 
board since 1915. Mr. Call was married March 6, 1896, to Christine Johnson, 
of Unity Township, born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, in 1872, the daughter 
of Lars Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Call have had nine children: Birdella, 
William, Clarence, Lillian, Ruth, Esther, John and two who died in infancy. 

Charles H. Anderson, whose well cultivated farm of 230 acres is located 
in sections 26 and 35, Lincoln Township, was born in Dane County, Wis- 
consin, Dec. 15, 1865. He is a son of Bennett and Ellen (Everson) Ander- 
son and is of Norwegian ancestry. His grandfather, Gilbert, married 
Inger Flategar. Gilbert had considerable property in Norway and during 
a famine gave it all away to feed the starving. His mother, aged 80 years, 
had a life interest in the old home, and this she sold to provide her son 
Gilbert and his family with funds to come to America. They reached Mil- 
waukee with no money and this aged lady walked from Milwaukee to Dane 
County; Wisconsin, with the family and the ox team. Bennett Anderson, 
father of Charles H., was reared in Dane County and there married Ellen 
Everson. After living in Dane County until 1868 he homesteaded land in 
Arcadia Township, which was his home until his death. He and his wife 
had nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in 
order of birth. Charles H. Anderson lived on the old home in Arcadia 
Township till 1887. He then went to Yellowstone Valley in Montana, where 
he worked at railroad construction work for eight years. Then in the 
summer of 1896 he bought his present farm, which is a well improved piece 
of agricultural property. He raises Shorthorn cattle, keeping 50 head, 
which are all high grade. He feeds one carload a year and milks 20 cows, 
and keeps 40 acres of his laud in clover and timothy. Mr. Anderson has 
served six years on the township board, during three years of which he 
has been chairman. He was married April 14, 1897, to Mrs. Marian Skaug 
(nee Wald) , widow of Christopher Skaug, of Unity, Wis. They have had 
11 children, of whom three — Charles, Omer and Rudolph R. — died in 
infancy. The living are: Blanche, Laura, Jane, Julia, Eleanor, Myrtle. 
Casper and Doris. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Synod Norwegian 
Lutheran Church. 

Charles J. Amundsen is proprietor of the Amundson Auto Company, 
of Osseo. This company has the Osseo agency for the Ford cars. The 
garage is a frame building, 30 by 50 feet, supplied with all kinds of Ford 
supplies and accessories. The place is excellently equipped for general 
repairing, an electric motor and a lathe being among the special features. 
Mr. Amundson was born in Jackson County, this state, Sept. 9, 1878, son of 



624 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Thore and Mary (Johnson) Amundson, the former of whom died in Jackson 
County in 1888, and the latter of whom is now the wife of John Larson, 
of that county. Charles J. Amundson was the fourth of five children, the 
others being: Anna, now wife of John Olson, an undertaker of Marietta, 
Minn. ; Theodore, who farms in Jackson County ; Helen, who died at the age 
of 17 years, and Josephine, now of Eau Claire. The subject of this sketch 
was reared to farm pursuits in his native county. At the age of 15 he 
started work at the carpenter trade, and was employed in this line until 
1912, when he established his present business. His fraternal relations 
are with the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Amundson was married, June 1, 1906, 
to Anna Christiansen, of Hale Township, daughter of Charles and Helen 
(Johnson) Christianson. This union has been blessed with one child: 
Hilman Charles, born Dec. 6, 1911. 

Giles E. Cripps, an enterprising and successful agriculturist, who is 
engaged in operating a farm of 280 acres in sections 13 and 14, Burnside 
Township, was born in section 11, this township, Oct. 19, 1861, son of Giles 
and Harriet (Wood) Cripps. A memoir of his parents may be found in the 
biography of Fred C. Cripps, elsewhere published in this volume. He was 
reared on his parents' farm and resided on it until reaching the age of 22 
years, during this period being engaged in assisting his father. Dec. 30, 
1883, Mr. Cripps married Eliza Zimmer, who was born at New Lisbon, 
Wis., Dec. 16, 1863, her parents being John J. and Margaret (Wunderlich) 
Zimmer. The father, usually known as Jacob Zimmer, was born in Erie 
County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1836, and came West with his parents to Racine, 
Wis., in 1845, residing there one year. He then removed to Jefferson 
County, where he lived until 1865. His marriage to Margaret Wunderlich 
took place March 12, 1856. She was a native of Germany, born March 12, 
1834, and died Nov. 15, 1912. John J. Zimmer in 1862 enhsted in the 
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery and was wounded in the right leg at the battle 
of Corinth. In the spring of 1865 he came to Trempealeau County and 
rented a farm in Hale Township, but after a two years' residence there, he 
moved to Traverse Valley, section 17, Burnside Township, where he bought 
a farm on which he lived until 1892. The remainder of his life was spent in 
the village of Independence, where his death finally occurred, Feb. 6, 1909, 
about three years and nine months before that of his wife. On beginning 
agricultural work for himself Giles E. Cripps purchased the farm on which 
he has since resided, and which is now well improved, the land being well 
tilled, the buildings ample and of good, substantial construction, and the 
equipment of tools and machinery being fully adequate to all the needs of 
modern farming. An all-woven wire fence surrounds the entire farm. Mr. 
Cripps and wife have been the parents of three children, the first of whom 
died at birth. The others are: Ralph, born Nov. 6, 1890, and Mildred, 
born Sept. 12, 1894. Ralph Cripps, who is engaged in operating the farm 
for his wife's mother, was married Oct. 3, 1916, to Jennie Cooke, of Inde- 
pendence, who was born Aug. 9, 1897, daughter of Samuel and Martha 
(Arnold) Cooke. They have one child, Willis Ralph, born Sept. 10, 1917. 
Mildred resides at home. 

Ole O. Hovre, recently county treasurer of Trempealeau County, was 



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O 

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o 

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CO 

o 

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o 

o 

o 







HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 625 

born in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 14, 1864. His father, Ole 0. Hovre, 
also a native of Norway, came to the United States on 1874, settling in 
Ettrick Township, where he homesteaded land in section 2 in 1876. He 
died on his farm in 1900 at the age of 70 years. Ole O. Hovre married 
Sonnov Husmoen, who survives him and still resides on the homestead, 
being now 78 years old. They had six children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the first-born. Ole O. Hovre, Jr., was graduated from Gale 
College in 1886. He then went to Spink County, S. D., where he remained 
until 1890, working on farms during the summers and teaching school 
in the winters. At the end of that period he bought a general 
store in Hale, Trempealeau County, Wis., and conducted it for 26 years, or 
until the spring of 1916, when he sold out. He was elected county treasurer 
in the faU of 1914 and served two yeai's. He has lately purchased a farm 
in Taintor Township, Dunn County, to which he intends to remove after 
Jan. 1, 1917. Mr. Hovre served as clerk of Hale township for 12 years. 
He was also clerk of School District No. 3 for eight years. For 24 years 
he served as deacon of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod church, acting as 
secretary for six years. He was also justice of the peace for 24 years. Mr. 
Hovre was married May 13, 1891, to Mathia Bole, of Ettrick, Wis., who was 
born there Feb. 7, 1871, daughter of Juuhl and Ingri Bole. Her father, who 
was born in Norway, came to America in 1875, locating in Vernon County, 
Wis., from which place after a year he came to Ettrick. He died in 1914 
at the age of 89 years. His wife still lives on the old farm, having now 
attained the age of 90 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hovre have had a family of 
10 children : Selma, residing at home ; Olga, who lives in Culbertson, Mont., 
where she is employed as a bookkeeper ; May, who is the wife of the Rev. 
Folkestad, of Strum, Wis.; and Helmer, Hazel, Myrtle, Lilhan M., Orvel, 
Allice and Catherine, all of whom are residing at home except LiHiam M., 
who died at the age of 2 years. 

Henry Anderson was born in Trondhjem, Norway, and as a young man 
came to America. He married Cassandra Everson, a native of Harrisburg, 
Pa., and together they came to Trempealeau County. For a time they lived 
on a farm near Independence. In the late '80s they moved to Superior, 
Wis., where Henry Anderson was employed as a structural iron worker. 
While engaged in this occupation in November, 1891, he was severely in- 
jured, from the effects of which he died on the 27th of the following month. 
His wife still lives in Superior. In the family there were six children: 
Ida, Alice, Sebert J., Clarence, Oscar and Cornell H. Ida married Carl 
Sorem, an electrical engineer of Minneapolis. Alice is a teacher in the 
eighth grade of the Superior public schools. Sebert J. is a violin player, 
and makes his home in Chicago. Clarence is the chief clerk of the Minne- 
apohs Board of Education. Cornell H., twin of Clarence, is State insurance 
inspector and adjuster for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York, 
and is located at Milwaukee. Oscar was killed while deer hunting near 
Superior, Nov. 27, 1904. 

Cornell H. Anderson, a prominent insurance man of the State of Wis- 
consin, now living in Milwaukee, claims Trempealeau County as his place of 
nativity, his birth having taken place in Independence, Aug. 8, 1885. His 



626 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

parents, Henry and Cassandra (Everson) Anderson, took him to Superior, 
Wis., as a child, and there he passed through the graded and high schools. 
Entering the insurance business at the age of 17, he became clerk in the 
office of an agency at Superior, and there thoroughly learned the business. 
In 1910 he assumed the duties of his present position as special State agent, 
inspector and adjuster for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York. 
With an office at Milwaukee, he covers the entire State. He is a "hustler," 
and is widely known for his business ability and his good fellowship. 

Seth S. Speestra, proprietor of one of the best farms in Hale Township, 
known as Hillside Stock Farm, was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 16, 1884, 
son of Samuel F. and Ruth (Bronz) Speerstra. The parents came to 
America with their family in 1890, locating first in La Crosse County, Wis., 
where they made their home until 1898. Removing to Trempealeau County, 
they purchased the farm in Hale which is now known as Hillside Stock Farm, 
where they resided until the spring of 1911, when they moved to their 
present place of residence near Whitehall, Seth S. Speerstra then taking 
possession of the farm. It was in the spring of that year, also, on June 7, 
that the latter was united in marriage with Sophy Johnson, who was born 
in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 1, 1886, her parents, 
Peter L. and Eldri (Nelson) Johnson, being well-known and prosperous 
farming people. Mr. Speerstra's farm contains 380 acres and is a fine 
piece of agricultural property, being well improved and adapted to all the 
requirements of the most scientific farming. The residence is a commodious 
frame dwelling of nine rooms conveniently arranged ; the barn, also a frame 
structure, measures 58 by 60 by 16 feet, and is provided with a good cement 
floor; while among the other buildings, all substantially built, are a hog 
house, 28 by 80 feet, with cement floor, and a frame silo, 16 V2 by 37 feet 
in size. The entire farm is well fenced around with woven wire fencing. 
Besides raising the usual crops, Mr. Speerstra is quite extensively engaged 
in stock breeding and dairying, in which branches of the farming industry 
he has achieved a pronounced success. He has now 100 head of Shorthorn 
cattle, milking 30 cows, and having in connection with his dairy a Hinman 
machine of four units, with gasoline engine. Each year he feeds one car of 
cattle for the market. He also has a large herd of Poland-China hogs, 
numbering at the present time about 200 head, of which he sells about 100 
head a year, and also sells 20 head of hogs for breeders. Of pure-bred 
Shropshire sheep he keeps about 55 head, his sheep being registered 
animals; and in addition to the above-mentioned stock he keeps a flock of 
Mammoth Bronze turkeys. The management of so large a farm naturally 
requires an expert knowledge of every branch of agriculture, together 
with a more than ordinary amount of good business judgment, but Mr. 
Speerstra has shown himself thoroughly capable of handhng his large 
interests and making his farm pay a handsome profit. He has taken rank 
among the leading farmers of his township, and he and his wife are well- 
to-do and popular members of the community in which they reside. 

John Raichle, a well-known resident of Ettrick, Wis., where he is 
engaged in business as a general contractor and bridge builder, and is 
also a land owner, was born in Winona, Minn., Oct. 18, 1868, son of William 




MR. AND MRS. HANS A. FREMSTAI) 
ALBERT H. KREMSTAD AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 627 

and Emma (Medsker) Raichle. His early education was acquired in the 
public school of Frenchville, Wis., and he resided at home until he was 
18 years of age. He then went to South Dakota, where he worked out 
for others, and in the winters was engaged in cutting timber in the woods. 
When about 22 years old, having returned to Trempealeau County, he rented 
land in Ettrick Township and engaged in farming, continuing to rent for 
four years. At the end of that time he purchased the John Cance farm, 
which he operated until the winter of 1908-09. He then rented it out and 
moved into the village of Ettrick, in the meanwhile having begun the con- 
struction of his present residence, which was completed in 1913, after 
which he took up his residence in it. He has sold 160 acres of the land 
he formerly owned, but still has 101 acres left, which he rents out. For 
some time past Mr. Raichle has been engaged in contracting in masonry and 
construction work, including bridge building, and at present has contracts 
for the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building. He is a stockholder 
in the Bank of Ettrick and in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick 
Hall Company, and in a lumber company, organized Jan. 18, 1917. Mr. 
Raichle was married May 28, 1895, to Nettie Benrud, who was born at 
Frenchville, this county, daughter of Marcus and Carrie (Hegge) Benrud, 
who were born in Biri, Norway, the father Jan. 17, 1846, and the mother 
Dec. 13, 1845. The parents of Mrs. Raichle were married at La Crosse, 
Wis. Marcus Benrud came to the United States when a lad of 18 years, 
locating at French Creek, this county, where he made his home with Mr. 
Gilbertson, working out for two years. He then went back to Norway, 
and when he returned to this country he brought with him his young wife. 
Then settling in La Crosse, he engaged there in the liquor business, but 
continued in it but a short time, coming to Frenchville not long after and 
starting a hotel here, which he conducted for about six or seven years. In 
the meanwhile he acquired some land and when he gave up the hotel 
business he engaged in farming, and in this latter occupation he continued 
until his death, which took place Aug. 23, 1910. His wife survived him 
less than a year, dying May 6, 1911. For a number of years Mr. Benrud held 
the office of assessor in Gale Township. He and his wife had six children, 
of whom their daughter Nettie (Mrs. John Raichle) was the second-born. 
Mr. and Mrs. Raichle are the parents of four children: Elmer Oscar, 
Albert William, Robert Theodore and Antoinette, all residing at home. Mr. 
Raichle belongs to the orders of Royal Neighbors and Beavers at Ettrick. 
For a number of years he has served on the township board and as president 
of the Ettrick Creamery Company. 

Albert H. Fremstad, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist, pro- 
prietor of the Fremstad Farm of 160 acres in sections 3 and 4, Pigeon Town- 
ship, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Vernon County, Nov. 27, 
1871. His father, Hans A. Fremstad, was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838, 
and came to the United States in 1857, residing for some years in Vernon 
County, this State. In December, 1871, he came to Pigeon Township, this 
County, taking the farm on which his son Albert H. now lives, and which 
he cultivated for many years, or until his retirement from active labor. 
He still, however, makes it his place of residence. His wife, whose maiden 



628 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

name was Andrena Nilson, was born in Norway in 1834, and died Oct. 1, 
1916. Albert H. Fremstad was an infant scarcely a month old when his 
parents came to Trempealeau County and took the land since known as the 
Fremstad Farm. Here he was reared, attending the local schools in boy- 
hood and also beginning at an early age to acquire a knowledge of agricul- 
ture. This knowledge was of a most practical kind and at times involved 
considerable labor, but in performing it he was laying the foundation of 
his present prospei'ity. In this work he was associated with his father 
until 1898, when, with his brother Anton, he purchased the farm and it was 
carried on by them under the name of Fremstad Bros, until the spring o1 
1915, since which time Albert H. has been the sole proprietor. The 
improvements are extensive and up-to-date, and include a barn, 32 by 60 
feet, with basement, and shed on the north side; a solid concrete silo, 14 
by 36, built in 1913; a tobacco shed, 40 by 144, and a good two-story house 
of 12 rooms. Mr. Fremstad has four acres planted in tobacco. His herd 
of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. Mr. Fremstad was mar- 
ried March 27, 1901, to Clara Hougen, who was born in Osseo, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., April 4, 1875, daughter of Mat and Gurina (Prestegaarder) 
Hougen. He and his wife have six children, born as follows : Hazel, Jan. 
4, 1903 ; Clifford, Nov. 9, 1904 ; Palmer, March 15, 1908 ; Glen, March 6, 1910 ; 
Maynard, Oct. 31, 1913, and Ernest Milton, June 30, 1917. The family are 
members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Omer F. Immell, hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance 
Company, was born on a farm three miles east of Blair, April 22, 1872, 
son of Francis M. and Anna (Storley) Immell. Francis M. Immell was 
born in Ohio, came to Wisconsin in 1851, lived at Black River Falls four 
years, came to Trempealeau County in 1856, located three miles east of 
Blair, and there hved until he moved to the village, where he died in 1913, 
his good wife having passed away the previous year. Omer F. Immell 
started out for himself while a boy in his early teens. As a youth he did 
farm work. For several years he was a clerk in the Farmers' Trading 
Association store at Blair. For one year he traveled for the Ramer Candy 
Company, of Winona, and for six years for the Winona Candy Company, of 
that city. Later he traveled seven years for the Kratchwil Candy Com- 
pany, of La Crosse. In 1913, he established at Blair, the Immell Bait Com- 
pany for the manufacture of the "Chippewa Bait." Jan. 25, 1915, he 
accepted his present agency. In this capacity he has several times led 
the State organization in number of apphcations obtained, and in February 
and March, 1915, he led the district comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, North 
Dakota and a part of Canada. The enclosed extract, taken from a journal- 
istic source, is a well-merited tribute to his ability in the line of industry he 
follows : "O. F. Immell, agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, 
has the honor of being one of seven to win a vice-presidency in what is 
termed by the company the $100,000 class. To be in this class an agent 
must sell over $100,000 worth of insurance. Mr. Immell came close to 
doubling this figure, selling a total of $183,000 worth of insurance for the 
year (1917). By so doing he automatically elected himself a delegate 
from this district to the convention of that company at Atlantic City, which 



HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 629 

is held Thursday and Fi'iday of this week. Mr. Immell has worked hard 
for this honor and only a close attention to this business, couplied with the 
fact that he is well posted on insurance matters and represents one of the 
best companies, enabled him to win. The company has this to say of him : 
'He has the honor of having a larger volume, $183,000, than any other official 
in the club. He is so close to the $200,000 club that we shall expect to see 
him there without fail one year from now.' " Mr. Immell was married 
Jan. 1, 1895, to Margaret McKivergin, a native of Trempealeau County, 
daughter of James McKivergin. This union has resulted in two children: 
Orrie and Florence. 

Algernon P. Tallman, proprietor of a blacksmith and wagon shop in 
Whitehall, was born in the southeastern part of Hale Township, Trempea- 
leau County, Wis., May 31, 1879. His parents were Humphrey G. and 
Esther (Boyd) Tallman. The father, a native of the State of New York, 
fought for the Union in the Civil War, as a member of Company A, Sixteenth 
New York Cavalry, serving 18 months. After the war he came to Trempea- 
leau County, homesteading land in Hale Township, and engaged in farming. 
In 1904 he retired to Whitehall. Algernon P. Tallman began learning the 
blacksmith's trade at York, Jackson County, Wis., where he remained 
two years. March 5, 1901, he purchased his present business from Louis 
Brenom and has since remained here, enjoying a good patronage. He is 
a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, and as a business 
man and good citizen is interested in everything connected with the wel- 
fare of the village. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Order of 
Beavers. Mr. Tallman was married, June 25, 1900, to Pearl Bursell, 
daughter of William and Melissa (Creighton) Bursell. He and his wife 
have one child, Nina, who was born Nov. 18, 1901. 

Andrew F. and Oluf Lovlien, joint proprietors of the Lovlien Farms 
in Pigeon Township, were born in this township, Andrew on May 23, 1878, 
and Oluf July 2, 1891. Their parents were Fred 0. and Guri Lovlien, 
natives of Norway, who were married in Wisconsin, both having come to 
this country in the '60s. Fred O. was the first to arrive, settling in Vernon 
County, this State, where he and his wife were married. Coming to Trem- 
pealeau County, he first worked out in Trempealeau to earn enough money 
with which to buy land, which he finally purchased in Pigeon Towmship, 
where his sons are now located. Beginning with 160 acres, he also bought 
another homestead of 80 acres. He had very little capital to start with 
and there were no buildings on his place, so pioneer work had to be done, 
and continued for a number of years. Like nearly aU the pioneer settlers, 
he made use of an ox team, and during the early days sometimes walked to 
La Crosse for supplies. He erected a frame house which was the family 
residence for many years, being replaced in 1914 by the present substantial 
brick dweUing. The barns now standing were built by members of the 
family. Religiously Fred. 0. Lovlien was affiliated with the Norwegian 
Lutheran church. After a long and active Ufe, during which he accom- 
plished a large amount of useful work, he died in 1913 at the age of 72 
years. His wife is still living, being now 69 years old. They were the 
parents of 10 children, of whom three died when young. Those living are : 



630 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Die, Anna, Andrew, Hans, Christine, Nina and Oluf. Nina's husband died 
in 1911 and she and her son have since made their home with her brothers. 
On their father's death, or in 1913, the two sons, Andrew and Oluf, took 
charge of the home farm, which they are now operating, raising the usual 
crops and keeping good stock. They are shareholders in the Whitehall 
Creamery, as was also their father, and also hold shares in the Pigeon 
Grain & Stock Company. Their enterprising efforts have met with well- 
deserved success and as general farmers they are doing a profitable business. 
Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. 

Lars J. Dahl, who for over 40 years has been engaged in operating an 
80-acre farm in section 21, Unity Township, was born in Tolgen, Norway, 
April 8, 1850, the son of John and Birit Hulbakdahl, both of whom died 
in Norway. Lars J., while in Norway, used his father's surname of Hul- 
bakdahl, shortening it to Dahl after coming to America, which he did in 
1870, making the voyage on the same ship with Ole Thomasgaard, and 
landing at Quebec, Canada, May 1. From there he made his way to Lan- 
sing, Iowa, where he found employment and worked at various jobs for 
some two years. He then removed to Menominie, Wis., where for three 
years he was employed in the woods and on the river by the Napp-Stout 
Lumber Company. In the meanwhile he had been saving his money and 
was now in a position to start life for himself. Accordingly, coming to 
Trempealeau County, he purchased his present farm from the railway 
company and has since remained here, having been the only owner of the 
farm, and the only man on his road who had stayed on his original pur- 
chase. In so doing he has probably prospered as well as he might have 
done elsewhere, as his property is now very finely improved and is one 
of the most valuable farms of its size in the county. He operates it on the 
four-year rotation plan, whereby the land produces twice as much as it 
would without rotation, in 1915 his yield of corn being 66 bushels to the 
acre. In 1900 Mr. Dahl erected a barn 36 by 52 by 12 feet with a stone 
basement, the latter having cement floors. His residence was built in 
1907 and is a brick veneer structure of two stories and basement, measur- 
ing 28 by 30 feet, the basement having cement floor and the house con- 
taining eight rooms, heated by furnace. Mr. Dahl's sound judgment and 
business ability have been recognized by his fellow citizens and he has 
served longer in public office of one kind or another than any man in his 
township, his activities in this direction having extended over a period 
of 26 years. For four years he was supervisor in Sumner Township, and 
he- has served in Unity Township eight years as township treasurer, 11 
years as assessor, and three years as chairman of the township board and 
consequently as a member of the county board. He is a member of the 
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Mr. Dahl was married April 3, 1878, to Nikoline Rognlien, who was 
born in Hurdalen, Norway, Sept. 21, 1854, daughter of Martin E. and 
Annie (Enerson) Rognhen, of whom a memoir may be found on another 
page of this volume. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dahl : 
John, Anna, Bertha, Mary, Julia, Louisa, Martin, Alfred and Inga. John, 
who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1913, was for some 




FRANK A. GEORGE 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 631 

time a school teacher, being principal of the high school at Thorp for two 
years and of that at Shell Lake one year, Cashton one year and Algoma 
four years. He was also superintendent of city schools at Bloomington 
Prairie, Minn., three years. His training for the profession of teacher 
was obtained at the River Falls normal school, where he was graduated in 
1904. While engaged in this work he studied law by the correspondence 
method and applied himself to it so thoroughly that he qualified for the 
bar, during the same period earning $5,500 in his regular vocation. He is 
now a practicing attorney at Rice Lake, Wis. Anna graduated from the 
Dixon Business College at Dixon, 111., and resides in St. Paul, where she 
is cashier in a store. Bertha, who graduated from the River Falls normal 
school and was a teacher for ten years, is now the wife of Grover Pace, a 
druggist of Adams, Wis. Mary, who graduated in domestic science from 
the University of Chicago, is engaged in teaching domestic science at 
Hammond, Ind. Julia, who graduated from River Falls normal school, is 
now a teacher at Mason City, Iowa. Louisa, a graduate of the same normal 
school, is teaching at Carthage, S. D. Martin is residing on the home farm 
and assisting his father in its cultivation. He has the distinction of being 
the youngest town treasurer to serve in the county, being elected at the age 
of 22, and serving three years. At the age of 26 he was elected to his 
present office as chairman. Alfred graduated from a business college at 
Minneapolis in June, 1916, and is now bookkeeper in a bank at Seattle, 
Wash. Inga, who graduated from the La Crosse normal school, is now a 
teacher at Brandon, Wis. It will thus be seen that Mr. Dahl has educated 
his children for responsible positions in life, and that all, both sons and 
daughters, are making their own way in the world, and, it may be added, 
reflecting credit on the family name. 

Frank A. George, secretary of the Auto Sales Company of Whitehall, 
and president of the Trempealeau County School Committee, is one of the 
best known men in the county. Of a genial temperament and quiet dis- 
position, he has been actively interested in public affairs for many years, 
has mingled considerably in politics, has served in numerous local offices, 
has represented the Republican party at numerous conventions, and for 
a time occupied an official position in the House of Representatives at 
Washington. Of ancient New England ancestry, he was born in Haver- 
hill, Mass., July 26, 1861, son of Lucien and Harriett (Morrison) George. 
He received his early education in the pubhc schools of his native place, 
graduated from the high school there, and passed the examinations admit- 
ting him to Harvard University. Determining, however, to embark upon 
a business rather than a scholastic career, he became cashier and accountant 
for the Gale Brothers' Manufacturing Company at Havei'hill. In 1883 he 
decided to become an agriculturist in the middle west, and with this object 
in view came to Hale Township in Trempealeau County and secured 400 
acres in sections 19 and 20, Township 23, range 7, 240 acres being bought 
from the railroad, and 160 acres from a previous owner. Of this, four 
years later, he sold 160 acres, leaving a good farm of 240 acres, which he 
still owns. Mr. George was the pioneer dairyman of the county. Others 
had raised cows for dairy purposes, but it was he who first understood it 



632 ■ HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

as the principal business of his farm. For a time he had the biggest dairy 
business in the county. Of this herd of 100 cows 23 were full blooded 
Jerseys, and there were seasons when he milked as high as 60 cows. In 
1911 he turned the farm over to his son-in-law, S. B. Scott, and in 1913 
he moved to Whitehall and purchased an interest in the Auto Sales Com- 
pany, of which he became the secretary. His popularity and personality 
have been important factors in the success with which the concern has met. 
Mr. George's public life would in itself make a most interesting chapter. 
In his township he was an excellent justice of the peace for about twenty 
years, and for a similar period did most efficient service on the school 
board, part of the time as clerk and part of the time as treasurer. His 
experience in this line was an important factor in securing him the appoint- 
ment at the head of the county school board in 1915. A staunch Republican 
in politics, he has been chairman of the County Republican Committee for 
the past eight years, and in the old convention days he was the center of 
many a hot political fight at county and state gatherings. In recognition 
of his activities and worth he was given an appointment on the staff of 
employees of the House of Representatives at Washington, serving in 
1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901. For ten years he was chairman of the 
town of Hale and in this capacity gave most excellent service as a member 
of the county board. All in all he is a most useful citizen. Unostentatious 
in his ways, his voice and influence are always raised in behalf of the things 
that are for the betterment and progress of the community, and any good 
cause finds in him an active supporter. Mr. George was married at 
Shawano, Wis., October, 1877, to Mary J. Gibson, and this union was 
blessed with one daughter, Edith, wife of S. B. Scott, who conducts her 
father's farm. Mrs. George died Dec. 6, 1911. 

Peter O. Skulhus, proprietor of a general merchandise and confec- 
tionery business at Eleva, was born in Biri, Norway, June 23, 1878, son of 
Ole P. and Louise (Bratberg) Skulhus. The father died in Norway and 
his wife subsequently came to America in 1908 and married S. H. Ander- 
son, a retired farmer now living in Eleva. Peter O. Skulhus came to this 
country in June, 1900, locating in Eleva, Wis., where he worked one year 
and nine months for the Larson-Melby Company. He then bought the 
confectionery business of Sever Severson, and subsequently purchased of 
Andrew Tweit the building in which he is now located. He is carrying on 
a successful business and his prospects are good for further advancement. 
In 1911 he made a visit to Norway, and in 1914 he again visited his native 
land, attending the world's fair at Christiania, and making the voyage on 
the first vessel which sailed after war was declared. Mr. Skulhus was 
married May 2, 1903, to Molly Semmingson of Eau Claire County, Wis- 
consin, who was born in that county May 8, 1883, her parents, Matt and 
Gina (Hagen) Semmingson, being farming people there. Mr. and Mrs. 
Skulhus have had two children: Oliver Millard, born Nov. 18, 1904, who 
died October 3, the same year, and Gordie Louise, born Dec. 6, 1905. The 
family belong to the United Lutheran Church and Mr. Skulhus has served 
five years as a member of the village board, being ever ready to do his 
part as a responsible citizen. 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 633 

Gustave M. Instenes, who is engaged in operating the old Instenes 
farm in section 26, Chimney Rock Township, was born on this farm April 
24, 1888, son of Sven and Ragnil (Rosgaard) Instenes, who had settled in 
this township in 1874. Reared on the homestead, he became familiar with 
every branch of agricultural work, and was associated with his father until 
his death, since which time he has operated the farm alone, acquiring it 
by purchase in February, 1914. On Dec. 30, 1914, he was married to Elise 
Haakenson, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, April 21, 1882, 
daughter of John and Eli (Erickson) Haakenson. Her father, born in 
Soler, Norway, Aug. 26, 1846, died Dec. 4, 1891. Her mother, also a native 
of that place, born March 11, 1852, is still living on the old homestead. Mrs. 
Gustave M. Instenes, who received a good education, taught school for four- 
teen years and a half. The Instenes farm is a well improved and productive 
piece of property and is kept up to a high standard of value. Mr. Instenes 
has served as school clerk for three years. He and his wife are members 
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Sven Instenes, who for many years was a well known farmer and 
popular citizen of Chimney Rock Township, was born in Hardanger, Nor- 
way, Feb. 4, 1845, son of Lars and Anna Instenes. In 1861 he accompanied 
his parents to the United States, the family settUng in Adams County, 
Wisconsin, where they remained until 1874. They then came to Trem- 
pealeau County, Lars Instenes homesteading the northwest corner of 
section 23, Chimney Rock Township, where he made his home until his 
death June 2, 1899. Sven Instenes was well trained in agricultural methods 
in his youth and was 29 years old when he started in for himself, home- 
steading the northwest quarter of section 26, Chimney Rock Township, 
in 1874. From that time until his death, Feb. 21, 1913, a period of 39 
years, he resided on that farm, cultivating the soil, raising stock and per- 
forming other farm duties connected with the development of his place. 
He was industrious and successful and was well liked and respected by 
his neighbors as a man of good qualities and a reliable citizen. April 9, 
1871, Sven Instenes was united in marriage with Ragnil Rosgaard, who 
was born in Numedahl, Norway, March 18, 1852. They had eight chil- 
dren, of whom one is now deceased, the family record being briefly as fol- 
lows : Anna, who married Sam P. Solfast, a farmer of Chimney Rock Town- 
ship; Lars, who died Aug. 9, 1911; Otis, who is farming in Velva, N. D. ; 
Albert, Robert and Helmer, who are all three farming in McCabe, Mont. ; 
Gustave, residing on the old homestead in Chimney Rock Township, and 
Henry, who is also a farmer in this township. Mr. Instenes served as 
treasurer and director of the school board for nine years and was also 
nine years township supervisor. Mrs. Instenes resides on the old farm with 
her son Gustave. 

Die Fredrickson, who as proprietor of Brookhill farm of 167 acres, 
in section 25, Pigeon Township, is taking an active part in the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of this township, was born in Stor 
Hammar, Hedemarken, Norway, March 25, 1857. His father was Fredrick 
Olson, a railroad man, who died in Norway in 1881, and whose wife, Helen 
Olson, is now hving in Christiania, Norway, at the age of 87 years. It 



634 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

was in May, 1881, the year of his father's death, that the subject of this 
sketch came to the United States. Following the trail of most of the 
Norwegian pioneers to the great Northwest, he located at Whitehall, this 
county, but for about a year was employed near Osseo at farm work. For 
15 years Mr. Fredrickson worked for various employers, in the mean- 
while saving his money and looking forward to the day when he should 
be able to begin an independent career. When the time came, having decided 
upon agriculture as the readiest means of attaining prosperity, he bought 
a farm in Curran Township, Jackson County, this state, and taking up 
his residence upon it operated it for six years. Then, for substantial 
reasons, he decided to make a change of location, and accordingly pur- 
chased his present farm in the southeast corner of town 23 north, range 
7 west. Pigeon Township, where he has since remained. Acting on pro- 
gressive ideas, he has made various improvements on the place, one of the 
most imporatnt of which is the barn erected in 1905, and measuring 34 
by 80 by 16 feet, with an eight-foot basement, and provided with running 
water. In 1914 he built his present residence, a frame two-story building, 
with basement, containing nine rooms, with hot water heat and provided 
with hot and cold running water and Delco plumbing throughout. In 1917 
he installed an individual electric light plant in his house and barn. On 
the farm is also a concrete silo, 14 by 30 feet. Mr. Fredrickson has a herd 
of 31 Holstein cattle, seven being pure-bred and registered. Of this herd 
he milks 15. The farm is conducted on a profitable basis and he has taken 
his place among the successful and prosperous citizens of his township — a 
result achieved by hard work and perseverance, aided by a competent 
knowledge of all the various branches of the farming industry. The farm 
is an historic one, the original home of Nils Jensen Tomten, built in 1870, 
being still standing thereon. Mr. Fredrickson has been treasurer of the 
local school board for nine years, serving two years as clerk. He is also 
a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and in the Whitehall 
Hospital. Mr. Fredrickson entered in to the married state about 14 years 
ago or more, Mrs. Mattie Tomten becoming his wife Oct. 29, 1902. Mrs. 
Fredrickson was born in Norway Dec. 8, 1866, a daughter of Torger and 
Regina Thorson. The Thorson family came to America in 1876, settling 
in Pigeon Township, this county, where the father died in 1913; his wife 
died Sept. 28, 1916. Their daughter Mattie was first married to Gilbert 
Tomten, a son of Niels Jensen Tomten by his wife Berte Olsdatter, both 
natives of Norway, where the father was born April 8, 1815, and the mother 
Jan. 13, 1815. Coming to America in the spring of 1866, with their family, 
Mr. and Mrs. Tomten bought the farm on which the subject of this sketch, 
Mr. Fredrickson, now Uves, and this place was their home until their 
respective deaths, Niels J. Tomten passing away March 30, 1882, and his 
wife Nov. 12, 1891, the latter surviving her husband over nine years. Their 
two sons, Gilbert and John N., after their death divided the farm between 
them, Gilbert taking the part now owned by Mr. Fredrickson, the farm 
as a whole having a larger acreage, and this he operated until his death, 
Nov. 14, 1900. He was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 2, 1863, his marriage 
to Mattie Thorson taking place May 13, 1900. They had one child, Robert 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 635 

Tomten, born April 1, 1891, who is now residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fredrickson are the parents of two children: Frederick G., born July 20, 
1903, and Mildred Helen Olive, born Jan. 20, 1912. The family are mem- 
bers of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Lars M. Lyngdal, proprietor of the Independence Hotel at Indepen- 
dence, Wis., was born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, July 22, 1856, son of 
Michael and Metta (Larson) Lyngal. The father, Michael, was born in 
Norway and came to America in 1837, when 23 years old. He went first 
to Chicago, but afterwards worked on farms in Illinois for several years. 
About 1852 he homesteaded land at Coon Prairie, Vernon County, Wis., 
and farmed there until 1873. He then sold and bought a farm at Pigeon 
Falls, Trempealeau County, on which place he spent the rest of his life, 
dying Sept. 5, 1892, at the age of 69 years. His wife Metta died Jan. 28, 
1910, at the age of. 84. They had six children, of whom Lars M. was the 
second born. Lars M. Lyngdal remained at home until 1885 assisting his 
father. He then bought the home farm and conducted it on his own 
account till 1899, when he sold it and went to Spokane, Wash., where he 
remained nine months. Then coming to Whitehall, he bought the City 
Hotel and was its proprietor until the spring of 1916, at which time he 
located in Independence and took over the Independence Hotel, which he 
is now conducting. He has a good class of trade and is popular with the 
traveling pubhc. The hotel is a modern, three-story, brick building of 21 
rooms, all newly furnished and installed with all desirable accommodations. 
Mr. Lyngdal was married May 22, 1886, to Isabel Stendal, who was born 
at Midway, La Crosse County, Wis., Oct. 7, 1868, daughter of Tostem and 
Hannah (Solberg) Stendal. Her father, who was a farmer of Pigeon 
Township, died Dec. 5, 1897, at the age of 75 years ; her mother died Feb. 
27, 1911, at the age of 82. Mr. and Mrs. Lyngdal are the parents of seven 
children: Sydney, born March 9, 1887, who is cashier in Simmons hard- 
ware store at Minneapolis and who married, April 12, 1911, Florence 
Anderson of Minneapolis and has one child, Lorin, born March 29, 1915; 
Bernie, born Aug. 7, 1890, who is a druggist in Chicago; Myrtle A., born 
Sept. 24, 1892, a stenographer, residing at home; Lancelot, born Sept. 24, 
1896; Reuben, born April 4, 1898; Ernest, born June 3, 1903, and Viola, 
born June 2, 1907, all residing at home. 

Emil Huslegard, a well known farmer of Chimney Rock Township, 
proprietor of the Huslegard farm of 160 acres in section 33, and also the 
owner of 35 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, the whole forming one 
farm, was born in Soler, Norway, June 4, 1858, a son of Ole and Ellen, 
his wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Ansett. The father was born in 
Norway in 1829 and was married in his native land, where his wife died 
in 1869. In 1871 he came with the surviving members of his family to 
the Uinted States, settling in Adams County, Wis., where he remained 
five years. He then bought 80 acres of land in section 33, Chimney Rock 
Township, which he cultivated for four years, subsequently retiring and 
taking up his residence with his son Emil, at whose home he died in June, 
1897. By his wife Ellen he had seven children : Lottie, who married Carl 
Hendrickson, a farmer of Chimney Rock Township; Halvor, who resides 



636 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

with his brother Emil, who was the third born child; Helen, who married 
Adolph Melsness, who is secretary of the I. S. W. A. at Eau Claire, Wis. ; 
Bertha, wife of Charles Johnson, a moulder of Eau Claire, Wis. ; Mary, 
wife of Adolph Hendrickson, a farmer of Chimney Rock Township; Alice, 
who died at the age of 20 years. Emil Huslegard was a boy of 13 years 
when he accompanied his father to America. At that early age he made 
himself useful in various ways and when a little older and stronger began 
working in the saw mills at Necedah, Wis., being thus occupied subse- 
quently, and also working in the woods, until 1889. He then bought the 
farm on which he has since resided and which he is operating on a profit- 
able basis. This is a well developed piece of agricultural property, with 
good buildings, and is pleasantly situated in the southern part of the town- 
ship in the neighborhood known as Russell. 

Jan. 17, 1892, Mr. Huslegard was married to Laura Haakenson, who 
was born in Chimney Rock Township, this county, Jan. 17, 1871. Her 
father, John Haakenson, who was born in Norway in 1846, came to 
America in 1868, and died Dec. 4, 1891. Her mother, whose maiden name 
was Ellen Erickson, was born in Norway, March 11, 1832, and is still resid- 
ing on the old homestead in Chimney Rock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Husle- 
gard are the parents of three children : John, born April 26, 1893 ; Alice, 
born Jan. 29, 1895, and Henry, born Jan. 12, 1898. The family attend 
the Norwegian Lutheran Church. 

Even Holte, one of the enterprising and successful farmers and dairy- 
men of Unity Township, was born in Westertoten, Norway, Nov. 16, 1859. 
His father, Andreas Holte, who was a farmer, and his mother, Olena Paul- 
seth, died in Norway. Even Holte was a young man in his nineteenth year 
when he emigrated to the United States in 1879. Settling in Unity Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., he found employment working on farms 
for about a year, and then, having made up his mind to be his own boss, 
rented the farm of Christ Olson, which he operated for five years. Dur- 
ing the five years following he rented the farm of C. Quale, and then, being 
in a position to purchase a farm of his own, bought the first 120 acres of 
his present farm, which he has since enlarged by purchase up to its present 
size of 320 acres. His improvements since he took hold of the place have 
greatly increased its value, one of the most notable being a frame barn, 
built in 1901, which measures 34 by 70 by 20 feet above stone basement, 
having cement floors and stanchions, and in connection with which there is 
an L, 30 by 30 by 20 feet, for horses. Having thus provided for his stock, 
Mr. Holte, in 1903, built himself a new residence, a two-story and base- 
ment structure, 30 by 34 feet, containing eight rooms and heated with hot 
air furnace. The other buildings on the farm are also substantial and 
equipped with modern conveniences. Mr. Holte raises pure-bred Holstein 
cattle, having a herd of 53, and using a three-unit milking machine. His 
silo is of frame construction, plastered with cement plaster inside and out. 
He was one of the organizers of the Unity Co-operative Creamery at Strum 
and was its secretary for ten years, and is a stockholder in the First State 
Bank of Strum. Although a busy man, Mr. Holte has devoted some part 
of his time to aiding in local government affairs. Thus he was township 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 637 

treasurer eight years, school treasurer three years and a director of the 
school board three years and is now treasurer of the school district, making 
a good record as a public official. His business holdings include stock in 
the State Bank of Strum, of which he is a director. For 15 years he has 
been secretary of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church, to which he 
belongs as a member. For nearly 30 years Mr. Holte has led a domestic 
life, having been united in marriage July 2, 1887, to Marie Rice of Unity 
Township, who was born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, April 28, 1867. Her 
father, Simon Rice, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mathea 
Bergum, were Norwegians, the former being born at Little Hammer, Nor- 
way, June 21, 1845, and the latter at Land, Norway, Oct. 24, 1845. Simon 
came to America in 1854, setthng in Vernon County, this state, whence in 
1869 he came to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where he was 
subsequently engaged in farming until his death. May 21, 1901. He was 
one of those hardy settlers, almost pioneers, who broke the land and helped 
to lay the foundations of that agricultural prosperity of which the present 
generation enjoys the advantage. His wife, who survived him, is now 
living on the old home farm in section 30, Unity Township. The family 
circle of Mr. and Mrs. Even Holte has been rounded out to good dimensions 
by the birth of ten children, whose record in brief is as follows : Minnie, 
born Nov. 21, 1888, and now residing in Chicago ; Olga, born Dec. 16, 1890, 
who is living at home ; Julia, born Dec. 28, 1892, who graduated at River Falls 
normal school and is a teacher in the fourth grade at Marmarth, N. D. ; 
Laura, born Feb. 23, 1895, who is the wife of Edwin Rognlien, a bank cashier 
of Foster, Wis., and Seymour, born April 20, 1897; Josephine, born July 
18, 1899 ; Nordahl, born Dec. 20, 1902 ; Lillian, born Feb. 3, 1904 ; Evelyn, 
born Dec. 18, 1906, and Alton, born Dec. 12, 1908, who are all living at home. 
Jorgen Olson. One of the oldest and best known residents of Chimney 
Rock Township is the subject of this sketch, who has been a resident here 
for nearly 48 years, having been one of the early Norwegian settlers in the 
county. He was born in Valdres, Norway, Nov. 3, 1844, a son of Ole Jorgen- 
son, a mason, and his wife, Annie Uldrikson. Both parents died in Nor- 
way. It was in 1867, at the age of 23 years, that Jorgen Olson left his 
native land for the United States, attracted hither by reports that had 
reached Norway from those gone before of the opportunity to obtain free 
land in the great northwestern states. On his arrival in the country he 
located first in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, 
earning and saving money and keeping his main purpose steadily in view. 
Then, having saved enough to purchase equipment and make a fair start, 
he came to Trempealeau County in 1869 and homesteaded a farm in sec- 
tion 2, on which he spent 18 years of his life, carrying on agriculture and 
stock raising and improving his property, so that when he finally sold he 
obtained a good price for it. Since then he has been engaged in cultivating 
his present farm in section 24, which he purchased on leaving the farm 
in section 2. This property also he has improved considerably, building the 
residence, a two-story house of 10 rooms, in 1889. In 1914 he erected a 
new barn, 30 by 74 by 14 feet, with stone basement and cement floors. His 
son Olaus now rents and manages the farm, and together they raise graded 



638 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which they milk 15. Mr. 
Olson served as township treasurer for 14 years. He also helped organize 
school district No. 1, Chimney Rock Township, of which he was treasurer 
six years. His son Glaus has served as school clerk three years. Mr. Olson 
was married May 17, 1870, to Berget Halvorson, who was born in Norway 
in 1851, and died on the home farm in November, 1904. There were seven 
children born to them: Olaus, mentioned above, who was born Aug. 18, 
1873 ; Annie, who married Halvor Veum, a farmer of Chimney Rock Town- 
ship ; Anton, who is farming at Hettinger, N. D. ; Henry, a resident of 
Superior, Wis. ; Christine, who is keeping house for her father and brother 
Olaus ; William, who is operating a farm in this vicinity, and Joachim, who 
is residing at home. The family are members of the United Norwegian 
Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Olson has been a trustee for four years. 
The Jorgen Olson farm contains "180 acres and is pleasantly situated, the 
land being fertile and everything about the place being up to date and in 
good condition. 

Ole Haug, proprietor of Haug Farm of 260 acres, in section 25, Lincoln 
Township, and section 30, Pigeon Township, was born at Holmen, La Crosse 
County, Wis., Dec. 12, 1877, son of Peter 0. and Augusta Haug. The father, 
who was born in Norway, came to America with his parents in 1855, they 
locating in La Crosse County, Wis. There he was reared, and there he lived 
until March, 1896, when he bought the farm on which his son Ole now 
resides, which he cultivated until his death in 1902 at the age of 49 years. 
His wife, who was born near Holmen, Wis., is still living on the farm, being 
now 61 years old. They had three children : Ole, Amalia, who lives on the 
homestead, and Smith, who died in 1907, at the age of 21 years. Ole Haug 
assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death in 1902, after which 
he operated it for his mother until 1908. He then purchased it and has 
since been the sole owner. He has 55 head of cattle, mixed grades, milking 
20 cows, and keeps 100 hogs per year. The farm has good buildings, includ- 
ing a two-story, eight-room, frame house with basement, equipped with 
furnace heat, and modern in every respect, except lights. His barn, 36 
by 94 by 18 feet in dimensions, has a good basement with cement floors, 
steel stanchions and litter-carrier, cement mangers, watering buckets, hog 
house, 24 by 30 feet, frame with cement floors. Mr. Haug was married, 
November, 1902, to Mina Tharaldson, of Pigeon Township, who was born 
in La Crosse, Wis., daughter of John and Theoline (Suggerud) Tharaldson. 
Her father was a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Haug have three chil- 
dren: Palmer, Agnes and Tilman, the two latter being twins. 

Nels S. Fagerland, who is successfully engaged in business as proprietor 
of a good general store in the village of Eleva, Wis., was born in Deerfield, 
Dane County, Wis., June 25, 1883. His father, Gunder 0. Fagerland, was 
born in Norway in 1857 and came to America in 1881, settling in Dane 
County, Wis., where he resided until 1893. He then removed to Curran 
Township, Jackson County, which is his present place of residence. Our 
subject's mother, in maidenhood Brunhilde Sundnas, was born in Norway 
in 1860. Nels S. Fagerland remained with his parents until 1909. Then, 
with Clarence Thompson, his brother-in-law, he bought the general store 




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MR. AXD MRS. NELS F. HEGGE 
H. 11. MORTEXSOX 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 639 

of A. E. Amundson in Eleva, and they carried on business together until 
May 1, 1915, when he came to his present location, buying the store in 
company with Oscar Wold, who, however, lived but one year after. After 
Mr. Wold's death his wife continued the business with Mr. Fagerland until 
March 1, 1917, when his brother Olaf purchased her interests, the firm 
now being Fagerland Brothers. Mr. Fagerland was married March 30, 
1907, to Isabelle Thompson, who was born in Jackson County, Wis., April 
27, 1881. Her parents, Thomas and Martha (Anderson) Thompson, were 
farming people of Jackson County, where the mother died in 1911. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fagerland have two children : Violet and Harley. Mr. Fagerland 
has served as village clerk for three years, as a member of the council four 
years and as school director three years. He and his family belong to the 
United Lutheran church. Since coming to Eleva they have made many 
friends and are increasing in prosperity from year to year as the result of 
honest dealing, enterprise and frugality. 

Even A. Hegge, prominent member of the county board from Pigeon 
Falls, is one of the influential men of the county, and has been unusually 
active in public affairs. His work on the town and county board has been 
of the highest order, and as an advocate of good roads he had done much 
to promote the best interests of the community at large. A native of this 
county, he was born on his present farm at the mouth of Hegge Valley, in 
Pigeon Township, Nov. 27, 1875. He attended school in the district of 
which his father was an official, and supplemented this with a course in 
the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. Thus equipped, he 
returned home and resumed agricultural operations. For a while he 
worked with his father, then he managed the farm, subsequently rented it, 
and still later acquired the ownership. The place consists of 290 acres in 
section 3, township 22, range 7, and has been made into a model farm in 
every particular. Since taking possession, Mr. Hegge has greatly improved 
the farm in general, has rebuilt the barn and house, and has put in an 
individual electric light plant, a complete water system, and modern plumbing 
conveniences. Carrying on general farming along scientific lines, he makes 
a specialty of raising thoroughbred and high-grade Holstein cattle for dairy 
purposes, and Duroc-Jersey swine for shipping. Before being elected town 
chairman in 1912, Mr. Hegge did good service for fifteen years as town clerk. 
He has been secretary and treasurer of the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company 
since its organization, and is a director in the People's State Bank of 
Whitehall, which he also assisted in starting. For several years he has 
been secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation of Pigeon Falls. 

Nels F. Hegge was for many years one of the substantial men of the 
county. He gave his name to an important valley in Pigeon Falls Township, 
was an earnest worker in town and school ofl!ice, and being a well-read man 
of kindly disposition, exerted a wide influence upon his fellowmen. He 
came of old Norwegian stock, and was born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 31, 1839. 
He was there reared amid rugged surroundings, and in 1866 determined 
to seek his fortunes amid the wider opportunities of America. Reaching 
La Crosse, he secured various employment, farming in the summer months, 
and working in Clark County in the lumbering season, both as a chopper in 



640 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the forests and as engineer at the King's Mills. It was in the spring of 
1871 that he came to Trempealeau County and located at the foot of the 
vallej^ which has since borne his name. For thirty years he toiled early and 
late and built up his farm. In 1901, after a useful life filled with worthy 
endeavor, he retired and moved to Whitehall. His death, Aug. 25, 1912, was 
sincerely mourned. Starting with no other resources than a sturdy body 
and strong integrity, he had established his place as a man of worth and 
ability, he had achieved success, and given to the world a good family. His 
death will long be sincerely moui-ned. Mr. Hegge was married Sept. 20, 
1869, to Nekoline E. Nelson, and this union was blessed with 10 children: 
Edward, of North Dakota ; Oluf N. ; Isaac, of North Dakota ; Oscar, of 
Durant, Miss. ; Sigvold, a banker of Whitehall ; George, of Preston, Wash. ; 
Even A., who resides on the home farm, and Frederick, Josephine and Anna, 
who are dead. Mrs. Hegge resides in Whitehall. Mr. Hegge was married 
March 26, 1902, to Clara Mortenson, who was born in Pipeon, Sept. 2-3, 1878, 
daughter of H. H. and Romang Mathea (Mathiason) Mortenson. This union 
has been blessed with a fine family of nine children : Norman Herbert, born 
Jan. 8, 1903 ; Myrtle Nettehe, March 17, 1904 ; Edgar Alfred, Nov. 15, 1906 ; 
Harold Erland, July 10, 1907 ; Ernest Victor, June 3, 1909 ; Orris William, 
April 9, 1911; Nels Frederick, Dec. 27, 1912; Anna Dorathy, Nov. 8, 1915; 
and Esther Andrea, born July 19, 1917. 

Edward S. Englesby, assistant postmaster at Eleva, is a native of this 
State, born in Modena, Buffalo County, March 7, 1862, son of Harrison and 
Roxanna (Hammond) Englesby. Harrison W. Englesby was born in 
Vermont, and settled in Buffalo County, this State, in 1860. In 1868 he 
opened a hotel at Coral City, not far from what is now Whitehall, in Trem- 
pealeau County. Subsequently he farmed in Preston Township, this county, 
for a while. Then he lived successively in Black River Falls, Eau Claire 
and Mondovi. In 1876 he settled in Albion Township, and there remained 
until his death. Edward S. Englesby followed the fortunes of his family 
and spent his young manhood on the Albion Township farm. For a time 
he was employed as a lumberman, on the rivers and in the pine forests. 
In 1892 he engaged in lumbering at Hayward, Wis., and three years later he 
came to Eleva and entered the postoffice. From 1903 to 1915 he was a rural 
mail carrier, and since that date has occupied his present position, his wife 
being the postmistress. In addition to his services for the Government, 
Mr. Englesby has for some years operated a farm of 80 acres in Albion Town- 
ship. For three years he did good work on the village board. His fraternal 
affiliations are with the Masons, the Woodmen and the Beavers. Mr. 
Englesby was married Oct. 9, 1892, to Ida Gibson, daughter of Milo B. and 
Mary (Harvey) Gibson, of Eleva, and they have one child. Marguerite, born 
May 3, 1910. 

James Maloney, a well-known farmer of Hale Township, and one of the 
large land owners of Trempealeau County, was born in Adams County, Wis., 
Aug. 30, 1857, son of David and Margaret (Warner) Maloney. The father, 
David Maloney, was born in Cork, Ireland, Jan. 18, 1830, and came to 
America with his parents in 1852, they settling in Hadley, Mass. His 
marriage to Margaret Warner took place in the same, on Nov. 1. She also 






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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 641 

-was a native of Cork, Ireland, the date of her birth being Aug. 29, 1832. 
It was in 1867 that David Maloney and his family settled in Hale Township, 
Trempealeau County, Wis., Mr. Maloney buying land which, with subse- 
quent additions, constitutes the present farm of the subject of this sketch. 
The estate now contains 1,000 acres, lying in section 28 and other sections, 
town 23 north, ranges 7 and 8 west. Hale Township. David Maloney spent 
many years of his life in enlarging and improving his property, the present 
large estate being in a great measure the result of his industry, thrift and 
far-sighted judgment. He died in 1898 and his wife on June 2, 1912. 
They were the parents of seven children, as follows : Katherine, Mary, 
James, Esther, Margaret, David and Nellie. James Maloney was a boy of 10 
years when he arrived with his father's family in Trempealeau County. He 
was reared on the home farm and was associated with his father in its oper- 
ation until 1896. He then purchased the farm and has since conducted 
it on his own account, raising varied crops, and keeping a flock of 600 Shrop- 
shire sheep, besides 40 head of cattle, of which he milks 20. In 1915 Mr. 
Maloney erected a fine barn, 36 by 126 by 14 feet above stone basement, and 
equipped with steel stanchions. In the same year he built a glazed block 
silo, reinforced with steel, 14 by 35 feet in dimensions. His buildings are 
all substantial and his equipment adequate to all the purposes of modern 
farming and stock raising, and he has taken place among the successful 
and well-to-do farmers of his township. Dec. 25, 1893, Mr. Maloney was 
united in marriage with Lavinia Dissmore, daughter of George and Mary E. 
(Rogers) Dissmore, the date of her nativity being Feb. 17, 1862. He and 
his wife are the parents of four children : George, born Nov. 20, 1894, and 
now a student at Bethel Academy, Arpin, Wis. ; David, born Jan. 6, 1897, 
now i-esiding on the home farm, who married Sarah Getts and has one child, 
Esther, born Oct. 5, 1916 ; James, born June 14, 1898, and Archie, born Nov. 
29, 1900, both living at home. Mr. Maloney has taken part to some extent 
in local government affairs, having served three years as treasurer of the 
school board. He and his family have a wide circle of friends in Hale Town- 
ship and the vicinity and are among the representative members of the 
agricultural community. 

Halvor J. Halvorson, expert buttermaker at the Eleva Co-Operative 
Creamery, has been connected with the creamery industry in this village for 
18 years, and is thoroughly familiar with all departments of his business. 
He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Oct. 6, 1874, son of John and Mary 
(Haganess) Halvorson, who operate a farm in Eau Claire County. Halvor 
J. Halvorson spent his boyhood on a farm, and came to this county in 1899 
as a helper in the old Eleva creamery. Desiring to further perfect himself, 
he studied in the Dairy School of the Agricultural College of the University 
of Wisconsin. Completing his course there March 1, 1903, he took his 
present position, and here he has since remained. In addition to this, he 
operates a farm of 75 acres in section 10, Albion Township, where he carries 
on general agricultural operations. He holds the agency for the Wonder 
Milking Machines for Eau Claire, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties, and has 
installed several on Trempealeau County farms. Busy as he is, he has 
found time for public service, and has been a member of the village council 



642 HISTORY OB^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

three years. Mr. Halvorson was married July 1, 1902, to Louisa Serum, 
who was born in Buffalo County, Wis., Feb. 23, 1877, and died Oct. 1, 1907, 
daughter of Ole and Mary Serum. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson had two chil- 
dren : Josephine, born April 1, 1903, and Obert, born June 14, 1906. 

Byron L. Hutchins, who is engaged in the real estate business at Inde- 
pendence, Wis., was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., 
Sept. 22, 1865, son of James L. and Elizabeth (Tubbs) Hutchins. The 
father, James, took a homestead in this county about 1860, and died in 1876 
at the age of 37 years. His widow resides in Independence at the age of 
72 years. Byron L. Hutchins was reared in Independence and for a number 
of years after his father's death was occupied in the management of his 
mother's business affairs. In 1900 he engaged in the real estate business 
in Independence and has since continued in it, handling city and farm 
property and rentals. He has been a member of the village council eight 
years and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Independence. In the 
order of the Knights of Pythias he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Hfttchins 
was married in February, 1899, to Bertha Arnold, of Arcadia Township, 
this county. Her father, William D. Arnold, who was a pioneer farmer 
here, is now living retired at the age of 85 years in Winona, Minn.; his 
wife, Mrs. Hutchins' mother, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have two 
children : Lee J., aged 16 years, and Earl B., aged 10 years. 

Clarence P. Larson, president and cashier of the Bank of Eleva, is one 
of the leading citizens of the village, and has business and financial interests 
and connections which extend far beyond the boundaries of the State. He 
was born in Independence, this county, June 6, 1885, son of Ole P. and Lina 
(Waller) Larson. He was reared in Whitehall and received his early 
education in the Whitehall schools. For a time he was a student in the 
Toland Business College, at Winona. With this preparation he entered the 
John 0. Melby & Co. Bank, at Whitehall, as accountant. For one year, 
1908, he engaged in the general mercantile business at Aneta, N. D. In 
1909 he came to Eleva as cashier of the Bank of Eleva, and the foUowing^ 
year was made president as well. In these capacities he is still serving. 
His engaging personality and sound business abiUty have been the most 
important factors in the success with which the institution has met. Since 
1911, Mr. Larson has been president of the Eleva Mercantile Company. He 
is president of the Larson-Stevning Company, of Stephen, Minn., secretary 
of the Central Trading Association of Whitehall, and a stockholder in the 
United States National Bank of Superior, Wis., and the John O. Melby Co. 
Bank, of Whitehall. Mr. Larson is a member of the county board, serving^ 
his third year. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also a member 
of the Commandery, the Shrine and the Eastern Star. His Elk affiliation is 
with the lodge at Eau Claire. Mr. Larson was married Aug. 21, 1909, to 
Louise Steig, born in Pigeon Township, this county, Sept. 8, 1883, daughter 
of Gilbert F. and Gelena (Lewis) Steig, now living in Whitehall. Mr. and 
Mrs. Larson have had four children: Charles Phihp, born Aug. 15, 1900; 
Oliver Philip, born March 2, 1912, and died Feb. 5, 1913, and Mary Jane, 
born March 2, 1914, and Betty Louise, born Aug. 20, 1917. The family 
faith is that of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, at Whitehall. 




CLARENCE P. LARSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 643 

Ralph W. Wood, whose farm of 240 acres in section 15, Lincoln Town- 
ship, is a well-cultivated and productive piece of agricultural property, was 
born in this township, Jan. 19, 1879, son of David and Mary (Parsons) Wood, 
the others in the family being Archie, now a contractor and builder of White- 
hall ; James, also residing there and engaged in the same business ; Kippy, 
who died at the age of 7 years ; Alta, who died at the age of 2 years, and 
Ralph W. Ralph W. Wood has resided on his present farm since his 
father purchased it about the year 1900, and has been operating the plow 
since 1913. The farm is nicely improved, the 12-room frame house being 
equipped with water and lights. The barn measures 50 by 80 feet, and the 
cement block silo, built in 1912, 16 by 33 feet. Mr. Wood milks 15 cows, 
feeding one carload of cattle a year for the market and half a carload of 
hogs. He also raises Plymouth Rock chickens. Sept. 27, 1906, he was mar- 
ried to Martha Johnson, of Osseo, Wis., who was born near that village, Feb. 
20, 1886, daughter of Charles and Anna (Granhn) Johnson, her father 
being a farmer of Hale Township. Her parents' children were as follows : 
Helen, wife of Charles Christianson, a farmer of Hale Township; Karen, 
wife of Swen Swenson, also of Hale Township ; Charlotte, now Mrs. Martin 
Engen, her husband Tjeing a farmer of Rusk County, Wis. ; John, who is 
engaged in farming near the home place; Louise, wife of Fred Steig, a 
farmer of Bowman, N. D.; Augusta, wife of Olaf Peterson, a farmer of 
Sumner Township ; Hilmer, who resides on the home farm ; Martha, wife of 
Ralph W. Wood, and Louise (first), who was born after John and died at 
the age of 2 years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Wood are : Helen 
B., born Dec. 17, 1908, and Harold C, born Feb. 24, 1910. The family are 
among the prosperous members of the agricultural community of Lincoln 
Township and are widely known and respected. 

Hans H. Mortenson, a pioneer of Pigeon Township, now living in retire- 
ment at Whitehall, has seen the Pigeon Valley develop from a wild, unculti- 
vated area, with only a few scattering houses, into one of the richest regions 
in Western Wisconsin, and by building up a fine farm, he himself took an 
important part in the wonderful progress and improvement. Born in 
Tromso, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, the son of Morten Peterson and Helena 
Christopherson, he received such meager education as the church schools 
of the vicinity afforded, and then, like all the other boys of his neighborhood, 
he embarked in a seafaring hfe, devoting the years of his young manhood to 
fishing with various fleets along the Norwegian coast. But the wages were 
small and life was hard, so he determined to transfer the scene of his work 
to America. Accordingly, in July, 1862, he arrived in the United States and 
found his way to La Crosse County, where for six years he was engaged at 
various work, laboring for farmers during the agricultural seasons, and" 
securing employment in the pineries and on the river in the winter. It 
was in 1868 that he came to Trempealeau County and took a homestead of 
160 acres of wild land in section 32, township 23, range 7. Starting on a 
small scale and amid primitive conditions, he broke the land, erected the 
necessary buildings, and for many years successfully carried on general 
farming. Prosperity came with the years, and in 1909 he was enabled to 
sell his property at a good figure and retire to the village of Whitehall, where 



644 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

he has a pleasant home, and where after a hfe of hard work, he is enjoying 
the fruits of his success. Mr. Mortenson has seen considerable public life. 
For nine years he was town assessor, for two years town treasurer, and for 
' two years town supervisor. For sixteen years he was clerk of his school 
district. His work as census enumerator for the town of Pigeon in 1880 
and 1890 won high commendation from his superiors. While on the farm 
he was a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery. Mr. Mortenson was mar- 
ried Oct. 26, 1867, to Romang Mathea Mathiason, who was born in Norway in 
1845. This union has been blessed withsixchildren: Augusta, Clara (second), 
Anna, Ida, Ruth and Esther, living, and Martin, Emelia, Isaac, Clara (first) 
and Maria, deceased. Augusta is now Mrs. Richard Mattison, of White- 
hall. Clara (second) is now Mrs. Even A. Hegge, of Pigeon Township. 
Anna is now Mrs. Claude Everson, of Lincoln Township. Ida is now Mrs. 
Ludwig Berg, of Hale Township. Ruth is now Mrs. L. 0. Goplin, of Hale 
Township. Esther, a teacher, lives at home. 

Ray H. Larson, who is successfully conducting an up-to-date garage in 
the village of Independence, was born near this village, Nov. 25, 1888, son of 
Ed and Belle (Amundson) Larson. His parents are both living in White- 
hall, the father being a retired farmer now 65 years old, and the mother 
aged 63. They had three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is 
the second in order of birth. Ray H. Larson was reared on his parents' 
farm. When a young man he woi'ked one year in Milwaukee and was also 
employed for some time in a hardware store in Independence. With his 
brother, Louis C, he opened a hay and straw business in Independence in 
1911 and has since conducted it, the brother withdrawing in the fall of 1915. 
In the spring of the year last mentioned Mr. Larson bought the auto sales 
agency of Steiner & Larson and started his present garage, located in a 
frame building, two stories in height and 30 by 90 feet in dimensions. He 
handles Studebaker and Ford cars, together with the usual supplies and 
accessories and his business is gradually increasing. Mr. Larson is a mem- 
ber of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. 

William E. Harlow, one of the proprietors of the Harlow & Herrell 
garage, at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Pigeon Township, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., Dec. 6, 1872, son of 0. F. and Lucy (Kidder, nee Scott) Harlow. 
He made his home with his father until he was 24 years old and then learned 
the painter's trade, at which he worked in Whitehall until 1916. He then 
became a member of the firm of Harlow & Herrell, and in June they opened 
their present garage, a one-story frame building, 28 by 86 feet, on Scranton 
Street. Here they do all kinds of repairing and handle all supplies and 
accessories. With the increasing popularity of the automobile, their busi- 
• ness is bound to grow, and they have already made an auspicious start. 
Mr. Harlow also has a knowledge of electrical work, which is likely to be of 
use to him in the future. He is fraternally aflShated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. June 10, 1896, 
he was married to Florence M. Breed, of Whitehall, who was born Oct. 25, 
1876, daughter of Calvin E. and Anna (Crane) Breed. Her father, now a 
retired farmer, is a military veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have one child, 
Eugene Scott, who was born Oct. 14, 1907. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 645 

William White, one of the prosperous farmers of Albion Township, 
whose fertile farm of 160 acres, known as "Natural Spring Dairy Farm," 
lies in section 6, was born in Ohio, Jan. 10, 1854. He is a son of David and 
Mary (Ettel) White, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. 
In 1860 David White with his family came to Wisconsin, settling in Pepin 
County. After a residence there of five years he removed to what is now 
Buffalo County, where he made his home for the rest of his life. His wife 
Mary, who was born in Germany in 1834, came to the United States in 1841, 
their marriage taking place in Pennsylvania. She was the first to pass 
away, dying in 1904, while his death took place July 18, 1911. William 
White resided with his parents until March 20, 1877, that being the date on 
which he bought his present farm. The land was first entered by Sylvanus 
Moore, Oct. 8, 1858, and was sold by him to James McDermott, the latter 
selling to Mr. White. The property is now well improved and Mr. White 
is profitably engaged in farming and stock raising, keeping Holstein cattle, 
Poland-China hogs and Belgian horses — all grades. Mr. White was mar- 
ried. May 6, 1875, to Emma Walker, who was born in La Crosse County, Jan. 
14, 1855, daughter of Silas and Mary J. (McEldowney) Walker. Her father 
was a farmer, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and died in 1880. Her 
mother, who was born in 1829, now resides in Mondovi, Wis. Mrs. White 
was given a good education, being graduated from Gale College, of Gales- 
ville, in 1872. She and her husband have been the parents of seven chil- 
dren: Nora, Maynie, Earl, Winnifred, Gladys, Vilas and Velma, of whom 
Earl, the third-born, died at the age of 2 years. Nora is the wife of Isaac 
Perry, of Albion Township, and has three children — Floy, Evelyn and Con- 
stance. Maynie, who married Earl Davis, a farmer of Eau Claire County, 
Wis., has eight children — Pierre, Claire, Glen, Helen, Howard, Margaret, 
Dean and Max. Winnifred, who is the wife of Eugene Rosman, has two 
children — Lloyd and Delbert. Mr. White is affiliated religiously with the 
Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has devoted 
some part of his time to the public service, having been township supervisor 
three years and school clerk six years. He and his family are well known 
and respected in this part of the county. 

Christ Torgerson, who is engaged in the hardware business in Inde- 
pendence as a member of the firm of Liver & Torgerson, was born in Ringebo, 
Gulbrandsdahlen, Norway, Dec. 8, 1855. His father was Torger Tulibakken, 
a farmer, who died in 1877 at the age of 65 years. Torger married Ragnil 
Tulin, who survived him until 1912, when she passed away at the advanced 
age of 90. Christ Torgerson in 1876, having attained his majority, left his 
native land for the United States, knowing that here he should find wider 
opportunities for self-advancement. He first located at Black River Falls, 
where he found employment and remained until 1882. Then coming to 
Independence, he entered into business for himself, and so continued tiU 
1894, when he bought the interest of L. E. Danuser in the hardware and 
implement firm of Danuser & Liver. The business has since been conducted 
under the style of Liver & Torgerson and is in a flourishing condition. Mr. 
Torgerson is also a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of White- 
hall and the State Bank of Independence. For three years he was a member 



646 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the village council. He belongs to the United Norwegian Lutheran 
church and to the Modei'n Woodmen of America. Mr. Torgerson was mar- 
ried, May 20, 1883, to Martha Nelson Bidney, of Buffalo County, Wis., whose 
father, Ole Nelson Bidney, born in Norway, settled in Dane County, Wis., 
afterward becoming a pioneer of Buffalo County, where he followed farming, 
and died in June, 1916, at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Torgerson's mother, 
who now lives in Independence, is 75 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson 
are the parents of nine children : Theodore, Edward, Wren, Myron, Albert, 
Ella, Marion, Ida and Norman. Theodore is a prominent citizen of Alma Cen- 
ter. Edward has just completed a term as sheriff of Trempealeau County. 
Wren and Albert are employed in their father's store. Myron, a hero of 
the Great War, enhsted from Saskatchewan in the Canadian Colonial troops 
at the beginning of the war, was sent to France with one of the first con- 
tingents, was there wounded, and then returned to Saskatchewan, where 
he now lives. EUa is the wife of Ansel Everson, of Blair. Marion is the 
wife of Peter Haugh, of Taylor, Wis. Ida is the wife of Maurice Thompson, 
of Blair. 

Albert G. Rognrud is a native of this county, having been born near 
Blair, Feb. 27, 1874, son of Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud and Olea 0. 
Tappen, his wife. Albert G. was reared and educated on the home farm, 
attending the district schools of the neighborhood. For a time he worked 
as a fireman in the Northwest Sawmill at Eau Claire, Wis., and for a while 
he owned the T. H. Moen farm in Pigeon Township, but on March 21, 1904, 
he purchased the home farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Rognrud was 
married April 8, 1899, to Anna Moen, who wasJsorn in Dane County, Wis., 
Sept. 3, 1876, daughter of Thorsten H. and Eli (Gutormson) Moen, who were 
born July 19, 1847, and Dec. 2, 1853, respectively, and came to America in 
1876, settling near Eleva, in Eau Claire County, where they still live. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rognrud have two children: Elvina, born Dec. 2, 1900, and 
Geodina, born Sept. 12, 1902. With the Rognrud family lives Caroline 
Rustad, who homesteaded the Rognrud Farm in the fall of 1873, and in 
1880 deeded the farm to Gunarius Rognrud with the provision that she 
retain therein her habitation during life. She was born in Elverum, Nor- 
way, Jan. 12, 1831, and came to this region in the spring of 1873. In order 
to file on the property where she settled she made the trip to the land office 
at La Crosse, a distance of 50 miles, on foot. 

Lars H. Weverstad was born in Hammer, Norway, Nov. 11, 1846, and 
came to America in 1870. For eight years he was employed as a lumber- 
man. At the end of this period he purchased his father's farm in section 
14, Pigeon Township, this county, where he farmed until 1906, when he 
purchased his present farm of 160 acres in the northwest quarter of section 
23. He has a well-improved place, and successfully carries on general farm- 
ing. Mr. Weverstad was married Dec. 5, 1879, to Agnethe Moe, who was 
born in Ringsager, Norway, Feb. 4, 1861, daughter of Peter and Karen 
(Herberg) Larson, who came to America in 1877 and settled in Moe Cooley, 
in Pigeon Township. Mr. and Mrs. Weverstad have had 11 children : Mary, 
Clara, Nettie, Peter, Laura, Mandley, Edwin and Margaret, hving; and 
Augusta, Anna and Minnie, deceased. Mary married Theo. Thorson, a 




MK. AND MKS. GUXAIUI'S li. ( I'KJUJKJriijN j I;(m,M(L'D 
ME. AND MRS. OLE A. BREKKE 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 647 

farmer of Oneida County, Wis. Clara married John Lundstad, a farmer of 
Pigeon Township. Nettie married Emil Hanevold, a farmer of Fly Creek, 
this township. Peter operates the home farm ; he married Julia Dake, in 
June, 1911, and has two children, Almon and Wilmar. Laura married Wal- 
ter Vitense, of Madison, Wis. Mandley, Edwin and Margaret are at home. 
Mr. Weverstad was the son of Michael and Nellie (Franseth) Weverstad, 
who came from Norway in 1872, and secured a farm in section 14, Pigeon 
Township, this county, where he died in 1878 at the age of 60, and she in 
1887 at the age of 75. 

Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud, whose estate name in the old country 
was Gunarius G. Rongrud, was born in Voler Soler, Norway, Oct. 14, 1831, 
and was there reared. Upon coming to America in the '60s, he lived in La 
Crosse County a year, and then found his way to this county, where he 
spent the remainder of his days. When he reached here he bought 100 
acres of land a half mile south of Blair. Later he purchased 40 acres 
adjoining the old village of Porterville, and platted Pederson's addition to 
that village. On this addition, an important part of Blair is now located, 
the village of Porterville having faded into oblivion. In 1890 he sold his 
farm and moved to Fly Creek Valley, in Preston Township, where he farmed 
until his death in 1902. When he platted Pederson's addition he gave a 
lot for the church, and on this lot he helped to build the edifice, hauling the 
lumber from Black River Falls. His wife, Olea 0. Tappen, who was also a 
faithful church member, was born April 25, 1848, and died on Thanksgiving 
Day, 1906, after a long and busy life. They were the parents of 15 children : 
Peder, Alavus (deceased), Lena, Geoadena (deceased), George, Emma, Gil- 
bert, Albert G., Karn, Clara, Volborg, Alexander, Petra, Gena and Isaac. 

Andrew A. Brekke, an early settler, was born in Norway, and there 
grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to America and found employment in 
Racine, Wis. His residence in Trempealeau County dates from 1870, when 
he located on the old Trumpf farm, in west side of Preston Township. Two 
years later he homesteaded 160 acres a little more than a mile west of the 
present village of Blair. He was a mason by trade, as well as a farmer, 
and he assisted in laying the foundation of many of the early houses in 
this vicinity. When the village of Blair was started, he not only laid the 
foundations for the first two houses, but also assisted in building the houses 
themselves. He remained on his farm until his death, Sept. 30, 1905. He 
did not seek pubHc office, but devoted himself to his work and his family. 
He was, however, an active laborer in the Norwegian Lutheran church, 
and contributed liberally to its support. He married Berget Groeness, who 
died in 1907, and they had nine children : Tove, Ingeborg, Burgue, Torger, 
Olav, Tollef, Lesa, Johan and Hage (deceased). 

Olav A. Brekke, real estate dealer of Blair, and formerly an expert 
butter-maker, was born at Mosele, in Telemarken, Norway, April 11, 1868, 
son of Andrew A. and Berget (Groeness) Brekke. He was brought to 
Preston Township, this county, as a child, and devoted his early manhood 
to working as a farm hand, both at home and elsewhere. In 1891 he started 
creamery work in Blair, where he learned his trade. For some 18 years 
he was employed in creameries in Blair and Westby, in the meantime spend- 



648 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

ing three years on the road as an agent for creamery supplies. In 1893 he 
was awarded a medal and a diploma from the World's Columbian Exposition 
at Chicago for his excellent butter, and in 1905, in the same city, he won 
the diamond medal in the Diamond Medal Contest. He has also won other 
awards and prizes. Since 1913 Mr. Brekke has devoted his attention to 
the real estate business, with an office in the Home Bank Building. He has 
passed through the chairs of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Cashton, Wis., and 
was the second member to join the Beaver Lodge at Blair. Mr. Brekke was 
married March 20, 1890, to Lena G. Fognrud, born in Blair, Dec. 12, 1869, 
daughter of Gunarius G. Rognrud. 

Richard Bibby, one of the sturdy farmers who is engaged in develop- 
ing the argricultural resources of Gale Township, was born on his present 
farm in section 27, July 10, 1868. His parents, Richard and Mary (Faulds) 
Bibby, natives of Scotland, were married in the State of Maryland, in 1852, 
after they had been in this country some four or five years. In 1854 Richard 
Bibby, the elder, purchased from the Government the land which now con- 
stitutes the farm of his son and namesake, but it was not until October, 
1856, that he and his family moved onto it. At that time it could hardly 
be called a farm, as it was destitute of improvements of any kind, so Mr. 
Bibby found plenty of hard work ahead of him. He went at his task with 
vigor, at first putting up only the most essential buildings, and those of a 
primitive kind, giving his main attention to raising crops for the support of 
himself and family. As time went on, however, he improved the place, 
and cultivated a larger area of land. Satisfied with his choice, he tried no 
experiments with other locations, but remained here until his death, which 
occurred in July, 1894. For 18 years, beginning with the organization of 
the district, he served as a member of the school board. His wife did not 
long survive him, passing away in March, 1895. They belonged to that 
sturdy pioneer class who conquered the wilderness, and to whom the present 
generation owes much for the better conditions now enjoyed. Moreover, 
they took part in the religious life of the community, Mr. Bibby being a 
charter member and for some years an elder of the Presbyterian church 
at Galesville, and later assisting to organize the church of that denomination 
at North Bend. Their family was a large one, numbering 15 children, of 
whom the subject of this sketch was the ninth in order of birth. Richard 
Bibby, the second of the name, acquired the elements of knowledge in the 
district school. As may be supposed, he was not allowed to grow up in 
idleness, but at an early age began to assist his father, there being always 
something to do on the farm. He resided at home, with the exception of 
two or three winters, until 1894, when, being now in his twenty-sixth year, 
he rented the farm from his father for one year. The latter dying soon 
after, however, he then became the owner of the property and has resided 
on it ever since. It contains 158 acres, and Mr. Bibby carries on general 
farming, including dairying and the raising of hogs, besides keeping more 
or less other stock. The chief improvements now standing were made by 
him, and include a circular barn, 64 feet in diameter, with a 9-foot basement 
and 20 feet overhead, the erection of which shows him to be enterprising 
and up-to-date. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at 




IVEE EIMON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 649 

Galesville, the La Crosse Packing Company and the Independent Harvester 
Company, of Piano, 111., and is a member of the American Society of Equity. 
In politics Mr. Bibby is an independent Republican. He has served on the 
board of supervisors three terms and as a member of the school board nine 
years. Sept. 23, 1896, he was married to Ina Jones, who was born in Gale 
Township, daughter of John and Lucy (Miller) Jones. Her parents were 
both natives of England, but were married in Columbia County, Wis., in 
which State Mr. Jones settled when he came to this country, being then 
about 22 years old, subsequently locating in Columbia County. In the early 
'50s of the last century he removed with his family to Trempealeau County, 
and was a pioneer of Gale Township, taking a farm on the Jackson County 
line. That place was his subsequent home until his death in 1887. His wife 
is still living on the old homestead, being now well advanced in years. They 
had five children, of whom Mrs. Bibby was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bibby have been the parents of six children : Richard A., Arthur, who died 
at the age of 2 years, Allen L., William HoUis, Mary E. and Ahce M. The 
surviving children are all residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are mem- 
bers of the North Bend Presbyterian church, and have many friends 
throughout this part of the county. 

Iver Eimon, one of the most prominent farmers and stock raisers in 
Hale Township, and an extensive land owner elsewhere, was born in Land, 
Norway, June 5, 1854, son of Ole and Sierce (Thomle) Eimon. His parents, 
who were natives of the same part of Norway, came to the United States in 
1862, locating at Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wis., where the father engaged 
in farming, and also at times worked in the lead mines. In 1868 they came 
to Trempealeau County, taking a homestead of 160 acres in section 12, Hale 
Township, it consisting entirely of wild land. Here Ole Eimon built a shanty 
and with four yoke of cattle, assisted by his son Iver, broke the land. In 
time, by hard work and perseverence, he developed a good farm, on which 
he resided until his death, Feb. 6, 1908. His wife passed away long before 
him, in March, 1882. They had in all, seven children, two of whom, Bertha 
and Christian, are deceased. The others are: Iver, the direct subject of 
this sketch; Beaty, who now lives in North Dakota; Christian, Peter and 
Benjamin. Iver Eimon accompanied his parents from Norway to Wiscon- 
sin, arriving with them in Trempealeau County in 1868. In the summer he 
assisted his father on the home farm and in winter worked in the woods at 
lumbering. In 1893 he became manager of the farm, which he later pur- 
chased. Energetic and enterprising, he has made many valuable improve* 
ments on the property, having now a fine barn, 120 by 52 feet, provided with 
running water and electric lights, two silos, each with a capacity of 100 tons, 
and other first-class buildings. He is successfully engaged in breeding 
Holstein-Freisian cattle, shipping a carload of beef cattle to market each 
spring. His farm is a large one, of 320 acres, in section 12. He also owns 
a farm of 320 acres in Becker County, Minn., which he rents. For many 
years Mr. Eimon has served as school clerk, and is now a supervisor of Hale 
Township. He has been twice nominated for the State Assembly. He has 
traveled extensively, both in the United States and Europe, having visited 
in this country nearly every State in the Union, in particular the Gulf States. 



650 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

For six years he owned a cotton farm at Fort Ben, Tex., and at one time 
owned 10 acres of land at Houston, that State. His travels also extended 
into old Mexico, while on a five-months' trip to Europe he visited Scotland, 
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. Dur- 
ing these travels he saw many interesting sights and acquired a knowledge 
of the manners and customs of various races of people, and found the time 
well spent. His present prosperity is the result of intelligent effort, kept 
up perseveringly through a series of years, and his reward has been large. 
On July 5, 1886, Mr. Eimon assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, 
being united in marriage with Margaret Heyerdahl, a native of Pierce 
County, Wis. The following children have been born to him: Sigvald, 
born Dec. 3, 1888, who married Anna Golbertson ; Max, born March 19, 1891 ; 
Sigrid, Feb. 7, 1894 ; Paul, March 3, 1900, and Margaret, Sept. 7, 1906. All 
except Sigvald are residing at home. The family are members of the Nor- 
wegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Eimon is a Prohibitionist in politics. 

Christian E. Sveum, the well known proprietor of Sveum Stock Farm 
of 196 acres, located in sections 23 and 24, and Home Farm of 160 acres, 
in section 14, town 23 north, range 7 west, Hale Township, was born in 
Ringsager, Norway, April 6, 1863. His parents, Even and Johanna Sveum, 
both died in Norway. In 1886, Christian E. Sveum, then 23 years old, 
came to the United States, seeking to better his condition. Having heard 
of opportunities in the great Northwest, he located in Whitehall, Trem- 
pealeau County, Wis., renting the farm of Hans Borreson — now the Sveum 
Stock Farm — for six years. At the end of that time he purchased it, and 
in April, 1913, bought his other farm, known as the Home Farm. He is 
successfully engaged in agriculture and stock raising, his two properties 
being well improved, and is numbered among the substantial and pros- 
perous farmers of Hale Township. Nov. 13, 1889, Mr. Sveum was mar- 
ried to Anna Borreson, who was born on the old farm in sections 23 and 24, 
Hale Township, which her parents, Hans and Helena (Anderson) Borreson 
homesteaded in 1870. They were born in Norway, in the town of Birid, the 
father July 5, 1830, and the mother Jan. 5, 1832. They were married in 
1869 at Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., the same year in which they 
came to America. Both are now living on the farm. They had four chil- 
dren, of whom three died in infancy, the only survivor being Mrs. Sveum. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sveum have had a large family of 13 children, born as follows : 
Edwin, March 3, 1890 ; Harry, Feb. 5, 1892, now farming on a homestead 
at Joslyn, Mont.; Hjelmer, born Sept. 7, 1893; Clara, Oct. 17, 1895; 
Josephine, Aug. 29, 1897; Agnes, Aug. 22, 1899; Inga, Oct. 13, 1901; 
Gustav, March 13, 1904 ; Tina, Feb. 28, 1906 ; Lillian, Dec. 9, 1908 ; Blanch- 
ard, July 14, 1911; Evelyn, Dec. 8, 1913, and one unnamed, who was born 
July 20, 1900, and died the same day. All the living children except 
Hjelmar, Harry and Edwin reside at home. Mr. Sveum's residence stands 
on the Home farm, and is a good, neat and substantial house, the barns 
and outbuildings being also well constructed and in good condition. He 
keeps 90 head of cattle, milking 50, and is a stockholder in the creamery 
at York, the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. 
For three years he has served as school director. He and his family 




AIK. AND MRS. HANS B0RKE80N 
C. E. SVEUM AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 651 

are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, of which he is a 
trustee. 

Albert G. Cox, proprietor of the Linderman Mills, one mile west of 
Osseo, and of a 300-acre farm in sections 8 and 9, Sumner Township, was 
born in Milford, Wis., March 28, 1856, son of Samuel and Sarah (Dicken- 
son) Cox. Samuel Cox was born in London, England, came to America 
in 1841, located in Philadelphia, where he hved until 1850, and then came 
to Wisconsin. He farmed two miles south of Osseo from 1866 to 1880 and 
then retired to Osseo Village, where he resided until his death, his wife 
dying in 1893. Albert G. Cox was reared to farm pursuits by his father, 
and as a young man learned the tinner's trade. In 1876 he opened a hard- 
ware and machinery establishment in Osseo, which he conducted until 
1887. Then he became general agent for the Van Brunt & Wilkins Manu- 
facturing Company, implement makers, traveling for them in Wisconsin, 
Minnesota and Iowa. Upon entering the employ of this concern he moved 
to Augusta, Wis. From 1894 to 1900 he conducted a hai'dware store in 
that place. In 1900 he returned to Osseo and took charge of the Linder- 
man Mills, which on the death of Mr. Linderman were willed to the Cox 
family. These mills, Mr. Cox, who moved his family here six years later, 
in 1906, has since successfully conducted. Mr. Cox is a well-known man 
in the community, and is regarded as a leading citizen. He is a member of 
the Blue Lodge and of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order, 
and at Augusta passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. 
In addition to his milling and agricultural interests he is president of the 
Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association and president of the Osseo 
Telephone Company. Mr. Cox was married, Aug. 17, 1878, to Emma 
Linderman, daughter of James L. and Abigail (Williams) Linderman, and 
this union has been blessed with three children: Laura, Clarissa and 
Winnifred S. Laura married C. A. Williams, who owns creameries at 
Augusta, Osseo and Fairchild. They live at Augusta and have two chil- 
dren: Albert Cox and Mary Jane. Clarissa married A. E. Bradford, a 
banker of Augusta, and they have three children: Elizabeth, Clarissa and 
Barbara. Winnifred S. married George Livesey, an attorney of Belling- 
ham, Wash., and has one child : Kathryn. 

The Linderman Mills, located on Beef River one mile west of Osseo, 
were first erected by E. Scott Hotchkiss and James L. Lindei'man in 1872, 
and except for having been burned and rebuilt in 1880 has been in con- 
tinual existence since that time. The original building is of white pine 
and is still standing in as good condition as it was when first erected. The 
original machinery, however, was all replaced with new and modern equip- 
ment by A. G. Cox in 1901. This original building is 36 by 50 feet, four 
stories high, with a basement. The elevator building is 32 by 32 feet, and 
35 feet high to the eaves, and with still another story above, used for 
elevator heads. This building was erected by A. G. Cox in 1901. The mill 
is run by water power by a flume of the Beef River, and the engine is about 
100 feet distant from the mill, power being furnished from the engine, when 
needed, by a transmission rope. The machinery consists of four double 
strand of rolls for wheat, the same with corrugated rolls for rye, and a 



652 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

separate mill with three double strand of rolls for buckwheat. A plansifter 
system is used for each mill, and dust collectors throughout. A 22-inch 
ball-bearing Foos attrition mill is used for feed grinding. A 45 horsepower 
Atlas engine auxiliary power is installed, to be used when needed, but this 
need is only in the very cold weather, and at the busiest time of the year 
should the water run low. Situated on the C, St. P., M. & O. Ry., it is the 
center of a rich farming community, and aside from turning out excellent 
grades of wheat and buckwheat flour does an extensive grist-mill business. 
A new dam with concrete piers has been installed to replace a wooden one 
after its 30 years or more of service. The pond extends a mile above the 
dam. With the exception of the big flood of 1876 there has never been a 
washout. The property was operated by its founder and owner, James L. 
Linderman, until 1900, when Albert G. Cox took over the mill, paying 
Mr. Linderman a rental. The new machinery was all installed by Mr. Cox, 
with the understanding that the mill was to be willed to his family, 
which was done by Mr. Linderman, the business being conducted by 
Mr. Cox, and the title of the property now resting in his and his 
wife's names. 

James L. Linderman, founder of the famous Linderman mills, located 
on the Beef River, one mile west of Osseo, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., April 
4, 1827. In 1871 he came to Osseo from Rockford, lU., where he had been 
a traveling salesman for the F. H. Manny Company, manufacturers of 
farm machinery. The next year he and F. Scott Hotchkiss started the 
Linderman Mills. There he continued to work for the remainder of his life. 
He was a most estimable man, and was an important factor in the agricul- 
tural development of the county, furnishing a market for the constantly 
increasing grain crops. He took a prominent part in the political life of 
the county and state, was a delegate to many county, district and state con- 
ventions, and sat in the Republican National Convention of 1888. He 
served his district with distinction in the General Assembly of 1876-77. 
After a long and useful life he died Oct. 7, 1906. His wife, Abigail Williams, 
was born in Troy, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1822, and died Nov. 15, 1898. 

August E. Goplin came to Trempealeau County as a boy, and has 
resided on his present farm located in sections 16 and 17, township 23, 
range 7 (Hale), since 1889. It now contains 440 acres of good, fertile land 
and is one of the best in the vicinity, his buildings being his especial pride. 
The pleasant home was built in 1897. It is a frame structure, two stories 
high, with 12 rooms and a full basement, suppHed with running water, hot 
water heat, acetylene lights and other conveniences. The barn was built 
in 1916. It is 48 by 80 by 14 feet, with a stone basement, and an addition 
22 by 36 by 12, for horses. The floors are of cement, the stalls are equipped 
with steel stalls and stanchions, the interior is lighted with acetylene, and 
there are pens for the young calves, and a special hospital pen. Among the 
other buildings may be mentioned a barn for young stock, 26 by 66 by 20 
feet. Mr. Goplin carries on general farming and makes a specialty of rais- 
ing Durham cattle, at which he has been very successful. While busy with 
his farm duties, Mr. Goplin has found time to take an interest in public 
affairs, and has done excellent service on the school board for two years. 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 653 

He was married Dec. 15, 1888, to Beatha Steig, who was born Dec. 24, 
1868, in section 23, range 7, township 23 (Hale), daughter of Christian 
and Ingeborg (Anderson) Steig, and this union has been blessed with six 
children: Edward, Inga, Emma, Charles, Mildred and Ernest. Edward 
was born Jan. 6, 1890, and was married Sept. 2, 1916, to Ella Eid, daughter 
of Gilbert Eid, of Pigeon Township. He works with his father on the farm. 
Inga was born March 23, 1892, and is a stenographer. Emma was born 
June 21, 1895 ; Charles, Nov. 19, 1898 ; Mildred, Dec. 3, 1904, and Ernest, 
May 23, 1907. All living at home. Mr. Goplin is a native of Norway, 
where he was born Aug. 1, 1857, son of Eric 0. and EH (Roen) Goplin. The 
father, Eric 0., was born in Norway, Aug. 14, 1805, came to America in 
1867, lived in Rock County a while, and in 1869 came to Trempealeau 
County and took a homestead in section 14, range 7, township 23 (Hale), 
where he labored until his death in 1883. The mother was born in Nor- 
way, Sept. 30, 1827, came to America with her husband, and died May 14, 
1914. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of 
America. 

David C. Cilley, who was for many years one of the enterprising 
farmers of Burnside Township, of which he became a resident at an early 
day, was born in Franklin County, New York, May 22, 1833, a son of 
David and Abigail (Church) Cilley. He was reared in his native county 
and was there married, Jan. 17, 1853, to Anna E. Wright, whose home 
was on the shores of Lake Champlain, her birth taking place there Dec. 
28, 1833. Her parents were Isaac and Rhoda (Barlow) Wright, her father 
being a sailor in the days when American merchant vessels visited all the 
ports of the world, many of them being everywhere admired for their 
beautiful build and fast saihng qualities. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Cilley came 
west to La Crosse, Wis., going from there to Houston, Minn., where they 
were engaged in farming for nine years. They then came to Trempealeau 
County, Wisconsin, settling in section 4, Burnside Township, and here 
Mr. Cilley resided, engaged in agricultural operations, until his death, 
April 11, 1911. His wife still resides on the old homestead, which is now 
operated by their son Darwin C. They had in all four children : William 0., 
a farmer tt Concrete, N. D. ; Charles L., who is a carpenter living at Her- 
man, Minn.; John H., formerly an engineer in Chicago, who died May 5, 
1913, and Darwin C. 

Darwin C. Cilley, who is successfully engaged in operating the old 
Cilley farm of 200 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, was born in 
Houston, Minn., March 12, 1861, son of David C. and Anna E. (Wright) 
Cilley. He was reared partly in Houston and then on his parents' farm in 
Burnside Township, this county, and began to assist his father at an early 
age. He has always resided on the homestead since coming here in child- 
hood, and since taking its management in hand has operated it with prolit- 
able results. The property is well improved and is kept in good shape by 
Mr. Cilley, whose knowledge of practical farming is thorough and exten- 
sive. June 18, 1890, Mr. Cilley was united in marriage with Clara Boesden, 
who was born in Arcadia, this county, April 15, 1872. Her father, Stephen 
Boesden, who was born in Kent, England, in 1830, came to Arcadia, Wis., 



654 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in 1860, and died April 2, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza 
Leonard, died in 1912, at the age of 54 years. Mr. and Mrs. Cilley have been 
the parents of nine children: Josephine, boi-n Nov. 11, 1891, who married 
Fred Sieh, a farmer of Minong, Wis. ; James, born July 13, 1893 ; David L., 
born April 3, 1895 ; Susan, born Feb. 23, 1897 ; Clara, born March 13, 1899, 
now wife of Herbert Coardes ; Henry, born March 26, 1901 ; Margaret N., 
born July 23, 1906; Estella N., born Oct. 6, 1908, and Dorothy M., born June 
25, 1904. David L. is in the United States service, having gone south with 
the Sixth Wisconsin. Susan is a graduate of the Eau Claire Training school 
and is now teaching. With the Cilley family lives the venerable and gracious 
mother, Mrs. David C. Cilley. 

Martin H. Skjeie is one of the progressive farmers who are engaged 
in developing the agricultural resources of Ettrick Township, his fine farm 
of 197 acres being located in section 8 in the eastern part of the township. 
His present homestead was also the scene of his birth, which occurred 
Aug. 16, 1872. His parents, Halver N. and Martha (Lindebrekke) Skjeie, 
were born in Hardanger, Norway, the date of the father's birth being 
Sept. 28, 1836, and the mother's occurring in June, 1840. Married in their 
native land, they came to the United States in 1868 and located on Beaver 
Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, Halver N. Skjeie homesteading 40 
acres of the farm now owned by his son Martin and acquiring the balance 
by purchase. He spent many years in clearing and improving the land, 
and is still residing on the farm, though now retired from active work. His 
wife is also living. Martin H. Skjeie was the fourth born in a family of 
five children. He attended school in Ettrick Township and after having 
acquired the elements of knowledge, spent six months in the Winona Busi- 
ness College. He has resided on the parental homestead nearly all of his 
life, becoming manager of the farm about 1897, and later becoming its 
owner by purchase. It contains 197 acres of valuable land, on which he 
carries on general farming, doing a successful business. He also owns a 
40-acre tract of land at Minong, Washburn County, Wis. Mr. Skjeie is also 
a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick Telephone 
Company. Oct. 9, 1901, he was married to Julia Hauge, a native of 
Ettrick Township, and daughter of Adolph and Nellie (Rogness) Hauge. 
Like many other hardy settlers of this part of Trempealeau County, her 
parents were born in Norway, the father in Soler, April 13, 1847, and the 
mother in Bergenstift, Feb. 8, 1854. Adolph Hauge came to America when 
about 20 years old and became a farmer and land owner in Ettrick Town- 
ship, this county. He still resides on the old farm, after a long life of 
activity in the cultivation of the soil and during which he became one of 
the prominent citizens of his township, serving on the school board for 
many years, a part of the time as clerk. He also assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the United Lutheran Church at Blair and took an active and some- 
times leading part in various other local enterprises. His wife, who came 
to America at the age of 16, died Feb. 28, 1902. They had eight children, 
of whom their daughter Julia was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Skjeie 
have an adopted daughter, Jeanette, who is attending school. Mr. Skjeie 
belongs to the order of Beavers and to the Modern Woodmen of America. 



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He is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of the 
Lutheran Synod Church at Hegg, Ettrick Township. 

Thomas H. Hauge, a well known and prosperous farmer of Hale Town- 
ship, proprietor of a farm of 240 acres in sections 24 and 35, is, like many 
other successful men in his line of work, a native of Norway, having been 
born in Hitterdal, that country, July 20, 1859. His father, Harold Aslakson, 
came to America in 1869, locating in Arcadia Township, this county, where 
he homesteaded a farm. He thus followed close on the heels of the pioneers 
and had much the same experiences, the surroundings at that time being 
more or less primitive and the work of developing a homestead one of long 
toil and occasional privation. Harold Aslakson was, however, adapted by 
nature and disposition to succeed, and in time his industry and perseverance 
brought their due reward in a flourishing and profitable farm on which 
he resided until his death in the spring of 1892. His first wife, whose 
maiden name was Karen Tostenson Gunnem, died in Norway in 1861, and 
he married for his second wife, in Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1869, Asslan 
Johnson, who died in 1890. Thomas H. Hauge, who was initiated at an 
early age into agricultural methods, worked on his parents' homestead for 
some time in his youth. He then for seven years and a half operated a 
farm for F. C. Allen of Eau Claire, which was located in Arcadia Township. 
At the end of that period he bought a farm in Bruce Valley, Hale Township, 
on which he resided until 1909. It is now operated by his son-in-law, 
Oscar Hanke, and his son, Melvin Hauge. Upon leaving his farm in 1909 
Mr. Hauge purchased his present farm. In the same year he built the 
house in which he now resides, a two-story and basement cement brick 
veneer structure of 12 rooms, heated by furnace and lighted by electricity, 
the same lighting system being used in all his buildings. The barn was 
rebuilt in 1912, and is a frame structure, 50 by 72 by 20 feet, with cement 
floors. In 1913 Mr. Hauge erected a stave silo, 14 by 32 feet in size. He 
has a herd of 31 graded Holstein cattle, of which he milks 20, and also raises 
Buff Orpington chickens. Aside from his farm interests he is a stockholder 
in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company. For four years he has served as 
township treasurer. Mr. Hauge was married, July 23, 1882, to Anna Olson, 
who was born at Tamarack, Ettrick Township, Dec. 25, 1866, daughter of 
Andrew H. and Olive (Gilbertson) Olson. Her father, born in Norway 
in 1836, died March 7, 1908, in Arcadia, having come to America in 1852. 
Her mother was born in Norway in 1828 and died May 14, 1900. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hauge have had a large family, numbering 15 children, of whom all 
are living but one. They are as follows : Carrie, who is the wife of Sever 
Williamson, a farmer of Hale Township, and has one child, Walter ; Henry 
a farmer of Hale Township, who married Mary Johnson and has two chil- 
dren : Marion and William ; Mary, wife of Oscar Hanke, also a Hale Town- 
ship farmer, and the mother of two children : Marion and Florence ; Melvin, 
who is farming in Hale Township; Clara, who was a teacher four years 
and is now the wife of Peter Enger, a farmer of this township ; Annie, wife 
of Otto Olson, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Arcadia; Cora, who 
resides at home ; Alma, who graduated from the La Crosse normal school 
and is now a teacher in Bruce Valley ; Hartwick, Uving at home ; Carl Alfred, 



656 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

who died at the age of one and a half years, and Agnes, Delia, Walter, Viola 
and Stella, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. Hauge and his family- 
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which he 
is also a trustee. As the son of an early settler of the county and himself 
a substantial and reliable citizen, he is widely known and highly esteemed. 

Peter Hanson, for many years a prominent resident of the county, was 
born on the estate known as Bjornstad, Vaage Gulbrandsdalen, in 1826, 
and became a farmer. As a young man he married Anna Risdal, who was 
born in 1829. The emigration of the family to America took place in 1869, 
Coral City, Trempealeau County, Wis., being selected as their place of set- 
tlement. There they remained, however, but six months, and then removed 
to section 33, Unity Township, where Mr. Hanson bought a tract of rail- 
road land and started farming. In this occupation he continued on the 
same farm until his death in 1898, but which time he had improved his 
property to a large extent and was a prosperous citizen. His wife died in 
1911. Their children were: Sven (deceased), Johannes P., Peter, Jr., of 
Strum, Torger (deceased), Hans (deceased) and Martinus (deceased). 

Johannes P. Hanson, agriculturist, creamery secretary, man of affairs 
and former county clerk, is not only one of the leading residents of Albion 
Township, but also one of the best known men in the county. He is affable, 
genial and official, the friend of every worthy cause and a valuable and 
useful citizen in every respect. He was born in Vaage, Gulbrandsdalen, 
Norway, March 21, 1863, son of Peter and Anna (Risdal) Hanson), who 
brought him to Trempealeau County in 1869. He was reared to farm pur- 
suits and in 1891, in partnership with his brother Sven, took over the home 
farm. His acquaintance and popularity increased from his early boy- 
hood, his abilities became widely known, and in 1904 he was elected county 
clerk, taking office Jan. 1, 1905, and serving two terms. In this capacity 
he more than justified the faith of his friends, and conducted the affairs 
of the office with general satisfaction to the voters. Upon retiring from 
office he took up his home on his present farm in Albion Township. Mr. 
Hanson has also at various times rendered other public service. He was 
town clerk of Unity Township for nine years and clerk of Albion Township 
four years, being appointed jury commissioner in 1909 and still holding 
that office. He also served as school clerk in Unity Township three years. 
In addition to his direct farming interests Mr. Hanson has been secretary 
of Unity Co-operative Creamery in Strum since 1909. He is a director 
of the First State Bank of Strum, and a member of its examining board, 
and is financial secretary of Branch No. 30, I. S. W. A., at Strum. June 
10, 1903, Mr. Hanson was married to Toline Veggum of Mt. Horeb, Wis., 
who was born at that place Aug. 21, 1870. Her parents were Hans and 
Gunhild (Ramlet) Veggum, the father now residing on the Hanson farm 
with his daughter and son-in-law, his wife having died Dec. 26, 1915. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hanson have one child, Alice Gertrude, who was born May 25, 1907. 
The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, 
Mr. Hanson being vice-president of the congregation at Strum. 

Basil L Peterson is one of the energetic business men of Blair, and is 
known throughout western Wisconsin for his active work in furthering 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 657 

every interest that has for its object the betterment and upbuilding of 
his village, county and state. Born in Blair, Nov. 22, 1889, he was reared 
in the home of his parents, Albert B. and Amelia (Torkelson) Peterson, 
and applied himself so well to his studies that he was graduated from the 
Blair high school at the age of 15 years. Then he studied a year at St. Olaf 
College at Northfield, Minn. Thus prepared he entered the College of Let- 
ters and Science at the University of Wisconsin in 1906 and was a senior 
at the age of eighteen, the youngest member of his class. He then entered 
the law offices of Jesse E. Higbee at La Crosse, where he served as a clerk 
for two years. In 1911 he went back to Madison and took a year's law 
course in his Alma Mater. A year later he entered the Northwestern 
University at Chicago and was there graduated in Law in 1914. Having 
acquired a liking for Chicago he decided to remain in that city for a while, 
and accepted a position as assistant credit manager for the Miehle Print- 
ing Press & Manufacturing Company of Chicago, with whom he secured 
valuable business experience. He was called home by the death of his 
brother, and on May 15, 1916, succeeded him as cashier of the First National 
Bank of Blair, a position in which he has given most efficient service, his 
personality, education and experience being important factors in its suc- 
cess. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic order at Whitehall. 

Ernest A. Peterson, cut off in the prime of his young manhood with 
an unusually brilliant future ahead of him, and with a sterling record of 
worth and character ah-eady achieved, was one of the leading spirits in 
Blair from his boyhood up ; he was a man among men, a good son, a loyal 
friend, a keen student of people, of business and of books, and his memory 
will long be held dear in all the walks of hfe to which his duty called him. 
He was born Sept. 22, 1892, in Blair, son of Albert B. and Amelia Torkelson 
Peterson, completed his studies in the Blair graded and high schools at 
the age of sixteen, and then studied science and music a year at St. Olaf 
College, at Northfield, Minn. In 1910 he entered the University of Wis- 
consin, where he distinguished himself in scholarship, music and athletics, 
winning many honors. A popular man with his classmates, he was a lead- 
ing member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, Honorary Fraternity, and also of 
the Chi Phi, Social Fraternity. Upon his graduation at the age of 20 in 
1913 he returned to Blair and for a short period was employed in the Home 
Bank of Blair. Then he went to Bowman, N. D., where he was employed 
in the State Bank of Bowman. Late in 1914 he returned to Blair once more, 
and with his father organized the First National Bank, of which he was 
cashier until his untimely death, April 14, 1916. He was one of the fore- 
most young business men of the county, and lived to see his bank estab- 
lished on a sound basis. From early boyhood Mr. Peterson was interested 
in music. At St. Olaf he studied the piano and was flute soloist in the col- 
lege band, and belonged to several musical organizations in Madison while 
attending college there, and in Blair he found time for considerable orches- 
tra work. His life and character were a joy and a solace to his parents, 
in whose hearts his place can never be filled. 

Bent Pederson, a pioneer of Jackson County, this state, was born in 
Sweden, Dec. 1, 1829, and was still a boy when he was brought to America 



658 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY 

by his parents in 1851. Upon attaining man's estate he acquired a farm 
in Jackson County, upon which he still resides. He has been a hard-working 
successful farmer, and has occupied several public offices in his township. 
His wife, whom he married in November, 1861, was like him a native of 
Sweden and came to America as a girl. Her maiden name was Anna Nor- 
gaard. After 55 years of happy married life they gave a large celebration 
to mark the event in 1916, the affair being attended by neighbors, friends 
and relatives for miles around. Mrs. Pederson, after a long and useful life, 
passed away June, 1917. They were the parents of 14 children, of whom 
the following six are still living: Glaus, Sophia, Albert, Emelia, Bennie 
and Myrtle. 

Iver Torkelson was for many years a prominent figure in the life of 
Jackson County, this state. He was born in Norway, came to America as 
a youth, and by native ability and hard work attained a position of influence 
and importance among his fellow men. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
he rushed to the colors and became sergeant of a Wisconsin regiment and 
was wounded in action. For twelve years he was registrar of deeds of 
Jackson County, and for a considerable period he served as postmaster. 
He also held local offices of varied nature. He died in January, 1901, at 
the age of 62 years. His wife, Martina Anderson, died in April, 1912, at 
the age of 70. 

Albert B. Peterson, long connected with the financial, political and mer- 
cantile life of Blair, was born in Jackson County, this state, Nov. 16, 1863, 
a son of Bent and Anna (Norgaard) Pederson. He was reared to farm 
pursuits, but early acquired an ambition to engage in business. Accord- 
ingly he started his commercial career in 1885 by entering the employ of 
T. I. Gilbert & Co., the pioneer merchants of Blair, for two years. Then 
he bought a half interest in the hardware store of John E. Mayer in that 
village, changing the name of the concern to Mayer & Peterson. After 
two more years he bought out his partner's interest and successfully con- 
ducted the estabhshment until 1896, when he sold out to the Herried 
Brothers. In the meantime the store had been burned in the fire of 1891, 
but was almost immediately rebuilt. From 1896 until 1900 Mr. Peterson 
served efficiently as village postmaster. After the expiration of his term 
he engaged in the general mercantile business with Martin Peterson under 
the firm name of Martin Peterson & Co. From 1901 to 1912 he engaged 
in the hardware and implement business. Since then he has been exten- 
sively interested in the real estate business, handhng considerable local 
property, and engineering deals throughout the western states as far west 
as California. The First National Bank of Blair, which he organized in 
company with his son, Ernest A., and others, is a monument to his faith 
in the future progress of the village. His public services have included 
loyal duty as a member of the county board, as a member and president of 
the village council, and as a member of the school board. His religious 
affiliation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Peterson was mar- 
ried Feb. 22, 1889, to Amelia Torkelson of Black River Falls, daughter of 
Iver and Martina (Anderson) Torkelson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have had 
four children: Basil I., Ernest A., Marie and Eugene. Basil I. was born 












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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 659 

Nov. 22, 1889, and is now cashier of the First National Bank of Blair. 
Ernest A. was born Sept. 22, 1892, and died April 4, 1916. Marie, born 
Jan. 11, 1901, and Eugene, born Feb. 8, 1904, are at home. 

Syver Everson. a pioneer of Jackson County, was born in Julberg, 
Solar, Norway, in 1832, and at the age of 20 he, with his brother Ole and 
one sister, Mrs. Andrew Olson, together with others from their neighbor- 
hood, left on June 22, 1852, for America. They stayed at Christiania 
about two weeks before saiHng. Leaving Christiania they went on board 
the sailing vessel Incognito and were on the Atlantic ten weeks and four 
days, landing in New York on Saturday morning, September 4. The fol- 
lowing Tuesday they left New York, going to Wellsboro, Pa. They then 
went to Coudersport, that state, and from there traveled on foot 60 miles 
to Bergen, settling one mile from that place in what was known as Ole 
Bull's colony. The valley where they settled was called Oleann, and in time 
a town grew up. The students who had come over on the Incognito and 
joined the colony soon became dissatisfied with the land they found and 
composed that well known Norwegian song "Oleanna." That section of 
Pennsylvania was then only a wilderness, many of the trees being so large 
that it took three men to reach around a single tree. It took Syver, with 
his father and brother, a whole year to clear an acre of land. In 1853 
Syver Everson was married to Helene Pederson Svenbykvernen, a young 
lady who had crossed the ocean on the same ship, and for five years they 
continued their residence in the colony. On May 13, 1858, they left for 
Wisconsin and came to Trempealeau, from there traveling on foot 34 
miles to the home of Mr. Everson's cousin, John Koien, who then lived 
near the Trempealeau Valley church. After remaining there one year 
they moved, in April, 1859, to Ole Tappen's place in Porter Cooley, now 
known as Tappen Cooley. Here they bought 80 acres of government land, 
moving onto it that fall and making a home, and later adding more land 
to the farm, where Mr. Everson resided up to the time of his death, Aug. 
29, 1911, at the age of 79 years and 14 days. He was survived by his wife, 
Helene, and four children: Mrs. Cassandra Anderson of Superior; Ebert 
S. of Preston, Peter of Blair, Wis., and Mrs. Ole Dahl of Preston ; also by a 
brother John, residing at White Earth, N. D., who is now dead. 

Ebert S. Everson, one of the thriving agriculturists of Preston Town- 
ship, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Springfield Township, 
Jackson County, Oct. 24, 1858, son of Syver and Helene (Pederson) Ever- 
son. He was reared to agricultural endeavor and to that line of work has 
since given his attention. For seventeen seasons he devoted his time to 
threshing, and for thirteen years he conducted two cream routes. In 1887 
he purchased 40 acres of his father's farm, and to this he has since added 
until he now owns 186 acres of fertile and highly improved land in sec- 
tions 26, 27 and 34, Preston Township. He has christened his place the 
"Fairview Farm," and here he now carries on general farming and dairy- 
ing with good financial results. Mr. Everson is a director in the Preston 
Creamery Company and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blair. 
For three years he did good service as town supervisor, and for twelve 
years as school clerk. He is a charter member of Camp No. 2576, Modern 



660 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Woodmen of America at Blair. Mr. Everson was married June 4, 1884, to 
Anna Kjelson, who was born in Pierce County, Wisconsin, Feb. 14, 1861, 
daughter of Arne and Karen (Pederson) Kjelson, natives of Norway, the 
latter of whom died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Everson have a family of five 
children: Sevilla, who died when 10 days old; Mabel Elvira, born July 1.3, 
1888, who graduated from the Blair high school with the class of 1907 and 
has been a teacher for nine years ; Alice Selmine, born April 21, 1891, who 
graduated from the Blair high school with the class of 1910, and was 
a teacher for seven years; Elmer Alfred, born April 18, 1894, who is a 
student in the agricultural college at Onalaska, Wis., and resides at home, 
and Myrtle Constance, born Aug. 16, 1896, who graduated from Blair high 
school with the class of 1915 and resides at home. The family are mem- 
bers of the United Norwegian Church, of which Mr. Everson is a trustee. 
Frederick C. Steig, proprietor of Steig farm of 200 acres in sections 
23 and 24, town 23 north, range 7 west. Hale Township, belongs to that 
class of hardy and industrious Norwegian farmers who have done so much 
to build up and develop the resources of Trempealeau County. His birth 
took place in Biri, Norway, April 1, 1866, his parents being Christian F. 
and Ingeborg (Anderson) Steig. The father, who was born at Biri, Nor- 
way, March 11, 1839, emigrated with his family to the United States in 
1866, locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained about two 
years. In 1868 he came to Trempealeau County, settling on the farm now 
owned and operated by his son Frederick C. Here he resided for some 42 
years, dying June 25, 1910, after a long career of agricultural activity, 
during which time he greatly improved his farm, becoming a prosperous 
citizen of his township. His wife Ingeborg, who was born in Norway, 
Dec. 8, 1842, is still living and resides with her son Frederick, subject of 
this sketch. The latter was reared on the home farm and for many years 
assisted his father in operating it. In 1887 he became its manager and so 
continued until 1896, in which year he bought the property and has since 
been engaged in its further development. In 1904 he built the house in 
which he and his family now reside, which is a two-story brick veneer 
structure, with basement, containing eight rooms and heated by furnace. 
In 1914 Mr. Steig built a frame barn, 36 by 90 by 12 feet, with an eight- 
foot stone basement, having cement floors and modern equipment. He 
keeps graded Durham cattle, having a herd of 35 head, of which he milks 
22. Since 1908 he has been a member of the school board of his district. 
Mr. Steig was married Oct. 7, 1893, to Antonette Klundby, who was born 
in Biri, Norway, June 11, 1869. Her father, Hans Klundby, born in Nor- 
way in 1830, came to America in 1884 with his family, settling in Hale 
Township, this county. He died in 1892. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Agnethe Olson, was born in Norway in 1828 and died in 1900. Mr. 
and Mrs. Steig are the parents of eight children, born as follows : Hulda, 
June 21, 1894; Carl, July 31, 1895; Catherine, Oct. 6, 1897; Arthur, Nov. 
26, 1899 ; Florence, June 2, 1902 ; Cora, Aug. 22, 1904 ; Hazel, Dec. 17, 1906, 
and Selma, Sept. 19, 1910. All the children are living at home except 
Hulda, who was married July 30, 1917, to Orlando Kaas of Pigeon Town- 
ship. Mr. Steig and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 661 

Church of America. They have a wide acquaintance and are among the 
substantial and prosperous families of Hale Township. 

Mattis Mattison, for many years a prominent citizen of Preston Town- 
ship, and the father of a number of children actively identified with the 
affairs of the county, was born in Sweden in 1841, and in 1848 came to 
America with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania, in the historic 
colony established by Ole Bull, the famous violin virtuoso. He was reared 
in Pennsylvania, was there married, and in 1864 came to Trempealeau 
County, bringing his family, and settling in sections 21 and 28, Preston 
Township. Here he spent many years in cultivating the soil and develop- 
ing his farm. After a long and useful life he died Dec. 19, 1909. His wife, 
Anna Olson Strum, to whom he was married in Abbott Township, Potter 
County, Penn., Oct. 13, 1856, was born in 1837 and survived him four years 
or more. They were the parents of eight children : Martin (deceased) ; 
Eline, now Mrs. John Thompson ; Martin 0. of Omaha, Ark. ; Betina, now 
Mrs. John E. Pederson ; Albert (deceased) ; Ole M. of Canby, Ore. ; Maria, 
now Mrs. Erick Frederickson ; Paul (deceased) ; Thomas, who farms on 
the old homestead; Albert; Edwin F., postmaster of Blair, and Minnie, 
now Mrs. Ole A. Thompson. 

Thomas Mattison, who is successfully engaged in carrying on agri- 
cultural operations in sections 28 and 21, Preston Township, was born in 
this township July 31, 1876, son of Mattis and Anna (Olson-Strum) Mat- 
tison. He was reared on the farm and worked for his father until he was 
in his 28th year, at which time he married. In 1903 he bought a farm 
situated near his father's and cultivated it until 1906, at which time he 
sold it and bought the parental homestead, on which he has since resided, 
and which contains 225 acres. Here he carries on general farming, keeping 
a good herd of Shorthorn cattle. He also breeds Rhode Island Red chickens, 
with which he has several times won prizes at poultry shows. Since 1911 
he has been president of the Preston Creamery Company at Blair, and he 
is also a stockholder in, and was one of the organizers of the First National 
Bank of Blair. Mr. Mattison was married June 5, 1904, to Anna Peterson, 
of Preston Township, who was born in that township June 1, 1882, 
daughter of Sever and Olena (Andreson) Peterson. Her father, who was 
born in Norway in 1852, came to America with his parents in 1864, they 
settling in Salve Cooley, Preston Township, which was his home until his 
death in 1908. Mrs. Peterson, who was born in Norway in 1851, is now 
residing in Blair. She and her husband had a family of seven children, 
their daughter Anna being their fifth child. To Mr. and Mrs. Mattison 
have been born seven children: Orwin, Feb. 18, 1905; Rudolph, April 18, 
1906 ; Wilfred, Dec. 10, 1907 ; Walter, Sept. 25, 1909 ; Lorenze, July 16, 1912 ; 
Viola, March 20, 1914, and Cora, Jan. 23, 1916. The family are members 
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, while Mr. Mattison is also a member 
of the Masonic lodge at Whitehall and of the camp of the Modern Wood- 
men of America at Blair. 

Ole Sylfest, a well known farmer who is engaged in operating 130 
acres of land in section 11, Preston Township, was born in Vossie Cooley, 
this township. May 8, 1865. His father, whose name also was Ole, was 



662 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

a native of Voss, Norway, who came to the United States in 1854, locating 
in Dane County, Wisconsin, from which place he came in 1860 to Trem- 
pealeau County, settling in Vossie Cooley. Here he died in 1888 at the 
age of 66 years, after many years hard work spent in improving his farm, 
which he left in good condition. His wife, whose maiden name was Carrie 
Gjerstad, died in 1907, aged 88 years. They had been the parents of five 
children : Sever, now living on the old farm in Vossie Cooley ; Ingeborg, who 
married Lars Johnson, a farmer of Vossie Cooley; Susan, who resides 
with her brother Sever; Ole (first), who died at the age of one year, and 
Ole (second), subject of this sketch. Ole Sylfest resided at home with 
his parents until reaching the age of 25 years, or until the time of his mar- 
riage in 1891. He then farmed the old Sylfest homestead for seven years, 
subsequently going to Shepherd Cooley, where he operated a farm for 10 
years, or until 1908, when he bought his present farm. This is a good 
piece of agricultural property, having a nice commodious residence, a good 
basement barn and all other necessary buildings, besides a full equipment 
of tools and implements. Mr. Sylfest is operating the place with profitable 
results and is recognized throughout the township as a thoroughly practical 
farmer and a reliable citizen, one who can be depended upon to support the 
interests of the community in which he lives. He has won his success in 
life entirely by his own efforts, and has succeeded by exercising hard work, 
frugality and good judgment. Since 1903 he has served as a member of 
the township board, having been its chairman, and consequently a member 
of the county board also, for eight years. He is doing good service as 
clerk of his school district. In connection with his farm work he has been 
interested in co-operative movements, assisted in organizing the Preston 
Creamery Company, of Blair, and has been one of its directors for 10 years. 
June 11, 1891, Mr. Sylfest was united in marriage with Paulina Olson, who 
was born in Tromp Cooley, Jan. 30, 1868, daughter of Christian and Anna 
(Peterson) Olson. Her father, who was a native of Norway, came to the 
United States in 1860, and on the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted 
in the Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four years. 
After the war he settled in Tromp Cooley and engaged in farming there 
until his death in 1879. His wife Anna now resides in Tromp Cooley, having 
survived him 38 years. Mr. and Mrs. Sylfest have been the parents of 
five children: Otilia, born Jan. 6, 1894, who graduated from the Blair 
High School and La Crosse Normal School and has been a teacher four 
years ; Ameha, born Jan. 3, 1898, who graduated from the Blair High School 
and is clerk in a business house in Blair ; Myrtle, born April 3, 1900 ; Stella, 
born May 21, 1905, and one that died in infancy. The family are members 
of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Sylfest has been treasurer 
since 1902. 

Bernhard Hulberg, a rising young garage man of Osseo, was born in 
Hale Township, this county, March 27, 1887, and was reared to farm pur- 
suits, attaining a good rudimentary education in the district schools. He 
became interested in the automobile industry, and seeing an opening at 
Osseo, formed a partnership with his brother, Conrad, and engaged in the 
garage business in this village, occupying a building which was erected 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 663 

for them in 1915 by 0. C. GuUard. Mr. Hulberg is now connected with the 
Amundson Garage, in whose success he is a valued factor. He was married 
May 10, 1916, to Helga Brateng, who was born Dec. 22, 1891. The parents 
of Mr. Hulberg were Edward and Paulina (Raa) Hulberg, natives of Nor- 
way, who came to Hale Township some forty years ago, the father now 
living in Osseo, and the mother having died in 1896. 

Conrad Hulberg, a popular young automobile man, was born in Hale 
Township, April 4, 1891. He went to the neighborhood schools, learned 
farming from his father, and early became an adept in mechanics. With 
his brother he engaged in the garage business at Osseo for a while, and is 
now employed in the Hohmann Garage at Arcadia, where he is doing excel- 
lent work. He is a good workman, a master of his trade, and a genial friend. 

George W. Lamberson, proprietor of Four Pines Farm, in section 22, 
Lincoln Township, was born on the old Lamberson farm in this township, 
June 12, 1874, son of John C. and Lucena (Becker) Lamberson. He was 
trained to agriculture in early youth and resided at home until reaching the 
age of 21, at which time he bought his present farm of 160 acres, which 
Is a well-improved piece of property. His residence, built in 1908, is a frame 
structure of nine rooms, equipped with furnace and other modern con- 
veniences, except hghts. The barn was erected in 1898 and is a frame 
building 28 by 54 by 16 feet, with 4-foot basement. In 1913 he built a 
solid concrete silo, 14 by 36 feet. The farm is surrounded with woven wire 
fencing. Mr. Lamberson keeps Holstein cattle of high grade, having 20 
head, of which he milks 15 ; also Poland-China hogs, having a herd of 60 head 
and handhng 100 per year, part of which are registered and all of which 
are pedigreed. Since 1910 he has served as president of the Whitehall 
Creamery Association. Mr. Lamberson was married May 21, 1893, to 
Claudia Williams, of Whitehall, who was born at Stevens Point, Wis., May 
1, 1878, daughter of Edward J. and Rose (Mason) Williams. Her father, 
formerly a member of the crew of the U. S. S. Dolphin, is now living at 
Palm Beach, Cal. ; her mother died in 1890 at the age of 32 years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lamberson have had four children; Milo J., born Dec. 30, 1893; 
Percy G., born July 5, 1895; Bernice, born June 21, 1902, who died at the 
age of 5 months, and Crystal, born May 13, 1905. Mr. Lamberson is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been steward 
since 1900. He has served as township clerk since the spring of 1914 and 
is a citizen always ready to do his part in promoting the interests of the 
community in which he lives. 

John C. Lamberson was born in Bradford County, Pa., June 13, 1840, 
and died June 20, 1917. He was a descendant of Garrit Lamberson, who 
served under General Washington at the memorable Delaware campaign. 
His great-grandmother was of the family of John Hart, one of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence. His grandfather, Isaac Lamberson, a vet- 
eran of the War of 1812, was married to Rebecca Monroe, a first cousin of 
President James Monroe. His father and mother, Orson Lamberson and 
Sarah Haskins, moved to Wisconsin in 1850, his mother dying shortly after. 
A Httle red schoolhouse had been erected at Kerns Corners, near Baraboo, 
and his early school advantages consisted of only three years' attendance, 



664 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

studying such books as were then available. Being of a studious disposition 
and living to learn something of benefit each day, he later became, by obser- 
vation and study, as well versed in matters of literature, science and the 
business world as many men of better opportunities. At the early age of 13 
years he ventured upon his own resources out into the then pioneer settle- 
ments of Wisconsin and Minnesota, working as a farm hand in various places 
until 1861. On Oct. 11 he went to Fort Snelling and enlisted in the Third 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving until discharged on account of dis- 
ability, on April 14, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn. For some time he carried mail 
from Wabasha to Rochester, stopping occasionally with his father and 
sisters at Greenwood Pi'airie, about 15 miles north of Rochester. At this 
time occurred a sad event which always was a shade in his memory. One 
August morning his sister, a child of 13 years, left with a family of friends 
who were emigrating overland to Mankato. The Indian Massacre of New 
Ulm is written in history. The family never reached their destination, nor 
was any trace ever found to clear any doubt as to their sad disappearance. 
The lure of battle called, presumably thi-ough his sturdy ancestors, and 
again having fully recovered from his injury he went South to Chattanooga, 
Tenn., and enlisted under Captain Godfrey, remaining until the close of the 
war. He soon started North, traveling by steamboat as far as Fountain 
City. On a bright June morning in 1865 he started on foot to reach his 
father's cabin, on what is now the James Wright farm in Fly Creek Valley. 
Stopping over night at the home of G. H. Markham, he reached his destina- 
tion the following day. He was employed by Henry Freeman the balance 
of the summer, and rented the farm now owned by Archie Wood in 1866. 
On Aug. 8, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Lucena Becker Woolsey, and Dec. 
24, 1867, they moved to the home farm one mile west of Whitehall. Here 
he at once took a prominent part in the life of the community. Industrious 
and hardworking, a friend of every good cause, he endeared himself to all 
with whom he came in contact. By his industry and care he acquired and 
improved one of the best farms in the community. He served his town in 
various offices in a manner creditable alike to himself and to the taxpayers. 
His home life bordered on the ideal, and the many pleasant family gather- 
ings will pass on in vivid memories. When death visited the home of his 
neighbor, L. D. McNitt, leaving a number of orphaned children, little 8-year- 
old Gertrude was admitted into the family circle. On account of advanced 
age and failing health he retired from the strenuous work of the farm and 
removed with his wife to Winona, Minn., on March 18, 1902, where they 
resided in their pleasant home at 1066 West Seventh Street. He left a wife 
and step-daughter, Ella, wife of A. R. Warren ; three sons. Dr. A. J. Lamber- 
son, George W. Lamberson, L. H. Lamberson, and a daughter, Bernice, Mrs. 
Fred W. Lowe. 

Amund Garthus is one of the leading citizens of Independence, and has 
been intimately associated with its business, political and social life for 
nearly 40 years. In building up a successful business he has assisted in the 
general development of the village, but the work by which he will be longest 
remembered is his civic service. The municipal improvements of the vil- 
lage have been his especial hobby, and he has given much of his spare time 




MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK SEILER 
C. F. W. SEILER AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 665 

and all of his influence, to bring some of these improvements about. For 
no less than 17 years he was president of the village council, and for 15 years 
he served on the school board, a long record of public work worthily and 
efficiently performed. He was born in Valders, Norway, Oct. 4, 1852, son 
of Harold and Karen (Rustebakke) Garthus. He was reared to manhood 
in the old country, and in 1880 set out for the United States. Sept. 14 
of that year he reached Independence, where he obtained work as clerk in a 
store and was thus occupied for about nine months. He then entered into 
partnership with Henry Hanson and bought the store of 0. P. Larson, 
which they conducted for two years and a half under the style of Hanson 
& Garthus. Subsequently Mr. Garthus conducted the business alone until 
1884, when the store was destroyed by fire. In the fall of 1885 he started 
another store with J. A. Johanssen and was associated with him until the 
spring of 1889, at which time he bought the entire business and has since 
operated it alone. He has built up a good patronage and is doing a suc- 
cessful business. In 1901 he rebuilt the store, now having a two-room brick 
building, two stories and basement, measuring 42 by 70 feet. He and his 
family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, he having been 
secretary of the Independence congregation for many years. Mr. Garthus 
was married Aug. 13, 1887, to Susanna Torgerson, of Vernon County, Wis., 
who was born in that county Dec. 9, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Garthus have had 
six children : Harold 0., born May 23, 1888, who is manager of his father's 
store; Samuel C, who died in 1907 at the age of 17 years; Lilhan T., born 
February 18, 1892, who is a bookkeeper in her father's store ; Ira B., born 
Sept. 18, 1894, and Adam S., born Nov. 26, 1897, who are employed in the 
store, and Arthur W., who died in infancy. Harold Garthus, father of 
Amund Garthus, was born Feb. 6, 1802, and died Oct. 12, 1880. He was 
married Nov. 12, 1836, to Karen Rustebakke, who was born Sept. 2, 1819, 
and died Oct. 16, 1891. Ole Forgerson, father of Mrs. Garthus, was born 
and reared in Norway, came to America in 1850, settled in Dane County, this 
State, moved to Vernon County in 1852, and there devoted his life to farm- 
ing, dying at Independence in the spring of 1901, at the age of 86 years, his 
good wife, Sigri Midtveit, dying in 1896 at the age of 77 years. 

C. F. W. Seiler, better known locally as Will Seller, is one of the thriving 
farmers of Hale Township, being proprietor of Plainview Stock Farm of 320 
acres, comprising the north half of section 13, town 23 north, range 8 west. 
He is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Cream, Buffalo County, 
Dec. 9, 1871. His parents were Frederick and Frederika (Bade) Seiler, 
the father born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1844, and the mother in 
Germany in 1847. Frederick Seiler emigrated to the United States in the 
year 1869, locating at Fountain City, Wis., where he worked out and rented 
farms until 1880. He then bought the north half and northeast quarter of 
section 13, Hale Township, residing on and cultivating that farm until 1904, 
when he took up his residence in Whitehall. Here he died in 1909. His 
wife survived him some years, passing away in the spring of 1915. They 
were the parents of three children : C. F. W. Albert, who died in infancy, 
and Paulina. "Will" Seiler was reared on the parental homestead and 
worked for his father until 1900, which was the year in which he purchased 



666 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

his present farm. Since then he has made some valuable improvements 
on it, in 1907 building his present residence, a 10-room, two-story, frame 
house, with basement, furnished with acetylene lights and running water. 
The barn was put up in 1905, and is 36 by 74 by 18 feet, with a cement floor 
basement, and has similar lighting and water facilities to the house. 
Mr. Seller raises Shorthorn cattle, having 80 head of high graded animals, 
and milking 25 ; also graded Shropshire sheep, of which he has 50 head ; and 
White Plymouth Rock chickens. His farm is well fenced with woven wire, 
its general appearance showing thrift and prosperity. Mr. Seller is also a 
stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo ; the Pigeon Grain and 
Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. Mr. Seller was married May 
20, 1899, to Lena Sielaff, who was born in Lincoln Township, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., April 2, 1878, her parents being Reinhold and Wilhelmina 
(Schwolon) Sielaff. Four children have been born to them : Louise, May 
4, 1900 ; Clarence, Feb. 15, 1901 ; Ida, July 2, 1902, and Esther, Sept. 13, 
1905. Mr. Seller and his family are members of the German Lutheran 
church, of which he is also a trustee. He has served as township treasurer 
for two years and since 1908 has been a director and treasurer of the school 
board of District No. 1. 

Samuel Gunderson, proprietor of the Pleasant Hill Farm, section 22, 
Sumner ToVnship, is a native of this county, has spent his life on his 
present farm, and has served his township as clerk since 1910 and his 
school district as clerk and director. He was born Sept. 12, 1875, was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, attended the district school, and in 1900 
rented the home farm, which he bought in 1906. In carrying on general 
agricultural operations he has been very successful. By his wife, Hannah 
Amundson, whom he married May 2, 1906, he has five children: Helen, 
born March 27, 1907, died Aug. 12, 1917 ; Thomas, born Dec. 3, 1908; Ruth, 
born May 30, 1912 ; Sigvald, born Nov. 29, 1915, and Helen Almira, born 
July 15, 1917. Mrs. Gunderson was born in Sumner Township Aug. 31, 
1875, daughter of Halvor and Ragnild (Hougen) Amundson, who came to 
America in 1869, located in Dane County, Wis., and three years later settled 
in Sumner Township, this county, the father, who was born in 1830, dying 
in 1907, and the mother, who was born in 1835, dying in 1913. 

Torger Gunderson came to Trempealeau County in 1874, and located 
on a farm of 160 acres in section 22, Sumner Township, which he operated 
until 1900, when he rented it to his son Samuel, the fourth of his 12 children 
(who purchased it in 1906) , and retired to a farm of 120 acres in section 
28, in the same township, where he now lives. He was born in Norway, 
Feb. 20, 1846, came to America in 1869, and lived in Vernon County, this 
State, five years before coming to this county. His wife, Randi Simenson, 
was born in Norway, Dec. 12, 1846. 

Frank M. Smith, stock dealer and agi'iculturist, of Osseo, is one of the 
prominent men in the community. He helped organize the State Bank of 
Osseo, has been one of its directors for many years, was its first depositor, 
and has been its president since 1912. He assisted in the organization of 
the Osseo Telephone Company, and is now a director and assistant manager 
of it. He has been a trustee of the Trempealeau County Asylum since its 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 667 

establishment in 1900, and for a number of years served as secretary of the 
State Association of County Asylum Trustees and Superintendents. For 
several years he has been clerk of the school board of Osseo, and was one 
of the active promoters of the building of the new modern Lincoln Hill 
High School, which now adorns the village. In rehgious work he is also 
active, and has been trustee of the Congregational church for some time. 
His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and the Modern Wood- 
men. Mr. Smith was born at Ithaca, Wis., Nov. 1, 1864, son of Mathias M. 
and Elizabeth M. (Thomas) Smith. His education was received in the 
district school of Neptune, and the high schools of Sextonville and Richland 
Center. With this preparation he taught for three years at Ithaca and 
Cazenovia, Wis. In June, 1889, he came to Osseo, and for some years 
operated a livery stable and meat market. Selling the hvery business, he 
purchased a farm near Osseo, and another meat market in Fairchild, Wis., 
operating the two markets and doing an extensive business in live stock 
shipping for many years. He was married Jan. 1, 1892, to Florence Newell, 
daughter of George F. and Harriet R. (Sylvester) Newell, the former of 
whom, a miller, came to Osseo in 1880, and died in 1895, 14 years after the 
decease of his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Cecile 
Harriet, married to Earl Johnson, of Augusta ; Margaret E. and Newell M., 
who are at home with their parents. Miss Margaret is a graduate of the 
Austin High School, of Chicago, and Master Newell is a boy of 14 in the 
Osseo High School. Mrs. Smith has been and is active in church and social 
work, and has shared her husband's enthusiasm for better schools and 
better homes for Osseo. Their home is a hospitable one of culture and 
refinement, from which emanates a splendid influence for good. Mathias 
M. Smith was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., came to Wisconsin and 
located in Richland County in 1854, farmed there until 1900, then came to 
Osseo, and died here in 1906, his wife dying in 1910. 

Robert C. Field, a sturdy pioneer of this county, was born in Cairo, 
Greene County, N. Y., May 6, 1804, son of Robert B. and Sally (Austin) 
Field. He grew to manhood in his native State, became a leading man in 
his community, and did distinguished service in the New York Assembly 
in 1844. In 1849 he came to Wisconsin, and located in Richland County. 
Here his former reputation preceded him, and 10 years after his arrival 
he was sent to the Wisconsin Assembly. After completing his duties at 
the State capital, he came to Trempealeau County, and located on section 
16, in Sumner Township. As before, he speedily became a leader among 
his fellows, and in 1874 he was sent to the State Senate. While conducting 
his farm, he bought and sold cattle and also dealt in real estate. He died 
June 16, 1876, sincerely honored and mourned. Mr. Field was married Jan. 
1, 1837, to Harriet M. Graham, who died a few months after their marriage. 
April 1, 1838, he married May Stoddard, who was born Nov. 3, 1815, and 
died Jan. 2, 1901, a daughter of Neri and Triphena (Beebe) Stoddard. Mr. 
and Mrs. Field had seven children : Harriet, who married E. S. Hotchkiss ; 
Stoddard, a prominent man of Osseo; Robert D., Francis E., Horace A., 
Hiram H. and Mary E., who married C. D. Van Hoesen. All are dead except 
Stoddard. 



668 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Stoddard Field, one of the leading men of Osseo, has been an important 
factor in the upbuilding of the community. He has taken a deep intei*est 
in all the big enterprises of his day, has led an active life, and has been 
a useful and worthy citizen. He was born at Cairo, Greene County, N. Y., 
Aug. 19, 1842, son of Robert C. and Mary (Stoddard) Field, the pioneers. 
For many years he lived on the home farm near Osseo, carrying on agricul- 
tural operations while engaged extensively in stock dealing, and also 
handling considerable real estate. For a time he was a merchant at Osseo. 
In connection with his stock buying, he held for a considerable period the 
contract for furnishing meat for woodsmen in Northern Wisconsin. Some- 
times he bought, killed and dressed as high as 100 head of cattle a day, to 
be shipped to Ashland, Wis., from which point it was distributed. Mr. 
Field is now living a retired life in his pleasant home in Osseo, where he is 
deeply beloved by all who know him. Mr. Field was married Jan. 1, 1871, 
to Martha E. Robbins, a teacher in Eau Claire, born in Marquette County, 
Wis., Feb. 25, 1850, daughter of E. W. and Laura (Pond) Robbins. E. W. 
Robbins was born in Lennox, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1821, and was married in 1846 
to Laura Pond, who was born in Camden, N. Y. They came to Marquette 
County, Wis., in 1843, and to Eau Claire County in 1854, farming three 
miles east of Eau Claire until his death, Feb. 20, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Field 
have two children: Leslie H., born Nov. 19, 1871, farms near Osseo. 
Clarence W., born Feb. 8, 1874, is a lumber dealer in Osseo. 

Anton Senty, vice-president of the State Bank of Independence, was 
born in Buffalo County, Wis., Oct. 4, 1865. He is a son of John George and 
Margaret (Gasner) Senty. The father was born in Switzerland and came 
to the United States in 1849, settling in Sauk County, Wis., where he was 
engaged in farming. In 1857 he removed to Buffalo County, where the rest 
of his life was spent, as he died in Montana Township, that county, in 1879, 
at the age of 53 years. His wife Margaret died in 1913 at the age of 75. 
Anton Senty resided on the home farm until the age of 25 years. He 
acquired a good education, attending Gale College, at Galesville, after gradu- 
ating from the Arcadia High School, and subsequently taking the regular 
course at the Winona Normal School. He then taught five winters in the 
public schools. While living on the farm he served as town clerk of Montana 
Township. In 1892 he became bookkeeper for John Sprecher, in whose 
employ he continued until 1897. In that year he and Mr. Sprecher organ- 
ized the Sprecher & Senty Bank, a private institution, which later became 
the State Bank of Independence. Of this he became cashier and was also 
the practical manager, Mr. Sprecher being president. In 1913 Mr. Senty 
was elected vice-president, in which position he is still serving. He is also 
a stockholder in three other banking institutions and in the Sprecher Lum- 
ber Company. Since 1905 he has served as treasurer of the board of educa- 
tion of Independence. As a business man he is progressive, with a con- 
servatism that avoids taking doubtful risks. The institution of which he is 
one of the leading officers is prospering and gradually increasing in strength 
and importance owing to the wise management of himself and his associates. 
Mr. Senty was united in marriage, Jan. 25, 1900, to Nellie Lockway, of Inde- 
pendence, a daughter of Michael and Sena (Severson) Lockway. Her 



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> 
2: 

C 







PETER NELTON AND FAMILY 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 669 

father, who was engaged in the grain business, died in 1908 at the age of 
62 years. He is survived by his wife, who is now 62 years old and resides 
in Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Senty have had six children, two of whom 
died in infancy. Those living are : Lester A., who was born May 19, 1903; 
Margaret S., born April 15, 1909; Dorothy N., born Nov. 29, 1913, and 
Imogene, born Feb. 13, 1917. The family faith is that of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

Peter Nelton. Few names are better known in Trempealeau County 
than that of the subject of this sketch, who, besides operating a small but 
well-improved farm in section 33, Chimney Rock Township, has for many 
years been intimately connected with public affairs and is a leading member 
of the Democratic party in this section. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, 
Germany, Oct. 13, 1853, son of Mads and Mary Nelton. His mother died in 
1860, in her native land, and the father, coming to America in 1869, died at 
Dubuque, Iowa, the same year at the age of 57 years. Peter Nelton did not 
come to this country until 1872, and then he settled at Topeka, Kan., where 
he obtained employment on the railroad and was thus occupied for two 
years. At the end of that time he came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and 
located in Arcadia, where he worked as lumberman and clerk until 1876. 
From that time until 1879 he resided in Borst Valley, being employed on a 
farm and then purchased his present place in section 33, Chimney Rock 
Township. The farm contains 40 acres, the land being fertile and the 
buildings neat and substantial. Mr. Nelton is president of the creamery 
company at Independence. Aside from the duties connected therewith, and 
the management of his farm, he has for a long period devoted a large part 
of his time to the public service, for 20 years having been chairman of the 
township board and a member of the county board by virtue of that office. 
He was also clerk of the school board 18 years ; chairman of the county Dem- 
ocratic committee three years, and in the office of the Railway Commission at 
Madison from 1891 to 1895. In 1911 and 1912 he served as a member of the 
Wisconsin Assembly. In all these various positions Mr. Nelton has shown 
himself an efficient and conscientious public servant, familiar with local 
conditions, loyal to his constituents and progressive in spirit and action when 
changes were needed in the laws or in their application. That he has gained 
the confidence of his fellow citizens is attested by the fact that he has been 
so continuously in public life, having advanced usually from lower to higher 
positions. He is a member of the Masonic lodge in Arcadia and also of the 
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Nelton has enjoyed the comforts and 
shared the responsibilities of domestic life for over 40 years, having been 
married Nov. 1, 1876, to Mary Olson, who was born in Denmark, May 28, 
1844. He and his wife are the parents of three children : Mamie is now a 
teacher, having been a student in the University of Wisconsin. Nora is a 
teacher in Chimney Rock Township. Earl was an attorney at Grand Rapids, 
Wis., for two years. He is now in the United States service, having been 
made a lieutenant in the officers' reserve camp at Camp Custer, near Battle 
Creek, Mich. 

Judson A. Palmer, M. D., one of the leading physicians and most 
influential citizens of Trempealeau County, was born near Bothwell, 



670 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Ontario, Canada, June 9, 1868, son of Gideon A. and Jane (Wilson) Palmer. 
The father, who was born in Nova Scotia in 1832, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion ; he died at Bothwell, Ontario, Oct. 4, 1908 ; his wife, who was born 
in Bothwell in 1838, died there Feb. 7, 1912; they had a family of eight 
children, aU bom in Bothwell : Emily, born in 1864, and now Mrs. Joseph 
McAuslin of Bothwell ; Hiram W., born in 1866, who is engaged in farming 
near Bothwell ; Judson A., subject of this sketch ; Spurgeon, born in 1870, 
who is a traveling salesman residing at La Crosse, Wis. ; Alexander, born 
in 1878, who is a farmer living near Bothwell; Fannie, born in 1884, who is 
residing at the old home in Bothwell; Eliza, born in 1886, who resides in 
Ontario, and George, born in 1891, who is an expert machinist, making his 
home in Bothwell. Both Eliza and Fannie are unmarried. Judson A. 
Palmer came to the United States in 1887 and entered the University of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor, from the medical department of which he was 
graduated in 1890. In the same year he began medical practice at Foston, 
Minn., but after remaining there one month he removed to Red Wing, 
Minn. In July, 1891, he came to Arcadia, where he built up a good repu- 
tation throughout this part of the county as physician and surgeon. Dr. 
Palmer was appointed local medical examiner for all the old line insurance 
companies represented in this section, and also for a number of fraternal 
lodges and orders, to which he himself belongs. He has been a Chapter 
Mason since 1896, a Knight Templar since 1911, a member of the Con- 
sistory and the Shrine since 1914. The other lodges or orders of which 
he is a member are: The Eastern Star, Independent Order of Foresters, 
Yeomen, Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights 
of the Maccabees, Beavers, Knights of Pythias and Elks. For several years 
he has been a member of the county board and has served in several local 
offices. Aug. 6, 1907, he enlisted in the United States service, received a 
commission as first Ueutenant and was sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas. 

March 27, 1895, Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Alice M., 
daughter of Daniel and Florence (Caldwell) Bigham of Arcadia Town- 
ship, who were among the earliest settlers of Trempealeau County. Dr. 
and Mrs. Palmer have one son, Donald, born on Aug. 22, 1911. Mrs. Palmer 
is active and prominent in various society circles, being a member of the 
Eastern Star and a past member of the Grand Chapter, Eastern Star. 
She is also interested in educational matters and is now serving as secre- 
tary of the county committee on common schools, having been appointed 
by the county board. 

Halvor K. Moen, a retired farmer residing at Arcadia "Old Town," a 
mile east of the present village of Arcadia, was born in the province of 
Christiansand-Telemarken, Norway, April 4, 1849, son of Kittle and Turi 
Moen. In 1866, at the age of 17 years, he came to America, landing at 
Quebec, Canada, from which city he journeyed by train to Windsor, cross- 
ing into the United States at Detroit, and proceeding by train to Chicago. 
Here an attempt was made to forward him, with others of the party to 
Milwaukee by boat, but as their tickets called for rail transportation they 
stood on their rights and came by train to Dane County, Wisconsin, locat- 
ing near Madison. Young Moen, who had neither money nor ticket, passed 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 671 

as a member of another family. After staying in Dane County until 
November, he left for Prairie du Chien, taking boat from the latter place 
to La Crosse and proceeding on foot the rest of the way to Trempealeau 
County, on his arrival here locating in Holcomb Coulie. He worked at 
whatever he could find to do for a number of years thereafter, boating on 
the Mississippi River, helping in the Minnesota harvest fields and lumber- 
ing in the woods during the winters, for many seasons running logs on 
Black River. In 1870 he sent to Norway for his parents, buying for them 
a homesteader's right to 120 acres in Holcomb Coulie, where they settled 
on their arrival. In 1875 he bought 200 acres of partly improved land 
in Thompson's Valley, three miles from Arcadia in Arcadia township, on 
which land stood a small log house. This property he rented till 1883 and 
then began working it for himself. On March 12, 1885, Mr. Moen married 
Carrie Hanson, daughter of Sever and Torbjor Hanson of Thompson's 
Valley, who was born in Norway and when a child of two years came to 
America with her parents, they settling in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. 
Until 1899 he and his wife resided in the log cabin on the farm and then 
Mr. Moen built a good residence — a two-story, brick-veneer house of nine 
rooms. In 1890 he built his first barn, six years later erecting a modern 
frame barn, 24 by 44 feet, with full basement. He has also put up a 
granary and machine shed combined, a hog house, poultry house, spring- 
house and other necessary or useful buildings. He continued to improve 
and cultivate the farm until 1916, in which year he retired to his present 
residence, where he is passing the time in ease and comfort, the reward 
of many years of strenuous exertion. He is a stockholder in the Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company, the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Inde- 
pendent Cattle Company of North Dakota, and the Independent Harvester 
Company of Piano, 111. His financial interests in North Dakota and Mon- 
tana are quite extensive. He and his wife have reared a family of ten 
children: Thomas, residing in Montana, unmarried; Rena, living in Mon- 
tana and the owner of a claim there ; Thea, who resides at Devils Lake, 
N. D. ; Clara, residing at home, unmarried ; Helma, unmarried, who gradu- 
ated from the Arcadia high school and the normal school at Mayville, 
N. D., and has taught school for the past five years ; Sarah, a graduate of 
the Arcadia high school and of the La Crosse normal school, who is unmar- 
ried, and is teaching in Montana, where she owns a claim; Gelena, who 
married Gustav Timboe and resides at Devils Lake, N. D. ; Otto, who is 
a student at the Wisconsin Business University, La Crosse, Wis.; Carrie, 
a student in the Arcadia high school, and Carl, attending the Arcadia school, 
both residing at home. Mr. Moen and his family are members of the 
Tamarack Lutheran Congregation. He is a charter member and was one 
of the founders of the church located in Norway Coolie, south of his old 
homestead. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as township assessor 
two years, was tax collector a number of years, treasurer of the school 
district No. 7 for several years, and clerk of the board one year, rendering 
eflScient service in these various offices. 

Michael English, insurance and real estate man of Arcadia, was born 
in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 3, 1850, son of Daniel and Margaret 



672 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

(Hawley) English, who brought him to this country that same year. He 
spent his early boyhood in various places in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut and Wisconsin, and was brought to Arcadia Township, this 
county, as a boy of fourteen. He was reared to farm pursuits, taught 
school four years, was undersheriff six years, and has been in his present 
line of endeavor since 1874. For two years he was town treasui-er. Mr. 
English was married Jan. 25, 1876, to Anna Glennon, who was born Nov. 
13, 1857, daughter of Redmond and Margaret Glennon. This union has 
been blessed with five children : Edward G., Ralph, Margaret, Redmond F. 
and Mark. Edward G. graduated from the Arcadia high school, and from 
the medical college of the University of Wisconsin, and is now a physician 
in Pachuca, Mexico, in which country he has lived for the past nine years. 
Ralph died at the age of nine years. Margaret is the wife of George H. 
Barry, implement dealer of Arcadia. Redmond F. graduated from the 
Arcadia high school and the University of Washington and is now in part- 
nership with his father. Mark has also studied engineering in the Univer- 
sity of Washington. 

Daniel English, for many years a well-known citizen of Trempealeau 
County, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, May 19, 1819, and there 
spent his youth. As a young man he married Margaret Hawley. They 
came to America in 1850, and to secure funds for their trip to the Missis- 
sippi Valley worked in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. 
Reaching Wisconsin they worked for a while in Milwaukee and La Crosse. 
In 1864 they came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in the 
southern part of Arcadia Township. Through thrift, economy and hard 
labor he soon developed a fine farm, and became one of the substantial 
men of the community. In 1889 he moved his family to Arcadia Village, 
and there resided until his death, in 1898. He had been a true husband, 
a kind father, and loyal friend and a good citizen, and his loss was sin- 
cerely mourned. Daniel Enghsh and Margaret Hawley were married April 
5, 1848. Mrs. Hawley was born May 28, 1824, and proved an able help- 
mate of her husband through all the changing fortunes of life. Mr. and 
Mrs. English were the parents of seven children : Michael, John, May, Ellen, 
Edward G., Daniel and William T. Michael and John live in Arcadia. May 
and Edward G. live in Mt. Vernon, Wash. Daniel lives in British Columbia. 
Ellen, who became Mrs. Egan, and Dr. W. T., foi-merly of Winona, are dead. 

Noah D. Comstock, a pioneer settler of Arcadia, long passed away, but 
whose memory will remain green for many years to come, was born in Low- 
ville, Lewis County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1832. In his native town he received a 
common school and partially academic education. When 18 years of age he 
moved to Calhoun County, Mich., and one year later to Indiana, where he 
taught school until 1853. In that year he crossed overland the great plains 
and mountains to the gold mines of Califoi-nia. After working in the gold 
mines for two years, he returned east as far as Wisconsin and in 1855 be- 
came one of the first settlers of Arcadia. He was town assessor in 1858, 
county treasurer in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 and 1864, was a member 
of the county board in 1868, and a member of the assembly from Trempea- 
leau County in 1872, 1874, 1875 and 1876 ; he also held other local offices 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY G73 

and was elected state senator in 1882. In 1868 Mr. Comstock was united in 
marriage to Ellen Comstock, a union of the happiest and brightest order, 
lasting lor moi-e than 20 years. But in time came the inevitable end, and 
after a long, patient and resolute struggle against the messenger of death, 
Noah Durham Comstock passed away on the morning of the 6th of June, 
1890. His death was regretted by all who knew him, for he possessed all 
the characteristics of a true and noble gentleman. A man of great inde- 
pendence of character and stern integrity, united with rare ability, he had a 
warm heart and a remarkably unselfish and self-sacrificing disposition, being 
ever ready to lend his counsel and assistance to those in need. In manner 
he was modest and retiring. Void of all superstitious fear of death, his 
main study was to learn how to live — how to utilize his narrow span of 
time here in the faithful performance of Ufe's daily and hourly duties, 
indulging in no vain speculations as to the shadowy future. Like the 
Hebrew sage, of whom Longfellow speaks in one of his shorter poems, he 
sought to be remembered "as one who loved his fellow men." During his 
last sickness he was gentle and patient, and greatly appreciated all that 
was done for him. He suif ered much, but never complained, though he was 
conscious to the last, and when death came it was as a peaceful sleep. At 
his own request, his funeral services were conducted by Judge A. W. New- 
man, of Trempealeau, and his remains were followed from his residence to 
the village cemetery by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who had 
come from nearly every part of the county to pay a last sad tribute of respect 
to one whom in life they had learned to honor and esteem. To his wife and 
children he left the fragrance of an exemplary life and the honor of a 
stainless name. 

James Gaveney was one of the founders and pioneers of Trempealeau 
County, his personality was woven into much of the warp and woof of the 
county's early history, and his name was inseparably connected with its 
destinies for many years. He not only developed one of the best farms in 
the county, but he likewise became interested in a number of important 
business ventures, and his varied activities included the milling, lumbering 
and cheese-making industries. James Gaveney was born at Bally Bay, 
County Monaghan, Ireland, April 5, 1825. Left an orphan at an early age, 
he was reared to farm pursuits, and upon attaining his majority, went to 
Dublin, where for some years he was employed as a member of the police 
force. While thus engaged he constantly heard stories of the wonderful 
possibilities offered to men of industry and intelligence in the United States, 
and he accordingly determined to try his fortunes in the new world. The 
opportunity came in 1848, when, with Httle more than sufficient funds to pay 
his passage, he set out for America. After landing, he found his way to 
Mineral Point, this State, where for a while he was engaged in lead mining. 
In 1852, when the excitement attending the gold discovery in California 
was at its height, he joined Captain Sublette's company and crossed the 
plains to the Pacific coast. His first location in that State was at French 
Corral, where he remained one year, and was afterward at Forest City about 
four years. At French Corral he formed the acquaintance of Noah Com- 
stock, another pioneer and prominent citizen of Trempealeau County, who 



674 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

preceded Mr. Gaveney here by a year, and became one of the first settlers in 
the now historic "Bishop Colony," of which he was a member. The circum- 
stances of the meeting of these two sturdy frontiersmen was most peculiar, 
and furnished them with much amusement in after years. According to 
the story which, with many a chuckle, they often told, they met as strangers, 
and there arose between them a most serious dispute as to the title of a 
certain claim which grew so violent in its character that revolvers were 
drawn, and the quarrel seemed likely to terminate seriously to one or both of 
the parties. But better counsels prevailed, and they agi-eed to work the 
claim in partnership. As these gentlemen came to know each other better, 
and to appreciate each other's better qualities, a friendship was formed 
which only ceased with death. Their attachment was ever a subject of 
remark. 

Mr. Gaveney returned from California via the Isthmus of Panama, and 
came to Trempealeau County from Mineral Point in 1856 ; he first purchased 
40 acres of land, which forms a part of the present homestead of the family ; 
and he afterward increased his possessions until he owned many hundred 
acres. His Uf e was devoted mainly to agricultural pursuits, and he was ever 
a well-known and influential citizen. In 1879, in company with Mr. Com- 
stock, he bought the Independence Mill at Independence, where they did 
quite an extensive business ; their output averaged about $60,000 per annum. 
They were also engaged in the lumber business at the same place. Person- 
ally, Mr. Gaveney was a man of more than average physical strength, and 
possessed great will power. He was prominent in whatever tended to pro- 
mote the best interests of the community in which he lived, and possessed 
the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. In his political affiliations 
he was a Republican. His tastes were opposed to the seeking of political 
preferment, but he was prevailed upon to accept a number of public oifices, 
including the chairmanship of his township, and other positions, and from 
June, 1876, until July, 1885, he was postmaster, resigning his position by 
reason of advancing years. He was a successful man, and deservedly so, and 
at his death, which occurred June 21, 1889, the community was bereft of one 
of its most worthy citizens. He left behind him a record worthy of preser- 
vation in the annals of his county. Mr. Gaveney was married in Arcadia, 
in 1860, to Maria Martha Briggs, who was born in Vermont, June 30, 1830. 
This union was blessed with three children : Charles, John C. and Mamie. 
Charles was born May 27, 1861, and died Dec. 5, 1889. John C. was born 
Oct. 30, 1863, and is one of the leading citizens of Arcadia. Mamie died at 
the age of 11 years, in 1879. After the death of Mr. Gaveney his good wife 
continued to live on the pleasant homestead near the village of Arcadia until 
her lamented death, Feb. 19, 1908. 

John C. Gaveney, leading attorney, former senator, member of the 
Wisconsin Exemption Board, president of the Western Wisconsin Telephone 
Company, president of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, vice- 
president of the Bank of Arcadia, owner of a modern stock farm, and promi- 
nently identified with the political, economical and social life of Trempealeau 
County for the past 30 years, is one of the leading citizens of Western Wis- 
consin, and his name is inseparably connected with its history, as was that 




{1(Aax) ^, kJ 




HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 675 

of his father before him. The career which has led to these many honors 
and distinctions has been a most notable one. Born on the pioneer home- 
stead in this county, June 30, 1863, he was reared to sturdy boyhood, and 
attended first the school at Old Arcadia, and then the school in the new 
village, graduating from the Arcadia public schools with the class of 1879. 
Thus prepared, he increased his educational experience by teaching for 
several seasons, and then, in 1881, entered the University of Wisconsin, 
graduating in the class of 1885 with the degree of B. A. Then he again 
taught for a while, and subsequently entered the law department of his 
alma mater, receiving his degree of LL. B. with the class of 1888. He began 
the practice of his profession at Milwaukee, but a short time afterward 
formed a partnership with J. 0. Raymond at Stevens Point. He was there 
on the highway to success, when he was called home by the death of his 
father, June 21, 1890, and the death of his brother, Dec. 5, 1889, and the 
burdens of the various interests of the estate feU upon his shoulders. He 
at once opened an office here, but for the first three years he was largely 
engaged in operating the mill and lumber yard at Independence, and the 
farms at Independence and Arcadia. He is now dean of the lawyers of 
the county, he has been engaged in most of its important htigation for nearly 
30 years, and he has been one of the most eloquent and able attorneys that 
has ever practiced before its courts. His interest in farming has never 
abated. His large tract of 500 acres near the village is one of the show 
places of the county. Here he carries on general agricultural operations 
along the most modern improved hnes, making a specialty of dairying and 
stock raising and maintaining a fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle. A 
tractor engine furnishes much of the motive power, and a feature of the 
work on the place is the new B. L. K. milking machines, the farm being the 
first in this region where such equipment was installed. The story of the 
starting of the telephone line which has now become the important Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company by Mr. Gaveney and a few of his friends, as 
well as the story of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and his shaping of its 
destinies since the people of Ettrick first conceived the project is told else- 
where in this work, as is also the story of the municipal improvements of 
Arcadia, many of the most important of which were installed during his 
terms of oflSce as village president, and all of which have been given the 
benefit of his influence and enthusiasm. Since early manhood he has been 
interested in politics, he has been the center of many a political fight as a 
delegate to county, district and State conventions, and while he has pre- 
ferred to be a power behind the office rather than to actually occupy office 
himself, he has served in several important pubhc positions. His service 
as state senator in 1901-1905 added materially to his influence throughout 
the State. Being of a fraternal nature. Senator Gaveney has allied himself 
with Arcadia Lodge, No. 201, A. F. & A. M., and with Chapter No. 76, R. A.M. 
He is a lover of the out-of-doors, and aside from farming, his greatest hobby 
is fishing, some of his greatest legal problems having been worked out while 
he was "casting" for trout along the beautiful streams of Trempealeau 
County. In personality. Senator Gaveney is of genial temperament and 
tremendous energy, a polished gentleman of the old school, and much of his 



67C HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

influence is reflected in the progressive spirit of the village. He is demo- 
cratic and approachable, an untiring worker for every good cause or 
worthy project. His beautiful home, erected on a bluff overlooking the 
business section of the village, is one of the social centers of the county, 
and he and Mrs. Gaveney dehght in dispensing hospitality to young and old 
alike. Mr. Gaveney was married, April 9, 1890, to Isadore D. Webster, step- 
daughter of Judge E. W. Keyes, of Madison. This union has been blessed 
with two children : Marguerite and Stanleigh. Marguerite was born Oct. 
2, 1891, graduated from the Arcadia High School, attended the University 
of Wisconsin, became a proficient musician, and is now proprietor of a mil- 
linery establishment in Arcadia. Stanleigh was born July 6, 1896, gradu- 
ated from the Arcadia High School, where he attained considerable distinc- 
tion as an athlete, and is now attending the University of Wisconsin, with a 
view to later adopting his father's profession. 

Albert Hess, postmaster, and editor of the Arcadia Leader, is a native 
of this State, having been born in Buffalo County, Montana Township, Sept. 
24, 1871, son of George and Fredericka (Beutner) Hess. George Hess was 
born in Germany, came to America in 1850, lived at Cleveland, Ohio, five 
years, employed as a carpenter, came to Winona, Minn., in 1855, and 
located in Buffalo County in 1860, there remaining until his death in 1895 
at the age of 70 years. He married in 1852 Fredericka Beutner, who was 
born in Germany in 1830, came to America in 1851, and now lives in Buffalo 
County at the age of 87 years. Three of the children in the family are 
living. Albert Hess attended the public schools of his neighborhood, supple- 
mented with courses in the high schools at Arcadia and Alma. He was 
reared to farm pursuits, and remained on the home farm until 1896. Then 
he was employed in the machine business at Arcadia, six years. In 1902 
he entered the postal service as mail carrier on Route No. 1, out of Arcadia. 
The Leader being for sale in 1904, he purchased it, and has since been its 
editor and proprietor. Sept. 1, 1913, he was appointed postmaster by 
President Woodrow Wilson. Previous to this for three years he had been 
secretary of the Democratic County Committee. Mr. Hess was married 
Jan. 1, 1896, to Clara Nickel, daughter of Fred and Ehzabeth (Fenster- 
macher) Nickel, the former of whom is pastor of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion church at Port Washington, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have one daughter, 
Ethel, born May 11, 1899, who assisted her father in the postofflce, but now 
is a student at the State University at Madison, Wis. 

Caspar Wohlgenant, a prosperous business man of Arcadia Village, was 
born in the Tyrol, Austria, Aug. 22, 1849, son of Joseph and Catherine 
(Coeb) Wohlgenant. When he was 12 years old his parents died and he 
had to go to work to earn his own living. At 15 years he began to learn 
the cabinetmaker's trade, finishing his apprenticeship at the age of 19. 
For the next two years he traveled through Switzerland, working at his 
trade. On attaining his majority he was turned over to the Austrian 
government, according to the law enforcing military service, but instead 
of serving he decided to come to America. Landing in New York in 1871, 
he proceeded by rail to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked two years as a 
carpenter and millwright. In 1873 he went to Wabasha, Minn., finding 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 677 

employment in a furniture factory there and remaining two years. Coming 
to Arcadia in the fall of 1875, he entered into partnership with E. J. Tracy 
in the furniture business, and this partnership was continued until the fall 
of 1877, when it was dissolved, Mr. Wohlgenant buying Mr. Tracy's interest. 
A few months later Mr. Wohlgenant associated himself as partner with 
Peter Ley, and they continued together for two years, at the end of which 
time the subject of this sketch bought out Mr. Ley and again became sole 
owner of the business. During the partnership above mentioned a frame 
store was built by the firm, which is now occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant's 
successor. In connection with the furniture business Mr. Wohlgenant built 
and operated a planing mill, and in 1896 he added a lumber business, estab- 
lishing a yard in Arcadia, which he still operates. June 1, 1914, he sold his 
furniture business, together with the store building, to John J. Schneider, 
a son-in-law, who now operates the leading furniture business in Arcadia, 
carrying a large stock. Since purchasing the business Mr. Schneider has 
erected a two-story brick block, 35 by 80 feet. Mr. Wohlgenant was mar- 
ried, July 22, 1878, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Catherine Ley, of Arca- 
dia. He and his wife have had four children : Rosy, born in 1879, who died 
in 1893 ; Mary, born Feb. 2, 1884, who is now Mrs. Harry Engeldinger, of 
Durand, Wis. ; Katherine, born May 30, 1886, now Mrs. Perry Comersford, 
of Chicago, 111., and Anna, born March 8, 1889, who is the wife of John J. 
Schneider, of Arcadia. All these children were born in Arcadia. Mr. Wohl- 
genant is a Democrat pohtically. He has served two terms as a member 
of the county board, has been president of Arcadia village two terms, and 
a member of the village board for many years. Aside from his lumber 
business, he is a stockholder in Bank of Arcadia and also in the Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Arcadia Brewery. He and his entire 
family are members of the Cathohc church, and since 1914 he has belonged 
to the Knights of Columbus. The family is one of the most respected in 
this part of Trempealeau County. 

John J. Schneider, the leading furniture dealer of Arcadia, Wis., was 
born in Montana Township, Buffalo County, Wis., Jan. 17, 1886. He was 
educated in the district schools of his native township, which he attended 
until he was 12 years old, and from 12 to 15 continued his studies in the 
German Catholic parochial school in Arcadia, and later in the Arcadia 
High School. Until he was 20 years old he worked on his father's farm, sub- 
sequently entering the employ of Fugina Bros. & Fertig as clerk in their 
department store, and remaining with them until 1907. In 1898 his parents 
moved to Arcadia from their farm in Buffalo County. It was in the winter 
of 1907-08 that the subject of this sketch entered the Winona Business Col- 
lege, at Winona, Minn., and he remained there until he had completed the 
full business course. Then returning to Arcadia, he purchased the bakery 
business of Joseph Bast, which he carried on for one year, and then sold 
out. In 1909 he went to Chicago and took a course in embalming at the 
Barnes School, and on his return entered the employ of Caspar Wohlgenant, 
furniture dealer. Dec. 7, 1910, he bought the furniture stock of Mr. Wohl- 
genant and has since been the proprietor of the business. June 1, 1914, he 
bought the building occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant and in the same year 



678 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

added a one-story brick block, 35 by 80 feet, thus expanding his furniture 
and undertaking business, which has now reached large proportions. He 
was now a man of family, having married, Sept. 4, 1912, Anna, daughter of 
Caspar and Mary Wohlgenant, of Arcadia. They have one child, Ber- 
nice, who was born Feb. 26, 1914. Mr. Schneider and his family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic church. Since 1910 he has belonged to the Order of Red 
Men, and since 1911 to the Knights of Columbus. 

Matt. Scow came to Trempealeau County in 1868 and located in New- 
comb's Valley, seven miles east of Arcadia Village, where he homesteaded 
160 acres in section 33. The land was wild and had to be grubbed 
and cleared before crops could be planted. The first home was 
a small structure, 14 by 16 feet, which is now the south wing of the 
present house. Additions were made from time to time until the home 
is a pleasant two-story building of eleven comfortable rooms. Beginning 
under the most primitive circumstances, with a yoke of oxen, and but few 
tools, he gradually achieved prosperity. To his original claim he added 
40 acres, thus making a farm of 200 acres, of which 150 was tilled. After 
a long life, filled with busy work, he died in 1904 at the age of 72 years. 
Two weeks later his wife died. They were buried in the cemetery of the 
Fagerness Lutheran church, of which they were numbered among the 
founders and liberal supporters. Mr. Scow was born in Norway in 1832, 
there married Isabella Olson, and with her came to America in 1866, land- 
ing at New York, and living near Madison, in Dane County, Wisconsin, 
before coming to Trempealeau. In the family there were seven children: 
Tillie, now of Minneapolis ; Minnie, now wife of C. W. Cann of Jersey City, 
N. J.; Josie, now wife of M. J. Skogstad, a farmer of Blair, this county; 
Ohve, now Mrs. C. J. Skogstad of Whitehall, Wis.; Ida, now Mrs. E. K. 
Stutlien of Blair, Wis. ; Albert Mark, who owns the home place, and Emil, 
an attorney of Bowman, N. D. 

Albert Mark Scow is a native of Trempealeau County, boi'n on the 
homestead in section 33, Arcadia Township, in Newcomb's Valley, Dec. 3, 
1875, son' of Matt and Isabella (Olson) Scow. He was educated in the 
district schools, learned farming from his father, rented the home farm 
in 1901, and purchased it from his co-heirs in 1909. On this place he now 
carries on general farming and dairying, owning a good herd of Holstein 
and Redpoll cattle. He has improved the house and has erected a frame 
barn, 36 by 80 by 14, with full basement and equipped with the James sys- 
tem, stanchions and other conveniences. He has also constructed a granary, 
cattle stalls, machine sheds and similar buildings. A Republican in poU- 
tics, he is a public-spirited citizen. His fraternal associations are with the 
Beavers at Arcadia. Mr. Scow was married Dec. 26, 1910, to Lena Erickson, 
daughter of Paul and Matilda Erickson of Newcomb's Valley, and this 
union has been blessed with four children: Palmer, born Nov. 4, 1904; 
Raymond, born June 30, 1906; Evelyn, born Oct. 16, 1910, and Maurice 
Leonard, born April 11, 1917. 

George Meier, head butter maker for the Farmers Co-operative Cream- 
ery Company of Arcadia, and a. man who has had a wide experience in his 
line of work, was born Feb. 12, 1878, at Waumandee, Buffalo County, Wis. 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 679 

His parents were Andrew and Catherine (Stauni) Meier, the father born 
at Northstabl, Freiderichstadt, Germany, May 3, 1845, and the mother in 
Canton Schauffhausen, Switzerland, Oct. 14, 1851. Andrew Meier came 
to America in 1871, a single man, his future wife coming alone in 1873. 
Both of them settled in Montana, Buffalo County, Wis., where they were 
married Nov. 6, 1874. For many years Andrew Meier was engaged in 
farming, being thus occupied until his death, March 14, 1891, after which 
his wife came to reside in Arcadia Village, Trempealeau County. Their 
children, eight in number, were: Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 1875, who is 
now the wife of Hiram Hensel of Arcadia; George, the subject of this 
sketch ; Maria, born Jan. 22, 1878, now Mrs. Matt Burnie of Fairchild, Wis. ; 
Katharine, born March 19, 1880, who is unmarried and has resided in New 
York City for the past 18 years ; Andrew, who was born June 12, 1882, and 
is now living at Wibaux, Mont. ; Anna Lena, who died in infancy ; Henry, 
born Nov. 13, 1885, who is living at Fresno, Cal., and John, born Nov. 9, 
1890, who is a resident of Linton, N. D. George Meier in his youth attended 
the district school and the graded school at Arcadia. Relinquishing his 
studies at the age of 17, he worked out on farms until 1897, at which time 
he entered the Arcadia creamery as butter maker's helper, and was thus 
employed until 1900. During the winter of 1899-00 he attended the short 
term dairy course at Madison, Wis., and in the following spring became 
head butter maker at the Arcadia creamery. In this position he continued 
until 1907, when the company sold out. On the eighth of April, that year, 
Mr. Meier went to Ogden, Utah, where he entered the employ of the Black- 
man & Griffin Creamery Company as first butter maker. With this con- 
cern he remained only until February, 1908, going then to Salt Lake City, in 
the same state, where he worked as head butter maker with the Cache 
Valley Condensed Milk Company. In the spring of 1909 he returned to 
Arcadia, arriving home February 19, and on the following day took the 
position of head butter maker with the Farmers Co-operative Creamery 
Company of Arcadia, with which concern he has since remained. Mr. Meier 
is also a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. 
Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 201 and 
Chapter No. 76 ; has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America 
since 1901, and also belongs to the Beavers. In politics he is a Republican, 
but is not active pohtically. Mr. Meier was married Oct. 6, 1914, to Louise, 
daughter of Thomas and Oleen Johnson of Osseo, Wis., the marriage cere- 
mony taking place at Arcadia. He and his wife have three children: 
Wilmar, born Nov. 12, 1905; Nolda, born Jan. 15, 1914, and Oleen, born 
Jan. 13, 1916. 

Jacob Hotz, a resident of Arcadia Village, is a man who has conquered 
fortune by industry and perseverance in spite of adverse circumstances. 
He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 24, 1864, son of Adam 
and Margaret E. (Sior) Hotz. His parents were both born in Germany, the 
father May 8, 1834, and the mother March 26, 1837. In 1882 the family 
came to America, landing in New York, from which city they proceeded 
direct to Arcadia, Wis. They were very poor and the expenses of the 
voyage had almost depleted their scanty resources. During the first year 



680 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in this country Adam Hotz worked at the trade of blacksmith, which he 
had followed in the old country, going from place to place to find employ- 
ment. In 1883 he opened a shop in Arcadia, and did general blacksmith 
work, being handicapped, however, by the fact that he was unable to shoe 
horses, but his skill as a lock and gunsmith was of assistance to him. He 
continued in business in Arcadia until his death, which occuri'ed June 26, 
1895. His wife died in 1915, aged 78 years. Jacob Hotz, who was an 
only child, was 18 years old when his parents settled in Arcadia. He soon 
found work on a farm and was thus occupied during the summers until he 
had reached the age of 21, attending Arcadia high school in the winters. 
He then went to work for Dr. George N. Hidershide, in whose employ he 
continued for five years without the loss of a day. In the spring of 1890 
he went to Winona, Minn., where he was employed in a greenhouse, but 
stayed only a short time, as he found his pay was uncertain. Returning 
to Arcadia, he again went to work for Dr. Hidershide and was there one 
year. After the death of his father he was left with the care and support 
of his widowed mother. In the fall of 1896 he was offered and accepted 
the position of janitor in the Arcadia public schools, and although now 32 
years of age, on small wages and with his mother to support, he determined 
to improve his education by taking the high school course, and accord- 
ingly did so, graduating in 1900 with honor at the age of 36, an example 
of what may be achieved by courage and determination. A year before 
he graduated he gave another proof of his courage by marrying, Aug. 17, 
1899, Mary Jegi, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Dascher) Jagi of West 
Arcadia, bringing her to his home. However, he had gained confidence in 
himself by this time, and it is safe to say that he has never regretted what 
some people might have regarded as a premature marriage. He was the 
more confident, as one year after entering the high school he had laid the 
foundation for future success in a business way by purchasing the old fair 
ground in Arcadia, a plot of land of 17 acres, with buildings and surrounded 
by a fence. From the material in the fence and buildings he erected his 
present buildings — a two-story, brick veneer house of nine rooms, and a 
frame barn, 24 by 48 by 20 feet, for hay and stock. In 1915 Mr. Hotz 
added 14 adjoining acres to his property, having now 31 acres, all within 
the village limits. He does a dairy business, keeping 12 cows and selling 
the milk, also raises small fruits and keeps 50 swarms of bees, and in addi- 
tion to all this is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Com- 
pany. Some of the money for his investments was earned during his high 
school period by selling nursery stock and old line life insurance. Had not 
the care of his mother devolved upon him at that time he would have taken 
the complete agricultural course in the Wisconsin University, as he had 
taken as his motto, "It is never too late for one to learn." As it is, his 
present prosperity has been well earned, and is visible in the thrifty and 
flourishing appearance of his little farm. He and his wife are among the 
highly respected people of the village. They have no children of their own, 
but have three boys in their home whom they are taking care of and 
educating. Mr. Hotz was reared in the German Lutheran faith, but when 
a young man embraced the German Evangelical doctrines. His wife is also 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 681 

a German Evangelical in religion. In politics Mr. Hotz is independent, vot- 
ing for the man rather than for the party. 

James Hanson was brought to Trempealeau County as a baby, and 
has lived on his present farm in Arcadia Township since 1896. During his 
residence here he has taken his part in the progress of the community by 
developing a good place, and he is regarded as one of the thrifty men of 
the neighborhood. He was born not far from Christiania, Norway, April 
25, 1870, the son of Hans and Maren (Sorlie) Hanson. The father having 
died in 1871, the mother brought her baby son to America, a few weeks 
later, and took up her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sorlie, 
who had previously brought the other members of the family to America 
and homesteaded 160 acres of land in Lake's Coulie, Arcadia Township, 
this county. After Kving with her parents for a while, the young widow 
married Hans Tolloken of French Creek, Newcomb's Valley, Arcadia Town- 
ship. James Hanson was reared in the home of his stepfather and grand- 
parents, helped about the farm and attended the district schools. At the 
age of sixteen years he started out for himself and was variously employed, 
working in the forests of Jackson and Clark Counties in the winters, run- 
ning logs in the spring and working on farms in the summers. When he 
was twenty-six years old he married and soon thereafter acquired 160 
acres in Newcomb's Valley, Arcadia Township. This land had been partly 
improved and a small frame house, together with a straw-covered shed 
for stock had been erected. To this home he brought his bride, and began 
to develop and improve the farm, which now consists of 280 acres, 120 
acres having been added on the east side. Soon after moving on the place 
Mr. Hanson replaced the small house with a sightly twelve-roomed house, 
which is still the family home. It is connected with the neighbors' houses 
by the line of the Farmers' Telephone Company, in which Mr. Hanson is a 
stockholder. Other buildings have been erected as necessity has required, 
until the improvements now consist of good barns, a granary, tool house, 
stock sheds and the like, all in the best of condition. Running water from 
sparkling springs plentifully supplies the house and barns. On this 
excellent place Mr. Hanson carries on general farming and stockraising, 
having a good grade of Shorthorn cattle. In addition to this he has operated 
a threshing outfit for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Hanson was mar- 
ried May 21, 1896, to Anna Christianson, the daughter of Arndt and Caro- 
line Christenson of Preston Township, and this union has been blessed with 
eight children : Alfred, born Jan. 3, 1897 ; William, Dec. 29, 1898 ; Corneha 
(deceased) ; Arthur, Feb. 6, 1904 ; Isabelle, June 6, 1906 ; Myrtle, Jan. 23, 
1909 ; Hazel, Jan. 23, 1911 ; James, May 4, 1914. The family attends the 
Fagerness Lutheran church, only a few miles away. 

August F. Hensel, one of the hardy pioneers of Arcadia Township, now 
passed away, was born in Prussia, Germany, Oct. 17, 1834. His father, 
John F. Hensel, was born in Prussia in 1803, his mother being born in that 
country in 1801. In 1839 they came to America with their family of five 
children, sailing from Hamburg in the spring and landing in New York 
after a tedious voyage of three months in a slow sailing vessel. From New 
York they went direct to Buffalo, where they remained two years, John F. 



682 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Hensel finding employment on the Erie canal. In 1841, when the subject 
of this sketch was seven years old, they migrated to Milwaukee Township, 
Wisconsin, which place was their home until about 1847, in which year 
they came to Granville Township, where the father had secured a piece of 
land, and this, with the help of his sons, he improved. In 1861 the family 
returned to Milwaukee, where John F. Hensel engaged in the house moving 
business. That city remained his home for the rest of his Ufe and he died 
there May 29, 1886, at the advanced age of 83 years. His wife, whose 
maiden name is not now remembered, died in Milwaukee in February, 1881, 
at the age of 80. There were seven children in their family: Caroline, 
Edward, Julius, Matilda, August F., John A. and Charles A. John Alfred 
was born on the voyage to America and was named after the ship on which 
he was born. Charles Albert, the youngest son, was born in Milwaukee 
in 1847. August F. Hensel, while a youth hving in Milwaukee, began indus- 
trial life as clerk in a store, and was thus occupied until May 5, 1854, at 
which time he removed to Madison, Wis., and continued as a resident of 
that county until he came to this part of the state. While on a visit to his 
parents in Milwaukee he learned something about the natural resources of 
Buffalo County, and by the advice of his father decided to locate there. 
His father gave him $300 with which to purchase land, and with his brother 
Julius he at once set out for Buffalo County. The journey was made by 
way of Chicago, thence by rail to Dunleith (now East Dubuque) and from 
there by steamboat to La Crosse. At the latter place he secured the serv- 
ices of a surveyor and proceeded to Buffalo County, where he made locations. 
Subsequently he returned to the same county with a wagon and a pair of 
ponies, then, selling his outfit, went back to Milwaukee, but in the same 
fall returned to Buffalo County with an ox team and wagon. He was accom- 
panied by his brother, John A., and by Thomas Simpson, William Johnson 
and two Piper brothers. The Piper brothers, however, left the party at 
Sparta. All the members of the Buffalo County company were unmar- 
ried, and all except John A. Hensel located on land in the county. This 
trip was made about 1856. The winter of 1856-57 was severe and the 
pioneers suffered many hardships. Their provisions became exhausted, 
and the situation became so serious that it was necessary to make a heroic 
effort to reach Fountain City. Accordingly August F. Hensel started with 
a sled and three yoke of oxen, accompanied by Henry Wertenberg and 
James Faulds. The snow was covered with a heavy crust, which was 
hard to break, this crust continuing for the entire distance of 16 miles. 
It was so hard that although Mr. Hensel wore three pairs of pants they 
were all cut through in places before the party reached Fountain City, 
which they only did after a terrible journey of six days, having left home 
on the Monday and reaching town on the following Saturday. Their experi- 
ences may be more easily imagined than described. Mr. Hensel had to 
borrow clothes to wear on the return trip. Even after all this trouble and 
hardship they only succeeded in procuring one barrel of flour, which cost 
them $16. Mr. Hensel nearly lost his life on the trip and all the party were 
much exhausted, succeeding only by force of will and power of endurance. 
It is well for the young people of the present generation, who are surrounded 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 683 

by all the conveniences of a high civilization — good roads, steam and elec- 
tric railroads and automobiles, with convenient stores of all kinds within 
a mile or two of their homes — to read and ponder on such narratives as 
these, more especially when they are inclined to be discontented with their 
lot. They may then realize how much they have to be thankful for. In 
1862 August F. Hensel sold out his holdings in Buffalo County and moved 
to Trempealeau County, settling on land which he had purchased in Arcadia 
Township. Here he lived until 1874, when, the village of Arcadia having 
been founded, he moved into it and erected a store, beginning mercantile 
business in 1876. At this time he had been married 16 years and had a 
family, and here he passed the rest of his life, dying in Arcadia, July 2, 
1902. He was a Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote 
for John C. Fremont in 1856, subsequently voting for every Republican 
President up to the time of his death. His wife died in Arcadia Dec. 17, 
1908. Her maiden name was Amelia Hensel. She was a native of Prussia 
and daughter of Ludwig Hensel, and their marriage took place in August, 

1860. They had a large family of children, as follows : Ida, born Aug. 26, 

1861, now Mrs. C. Studt of Arcadia ; Emma, born March 30, 1863, who died 
in July, 1890 ; Alvah, born Aug. 10, 1865, who resides in Minneapolis ; Ayris, 
born June 30, 1867, now Mrs. George A. Schneller of Arcadia ; Eunice, born 
Dec. 19, 1869, wife of WiUiam Koenig of Waupaca, Wis. ; Almira, born in 
1871, who died when six months old; Dexter, born in 1873, who died in 
1874; Jesse, born Dec. 20, 1875, who is now hving at Green Bay, Wis.; 
Ivan I., born March 4, 1878, who is now practicing dentistry in Arcadia Vil- 
lage ; Myrtle, born March 25, 1886, who is unmarried and lives in Arcadia, 
and another child, who died in infancy. 

Ivan I. Hensel, D. D. S., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry 
in Arcadia Village, was born in Arcadia, Wis., March 4, 1878, son of 
August F. and Amelia Hensel. He was educated in the village school and 
in Arcadia high school,, from which he was graduated in 1896. Having 
decided upon dentistry as his future profession, he entered Marquette 
Dental School, Milwaukee, and was graduated therefrom in 1900, beginning 
practice in Blair, Wis. Soon after, however, he removed to Arcadia, his 
home town, and established himself in practice here, where he is now the 
leading dentist. Aside from his profession he owns stock in the Western 
Wisconsin Telephone Company. Sept. 24, 1902, Dr. Hensel was married 
to Nora, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Kindschy of Arcadia, and they have 
two children: Marie, born Oct. 23, 1908, and Dwight, born Nov. 3, 1912. 
Dr. Hensel owns a comfortable home on the west side of the village, and is 
recognized as one of Arcadia's stable citizens, the Hensels being one of the 
principal families in the town. In politics the Doctor is independent and is 
not an incumbent of any public office. Since 1904 he has been a member 
of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 201, and for several years has also belonged 
to the lodges of Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers, both of 
which he has served as secretary. His religious affiliations are with the 
Evangelical church, in the faith of which he was reared. 

Augustus W. Hensel, a retired farmer now living in Arcadia Village, 
was born in Germany, Nov. 7, 1840, son of Ludwig and Frederica (Kiek- 



684 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

hoefer) Hensel. The father was born in 1809 and the mother in 1812. In 
1856 the family came to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wis., 
where they remained until the spring of 1857. They then came to Arcadia 
Township, Trempealeau County, where Ludwig Hensel pre-empted 160 
acres of land in section 23, range 10 west. The land, of course, was "wild," 
and their residence was a dugout. Mr. Hensel gradually improved the 
property and resided on it subsequently until his death in 1886. His wife 
survived him about nine years, dying on the homestead in 1894. There 
were five children in their family — two sons and three daughters. Augustus 
W. Hensel was the second born child of his parents. He was educated in 
the common and district schools up to the age of 14 years, and remained 
on his father's farm until 1864. He then became a soldier, serving in the 
Union army until the close of the war and taking part in the battle of 
Nashville. Being mustered out at Washington, D. C, he returned home 
unwounded and became a pioneer farmer, buying 160 acres of wild land in 
section 14, range 10, Arcadia Township. This land he developed and erected 
on it substantial buildings, residing there until 1906, in which year he 
retired and took up his residence in the village. The old home he sold in 
1908 to his son Lewis, who lives on the farm. Nov. 28, 1867, Mr. Hensel 
married Mary, daughter of William and Sophia (Supka) Wagner of Arcadia, 
who is sharing with her husband the comfortable prosperity of their declin- 
ing years. The following are the children who have been born to them: 
Lewis, born Aug. 7, 1868, who is now living on the old homestead, of which 
he is the owner ; William, born Dec. 12, 1869, who is a farmer at Black River 
Falls, Wis.; Erwin, born March 12, 1871, who is a merchant at Grand 
Meadow, Minn.; Lillian, born Jan. 11, 1873, and now Mrs. J. W. Kube of 
Winona, Minn. ; Frank, born Jan. 14, 1875, who is a farmer at Burlington, 
N. D. ; Edith, born Oct. 19, 1877, now the wife of A. L. Severence, a banker 
of Wausaukee, Wis. ; John, born Oct. 10, 1879, who is now a railway ticket 
agent at Eau Claire, Wis.; Helena, born Sept. 19, 1881, who is unmarried, 
resides at home and is employed as a bank clerk; Edward, born Aug. 17, 
1883, who is a farmer at Strasburg, Colo. ; Benjamin, born Feb. 4, 1886, 
also a farmer at Strasburg, Colo. ; Emma, born March 15, 1888, who is now 
Mrs. Lester Kindsehy of Strasburg, Colo. Mr. Hensel is a Republican, but 
is not active in politics. He has, however, served as a member of the school 
board of district No. 2, Arcadia Township. He and his family are members 
of the German Evangelical Association, and all are widely respected in the 
communities in which they live. 

Lars Hanson, who was the first Norwegian settler to locate in New- 
comb Valley, Arcadia Township, was born in the northern part of Norway, 
July 15, 1840, son of Hans and Anna Nelson. In June, 1864, he was married 
in his native land to Sarah, daughter of Peter and Cassie Peterson, and in 
1866 they came to America together. Landing in Quebec, Canada, they 
came from that city to Winona, Minn., in the vicinity of which place they 
spent the winter of 1866-67. In the following summer they removed to 
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and in 1868 homesteaded 160 acres of 
wild land in sections 28 and 29, Newcomb Valley. Their resources were 
very limited, as they had arrived in Winona with but 50 cents in money. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 685 

but during their stay there Mr. Hanson had worked at whatever he could 
find to do and managed to make a living and also earn enough to enable them 
to make a start on their Wisconsin farm. Still they had to be extremely 
economical. One of the first things Mr. Hanson did on taking possession of 
his homestead was to build a dugout, with sod roof, in the side of a hill, and 
he then began the grubbing of the farm. At the end of the first year he 
built a small log house with no floor, into which they moved, and here they 
lived for a number of years. When they came to the valley Arcadia had 
but one store and a small grist mill, and Mr. Hanson often carried flour 
and provisions home on his back — a distance of seven miles. Perhaps the 
greatest feat he accomplished in this line, however, was carrying their first 
cook stove across the country, on his back, for three and a half miles. Such 
energy and perseverance, which he displayed in all his operations, were 
bound to produce results, which became visible in the gradual improve- 
ment of his farm and an increasing prosperity. In 1885 he built the frame 
house that now stands on the farm, and from time to time he erected barns 
and other necessary buildings. After residing here until the spring of 
1901, Mr. Hanson moved with his family to Blair, Wis., where he resided 
until the fall of 1902. He then returned to the farm and did not leave it 
again until 1907, in which year he sold the old home to his son Sam and 
bought a small house about a mile east, to which he moved and where he 
is now living. When he left the farm he had about 60 acres under plow. 
Mr. Hanson was a stockholder in the now defunct co-operative creamery 
at Blair, its failure causing him a pecuniary loss. On the whole, however, 
he has been successful and is a man highly respected in this part of the 
county. He believes in the principles of the Prohibition party, but has 
never held ofiice. He and his wife have had six children : Louis, who lives 
at East Grand Forks, Minn. ; Sine, now Mrs. Fred Payne of Arcadia Vil- 
lage ; Josephine, wife of Louis Gilbertson of Blair, Wis. ; Samuel, who 
resides on the old homestead, and two others, who died in infancy. 

Samuel Hanson, son of Lars and Sarah (Peterson) Hanson, was born 
in Newcomb Valley, Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 
17, 1876. He was educated in the district school, which he attended regu- 
larly until the age of 12 years, and from 12 to 16 during the winters only. 
As soon as he was old enough he began to help his father on the farm, and 
continued as the latter's assistant until he rented the homestead in 1902, 
and started in for himself. In 1906 it became his by purchase. He has 
improved the buildings and built a new granary and a garage. To the 
120 acres of the original farm he has added 80 more, thus enlarging the 
farm to 200 acres. It lies in a fertile region, the surface of the land being 
rolhng, and he carries on both general fai-ming and dairying. Aside from 
these immediate interests he is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing 
Company, the Arcadia Farmers Co-operative Creamery, and the Farmers 
Telephone Company. Mr. Hanson was married, Sept. 7, 1907, to Minnie, 
daughter of Olaf and Carrie Moe of Newcomb Valley, and their children 
are : Celia, born July 17, 1909 ; Sadie, born Feb. 24, 1910 ; Milton, born April 
23, 1912 ; and Ivan, born Oct. 30, 1914. In politics Mr. Hanson is a staunch 
Repubhcan. He has served as township assessor three years, was clerk 



686 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the district school board for a number of years, and took the United 
States census in 1900. He belongs to Arcadia camp, Modern Woodmen of 
America and he and his family are members of Fagerness Lutheran church, 
of which his father was one of the founders. Enterprising and energetic, 
he is getting along in the world and has won the esteem of his neighbors. 
Peter Ekern, merchant, town proprietor, assemblyman, extensive land 
owner, public spirited citizen, and man of affairs, to whose efforts was due 
the building up of a flourishing village, was one of the most distinguished 
citizens of the county, and for many years had an influential voice in con- 
trolling its destinies. As a business man he platted Pigeon Falls, erected a 
store and creamery, rebuilt a large mill and developed extensive tracts of 
land. As a public citizen he did such splendid work as chairman of the 
township and member of the county board for many years, that in 1881 he 
was called upon to serve in the General Assembly, in which position he 
looked after the interests of his state and district with dignity and dis- 
tinction. Peter Ekern was born in Norway, Jan. 25, 1837, the son of Hen- 
rik Ekern, and oldest of a family of four sons and two daughters, the others 
being : Even, a merchant of Whitehall ; Randine, wife of Edward Klebo of 
Chicago; Anton, a farmer of Pigeon Township; Mark, a farmer in Moody 
County, South Dakota ; and Maria, wife of Edward Schultz of Des Moines, 
Iowa. Peter was reared to a life of agricultural endeavor. At the age of 
eighteen he started operating a farm on his own responsibility, under a 
guardianship, the law at that time being that a youth could not engage in 
business for himself under the age of 25, except with a guardianship. As 
the years passed the young man determined to seek for himself the broader 
opportunities and superior advantages of the New World. Accordingly he 
disposed of his holdings in 1867, and accompanied by his wife and children, 
came to America, and found his way to La Crosse, where two brothers and 
a sister had preceded him. From there he went to Vernon County, and 
there remained for several months. In March, 1868, he settled in Trem- 
pealeau County, in the affairs of which he was later to take so prominent 
a part. For a time he lived in section 36, township 23, range 7, in the 
northern part of Pigeon. With keen judgment he foresaw the favorable 
opportunity of establishing a village at Pigeon Falls, and when, in 1872, his 
plans were ripe, he moved to the hamlet with which his name was there- 
after to be inseparably connected. At the time of his arrival the village 
contained the mill of Cyrus H. Hine and the store of Johnson & Olson, as 
well as several residences. Mr. Hine owned about 160 acres, a part of which 
he had purchased from George Gale in 1867, and a part of which he had 
obtained from the government under the homestead act. His residence is 
still standing, but has been moved to another site. His barn is on its original 
location, and has been used in connection with the village hotel. His mill 
has been replaced by the Pigeon Falls flour and feed mill on the same site. 
Upon his arrival here Mr. Ekern purchased the store of Johnson & Olson. 
In 1882 he erected another store building, and converted his original store 
building into a residence which he long occupied, and which was used as 
the village hotel until 1916. In the meantime, in 1875 and 1880, Mr. Ekern 
had bought Mr. Hine's land and holdings, as well as a tract from George 




MR. AND MRS. PETER EKERN 
Mn. AND MRS. B. M. SLETTELAMT) 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 687 

Gale, so that he owned 280 acres, all in section 34. The store, which he 
erected in 1882, 60 by 108 feet, two stories and full basement, is still used 
by his successors and is still in excellent condition. In 1885 he erected a 
creamery. This he operated until 1892, when he sold it to a farmers' asso- 
ciation. The new ventui'e, however, was not successful, so Mr. Ekern took 
possession, rebuilt the plant, and put in new equipment. Now known as the 
Pigeon Falls Creamery, the institution is still operated by his successors. 
In 1894, Mr. Ekern platted the townsite on the southeast quarter of section 
34. In 1880 he built a new flour and feed mill on the site of the original 
Hine mill. This building was shortly afterward destroyed by fire. He then 
erected the present mill. Since that date the equipment has kept march 
with the progress of time, the old stone burrs being replaced with a modern 
roller system, and new machinery and appliances being added as circum- 
stances required. In 1898 the business was incorporated under the name 
of P. Ekern Company, for the purpose of operating the farms, the general 
store, the creamery, the flour and feed mill, the townsite property and 
other real estate. After a long and useful life, Mr. Ekern died in 1899. His 
widow died in 1911. The owners of the property are now: Dr. Andrew 
Ekern, who is president of the corporation, and Mr. and Mrs. Ben. M. Slet- 
teland, the former of whom is secretary,, treasurer and manager, and the 
latter of whom is vice-president. Mr. Ekern was married in 1858 to Olive 
Hovde. This union was blessed with seven children: Ludwig P., Andrew, 
Minnie, Hannah, Josephine, Emma, Hulda and Hulda. Ludwig P. is a 
retired merchant of Superior, Wis. Andrew is a retired physician of San 
Diego, Cal. Minnie is the wife of B. M. Sletteland. Josephine is the wife 
of Peter Eimon, a wholesale grocer of Superior, Wis. Emma, the wife of 
H. A. Otto, a Chicago lumberman, died in 1914. Hulda is the wife of Ben. 
Eimon, who is also in the wholesale grocery business in Superior. Hannah 
died at the age of 14 years. Hulda (first) also died in childhood. 

Ben M. Sletteland, the leading citizen of Pigeon Falls, village post- 
master, and manager, secretary and treasurer of the P. Ekern Company, 
is well known throughout the county. He has been member and at one 
time treasurer of the Republican County Committee, and a member of the 
Republican District Congressional Committee; since 1892 he has been 
treasurer of the Norwegian Lutheran church; in 1917 he was elected one 
of the trustees of Gale College; and in addition to this he has served on 
many delegations and committees, both civic and religious. His business 
holdings include stock in the John 0. Melby & Co. bank at Whitehall, in 
which he is a director, and in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. 
Mr. Sletteland was born in Dale Parish, Sondf jord, Norway, Aug. 19, 1864, 
son of Ananias and Bergitte (Risting) Sletteland, the former of whom 
spent many years of his life as a teacher in the state schools of Norway. 
Ben M. Sletteland received a good education at home and at school, and 
came to America in 1884, since which time he has lived continuously in 
Pigeon Falls. For a time he clerked for Peter Ekern. When the P. Ekern 
Company was incoi-porated in 1898 he assumed the duties of his present 
position. A year later he was appointed to his present oflSce of postmaster. 
Mr. Sletteland was married Oct. 31, 1887, to Minnie Ekern, born in La Crosse 



688 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

County, Feb. 29, 1868, daughter of Peter and Olive (Hovde) Ekern. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sletteland have three children: Perrey Arthur, Ernest A. and 
Oscar B. Perrey Arthur is a graduate of the Scandinavia Academy at 
Scandia, St. Olaf College, at Northfield, Minn. (B. A.), and the University 
of Wisconsin (LL. B.). He is now practicing law at La Crosse with Otto 
Schlabach, under the firm name of Schlabach & Sletteland. Ernest A. has 
attended St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and Macalester College at 
St. Paul, Minn., and is assisting his father. Oscar B. has had two years at 
Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., and is soon to graduate from the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin at Madison. 

William C. Bohrnstedt, who is engaged in the hardware business in 
Arcadia, was born at Trempealeau Prairie, in Trempealeau Township, Oct. 
2, 1870. A memoir of his parents, John and Mary (Frohmader) Bohrnstedt, 
may be found elsewhere in this volume. WilUam C. in his boyhood attended 
the district school and the graded school in Galesville. Completing his 
literary education at the age of 15, he then took a business course in the 
old Winona Business College under Professor Lambert. For two or three 
years after this he resided at home. In 1893 he came to Arcadia and 
entered the employ of N. Lehrbach, a hardware merchant, for whom he 
worked until 1896. In the latter year he entered the employ of R. D. Cone 
Hardware Company of Winona, Minn., and was traveling salesman for them 
until 1903. Then, leaving the employ of that company, he returned to 
Arcadia and in 1905, with William E. Muir, purchased the hardware busi- 
ness of N. Lehrbach, his former employer, Mr. Muir retaining an interest 
in the firm for about a year, when Mr. Bohrnstedt bought him out and has 
since been sole proprietor and manager of the concern. The latter is also 
a stockholder in Arcadia Bank and the Bank of GalesviUe. One of the 
progressive and enterprising young business men of the village, he is 
always willing to lend his aid and influence to any practical movement for 
advancing the public welfare. In politics he is independent. He has never 
had any strong desire to mingle in politics, but for the last seven years has 
been clerk of the board of education. Mr. Bohrnstedt .is a member of sev- 
eral fraternal orders. He has belonged to the Blue Lodge of Masons ir 
Arcadia (No. 201) for many years, and to the Chapter, No. 76, Arcadia, 
since 1895 ; also to the Knights of Pythias since 1892, and to the Indepen- 
dent Order of Foresters for many years. Although reared a Lutheran, he 
is not a member of any church. Aug. 12, 1898, Mr. Bohrnstedt was married 
to Elspeth Muir, daughter of John and Ann Muir of Arcadia. 

Oliver Busby, who is now living retired in Arcadia Village, after a life 
of activity in several different avocations, was born in section 21, range 9, 
Arcadia Township, this county, Jan. 29, 1866. His parents, Thomas and 
Mary (Knight) Busby, were natives of England, both born at Stowe, near 
Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England, the father Aug. 24, 1828, the mother 
Feb. 8, 1837. Thomas Busby and wife came to America in 1855, landing 
in New York and proceeding at once to Waukegan, 111., in the vicinity of 
which place Mr. Busby rented a farm. After remaining there about two 
years they came ovei'land by ox team to Arcadia Township, Trempealeau 
County, and settled on 160 acres of land he acquired while in Illinois, to 



HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 689 

which he later added 20 acres, built a log cabin and began to develop a 
farm. Here he lived until 1893, in which year he sold the farm to Louie 
Wojsczik, the latter subsequently selling it to John Wojsczik. In 1879 
Thomas Busby had bought 160 acres of wild prairie land near Wakefield, 
Neb., to which he moved on selling his farm in Arcadia. On this land he 
built a house and other frame buildings, and remained there 19 years, 
engaged in developing a farm. He then retired and moved into Wakefield, 
where he and his wife are still living, in good health and prosperous cir- 
cumstances. Their children were: Emma, born in Waukegan, 111., who 
married W. H. Smith, a farmer of Bakersfield, Cal., and died Aug. 4, 1904; 
John, also born in Waukegan, and now a farmer in Arcadia Township; 
Thomas, born in Arcadia, Wis., who is farming at Wakefield, Neb.; Flor- 
ence, born in Arcadia, who is unmarried and keeps house for her parents 
in Wakefield, Neb. ; Charles, born in Arcadia, also residing in Wakefield, 
where he is engaged in buying grain and managing an elevator ; Andy, born 
in Arcadia, and now deceased; Mary, born in Arcadia, who is the wife of 
H. H. Child, proprietor of the electric lighting plant at Wakefield, Neb.; 
Lilly, born in Arcadia, who married Benjamin Davis, a farmer, and died 
at Wakefield, Neb. ; Mark, born in Arcadia, who is now deceased ; William, 
born in Arcadia, who is now living retired at -Wakefield, Neb. ; and Oliver, 
the subject of this sketch. 

OUver Busby began his school life in Arcadia and was graduated from 
the high school in the class of 1886. In the meanwhile, however, he made 
a trip to Nebraska, going there in 1882 and returning in 1884. He now 
spent a number of years in teaching school, beginning this occupation in 
Arcadia, where he taught for three years, later teaching three years in 
the graded schools of Chimney Rock, Wis., where he also served one year 
as principal, one year in Strum and three years in Nebraska, to which 
state he returned when his parents moved there in 1893. In 1896 he 
returned again to Arcadia, and on September 1 bought an interest in the 
hardware business of Mr. Christ of Arcadia, the style of the firm becoming 
Christ & Busby. This partnership was continued until 1904. In 1902 
Christ & Busby bought a farm of 509 acres, two and a half miles north of 
Arcadia, 225 acres of it being under the plow and the rest in timber and 
pasture land. Mr. Busby bought Mr. Christ's interest in this farm in 1904, 
and managed it subsequently while residing in the village until 1914, when 
he sold it and retired. The buildings on the farm were a two-story frame 
house, a frame barn, 36 by 80 feet ; a granary, 16 by 40 feet ; a sheep shed, 
12 by 64 feet, all painted and in good condition. Here Mr. Busby did gen- 
eral farming and dairying, keeping from 25 to 30 graded cows. Sept. 8, 
1896, Mr. Busby was married to Mary, daughter of John Philip and Barbara 
(Uhl) Hartman of Arcadia Township. He and his wife had six children: 
William 0., born Nov. 26, 1897, who is a student at Lawrence College, 
Appleton, Wis.; Fern E., born May 11, 1899, now attending the Arcadia 
high school; Lynn J., born July 29, 1902, who is also attending the high 
school; Hazel M., born May 12, 1904, who is residing at home, a student; 
Florence G., born March 26, 1906, who died Aug. 23, 1914; and one that 
died in infancy. Mr. Busby in political matters holds by the principles of the 



690 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Democratic party, but reserves the right to vote for the best man regard- 
less of party lines, when he sees occasion. He has held no strictly political 
office, but has been a member of the village board for three years. He 
attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, though not a member 
of it. He belongs to Lodge No. 201, A. F. & A. M. of Arcadia, and to Camp 
No. 769, Modern Woodmen of America, which he joined in 1896. 

August Evenson was for many years one of the successful and sub- 
stantial men of the community. He developed a good farm, he reared a 
large and respected family, and upon his death left a record of hard work, 
staunch character and sterling worth. His wife, a most estimable woman, 
who was his helpmeet and inspiration in all his undertakings, still owns the 
family farm, but in 1915 moved to Pigeon Falls, where she erected a com- 
fortable home, and where she now makes her residence. August Evenson 
was born in Vardal, Norway, Feb. 1, 1857, son of Mathias and Pernella 
Evenson, who brought him to America in 1858, and located near Holmen, 
in La Crosse County, this state, where they spent the remainder of their 
lives. Reared on the home farm and educated in the schools of that county, 
August Evenson started out for himself in 1881, and two years later, in 
1883, came to Pigeon Township and secured land in section 11, which he 
proceeded to break and develop, erecting a suitable home and commodious 
outbuildings. There he successfully carried on general farming until his 
death Jan. 27, 1915. Taking his deepest joy in his family and his farm, 
Mr. Evenson did not care to mingle in political life, but was nevertheless 
deeply interested in public affairs, and kept himself well informed upon 
current topics. He was a good citizen, a loyal friend and a loving father, 
and his loss was sincerely and deeply mourned. Mr. Evenson was married 
April 21, 1881, to Mina Johnson Skogen, who was born in Holmen, La Crosse 
County, this state, Sept. 16, 1859, daughter of Andrew and Anna Marie 
(Anderson) Skogen, natives of Vardal, Norway, who came to America in 
1850, located in La Crosse County, and there spent the remainder of their 
days. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have had ten children: Albert Manley, May 
Pauline, Albert Manley (second), Selma Luella, Hulda Josephine, Cora 
Charlotte, Mabel Amanda, Lawrence Ernest, Edmund Melford and Mildred 
Ovida. Albert Manley, born June 5, 1882, died at the age of thirteen days ; 
May Paulina, born June 19, 1883, died at the age of two and a half years : 
Albert Manley (second) was born Dec. 25, 1885, and died at the age of one 
year; Selma Luella was born March 25, 1887, and is now the wife of John 
H. Johnson of Harshan, Wis. ; Hulda Josephine was born Dec. 25, 1888, and 
is now the wife of Otto Tomter, who farms the home place ; Cora Charlotte 
was born Feb. 6, 1891 ; Mabel Amanda was born Feb. 26, 1894 ; Lawrence 
Ernest was born Feb. 23, 1896 ; Edmund Melford was born Nov. 17, 1898, 
and died Sept. 13, 1908 ; and Mildred Ovida was born June 15, 1906. The 
family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in the Ladies' Aid 
Society of which Mrs. Evenson is a prominent member. 

Ole T. Stendahl, proprietor of the Fair View fai-m of 200 acres in sec- 
tions 13, 14 and 23, Pigeon Township, was born in Trondjem, Norway, June 
4, 1857. His father, Thortson Stendahl, was born in Norway Dec. 10, 1822, 
married Johanna Berg, who was born Oct. 5, 1827, brought his family to 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 691 

America in 1861, lived in La Crosse, Wis., 16 years, and in 1877 settled in 
Pigeon Township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, 
dying Sept. 4, 1897. Mrs. Thortson Stendahl died in Pigeon Township Jan. 
20, 1911. Ole T. Stendahl was brought here by his parents, attended the 
district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. For eighteen winters 
he engaged in lumbering as woodsman and riverman. For the past twenty- 
four seasons he has engaged in threshing. His farming operations, since 
he assumed charge of the home place, have been most successful, his 
good herd of high grade Holstein cattle net him a satisfactory income, ancT 
his whole farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance. Mr. Stendahl was 
married April 4, 1884, to Nettie Amlee, born in Hammer, Norway, Sept. 
26, 1859, daughter of Gilbert and Ehzabeth (Bokalrud) Amlee, the former 
of whom was born Dec. 1, 1818, and died in Hammer, Norway, Sept. 4, 1877, 
and latter of whom was born in Norway, April 14, 1837, and died Feb. 4, 
1904, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 0. Madson, in Menominie, Wis. 
Mrs. Gilbert Amlee and children came from Norway in 1880 to Black River 
Falls, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Stendahl have had eight children : Theodore is a 
farmer of Pigeon Township; Oscar also farms in Pigeon Township; 
Jennie L. died at the age of nine years ; Archie is at home ; Abbie married 
Knelland Simons of Whitehall ; Lillie, Walter and Amy are at home. 

Albert K. Axness came to his present farm in 1872 with his mother 
and step-father, and has thus been a resident of this county for forty-five 
years. He was born in Norway, near Christiania, July 29, 1861, son of 
Knute and Carrie (Tostenson) Axness. The father died in Norway in 1863, 
and subsequently four of the sons, Tosten, born in 1844; Juhus, born in 
1847; Knute, born in 1851, and Ole, born in 1855, came to America in 1867, 
three locating near Winona, Minn., and one near Madison, Wis. In 1868 
the mother, accompanied by the son, Albert K., and a daughter, Mary, born 
in 1858, came to this country and joined her sons near Winona. In 1870 
the mother married Ole Larson. Mr. Larson soon came to Trempealeau 
County and bought the homestead rights of Hans Talaken to a tract of 
wild land in section 6, Arcadia Township, within the limits of Newcomb 
Valley. On this place he built a small shanty, to which in 1872 he brought 
his wife, and his step children, Albert K. and Mary. In the fall of that 
year they built a small frame house, which is now the east wing of the 
■ present home. Later they erected an upright addition, and since then 
other additions have been made until the home is now a comfortable eleven- 
room structure. Barns, sheds and the like have been erected as necessity 
has required. Albert K. was reared to farm pursuits and finished his educa- 
tion in the schoolhouse of the Penny district near his home. At the age of 
nineteen he started for himself by securing winter employment in the 
lumber woods of Clark and Jackson counties, still continuing to do farm 
work during the summer seasons. In 1898 he brought his bride to the 
home place and here has since continued to live. He carries on general 
farming and dairying, 90 acres of his 174 acres being under plow, and the 
rest being in woodland and pasture. His political affiliations are with the 
Republican party, and his fraternal relations are maintained with Arcadia 
Camp, No. 769, M. W. A., of which he has been a member for the past 



692 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

eighteen years. Mr. Axness was married Jan. 1, 1898, to Minnie Olson, 
daughter of John and Mary Olson of Homer Township, Winona County. 
She died Sept. 9, 1914, at the age of 37 years. Mr. and Mrs. Axness have 
had five children: Cora, who died in infancy; Carl, born in 1900; Ernest, 
born in 1902; Myrtle, born in 1907, and Orion, born in 1909, all of whom 
are at home. The mother of Mr. Axness died in 1907 at the age of 84 
years, the stepfather died in 1905. 

John Erickson, one of the pioneers of Trempealeau County, was born 
in Norway, Aug. 24, 1834, and was there reared to manhood. He was mar- 
ried March 25, 1858, to EUina Hanson, who was born March 19, 1830. Even 
at the time of their marriage the young people were already contemplating 
seeking the broader opportunities of the new world. With this end in view 
they hoarded their frugal income until 1862, when they had sufficient funds 
to make the great venture. With their two children, Erick, born Sept. 3, 
1859, and Hans, born Sept. 8, 1861, they set sail on April 27, 1862, aboard a 
slow sailing vessel, bound for their new home. Landing at Quebec, July 12, 
1862, strangers in a strange land, where language and customs were 
unknown to them, they started cut by rail for Winona, which they 
reached July 30, 1862. That city was then a flourishing lumber town, 
ten years old, but just at the dawn of the era which was to make it for 
some years one of the principal lumber and grain points on the Mississippi. 
At Winona Mr. Erickson got in touch with several of his countrymen who 
had settled in Trempealeau County and secured employment in Cedar 
Valley. While living in that vicinity, Mr. and Mrs. Erickson had another 
child, Marte, born Dec. 27, 1863. In 1864 the family moved to French 
Creek, and there the wife died in 1865. In 1867 Mr. Erickson married 
Bertha Gilbertson, who was born in Norway and came to America in 1863. 
Soon afterward the family moved to Newcomb Valley, and there Mr. Erick- 
son pre-empted 242 acres of wild land in section 6. Here he experienced 
real pioneer life. One of his first acts was to build a small log cabin, after 
which he started the difficult task of developing a farm. The principal 
trading center was at Trempealeau, twenty miles away. The trip there 
with an ox team was weary and sometimes dangerous. At some seasons 
even the oxen could not get through, and Mr. Erickson made the trip afoot, 
bringing back flour and other provisions on his back. Conveniences were 
almost entirely lacking, comforts were almost unknown. But the sturdy 
couple had faith, health and ambition, they desired to see their growing 
family well placed in the world, and they were willing to toil and sacrifice 
that success might be assured. Beginning with nothing in the way of 
worldly goods, they developed a fine farm, erecting commodious buildings, 
including a frame house, barn and granary, and gradually securing a good 
equipment of tools and machinery. Mr. Erickson conducted the farm until 
1901, when failing health caused his retirement. He died May 30, 1903. 
In his many years of life here he had attained a recognized position in 
the community as a prosperous and conscientious farmer, and was highly 
esteemed as a good family man, a successful citizen, and an accommodating 
neighbor. A man of strong religious convictions he assisted in organizing 
the Eagerness Norwegian Lutheran Congregation, and remained an active 




EDWARD EEICKSON 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 693 

member the remainder of his life. Of the five children born on the New- 
comb Valley farm two died in infancy; Edward, born Oct. 19, 1873, has 
been a prosperous farmer and is now sheriff of Trempealeau County ; Gil- 
bert, born April 7, 1868, is living on the family homestead, and Anna, born 
Dec. 26, 1870, is the wife of Olaf Hurberg of Arcadia Township. 

Edward Erickson, the popular and efficient sheriff of Trempealeau 
County, is one of its leading citizens. Coming into office at a time when 
the war clouds were brewing, and serving at the time of the opening of 
the actual hostilities, he has given his time, ability and energy in patriotic 
service to his country at a great personal sacrifice, and his name will live 
in history as the "war sheriff" of the county. In addition to the many 
added duties which the raising of the National Army and the conservation 
of food have placed upon his official work, he has done conscientious work 
as chairman of the exemption board, his wide and intimate knowledge 
of the people of the county being of great assistance to the board in its 
various decisions. Mr. Erickson was born in Newcomb VaUey, this county, 
Oct. 19, 1873, son of John and Bertha Erickson. He was reared on the 
home farm, attended the district schools, and determined to devote his life 
to an agricultural career. Accordingly in 1901 he purchased 120 acres of 
partly improved land, adjoining his father's farm on the west, and in time 
made it into the well-developed place that it is today. In 1906 he erected 
a substantial, square, two-story brick house of eight rooms, a good modern 
farm house in every respect. He later put up a frame barn with a full 
basement, 28 by 58 by 16 feet above the foundation, a milk house, a milk 
and tank house, tool sheds, poultry house and cribs. He also put in a run- 
ning water system for house and barns. The place, which is temporarily 
rented during his term of ofl[ice, supports a good grade of Holsteins, a 
number of horses and a herd of swine, all the work of the farm being con- 
ducted along the latest improved methods, with modern equipment, tools 
and machinery. Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Erickson has taken 
an interest in community growth and has become a stockholder and earnest 
supporter of the Bank of Arcadia, the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, the 
Arcadia Shipping Association, and the Tamarack Valley Telephone Com- 
pany. Of fraternal and sociable disposition he has been a member of the 
Modern Woodmen for twenty years, and for a number of years a member 
of the Masonic order. Interested in the best education of his children, he 
had done efficient work for some years as school director of School Dis- 
trict 14. His present office dates from Jan. 1, 1917. Sheriff Erickson 
makes an ideal officer. Thorough and painstaking in his work, he deeply 
feels his responsibility as the preserver of the peace and dignity of the 
law, and in this direction he has been most untiring. Stern and unbend- 
irg as an officer, nevertheless as a man his broad outlook on life and his 
understanding of human frailties, makes him ever favorable toward giving 
minor offenders every opportunity possible to repair their mistakes and 
to make the most of their future careers. As a man the sheriff is genial 
and popular, a pleasant companion and a loyal friend. Mr. Erickson was 
married Oct. 25, 1905, to Julia Arnson, who was born May 16, 1875, daughter 
of John and Olena Arnson of Preston Township. She died March 3, 1911, 



694 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

leaving three brigh't boys : Orlen, born May 30, 1907 ; Erwin, born Nov. 3, 
1908 ; and Basil, born April 20, 1910. Feb. 7, 1913, Mr. Erickson married 
Minnie Mustad, daughter of Hans and Ingeborg Mustad of Ettrick Town- 
ship. To this marriage has been born a daughter, Florence, April 30, 1915. 
Mr. Erickson was reared to the Lutheran faith, and with his family belongs 
to the Fagei"ness congregation, which his father helped to establish. 

Albert F. Sauer of Arcadia Village was born in Buffalo County, Wis- 
consin, July 14, 1889, son of William and Frederica (Reglin) Sauer. He 
was educated in the Arcadia graded school, and in 1909 entered the Uni- 
versal Chiropractic College at Davenport, Iowa, as a student. Having com- 
pleted a two years' course in September, 1911, he opened an office in Mer- 
rill, Wis., where he practiced his profession until 1913. Then coming to 
Arcadia he practiced here for a year, returning in the fall of 1914 to Mer- 
rill. This time he remained there but five or six months, coming back 
to Arcadia in the spring of 1915 and opening an office, where he has since 
continued to practice chiropractic. He has a well equipped office and has 
built up a practice extending over a radius of 50 miles. Dr. Sauer is among 
the foremost members of his profession in this part of the state and 
undoubtedly has a bright future before him. His collegiate preparation 
was very thorough, the course of study embracing the subjects of sym- 
tomatology, chemistry, spinal palpation, clinic adjusting, histology, psy- 
chology, ethics, hygiene and public health. Many will undoubtedly ask, 
"What is chiropractic? It is a new woi'd to me. What does it mean?" 
Chiropractic (Ki-ro-prak-tic) is a coined word composed of two Greek 
words, Cheir, meaning "the hand" (in composition Chiro) and Praxis, "a 
doing." Hence literally Chiropractic means the doing of something by the 
hand. The chiropractic method applied affords an exact scientific method 
of determining the location of any vertebra, which on account of its mis- 
ahgnment, is responsible for nerve compression, and also to provide an 
original, unique and correct means of adjusting or removing this cause 
more promptly, radically and permanently than by any other known method. 
Dr. Sauer is energetic and enterprising, with an agreeable personahty that 
inspires confidence in his patients. Like the other members of his father's 
family, he belongs to the German Lutheran church, and in politics he is a 
Republican. 

William Sauer, now living retired in the village of Arcadia, was born 
near Kronigreich, Prussia, Germany, May 9, 1842, son of Christ Sauer. In 
the fall of 1869 he came to America and without lingering in the East pro- 
ceeded directly to Alma, Wis., where he remained about two years. From 
there he removed in 1871 to Big Waumandee, Buffalo County, where he 
found employment in the flour mill of John Ochsner as head miller, con- 
tinuing to work for Mr. Ochsner until 1875. In the latter year he returned 
to Alma and resided there until 1877, in which year he bought a custom 
flour mill at Glencoe, Wis. In this place he remained 29 years, engaged 
in the milling business, and then retired and took up his residence in 
Arcadia Village, selling the mill to his son WiUiam, who had learned the 
trade with him, and who now operates the mill. Mr. Sauer's success was 
the result of his own energy and ability. When he arrived in Alma he had 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 695 

nothing, but in four years had gained enough to enable him to purchase 
, his mill, and this energy characterized him throughout his business career. 
He was married Oct. 25, 1873, to Frederica, daughter of Carl and Dorothy 
Reglin of Big Waumandee, Wis., and he and his bride began housekeeping 
in a house which his employer, John Ochsner, had built for them near tha 
mill. The children of this marriage were: Otto, WiUiam, Jr., Edward, 
Albert F., Emil, Bertha, Annie and a son who died in infancy. Otto, who 
was born June 28, 1874, is married and resides at Milwaukee. William, Jr., 
born Oct. 18, 1879, is also married and is operating his father's old mill. 
Edward, born March 14, 1887, is married and resides in Arcadia Township 
on the mail route. Albert F., born July 14, 1889, is unmarried and resides 
in Arcadia Village, following the profession of a chiropractor. Emil, born 
July 2, 1894, is unmarried and lives with his parents. Bertha, born Aug. 10, 
1881, is now Mrs. John Servais of Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Annie, born 
July 12, 1883, is the wife of John Wolfe of Arcadia Township, Trempealeau 
County. Mr. Sauer and his family belong to the German Lutheran church 
of Arcadia Township. In politics he is a Republican. In the companion- 
ship of his wife, and surrounded by his sons and daughters, he is passing 
the evening of Ufe in a comfortable retirement, the result of his former 
thrift and industry, and is highly respected in Arcadia and the vicinity. 

John F. Gilbertson, who came to Trempealeau County in 1878 and hved 
on a farm in Arcadia Township from 1889 up to the time of his death, 
Aug. 27, 1917, was born near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 10, 1854. He was 
a son of Gulbrand and Ele Jacobson, who reared him to farm pursuits. In 
1878, with his chum, Carl Larson, he came to America, landed at New 
York, and made the trip to Arcadia Village, this county, by rail. Upon reach- 
ing here he had but $1.50. This he at once loaned to a friend, who spent 
it for drink and never paid it back. Beginning in a strange country, with- 
out a penny in his pocket, and with no resources save his own strength and 
intelligence, he started in to carve his fortune, working as a farm hand in 
the summers and as a woodsman in the winter. In 1889 he located seven 
miles east of Arcadia Village, in Newcomb's Valley, where he purchased 
80 acres of land in section 29, Arcadia Township, to which he subsequently 
added the adjoining 160 acres in section 26. When he acquired the original 
tract no buildings had been erected, and only about ten or Mteen acres had 
been grubbed and broken. Beginning on a small scale he gradually achieved 
prosperity, and from time to time erected necessary buildings. The 
improvements on the place consist of a two-story house, erected in 1891, a 
good barn, 28 by 58 by 16 feet, a granary, a machine shed, a poultry house 
and other structures, all in the best of condition. Mr. Gilbertson devoted 
his time to general farming, having 150 acres under the plow and doing 
considerable dairying and swine raising. The Republican party claimed 
his allegiance, and his fraternal affiliation was with the Modern Woodmen 
of America. With his family he attended the Fagerness Norwegian 
Lutheran church, three miles east of his home, in the cemetery of which 
his remains were laid to rest. Mr. Gilbertson was married Sept. 16, 1889, 
to Julia Braaten, daughter of John and Randi Braaten of Valders, Norway. 
She came to America at the age of eighteen, and at the time of her mar- 



696 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

riage was living with a sister near Arcadia. She and her husband were 
the parents of four children: Alvilda, Laura F., Anna E. and Allen R. 
Alvilda was born July 5, 1889, and is the wife of Albert Jager of Castle- 
wood, S. D. Laura F. was born Jan. 4, 1891, and is»the wife of Melvin 
Wangan, who operates a farm in Newcomb Valley. Anna E. was born Sept. 
19, 1892, graduated from the Arcadia high school, and is now a successful 
teacher. Allen R. was born July 4, 1894, and is now opei'ating his father's 
farm, on which Mrs. Gilbertson still resides. 

John Sprecher, president of the State Bank of Independence, is one 
of the leading citizens of Trempealeau County. Arriving in Arcadia in its 
infancy, he became a part of the early story of that village, and then, 
coming to Independence in the first year of its establishment, he was 
given the opportunity to impress his sterling personality upon its future 
destinies. Prominently identified with the grain, implement, lumber and 
banking interests of the village, his work has been woven into the warp 
and woof of its life, and there is probably no citizen in this region whose 
name is more widely known or more closely identified with it. By hard 
work, native shrewdness and keen ability he has achieved more than the 
usual measure of success, but through these years of culminating pros- 
perity he has remained the same genial, generous, democratic John Sprecher 
that he was when he first arrived here. Mr. Sprecher was born in Troy, 
Sauk County, Wisconsin, Nov. 29, 1850, oldest of the five children of John A. 
and Martha (Schiers) Sprecher. He was reared to farm pursuits, but at 
the age of twenty-four, having determined to seek his fortune in other 
endeavor, he turned his attention to the Trempealeau Valley, through which 
the railroad had just been opened. A favorable opportunity presented itself 
in Arcadia, and accordingly in 1875 he entered the employ of Krumdick & 
Muir, grain and implement dealers at that place. When Independence was 
started, the company opened a branch at the new village, and placed their 
trusted young employe in charge. In 1878 he purchased Mr. Krumdick's 
interests, in the Independence business, and the firm became Muir & 
Sprecher. In 1879 he acquired the Muir interests also, and established 
the firm of John Sprecher. In 1894, the business had grown to such pro- 
portions that Mr. Sprecher determined to dispose of the implement depart- 
ment. Accordingly, he sold a half interest in that department to William 
Steiner, Mr. Steiner becoming the sole owner in 1897. The grain business 
is still retained, and is conducted by Mr. Sprecher and his son, Walter E., 
under the name of John Sprecher & Son. In the meantime, in 1888, Mr. 
Sprecher, in company with Henry Schaef er, engaged in the lumber business 
under the firm name of Sprecher & Schaef er, a name which upon the incor- 
poration of the firm in 1910 was changed to the Sprecher Lumber Co., with 
Mr. Sprecher as president. One of his greatest ventures, however, has 
been the banking institution of which he is the head. In 1897. seeing the 
need of a banking house in Independence, he formed a partnership with 
Anton Senty, and on April 1, 1897, opened a private bank, the first bank 
in Independence, under the name of Sprecher & Senty. The bank was 
incorporated under its present name on June 1, 1902. He has likewise 
been interested in the development of the Independence Creamery Co., in 



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WALTER E. SPRECHER 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 697 

which he is a stockholder. Reared a farmer, and engaged in the lines of 
endeavor which most actively touch agricultural life, it is natural that 
Mr. Sprecher should have turned to farm life as a hobby. Three of the 
finest farms in the Elk Creek valley are his, and these he rents on a cash 
basis. In Golden Valley County, North Dakota, he owns 1,000 acres, 
which he rents on shares, 200 acres being in wheat and the rest in wild 
grass. In Oregon he is a stockholder in a company owning 9,000 acres of 
growing timber. His residence in Independence, erected about twenty years 
ago, is one of the sightliest in the village, and fully modern in equipment. 
Here also he has three other dweUings, and several vacant lots. Busy as 
he has been with his numerous interests, Mr. Sprecher has found time for 
considerable public service, having been chairman of the township of Burn- 
side and president of the village board. His religious faith is that of the 
Evangehcal Association Church, of which he has been a trustee for several 
years. Mr. Sprecher was married, Feb. 5, 1876, to Carolina Schaefer, born 
Aug. 15, 1851, the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Amda) Schaefer, 
and this union has been blessed with five children, Lizzie, John H., George, 
Walter E. and Carrie. Lizzie died at the age of two years and George at 
the age of six. John H. is in the employ of the Aetna Life Insurance Co. 
at Milwaukee ; Walter E. is cashier of the State Bank of Independence, and 
a partner in the grain and seed firm of John Sprecher & Son. Carrie resides 
at home. John A. Sprecher, father of John Sprecher, was born near Kure, 
in Switzerland, came to America in 1845, and located on a farm in Troy 
township, Sauk County, this state, where he died in 1890, his wife passing 
away in 1879. 

Walter E. Sprecher, financier, cashier of the State Bank of Independ- 
ence, and prominent in banking circles throughout the state, is one of the 
active young men of Independence, and is earnestly taking his part in the 
development of the village which his father assisted in founding. He is 
vitally interested in every movement which has for its object the better- 
ment of the village and county, and his voice and influence are ever at 
the disposal of those causes which he believes to be just and right. As 
cashier of one of the leading banks in the county he has been an important 
factor in its success, as a co-partner in his father's grain business he is in 
close touch with farm life and conditions, as an oflScial of several bankers' 
groups he has labored earnestly for the greatest stability in the finan- 
cial integrity of the country, as an accountant he has originated methods 
which have met with wide favor, and as a church and Sunday school worker 
he has been faithful and efficient. Mr. Sprecher was born in the village 
where he still resides, April 10, 1884, son of John and Caroline (Schaefer) 
Sprecher. He passed through the public schools of Independence, and then 
entered the Winona High School, from which he was graduated in 1902. 
In 1906 he was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, having taken 
his major credits in the department of economics. During his college career 
he was much interested in all lines of athletics, but especially in football 
and track work. Upon his return to Independence, he entered the State 
Bank of Independence as assistant cashier. In 1913 he was promoted to 
his present position. In this connection he has been interested in the work 



698 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the various bankers' associations. In 1913 and 1914 he was secretary 
and treasurer of Group 7, of the Wisconsin Bankers' Association, in 1915 
he was president, and in 1916 he was made a member of the executive 
council of the state association, and the representative of his group on the 
educational committee of that association. In 1917 at the state conven- 
tion of the association he was elected first vice-president of the State 
Bank section of the American Bankers' Association, a section which was 
just organized in 1916 at the Kansas City convention, and whose policies 
he will have a hand in originating and shaping. In addition to his bank- 
ing interests, Mr. Sprecher is vice-president of the Sprecher Lumber Co. 
and a co-partner in the grain and seed firm of John Sprecher & Son. In 
the cause of the Evangelical Association Church, Mr. Sprecher is especially 
active as a loyal and enthusiastic supporter, and his work as superintendent 
of the Sunday School has been productive of much good. Confined as he is 
to his desk the greater part of the year, Mr. Sprecher has made a hobby 
of out-of-door life. He is fond of hunting and fishing in all forms, and one 
of his greatest delights is his annual trip to the northwoods after deer. 
Mr. Sprecher was married, Sept. 16, 1908, to Florence L. V. Malloy, of 
Winona, who was born in LaCrosse, Jan. 10, 1887, daughter of Martin and 
Mary (Nagler) Malloy, the former of whom is a retired merchant of 
Winona. Mrs. Sprecher, who was a gracious lady of many accomplish- 
ments and graces, was killed in an automobile accident on the road between 
Independence and Whitehall, Dec. 28, 1915, leaving one son, Drexel Andreas, 
born March 25, 1913. 

Henry I. Everson, manager of the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, of 
Whitehall, was born in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, May 7, 
1886. His parents were Knudt and Matilda (Tande) Everson. The father, 
a native of Norway, came to the United States with his parents in 1856, 
the family settling in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they remained until 
1861. They then came to Trempealeau County, where Knudt Everson 
engaged in farming, and where he died in 1893 at the age of 56 years. His 
wife, Matilda, who was born in 1842, is now residing with her daughter, 
Mary, the wife of A. E. Brandon, a farmer of Pigeon Township. They had 
a family of nine children: Ever K., who is engaged in the implement and 
automobile business at Neche, N. D. ; Matthes, a resident of Whitehall; 
Maria, above mentioned ; Pauline, who married W. H. Clark, of Seattle, and 
died in 1912 ; Alfred T., who is cashier of the First State Bank of Bowes- 
mont, N. D. ; Clara, wife of Albert Mattson, a monument dealer of Detroit, 
Minn. ; Ida, wife of William Young, a merchant and postmaster of Lostwood, 
N. D. ; Clarence, a barber, living in Winger, Minn., and Henry I., of 
Whitehall. About six years after his father's death, Henry I. Everson and 
his brother, Clarence, rented the home farm, which they operated together 
under the name of Everson Bros, until the spring of 1906. He also went 
to school during the winters in Whitehall, and for two years during the 
period mentioned he was interested with his brother, Alfred, in mercantile 
business at Stephen and Donaldson, Minn. From 1906 to 1914, Henry I. 
Everson operated the home farm for himself, buying it in 1911. He still 
maintains his interest in it, making a specialty of breeding pure Shrop- 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 699 

shire sheep, and now having a herd of over 200. Feb. 1, 1916, he became 
manager of Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, of Whitehall, in which posi- 
tion he is now serving. He is a stockholder in this company, also in the 
State Bank of Independence, the Peoples' State Bank of Whitehall, in the 
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence, and in the Independence 
Telephone Company, of which in 1914 he was treasurer, secretary and 
general manager; secretary and treasurer of the same in 1910, 1911 and 
1912, and treasurer in 1916. His first connection with the telephone 
company was in 1909, when he became its secretary. His fraternal affilia- 
tions are with the Independent Order of Foresters, Masons, and Modern 
Woodmen of America. 

Warner Brothers, Raymond K. and Rufus C, who are engaged in the 
implement business at Independence, Wis., are sons of Robert and grand- 
sons of William and Hester (Wolf) Warner. Robert was born at Bantry, 
County Cork, Ireland, Oct. 20, 1830, and died at his home in Hale, Wis., 
Feb. 10, 1908, aged 77 years, two months and 20 days. He came to the 
United States in the spring of 1850. On August 27 of that year he 
enlisted in the United States Army and went with his regiment to Cali- 
fornia to protect the frontier from Indians. After serving five years in the 
army, he returned to Massachusetts, where he was united in marriage to 
Margaret Sullivan, and together they came in 1857 to Adams County, 
Wisconsin. In 1864 he removed with his family to Trempeleau County, 
where his wife died in 1868. In 1870 he married Mary Ann Kershaw, 
who now, at the age of 75 years, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Albert 
Wingad, at Strum, Wis. The two brothers, Ra^^mond K. and Rufus C. 
Warner, were both born in Hale, Wis., Raymond, Jan. 19, 1880, and Rufus, 
Aug. Aug. 31, 1882, being the youngest of their father's ten children. 
Together they bought the old home farm in 1905, having managed it for 
some seven years previously, and farmed there until the fall of 1913. They 
still own 80 acres of the original homestead of Grandmother Warner. In 
December, 1913, they bought the implement business of Tubbs Brothers 
in Independence and have since carried it on successfully. They are agents 
for the new spreader, called the "Independence Special," which has been 
designed by the Litchfield Manufacturing Company, of Waterloo, Iowa, to 
meet the conditions existing in this territory, and a number of which have 
already been sold in Trempeleau County. They are stockholders of the 
State Bank of Independence, and also dealers in live stock with Tubbs 
Brothers, under the style of Tubbs & Warner. As practical farmers them- 
selves they are well qualified to succeed in their present business. 

Henry Ruseling, owner of the Eleva Roller Mills, with which he has 
been connected for 37 years, was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, 
June 4, 1856, son of Herman J. and Elizabeth (Jansen) Ruseling. Herman 
J. Ruseling was born in Holland in 1815, came to America in the fall of 
1847, located on a tract of 120 acres in Lima Township, Sheboygan County, 
this state, and there lived until his death in 1896, his wife having died in 
1865. Elizabeth Jansen was born in Holland in 1832. Henry Ruseling was 
reared on the home farm, and as a young man learned the millers' trade. 
In 1877 he was employed in a miU at Granite Falls, Minn. Coming to this 



700 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

county in the fall of 1877, he secured work from Jacob R. Bear, as manager 
of Bear's Mills, four miles from Whitehall, on Pigeon Creek. In 1880 he 
came to Eleva, and bought an interest in the Eleva Roller Mills, of which 
he is now the sole owner, and which, with the exception of three years when 
he and his brother, William B., operated a stock ranch at Velva, N. D., he has 
since continued to conduct. He is a useful and respected citizen, has had an 
important part in the upbuilding of the village and the surrounding regions. 
As president of the village, and as clerk and treasurer of the school board, 
he has given good service. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he is chairman of the board of trustees. Mr. 
Ruseling was married in 1879 to Flora C. Follett, whose father, G. W. Fol- 
lett, was a hotel keeper and merchant at Coral City. Mrs. Ruseling died 
in 1898, leaving two children, Fred F. and Grace C. Fred F. is associated 
with his father in the miUing business. Grace C. married G. A. Perry, a 
lumber and grain dealer of St. Vincent, Minn., and has two children. Flora 
and Brooks. July 11, 1905, Mr. Ruseling married Mabel Hibbard, of Mil- 
waukee. One daughter, Henrietta Hibbard, was born March 10, 1912, at 
La Crosse. The Eleva Roller Mills, of which Henry Ruseling is proprietor 
and Fred F. Rusehng is manager, were built in 1877 by E. J. Carpenter. The 
same year he sold the mill to Crocker & Redfield. In 1880, the Crocker 
interests were sold to Henry Ruseling, and the firm became Ruseling & 
Redfield. The Redfield interests were sold to G. H. Snoyenbos, in March, 
1881, and the firm became Ruseling & Snoyenbos. In 1889 Henry Rusehng 
became the sole owner, and in 1915 Fred F. Ruseling was made manager. 
The present mill was erected in 1890. It is 30 by 60 feet, with a porch with 
projecting roof, 58 by 16 feet, and with an engine room 28 by 44 feet built 
in 1894. The coal sheds, dynamo room and waterwheel house have been 
built since then. The mill is operated by water and steam power with a 
capacity of fifty barrels of flour. The equipment includes three double stands 
of rolls, six round reels, one purifier, one scalper, one dust collector, one 
double stand feed roll, one 22-inch Attrition feed mill, a corn sheller and 
cleaner. Since 1914 Henry Ruseling has operated the village electric light 
plant and furnished the power therefor. 

William Gibson, an early settler of Trempeleau County, was born in 
the Province of Quebec, Canada, March 7, 1824. From Canada he came to 
Outagamie County, this state, about 1845, and there remained until 1864, 
when he came to Trempeleau County and secured a tract of land in Trem- 
pealeau Township. Here he remained until his lamented death, Dec. 22, 
1907. His wife, Jane McGregor, was born in Scotland in 1830, was brought 
to this country by her parents in 1833, lived in Outagamie County, Wis- 
consin, until her marriage, came to Trempealeau County with her husband, 
and died here in 1895, at the age of 65 years. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had six 
children: Thomas, a farmer of Trempealeau Township; Eliza, wife of 
Andrew Johnson, a farmer of Hale Township ; Ann, wife of David Wright, 
a farmer of Little Falls, Minn. ; Jeanette, who died in 1893 at the age of 
35, the wife of Frank Johnson, a farmer of Trempealeau Township ; Dan. 
P., superintendent of schools of Trempealeau County, and Robert, a con- 
struction engineer now working in California. 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 701 

Dan P. Gibson, county superintendent of schools, is leaving the impress 
of his personality and enthusiasm upon the educational life of this region. 
Since assuming the duties of his present position he has begun the use of 
the telephone and rural free delivery in the rural schools, has introduced 
the warm lunch movement, has installed domestic science and manual train- 
ing departments throughout the county, and has emphasized the impor- 
tance of the teaching of scientific agriculture. That his standing is recog- 
nized outside of the country is shown by the fact that he had charge of 
the "School Management" section at the 1914 Summer School at the 
La Crosse Normal School, and by the further fact that he has been a vice- 
president and a director of the Western Wisconsin Teachers' Association. 
Dan P. Gibson was born in Hortonville, Wis., Feb. 25, 1863, son of William 
and Jane (McGregor) Gibson. After passing through the rural schools 
he obtained his higher education by farming summers, teaching winters, 
and attending school whenever his funds permitted him to do so. Thus by 
dint of hard work, perseverance and much home study, he was enabled to 
graduate from Gale College in 1883, and from the Winona State Normal 
School in 1893. Since the latter date he has devoted his time exclusively 
to educational work. After taking charge successively of the schools of 
Utica, Minn., Elba, Minn., Montgomery, Minn., and Melrose, Wis., he 
returned to Trempealeau County in the fall of 1908 as the head of the 
Ettrick Schools. In the spring of 1909 he was elected to his present posi- 
tion and has been successively re-elected every two years since that time. 
Fraternally, Mr. Gibson is associated with the Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen, in the latter of which he has filled all the chairs. He was mar- 
ried Aug. 15, 1885, to Emma Bowerman, who was born in Gale Township, 
June 3, 1864, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Betts) Bowerman, the pioneers. 
This union has been blessed with three children, Maida, McGregor and 
Marguerite. Maida, a graduate of the Winona High School, is a teacher 
of reading and spelling in the Junior High School of New Richmond, Wis. 
McGregor is a farmer of Pigeon Township, this county. He married Emma 
Hall, of La Crosse, and they have three children, Maida Harriet, Dorothy 
June and Ethel Marie. Marguerite graduated from the Galesville High 
School and is a teacher in the primary grade at Whitehall. 

Charles H. Elkinton, M. D., physician and surgeon of Eleva, is a native 
of this state, born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, April 8, 1862, son of Mark 
and Nancy (Bush) Elkinton. Mark Elkinton was born in Lincolnshire, 
England, July 18, 1816, and after his marriage, Sept. 27, 1851, came to 
America and located in Rochester, N. Y., for two years, locating later at 
Schleisingerville, Wis., before coming to Lomira Township, Dodge County, 
this state, where he farmed until his death, Nov. 6, 1899, his wife, who was 
born Nov. 16, 1826, having died Nov. 24, 1881. They were the parents of 
nine children, seven of whom are now living as follows: Mark at Winne- 
conne. Wis. ; Thomas at Jennings, La. ; Evelyn at Glascow, Mont. ; Frank 
and William at Eleva, Wis., and Lucinda at Brownville, Wisconsin. Charles 
H. Elkinton was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools 
and started teaching in 1880 at the age of 18 years. By working as a 
teacher for eight years he secured the funds necessary for further pur- 



701' HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

suing his studies, and in 1886 he graduated from the Oshkosh Normal 
School. Thus prepared, he entered the Rush Medical College in 1891, and 
received his diploma from that institution in 1894. After practicing a few 
months in Neillsville, Wis., he came to Eleva in the spring of 1895 and has 
since been in active practice here. His standing in his profession is shown 
by his membership in the American Medical Association, the State Medical 
Society, and the Eau Claire County Medical Society. He is health officer 
of Albion Township in Trempealeau County, and Clear Creek Township in 
Eau Claire County, and has done considerable work in sanitation in addi- 
tion to his regular practice. For ten years he has been clerk of the Eleva 
School Board. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order. Dr. 
Elkinton is widely known as a fancier of fine stock. He has a large farm 
in Clear Creek Township and makes a specialty of raising Guernsey cattle, 
Hampshire sheep and Berkshire swine. On Feb. 24, 1897, Dr. Elkinton was 
married to Alice Brown, of Neillsville, daughter of David and Anna (Gra- 
ham) Brown. Mrs. Elkinton graduated from the Neillsville High School 
after which she attended Oshkosh Normal School and was a successful 
teacher for three years. To Dr. and Mrs. Elkinton have been born four 
children: Carlos, born Jan. 24, 1898; Doras, born Aug. 14, 1900; Graham, 
born April 6, 1904, and Charles, born Aug. 13, 1909. Carlos is in the 
United States service, having enlisted June 18, 1917, in Comjpany E, Third 
Wisconsin Infantry. 

Giles Cripps was one of the earliest pioneers of Burnside Township, 
being preceded only by the members of the John Markham household. He 
opened a pioneer farm, kept the pioneer postoffice, was an early justice of 
the peace, and served his township as chairman for several years. Giles 
Cripps was born in Oxfordshire, England, Nov. 5, 1833, and was but three 
years of age when he was brought to New York State by his parents. From 
there, in 1843, the family came to Waukesha County, this state, where, 
though a youth of but nine years, Giles Cripps assisted his father with his 
herd of 1,500 sheep. The next move of the family was to Dane County 
where they acquired a farm of 200 acres. There on June 9, 1853, he mar- 
ried Harriet Wood. For four years they continued to farm in Dane County. 
In 1857 they came to Trempealeau County and selected a homestead a few 
miles up Elk Creek, being the first settlers in the Elk Creek valley. At 
their home the Elk Creek postoffice was established, and the place became 
a pioneer center. They developed a good farm and took a part in every 
cause which had for its object the betterment of the community. Mr. 
Cripps continued to devote his life largely to agricultural interests and for 
some years he and Noah D. Comstock were interested in the grain and 
elevator business in Independence. A man of broad sympathies and genial 
temperament, he early became interested in the leading fraternal societies, 
and in time joined the Masonic, Pythian and United Workmen orders. After 
a busy and useful life, he died March 21, 1885, and the entire community 
joined in its regret, the funeral being conducted under Masonic auspices 
by Rev. T. Grafton Owen and attended by the members of the orders of 
which he was a member as well as by hundreds of other friends. An 
obituary notice in the Republican-Leader said : "Mr. Cripps was a man of 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 703 

unimpeachable integrity, honesty and uprightness in every phase of his 
daily hfe. In society he was a truly valuable citizen, and in his family a kind 
and loving husband and father. His agreeable disposition, pleasing manner, 
and clearly defined principles gave him a wide circle of friends as well as 
many personal admirers. The death of no man in the community could 
be more genuinely or profoundly mourned, his premature decease was the 
cause of universal regret." He was survived by his widow, his five chil- 
dren, and his aged father. The children are: E. A., of Medford, Ore.; 
Charles A., of Iroquois, S. D. ; G. E. and Frederick E., of Independence, and 
Mrs. Emma Nicols. Harriet Wood, whom Mr. Cripps married June 9, 1853, 
was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, June 15, 1836, and was the 
inspiration and help of her husband in all his undertakings. After the 
death of Mr. Cripps, she remained on the home farm until Oct. 28, 1898, 
when she married J. W. Summers, and subsequently moved to Whitehall, 
where she died July 21, 1915. She was universally beloved and respected, 
and her gracious hospitality was an important feature of pioneer life in 
Burnside. 

Frederick C. Cripps, a well-known and respected citizen of Burnside 
Township, operating a farm of 240 acres in Section 1, was the first white 
child born in this township, the date of his nativity being Nov. 23, 1858, 
and his parents being Giles and Harriet (Wood) Cripps, the pioneers. He 
was reared to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage in 1883 he moved 
into his farm in Section 11, Burnside. It was on Oct. 25, 1891, that he 
sold out and moved to his present place. It is a well-developed piece of 
property and is being constantly improved. Its fertile acres are devoted 
to general farming, a specialty being made of a fine herd of graded Holstein 
cattle. The residence is a two-story frame house with a full basement. It 
has been substantially rebuilt, and a furnace and other modern conveniences 
installed. In 1897 the barn was erected. It is a commodious structure of 
frame, 40 by 64 by 20 feet above the basement, the basement being of 
stone, with cement floors. In 1917 a large silo was built of Natco imperish- 
able hollow glazed black tile, the dimensions being 12 by 40 feet, and the 
capacity 96 tons. Mr. Cripps was married Feb. 25, 1883, to Lillian Dale, 
of Galesville, who was born in Caledonia Township, this county. May 9, 
1863, daughter of Joseph and Albina (Fowler) Dale. This union has been 
blessed with two children: Arthur L., born June 19, 1888, who is 
residing at home, and Josephine A., born July 24, 1890, now the wife of 
Paul Van Horn, the merchant at Elk Creek, Hale Township, this county. 

Joseph Dale was one of the earliest pioneers of Caledonia Township, 
and of Trempealeau County. He was born at Utica, N. Y., June 22, 1825, 
and was there reared and educated. As a young man he came west and 
settled in Walworth County, this state. After his marriage in 1850, he 
came to La Crosse County, and in 1854 settled in what is now Caledonia 
Township, this county. He acquired a tract of wild land, broke and 
developed a good farm, and took his full share in the pioneer activities of 
the community. In 1868 he moved to Galesville, where he died Aug. 28, 
1889. He was married at Hart Prairie. Walworth County, Wisconsin, Dec. 
8, 1850, to Albina Fowler, who died Oct. 3, 1884. 



704 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Nels L. Fredrickson, agriculturist, public official and man of affairs, is 
one of the leading citizens of the county. He did most efficient service as 
county sheriff in 1893-94, as under-sheriff in 1895-96, and as county treas- 
urer in 1907-11, and since the spring of 1914 has been a prominent member 
of the county board, sitting as the member from Whitehall, which village he 
has served for two years as president. The cai'eer that has involved this 
unusual amount of public work has been a most interesting one. The son 
of Fredrick Nelson and Isabella Larson, he was born in Christiania, Norway, 
Jan. 26, 1856, and after the death of his father, at the age of 10 he was 
brought to this country with the rest of the family, by his mother and 
step-father, George Reitzel. After a year in Ettrick, he came with the 
family to Preston Township, and was here reared to agricultural pursuits. 
In 1877 he started out for himself by securing employment in the lumber 
and machinery business with C. N. Paine & Co. at Whitehall, remaining 
two and a half years. For a number of years he was in the hardware 
business. He had a part in the building of the block on the site of what is 
now the Model Block, later destroyed by fire. Upon his election as sheriff he 
moved to the official residence and at the expiration of his term purchased 
his present farm, where he has since continued to reside. The place consists 
of nearly a quarter of a section in the southeast corner of the village of 
Whitehall, and is a modern farm in every particular. He has a fine herd of 
high-grade Holstein cattle, a good drove of Poland-China hogs, and makes a 
specialty of breeding Brown Leghorn chickens. His interest in his herd led 
to his connection with the Whitehall Creamery Association, which he served 
for a time as president, and of which he has been secretary and manager 
since 1914. The success of this institution is a strong tribute to Mr. Fred- 
rickson's management. With all his busy work, he has found time for the 
development of his social qualities, and has taken a deep interest, passing 
through the chairs of the local order, serving as district deputy, and sitting 
as a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. Mr. Fredrickson has been 
excellently described as a useful citizen. Combining a genial disposition with 
sterling worth and an ability to make friends, he has won his way in the 
world and has achieved a most satisfactory degree of success. Mr. Fred- 
rickson was married Nov. 6, 1896, to Mary Allen, who died Nov. 3, 1902. 
Her parents were Martin and Ehzabeth (Ackerman) Allen, the former of 
whom is dead and the latter of whom is proprietor of the Allen Hotel at 
Whitehall. On Jan. 1, 1910, Mr. Fredrickson married Sigrid Kildahl, 
who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole and Martha Kildahl. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fredrickson have four children: Isadora M., born Oct. 6, 1910; Sigrid 
L., May 27, 1912; Nels L., Jr., May 11, 1914, and Junice Waunita, June 
14, 1917. 

Fredrick Nelson, father of Nels L. Fredrickson, a leading citizen of 
Whitehall, was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. Com- 
ing of a long line of seafaring ancestry, he early took up work as a boatman 
on the sea and lakes, and after several years lost his life in this occupation, 
being drowned in Lake Mjosen, Norway, in 1861. In early life he married 
Isabella Larson, and to this union were born two children : Nels L. and 
Elisa. 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 705 

George Reitzel, one of the early settlers of Preston Township, was born 
in Norway, and there grew to manhood. In 1862 he married Isabella 
Larson, the widow of Fredrick Nelson. Four years later they brought their 
family to America, and took up their residence in Ettrick Township, this 
county. After residing there about a year they moved to Pi-eston Town- 
ship, and homesteaded a farm where they lived two years, from there going 
to Buffalo County, where they took land on which they remained for about 
the same length of time. They next spent a year in Ettrick and after that 
removed to Minnesota. In 1876 they came to Whitehall, where Mr. Reitzel 
died in 1879. In 1884 Mrs. Reitzel married Ole Larson. Since his death on 
March 7, 1908, she has lived in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel had six 
children: Rosa, Anton F., George and Emil (twins), Frank and Rosa. 
The two oldest were born in Norway, and with Nels L. and Elisa Fredrickson 
were brought to this country by their parents. 

Daniel Bigham is one of the earliest pioneers of Trempealeau County. 
Making his first trip to this State with his parents as a boy from his home in 
New York State in 1856, he became acquainted with some of the leaders 
among the first settlers in this region, and one of his greatest delights is in 
recalling incidents and events in the lives of the sturdy frontiersmen of 
those now far-distant days. His experiences also embraced pioneer lumber- 
ing when the great forest wealth of Wisconsin was first being developed, 
and when the La Crosse sawmills in which he was employed were the ren- 
dezvous of many of the early lumbermen since prominent in the industrial 
history of the State. He was born in Putnam County, New York, Nov. 25, 
1843, the son of James and Catherine (McVoy) Bigham, and of Scotch-Irish 
ancestry. He entered the schools of his native county as a youth, and at 
the age of 13, in 1856, was brought by his parents to Glencoe Township, 
Buffalo County, this State, where he assisted in developing a pioneer farm, 
and at times attended such schools as the time and place afforded. Al- 
though he left school at a comparatively early age, he has been a deep 
reader, and has thus acquired a substantial education. As a young man 
he worked during the lumbering seasons in the sawmills of La Crosse for 
ten years. In the meantime he purchased 117 acres in section 1 and section 
6, range 9, in Arcadia Township, and in 1864 he took up his home thereon. 
This was entirely a wild tract, but he set to work with a will, firm in the 
purpose of developing as good a place as could be found in the community. 
His first house was a small frame structure, 16 by 22 feet. In 1875 he 
erected a more modern home, with an upright, 18 by 26 feet, and an ell, 16 by 
22 feet, a 12 by 12 kitchen being added later, so that now it is a sightly, 
comfortable structure of 11 rooms. As prosperity increased he erected 
a fine barn, 30 by 74 feet, with 16-foot posts, and a full basement with 9-foot 
posts. He also erected a granary 16 by 24 by 12 feet, and other buildings 
of various descriptions. With the progress of years he developed an 
excellent farm, and for many years successfully carried on general farming, 
making a specialty of the dairy type of grade Shorthorns, and Shropshire 
sheep. In 1875 he rented his farm and moved to Arcadia. Three years 
later he returned to the place, but in 1909 he retired permanently. He 
has a beautiful home and two extra lots on the hill in Arcadia, and here 



706 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

he and his good wife are enjoying the fruits of their many hard years of 
incessant toil. His public service has been extensive. For six years he 
was chairman of Arcadia Township, and as such did most efficient service 
as a member of the county board. For seven years he gave satisfaction 
as township assessor. For many terms he was clerk of his school district. 
Now he is justice of the peace, in which position he has served for some 
time. His business holdings include stock in the Trout Run Farms, of 
which he is president, in the Trempealeau County Farmers' Mutual Fire. 
Insurance Company, in which he is a director, and in the Farmers' Shipping 
Association of Arcadia. Mr. Bigham was married March 24, 1868, to 
Florence Caldwell, born in Clinton County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1849, daughter 
of James and Jane (Stark) Caldwell, the former of whom, a carpenter, 
brought the family to Fountain City from New York State in 1855. Mrs. 
Bigham has been her husband's inspiration in all his undertakings, a 
splendid housewife, a loving wife and devoted mother. Mr. and Mrs. Big- 
ham have three children : Orrie May, Alice Myrtle and Roy E. Orrie May 
was born March 12, 1869, graduated from the Arcadia High School and the 
River Falls Normal School, and is now a proficient teacher in the public 
schools of La Crosse. Alice Myrtle was born July 21, 1871, graduated from 
the Arcadia High School and taught in the Arcadia schools for several 
years. Her special interest has been in the public library work in Arcadia. 
Her husband. Dr. J. A. Palmer, now a first lieutenant in the United States 
Medical Corps, is one of the county's most distinguished citizens. Roy E. 
was born May 30, 1879, graduated from the Arcadia High School and from 
the law department of the University of Wisconsin, and is now practicing 
successfully his profession near Portland, Ore. He married Tennie Talbot 
and has two daughters : Florence and Frances. 

Ole P. Christiansen was born in Norway, Dec. 29, 1846, and was there 
reared. At the age of 21 he came to America, and located in Dane County, 
this State. Five years later he came to Trempealeau County and acquired 
120 acres in Unity Township. This he successfully worked for a while, 
but in 1879 sold out and went to North Dakota. A year later, in 1880, he 
returned, married, and secured a farm of 120 acres three miles north of 
Strum. There he lived until 1911, when he moved to Strum. His wife, 
Paulina Olson, was born in Norway, March 20, 1865, and was brought to 
America by her parents at the age of 7 years. Mr. and Mrs. Christianson 
have five children: Malner P., the Strum miller; Johanna, who died in 
infancy ; Josephine, the wife of Peter Smengson, of North Dakota ; Otelja, 
who died in childhood, and Olga, a telephone operator. 

Malner P. Christianson is the proprietor of the Strum Mill, one of the 
most important enterprises in the village. Born on the home farm three 
miles north of Strum, Jan. 7, 1881, he remained with his parents, Ole P. and 
PauUna (Olson) Christianson, until 1910. Then, after a year in the West, 
he bought the mill which he now conducts. The mill is a substantial struc- 
ture, 24 by 46 feet, erected in 1901 by Henry Ruseling, now of Eleva. 
Power is furnished by a 38-horsepower gasoline engine, and the equipment 
includes a 20-inch grinder and a cob cracker. The capacity is about 30 
tons a day. In addition to doing a general grist-mill business, Mr. Christian- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 707 

son handles Pillsburjs White Rose and Wingold flour, stock feed, flax meal, 
calf meal, middlings, shorts and bran. 

George W. Graul, proprietor of the Maple Lawn Dairy Farm of 320 
acres in sections 22 and 26, Burnside Township, has a large and well 
equipped place which will compare favorably with the best in the county. 
He is an excellent type of the modern farmer, and conducts his operations 
along the latest approved lines, taking pride in the appearance of his 
home, his barns, his farm and his stock. He was born in Fond 
du Lac County, this State, Jan. 24, 1877, son of Emil and 
Caroline (Schedler) Graul, the former of whom was born in Milwaukee, 
Sept. 2, 1845, and the latter in Germany, Dec. 1.3, 1846. Emil Graul, al- 
though born in Milwaukee, was reared in Sauk County, this State. He sub- 
sequently lived two years in Fond du Lac and three years in Winona, Minn. 
In 1881 he bought the farm now operated by his son George W. and con- 
ducted it until the spring of 1905, when he and his wife retired and went 
to live in Independence. George W. Graul was reared from early childhood 
on his parents' homestead, on which he found abundant opportunity to 
become acquainted with agricultural methods, finally developing into a good, 
practical farmer. For a number of years he helped his father and then, 
in 1905, rented the home farm, operating it on that basis until 1915. In 
the latter year he bought the quarter section in section 26, but rents the 
other quarter section in section 22 from his father. The residence on his 
property was built in 1893, and is a frame two-story and basement dwelling, 
well constructed and convenient. In 1916 a barn was built, 40 by 140 by 
14 feet above stone basement, with cement floors, having room for 100 head 
of cattle and 20 horses. The south side of the basement is composed 
entirely of windows, giving an abundance of light. All the buildings on the 
farm are also lighted with electricity from Mr. Graul's own plant. The 
silo is of frame construction, 18 by 30 feet in dimensions. Mr. Graul raises 
graded Holstein cattle, having a herd of 60 head, of which he milks 30. He 
also has 50 head of Poland-China hogs, feeds 200 head of sheep a year, and 
keeps Buff Leghorn chickens and Toulouse geese. His farm is all fenced 
with woven wire fencing 42 inches high. April 7, 1905, Mr. Graul was 
united in marriage with Annie Loretz, of Buffalo County, Wis., daughter of 
John and Salome (Loretz) Loretz, the former of whom died in 1915, and the 
latter in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Graul have three children, born as follows: 
Morris, June 12, 1906; Emil, June 6, 1908, and Laura, Oct. 11, 1911. The 
family are members of the German Evangelical Church, of which Mr. Graul 
was formerly a steward, also teaching a class in the Sunday school. Since 
1898 he has been school clerk of his district. 

John Markham was born at "Becca" Hall, near Leeds, Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, on June 6, 1797. The family traces its ancestry from a period imme- 
diately anterior to the Norman conquest, down to the present time. The 
first pubhshed history of the family was prepared and the data accumu- 
lated by David Markham, a younger brother of John Markham, who had 
spent some twenty years in the work, but had not completed his task when 
death overtook him, and the final publication in 1854 was consummated by 
David's son. Sir Clements Robert Markham, afterward president of the 



708 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Royal Geographical Society of England, who again in 1915 published a 
second and very complete history of the family in two volumes. John 
Markham's grandfather was Archbishop of York, who was chaplain to 
King George II and afterward to King George III, and directed the educa- 
tion of the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, and presided over the See 
of York for 31 years to the time of his death. When but 13 years of age 
John entered the British navy, where he served several years, attaining the 
office of lieutenant, but upon sustaining a sunstroke while on the India 
station he was obliged to retire. In 1834 he was married to Marianne G. D. 
Wood, daughter of I. B. Wood, Esq., by whom he had five sons, the oldest 
of whom, John, served in the army and was for years British consul to 
Hong Kong, China ; he married and had two daughters, Florence and May, 
neither of whom married, and the wife and two daughters surviving 
him still are living at Rai-Gate, England. The second son, George Henry 
Markham, was born Jan. 24, 1837, in Yorkshire, England, where he and his 
brothers received their education under private tutors. He came to 
America with his father, mother and brother, Arthur Augustus Markham, 
leaving their then home on the Island of Guernsey on Aug. 13, 1856, and be- 
coming the first settlers at the present site of the village of Independence, 
Trempealeau County, obtaining from the Government and by purchase 
a large tract of 'land north and east of the confluence of Elk Creek with 
the Trempealeau River. This farm became well known far and near, due 
to the residence later built thereon located on a considerable eminence at 
the base of a hill facing the south and east and commanding a magnificent 
view. This house, commonly known as the Markham castle, was built 
with eight sides, octagonal, and originally comprised four stories, including 
an observatory at the top. This house was the home of George H. Markham 
until 1912, when he sold his half of the old homestead — his brother Arthur 
still owns and occupies the other half of the farm — and has since resided 
in the village of Independence. The third son, Frederick, died in youth. 
The fourth son, Arthur Augustus Markham, was born at Bagnere de Bigorre 
in the Pyrenees, France, on June 8, 1840. Here also the last son, Albert Hast- 
ings Markham, was born Nov. 11, 1841. He entered the navy prior to his 
parents and brothers coming to America and through rapid promotion 
finally became admiral of the fleet. His post immediately prior to his 
reaching the age of compulsory retirement was at Sheerness, England. He 
made several trips into the Arctic Sea in quest of the North Pole and com- 
manded a sledging expedition from his ship in 1878, establishing at that 
time the farthest northern record. He wrote several books on the question 
of Arctic exploration, and also several biographical works, among them 
"Life of Sir John Franklin" and "Life of Sir Clements Markham," which 
latter work is now just being published. He was knighted by King Edward, 
with whom he was quite intimate, there being a great similarity in the 
facial appearance of the two men. His wife, Dora Jervers, and one daugh- 
ter, Joy Markham, reside with him in the city of London. 

George H. Markham, pioneer, assemblyman and public official, is one 
of the county's most notable citizens, and has had a most remarkable influ- 
ence upon its destinies for more than 60 years. Of distinguished ancestry 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 709 

and bearing, he is a genial, courteous gentleman of the old school, and he 
and his good wife, a most gracious and kindly lady, have delighted in dis- 
pensing cordial hospitality for considerably over half a century. George H. 
Markham was born in Yorkshire, England, Jan. 24, 1837, son of John and 
Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham. He led the little group of people who 
in 1856 settled near the mouth of Elk Creek, and here he has since con- 
tinued to be a leading citizen. George H. Markham was the first town 
clerk of the town of Burnside, which then included the present territory of 
the village of Independence and the town of Chimney Rock, and served as 
treasurer of the town of Burnside and later as treasurer of the village from 
its incorporation in 1886 for 30 years or more. He represented Trempea- 
leau County in the Assembly during the 1879 session of the State Legisla- 
ture and also served his town as member of the county board when the 
county seat was at Galesville. At an early day he held the office of justice 
of the peace and frequently officiated at nuptials of the settlers in the ab- 
sence of a clergyman. He was made a Mason in "Doyles" Lodge No. 99 at 
the Island of Guernsey in 1854 ; was a member of the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge at Independence and also held a chair in the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, frequently representing his local lodges as delegate to the Grand 
Lodge of Wisconsin. He was married Oct. 8, 1862, to Fannie M. Bishop, 
a daughter of Dr. Edmund Bishop, of Portage City, Wis., and to this union 
one son, George A. Markham, was born on May 7, 1865, who for many years, 
and until his death on July 16, 1909, edited and published the Independence 
News-Wave. He was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada Rogers, of Osseo, Wis., 
an only daughter of Alfred H. Rogers, now living at Independence, who was 
an early settler of the town of Burnside, and left no children. Alfred H. 
Rogers was born in Dane County, this State, June 4, 1844, and was married 
at Osseo Dec. 2, 1866, to Abby Buzzell, who was born in Waukesha County, 
this State, April 28, 1849. Except for a year in Iowa and three years in 
Missouri their married life has been spent in this county. 

Arthur A. Markham, a substantial pioneer of quiet tastes, was born at 
Bagnere de Bigorre, in the Pyrennes, France, June 8, 1840, the fourth son 
of John and Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham, with whom he came to 
America in 1857, and to the present site of Independence in 1867, he and his 
parents having spent the preceding winter at Black River Falls, while his 
brother George H. had located the family estate at Independence. Arthur 
A. Markham being a younger brother of George H. and of a retiring dispo- 
sition was not so well known in the community. He had no taste for public 
life and devoted his time almost entirely to the improvement of the large 
farm. He did, however, act as treasurer of the town of Burnside, being its 
first treasurer, and also acted as secretary of the "Grange," a farmers' 
organization which was quite influential in the early '70s. (The "Grange" 
obtained supplies from the Montgomery Company, of Chicago, the start of 
the mail order business.) He belonged to no secret orders, except the 
Good Templars. He was married June 24, 1874, to Rose C. Bishop, 
daughter of Collins Bishop, the first settler of Arcadia. They had six 
children, four boys and two girls: John Albert, born Sept. 6, 1875, and 
Claron Arthur, born Jan. 3, 1878, are practicing attorneys, the first named 



7]0 mSTOBT OF TBEMPF. A T.EAr COrXTY 

of Independence, and the last named of Beaver Dam, Wis. Marianne Emily 
Markham. the third child, -was bom July 21, 1883. She has not married 
and resides -vrith her parents on the old Marlcha m farm jxist ■within the vil- 
lage limits. The founh child. Fredrick Clements, -was bom June 13. 1885. 
He. as did his brothers and sisters, completed the course of study at the high 
school of Independence, and at once settled upon the old farm, after taking 
some advanced study at Madison in agriculture. He married Inez Leonard, 
of PottersviBe. Mich., July 4. 1916. The fifth child. William Hughes, -was 
bom Dec. 13. 1888. After his gradution at the home schools he attended 
Appleton College and then completed the la-w course at the Unversity of 
Minnesota, and is now practicing la"w at Horicon, Wis. He married Mae 
Spencer, of St. Charles. Minn.. June, 1915, and has one son. The sixth 
child, Blanche Fannie Markham. -was bom Feb. 18, 1890. who after com- 
pleting the local high school took special training in music and normal work 
ar ; ■ ' " " -; ' " ;.rs, at present teaching music and Enghsh 

a: " /^ . ^ 

John A- Markham, former district attorney, three times president of 
Independence, and an active worker in the cause of advancement in his 
native village of Independence, is worthily fulfilling the traditions of a 
diBtinguished ancestry. Energetic, keen-minded and capable, he has im- 
ptBSBed his personality upon many causes which he has fostered and 
enoonraged, and has been especially active in behalf of the cause of ci^nc 
righteouBnesB and improvement, good roads and modem schools. His 
sightly home is one of the most attractive residences in the county, and he 
and his wife are widely known for their genial hospitality. He was bom 
Sept. 6, 1875, son of Arthur A. and Eose C. (Bishop) Markham. and spent 
t, 'id on the farm, receiving his education at the Independence High 

Sc:. .— _:^d the L'niversity of Minnesota, from which institution he gradu- 
ated in June, 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Law and was admitted 
to practice law in the Supreme Court of Minnesota and later in the State 
of Wisconsin. That same year he and his brother, Claron Arthtir Mark- 
ham, who had completed the same course of education, opened a law oflBce 
in the city of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wis., where both brothers were 
admitted and joined the Odd Fellows' Lodge No. 117. John A. Markham 
was married to Eleanor Louise Brown, eldest daughter of Capt. William E. 
Brown, of South Bend, Ind., on May 21, 1904. He has three sons : Arthur 
Wilham. bora at Beaver Dam. Wis.. May 31, 1905 ; George Francis Markham, 
bora Aug. 15, 1909, at Independence, Wis., and Richard Albert Markham, 
bora Dec. 13, 1912, at Independence. Wis. In October, 1905, John A. and 
ClaroD A. dissolved partnership and John A. removed to Independence, 
where he has since continued the practice of law. He served two terms as 
prosecuting attorney of Trempealeau County from 1909 to 1913 and has 
held various municipal oflBces, including justice of the peace and city attor- 
ney, and for the past three years has been president of the tillage of Inde- 
pendence. He was made a Mason at "VMiitehall Lodge No. 271 and a Roj-al 
Arch Mason at Arcadia, Wis. 

Phillip Wolfe, an early settler in Buffalo County, long since passed 
away, was bom in Prussia in 1824, and came to America when a young man. 



HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 7U 

in 1849. He had learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land and 
after landing in this country settled first in Sj-racuse. N. Y".. where he 
worked at his trade. After remaining there a year, however, he went to 
Galena, 111., where he also followed his trade for a while. He then bought 
a farm in Cross Township, Buffalo County — a place that had some small 
improvements on it, including a log house and stable. Except for one more 
year spent in Galena, he continued to follow general farming in Buffalo 
County until his death, July 15. 1886. When he started farming here he 
had 160 acres in his original tract, and later bought 160 more, thus being 
the owner of 320 acres at the time of his death, of which 170 were under 
the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture. He had erected good, 
substantial buildings and was in comfortable circumstances. Although a 
farmer for so many years, he continued to work at his trade aU his life. 
building a shop when he moved onto the farm. As a skillful blacksmith he 
was widely known and had a good business. Mr. Wolfe was married in 
Galena, 111., to Catherine Reidinger, who died in 1S84. They had five 
children, whose record in brief is as follows: Phillip. Jr.. bom Feb. 14, 
1857, at Fountain City, Wis., is now Uving retired in Arcadia, and is the 
owner of a farm in Buffalo County; Henry, born in Glencoe Township. 
Buffalo County. Dec. 31, 1859, is a farmer in Cross Township. Buffalo 
County, where he owns 1,000 acres of land : William is a prominent business 
man of Arcadia; Bertha, born June 11, 1863, is the wife of Christian G. 
Wenger, and resides in Arcadia Village : Fred, bom Oct. 24, 1865, in Cross 
Township, is proprietor of a hotel in Fountain City. 

William R. Wolfe, a well-known business man and popular citizen of 
Arcadia, has taken a part in many of its important ventures, and has been 
especially active in fraternal affairs. He was born in Glencoe Township, 
Buffalo County, this State. July 31. 1S61. son of Phillip and Catherine 
(Reidinger) Wolfe. Reared amid pioneer conditions when his parents were 
struggling to develop a farm, he had to work hard as a boy, and thus had 
little opportunity for extensive schooUng, though his keen observation and 
wide reading have since given him good educational training. In the spring 
of 1888 he left the paternal roof and bought the Behlmer Hotel at Fountain 
City, which he conducted until 1890. He then came to Arcadia and went 
into business on Main Street opposite Hotel Cain, remaining there until 
1904. when he came to his present location. Since 1905 he has been lessee 
and manager of the Opera House, which he has made one of the best in 
the State for a city the size of Arcadia, having refitted and furnished it 
tastefully and made every effort to secure high-class entertainments. He 
has for a long time given his active support to practically every local enter- 
prise calculated to be of benefit to the community, showing in this respect 
a commendable degree of public spirit. He is now in comfortable circum- 
stances, having accumulated a fair competency. At Arcadia Mr. Wolfe is a 
charter member of Trempealeau Tribe. Independent Order of Red Men. 
of which he has been treasurer, and a charter member of Maple Brook Camp. 
No. 24, Woodmen of the World, of which he has been clerk for four years. 
At Fountain City he joined Steuber Lodge. No. 280. 1. O. 0. F.. in 1SS2. At 
Winona he is a member of Winona Aerie. No. 1243, Fraternal Order of 



712 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Eagles. Mr. Wolfe was married Sept. 3, 1891, to Paulina, daughter of 
John and Rose Earney, of Cochrane, Buffalo County, and they began domes- 
tic life in Arcadia, where they have ever since resided. They have one 
child, Leona, who was born May 26, 1892, in Arcadia Village. She is the 
wife of William Knoop, who is engaged in the shoe business in Arcadia. 
Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat in politics and has sei'ved as treasurer of the 
Democi-atic County Committee for four years. 

Christian Kolden, an early settler, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Nor- 
way, and was there reared and married Ingri Ramstad, who was born Dec. 
3, 1838, and died Aug. 1, 1903. They came to America in 1870, and located 
near Urne, in Buffalo County, this State, remaining until 1884, when he 
secured 120 acres in section 10, town 23, range 7, Hale Township. This 
farm he developed and improved, increasing the property of 200 acres, and 
successfully carrying on general farming. He now makes his home with 
his son. Die, who has the farm lying just across the road on the east. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kolden had five children : Ole, born Aug. 24, 1867, a farmer of 
Hale Township; Eldri, born June 13, 1875, in Buffalo County, who keeps 
house for her brother Ole; Torsten, born Jan. 16, 1878, also in Buffalo 
County, who died Aug. 27, 1881 ; Karen Torine, born May 16, 1880, who is 
the wife of Carl P. Hanson, a farmer near Onalaska, Wis. ; and Thea Lydia, 
born Feb. 6, 1884, who married Orville Evenson, a farmer near Whitehall. 
She died Nov. 6, 1907. 

Ole Kolden, proprietor of the fertile Kolden Stock Farm of 160 acres in 
sections 9 and 16, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, is doing his full share 
toward developing the agricultural resources of the county. Energetic and 
capable, he is a successful farmer, a good neighbor and a useful citizen. He 
was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, Aug. 24, 1867, son of Christian and 
Ingri (Ramstad) Kolden, who in 1870 brought him to America and settled 
in Buffalo County, this State, coming in 1884 to Hale Township, where he 
grew to young manhood and was trained to farm pursuits, assisting in the 
cultivation and development of the home farm. He bought his present 
farm in 1894, and moved onto it in 1908. Here he has since carried on 
general farming, operating it successfully, and keeping graded Holstein 
cattle, of which he has 30 head, with a registered sire ; about 30 head of 
Poland-China hogs, and a flock of White Leghorn chickens. Like other 
enterprising farmers, he has improved his place from time to time by 
the ei-ection of new buildings, installed with modern conveniences. Thus, 
in 1910, two years after moving onto this property, he built his present 
residence, a two-story and basement house of nine rooms, installed with 
a hot water heating system and other modern improvements. In 1915 he 
built a barn, 44 by 64 by 14 feet above stone basement, with an ell 32 by 20 
feet for horses. The barn has cement floors and steel fixtures all through. 
His granary and machine shed is a frame building, 16 by 28 feet, with an ell 
32 by 34. All the buildings on the farm are well constructed and present 
a neat appearance. As one of the substantial and prominent men of his 
township, Mr. Kolden has not escaped public office, but has served cheerfully 
as township supervisor for four years and as school clerk three years. He 
is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Kolden 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 713 

was married, June 3, 1908, to Kari Moe, of Gary, Minn., who was born in 
Norway, June 18, 1878, daughter of Guttorm and Anna (Lyngve) Moe. 
She died April 15, 1912, leaving one child, Isabella Alvidia, who was born 
Nov. 6, 1910. 

George A. Coy, an energetic young business man, was born in Inde- 
pendence, Jan. 11, 1892, the son of Elmer and Barbara (Cook) Coy, the 
former of whom has been a rural carrier on Route 1, out of Independence, 
since 1902. George A. acquired a good education, passing through the 
graded schools and graduating from the Independence High School in 1910. 
Thus prepared he entered the rural mail service as carrier on Route 3, from 
Independence. Two years later he went to Montevideo, Minn., learned the 
trade of linotype operator, and followed that line of work for a year and a 
half, then returning, and becoming a mail carrier on Route 3, out of Inde- 
pendence. In 1916 he entered into partnership with John A. Rumpel 
in the firm of Rumpel & Coy, and bought out the meat market of Peter 
Filla at Independence and built up a substantial business in meats, groceries 
and baked goods, and also renting the building, a substantial two-story 
brick building with full basement. He was married, June 8, 1915, to Kath- 
erine McClone, of Stevens Point, a graduate of Stevens Point Normal School, 
who was a teacher in the seventh and eighth grades of the public schools 
for seven years. Her parents were Edward and Sarah (Timlin) McClone, 
the father being now a retired farmer living at Stevens Point. Mr. and 
Mrs. Coy have one child, Katherine Loraine, who was born July 29, 
1916. 

William Van Sickle was one of the earliest settlers. Coming to this 
county in 1856, he and his family located in Preston Township, where they 
began life in true pioneer style, living for three months in a tent, while 
William Van Sickle hauled lumber from Merrillan to build a house. This 
domicile when completed measured 12 by 20 feet, and besides constructing 
it he made his own furniture. He had two yoke of oxen, indispensable for 
pioneer farming, and cut his wheat with a cradle, threshing it the first three 
years with a flail. His hay he cut with a scythe. For provisions the family 
depended largely on the game which he killed, of which there was an 
abundance, including bear, deer, ducks and prairie chickens. Indeed, the 
family had little occasion for money, as trousers were made from bagging 
and moccasins from cowhides, Mr. Van Sickle and his sons wearing blue 
denim shirts, and it was always possible to trade hay, corn, wheat or game 
for such articles as they could not raise or make themselves. Of course, 
there were inconveniences and occasional privations in connection with such 
a life, but these were surmounted or endured until conditions gradually 
improved. 

Levi Van Sickle was born in Will County, 111., April 3, 1840, son of Will- 
iam and Carohne (Denny) Van Sickle, who brought him to Preston Town- 
ship in 1856. He was reared amid pioneer conditions, residing on the home 
farm and assisting his father until he was 25 years old. Then, ambitious 
of an independent career, he homesteaded land for himself in Preston 
Township, taking up 160 acres, where he resided until 1879 — a period of 
14 years. Having during that time considerably improved his place, he 



714 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

sold it and went to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he remained three 
years. He then returned to Wisconsin and rented the David Wood farm 
for two years. In 1884 he bought a farm in section 24, Lincoln Township, 
where he resided until his death. He was married, Oct. 1, 1865, to Mary 
Wood, daughter of Alvah Wood, and a sister of David Wood. He and his 
wife had four children: Cora, wife of Erwin Rumsey, who is employed 
in the freight depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at La 
Crosse, they having one child, Ethel ; Alvah, a farmer in Pigeon Township, 
who married Grace Thompson and has one child, lone ; Estella, who resides 
at home, and one that died young. Mr. Van Sickle was for many years a 
member and trustee of the Presbyterian church at Whitehall. 

John Charles Hewitt, pioneer lumberman, successful agriculturist, and 
gallant soldier, was born in Canada, Aug. 19, 1832. Early in hf e Mr. Hewitt 
became a lumberman and riverman. He was still a young man when he 
came to the United States and was in this country when the Civil War 
broke out. In that great struggle he took an active part, enlisting at La 
Crosse in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, with which organization he 
served three years and escaped unwounded. At the close of the war he 
returned to La Crosse County and again took up river work as foreman for 
the Black River Improvement Company, soon moving from La Crosse to 
Bloomer, Wis., where he lived for two years. He then moved to Beef 
Slough, near Nelson, in Buffalo County, as foreman for the Mississippi Log- 
ging Company, remaining there about five years, and subsequently returned 
to La Crosse County, where he purchased a farm. Not long afterward 
he again entered the employ of the Black River Improvement Company, 
working on Black River. After spending three years at this familiar work 
the farm again claimed his attention and he returned to it and followed 
agriculture until 1890, when he quit that occupation and moved to La Crosse, 
where he lived retired for about two years. He then came to Gale Town- 
ship and purchased the farms on which his sons Charles F. and Mai'k R. now 
reside, and resumed agricultural operations, being thus actively engaged 
until 1899, when he retired and moved to Galesville, where he died Dec. 12, 
1912. Mr. Hewitt was married Sept. 2, 1867, at Minnesota City, to Mar- 
garet Jane Stiltz Rooh. Margaret Jane Stiltz was born near Mansfield, 
Richland County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1841, and was brought by her parents to 
Juneau County, in this State, in 1855. Four years later she married Jacob 
Rooh, who died in 1865, leaving two children, of whom Fred Rooh, of La 
Crosse, still survives. Mrs. Hewitt died July 7, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt 
are survived by six children: Charles F., Harry B., Mark R., Frank B., 
Lottie and Emma. Charles F. is the State oil inspector. 

Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was born in Lyngor, Norway, June 23, 
1849. Parents: Christopher J. and Margrete Christophersen. At the 
age of 13 years he entered Drammen's Latin School and six years later 
matriculated at the University of Christiania. In 1873 he concluded his 
theological studies and after making a tour of Scotland, England, Germany 
and Denmark assumed the position of high school director in Gjerstad. 
Here he received information regarding the spiritual want among his fellow 
countrymen residing in America, and expressed his wiUingness to enter 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 715 

ministerial work among them. Through Bishop Hench he received a call 
from Pigeon Falls and affiliated congregations. He was ordained in Vor 
Preiser's church in Christiania in 1876. The 23rd of March, the same year, 
he married Inger Nilson, also from Lyngor, Norway, born Oct. 3, 1849, of 
parents Knut and Helene Nilson. Immediately afterward they emigrated 
to America and arrived at Whitehall May 30, 1876. Here they lived a few 
months until the parsonage which was being built half a mile north of 
Pigeon Falls was ready for occupancy. His call consisted of five congre- 
gations and a number of missionary stations. For 33 years he performed 
his arduous labors in this large field with rare fidelity, traveling about in 
rain and sunshine, summer and winter, preaching the word of Christ's 
gospel, administering the sacraments, comforting the sorrowful, and in- 
structing the young. During these many years of continued pastorate in 
Pigeon Falls he became widely known and respected in this and neighboring 
counties. His manly bearing, his clean-cut character and his integrity, 
together with his considerable learning commanded universal recognition 
and esteem. In his lifework he was ably assisted by his faithful and self- 
sacrificing wife, whose crowning work it has been to make a home rich 
with joy, peace and contentment. Their married life was very happy. 
Eleven children were born to them. The three oldest boys, Christopher, 
Knut and Gotlob, all died young. The other eight living are: Anna, 
married to Olaf Mosbo and living at Rembrandt, Iowa; Johannes Bjorn, 
married to Eva Brevig and living at Roanwood, Mont.; Einar Bjorn, suc- 
cessor in the father's call and living at Pigeon Falls, married to Myrtle 
Peterson, of Trempealeau Valley; Gerhard Bjorn, married to Addie Dale 
and living in Superior, Wis. ; Johanne Marie, married to Rev. J. C. Johnson 
and Living in Frankfort, Mich.; Knut Johan, at Pigeon Falls; Ragnhild 
Margrete, graduate nurse of Augustana Hospital, Chicago, living in Fargo, 
N. D. ; Valborg, teacher in North Dakota. On the 23rd of March, 1909, the 
anniversary of his wedding day, he suff"ered a paralytic stroke while seated 
at the dinner table and died a few hours later. The funeral took place 
on the 29th of March. Right Reverend J. Nordby, the president of the 
Eastern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, spoke on 1 Peter 5:10, 
11. The Revs. Ramberg, Gimmestad, Urberg, Bestul, Hovde, Berrum, Vik 
and Kvaase delivered brief addresses. The funeral services were attended 
by a great host of mourners. Floral offerings were sent by many societies 
and individuals. A number of old parishioners served as pall-bearers from 
the residence of the deceased to the church. Six brother ministers carried 
his remains to the grave. Members of his congregations and his family 
have erected a beautiful monument upon his grave. At the time of his 
death his call consisted of three congregations : Pigeon Creek congrega- 
tion, at Pigeon Falls ; South Beef River, Jackson County, and Upper Pigeon 
Creek, Jackson County. During his pastorate at Pigeon Falls he had 
preached approximately 3,150 sermons, baptized 3,079, confirmed 2,029, 
married 480 couples and officiated at 1,002 funerals. 

Einar Bjorn Christophersen was born in Pigeon Falls, Aug. 16, 1885. 
His parents were Rev. Emanuel Christophersen and Inger Christophersen. 
In the fall of 1900 he entered the preparatory department of Luther College, 



716 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Decorah, Iowa, graduated from the preparatory department and con- 
tinued in the collegiate department in 1902. He was graduated from the 
collegiate department, comprising a classical course, in 1906, with the 
degree B. A. The following year he taught school and in 1907 was admitted 
as a student at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Upon completing the 
theological course at this institution in 1910 he was called to be his father's 
successor as pastor of Pigeon Creek and affiliated congregations of the 
Lutheran church at Pigeon Falls. On June 18, 1912, he was married to 
Myrtle Birdine Peterson, born Nov. 8, 1888, daughter of Bent and Anne 
Peterson, Trempealeau Valley. Three children have been born to them: 
Emanuel Bjorn, born May 9, 1913; Rolf Erling, born Aug. 19, 1915; Paul 
Gerhard, born May 22, 1917. 

Daniel C. Dewey, the pioneer, was bom in Delaware County, N. Y., 
April 16, 1828, of English descent, the son of Aaron Dewey. The original 
ancestor in this country was Thomas Dewey, who came from Sandwich, 
Kent County, England, and settled in Massachusetts, where he died April 
27, 1648. Daniel C. was but 4 years old when, in 1832, he removed with his 
parents to Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio, where his boyhood was 
spent, and this early attachment made him always deeply interested in 
everything identified with the "Western Reserve." He came to Wisconsin 
when that State was but a Territory, and a few years of his youth were 
spent in the vicinity of Horicon, Dodge County. Later he went to Clarkson, 
Monroe County, N. Y., where he married. In the fall of 1852, he settled 
in Martin, Allegan County, Mich., where for the next five years he labored 
clearing up and improving a homestead. This was then a heavily-timbered 
country, and it is characteristic of the conditions consequent upon opening 
up such lands for cultivation, the felling and burning large quantities of 
timber, the decaying vegetation, and the steam arising from the drying 
of the soil heretofore shaded, almost invariably produce a state of unhealth- 
iness, and this young couple, although each possessed of robustness fitly 
typical of the hardy pioneer, escaped not these malarious conditions. To 
avoid suffering longer, they sold their homestead and removed to Arcadia, 
Trempealeau County, Wis, where they arrived May 8, 1859. His brother, 
George D., had settled there five years previously as one of the first in this, 
until then, uninhabited locality by civilized men. The mother had come 
here in 1857, after the death of her second husband. Henry W. Dewey and 
Walter D. Dewey came later. Hence the Deweys must ever be regarded 
as among the earliest settlers of Arcadia, who made the early development 
of the place, promoted the welfare of the little community, and assisted in 
the organization of the town, and its early government. The nearest post- 
office was at Fountain City, upon the Mississippi River, over 20 miles away. 
It was also the market place, and where supplies were purchased and drawn 
to the little community with ox teams over roads of the crudest and most 
primitive construction. The community grew, prospered and developed 
rapidly. The Deweys were energetic, public spirited and, it is safe to say, 
wei-e as potent factors in promoting the interests of the community as any 
therein. Daniel Dewey was for a long time a school officer. He solicited 
immigration, procured the establishment of mail routes, carried the mails. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 717 

laid out and built roads, nearly swamped himself financially by contributing 
too liberally to the building of a church. In the War of the Rebellion he 
enhsted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, on Aug. 10, 
1862, and served as sergeant of his company. One day when stationed at 
Camp Randall, while in charge of a squad of men who had been assigned 
to duty in the removal of some stone, to encourage his men he took a hand 
with them and, in his enthusiasm, accidentally overdid, the strain producing 
double hernia, and not long thereafter was discharged for disability in- 
curred. He never fully recovered, and although his death did not occur 
until July 4, 1889, it is thought that this army service accident may have 
been the remote cause of his disease, an operation for which at the hospital 
in St. Paul, whither he had gone for treatment, he did not survive. Like 
his father, was a great reader and well informed on the political and other 
events of his day. In politics a Republican, though not a strong partisan. 
In religious matters his were the most progressive views, very genial in 
his nature, broad-minded in his conception of humanity, kind as a friend, 
fearless as an enemy, charitable, public spirited, always entertaining a deep 
interest in that which was deemed a benefit to the commonwealth. He 
suffered much pain from his disease for the last five years of life, but bore it 
well and did not complain. He married, June 5, 1852, at Clarkson, N. Y., 
Josephine M. Trumbull, daughter of William and Polly (Cropsey) Trumbull. 
His father was born Oct. 4, 1836, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and died Jan. 
15, 1896. After her husband's death his mother lived with her son Jay on 
the old homestead, and with her daughter Ida on the farm adjoining. She 
was of a quiet, sunny disposition, with a tendency to see only the bright 
side of everything of life. Young and old confided in her, knowing that 
their secret troubles were safely lodged in the repository of a faithful breast 
whose heart throbs would beat in sympathy and pour oil of soothing influ- 
ence upon the troubled waters. There are three children : Ida, widow of 
D. L. Holcombe, of Arcadia ; Ada, widow of J. C. Haigh, of Bismarck, N. D., 
and Jay I., a leading citizen of Arcadia. 

Jay I. Dewey, general manager of the Western Wisconsin Telephone 
Company, is one of the best known men in the county. For ten years he 
has been a most important factor in the success of the company of which he 
has had charge, his wide acquaintance throughout the extensive territory 
which the service covers, his executive ability and his genial personality, 
coupled with his genuine interest of all those whom his lines serve, all 
combining to make him an ideal man for the position. It is not alone in the 
affairs of this concern, however, that he is assisting in the development 
of the county. Since 1898 he has been president of the Arcadia Board of 
Education, in which time he has guided the public school of Arcadia from 
a small village academy to the magnificent institution which it is today; 
he was actively interested in the building of the present schoolhouse, and 
has been a leader in the installation of the vocational and recreational 
departments. Since January, 1914, his business experience has been of 
much value to the county in his exercise of his duties as president of the 
Trempealeau County Insane Asylum. While he has consistently sought 
to avoid pubhc office, he has nevertheless listened to the call of duty and 



718 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

has served as chairman of his township for eight years, and in other local 
offices, besides having been a member of numerous committees and dele- 
gations. His business holdings include extensive farming interests at Old 
Arcadia, and stock in the Bank of Arcadia, of which he is a director. His 
fraternal relations are with the Masonic order, in the Blue Lodge and 
Chapter of which he has passed through all the chairs. A native of Kala- 
mazoo, Mich., where he was born Dec. 10, 1858, he is a son and nephew of 
two of Arcadia's leading pioneer families, his parents, Daniel C. and Jose- 
phine (Trumbull) Dewey, having brought him to Old Arcadia in 1859. He 
attended the public schools of Old Arcadia, and supplemented this training 
with courses in the Winona Business College at Winona, Minn. His early 
life was devoted to agricultural endeavor, and farming has since continued 
to be his hobby. In 1889, after his father's death, he purchased the old 
home farm of 40 acres, and so successfully conducted it that in time he 
built up his present splendid place of 298 acres of as good land as is to be 
found in the county. He developed the farm, remodelled the house, erected 
new barns and outbuildings, and for a number of years successfully carried 
on general farming, making a specialty of the dairy type of graded Short- 
horn cattle. He now rents the farm, but still lives there. Jan. 1, 1907, Mr. 
Dewey listened to the request of his friends who were vitally interested in 
the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and accepted his present posi- 
tion, in which he has since faithfully served, greatly to the credit of himself 
and the benefit of the community. Mr. Dewey was married, Aug. 6, 1885, 
to EUa Arnold, daughter of William B. and Clara (Sawyer) Arnold, the 
former of whom lives in Winona, and the latter of whom died in 1902. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dewey have had two children : Theron A., who died at the age of 
2 years, and Myrrl, who died at the age of 4 years. 

John Peterson, one of the early settlers in Preston Township, who did 
good pioneer work in helping to subdue the wilderness, belonged to that 
hardy Norwegian race to which the great Northwest owes much of its 
present civilization and prosperity. Coming to America with his wife, Mary 
Peterson, and two children, in 1857, he selected the State of Wisconsin as 
the field on which he proposed in future to fight the battle of Mfe, and after 
some investigation as to a favorable location, finally purchased 120 acres of 
land near Blair, in Trempealeau County. He found no subsequent reason 
to repent of his choice, and he and his wife spent half a century or more 
on the farm which he developed out of his originally wild tract. The early 
years were full of hard work demanded by the struggle with nature, but 
Mr. Peterson had in him the stuff of which successful men are made, and 
nature was finally conquered, his sons lending him their assistance as they 
arrived successively at the age of industrial activity. Mr. and Mrs. Peter- 
son spent their latter years in comfort and ease, the former dying in 1902 
and the latter in 1904. They were people widely known and universally 
respected, and their memory will survive for many years to come. Their 
children were : Hans C. ; Martin, who died young ; Martin (second) , now a 
farmer in section 3, Pigeon Township; Andrew, Peter and Albert; and 
Carl, Mary and Oluf, deceased. The father's name of Peterson has been 
changed to the family name of Johnson by the surviving children. 




MR. AND MRS. TOSTEN GUNDERSON 

MARTIN JOHNSON AND FAMILY 

MR. AND MRS. JENS BERC.E 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 719 

Martin Johnson, a retired farmer now living at Pigeon Falls, was for a 
number of years successfully engaged in agi'iculture in Pigeon Township. 
He was born in Sondreland, Norway, April 9, 1857, his parents being John 
Peterson and Mary Peterson, both natives of that country, who came to 
America in 1857, and shortly afterward settled in Preston Township, Trem- 
pealeau County. The name of Johnson has since been adopted as the 
family name by the surviving children. Martin Johnson was educated in 
the district school and resided on his parents' farm until 1880, assisting his 
father. He then moved to Pigeon Township, where he worked on a farm 
for several years, at the end of which period he purchased the farm of his 
wife's father in section 3, containing 80 acres. To this he subsequently 
added until he had a farm of 240 acres, well equipped with a good residence, 
barns and other buildings, on which he was profitably engaged in general 
farming until 1914, the year of his retirement. The farm is now being 
operated by his son-in-law, Jens K. Berge. Mr. Johnson was married in 
1880 to Beatha T. Gunderson, who was born in Norway, daughter of Tosten 
and Bertha Gunderson, both of whom are now deceased. Of this union 
seven children were born : Bettilde Maria, Sept. 15, 1881 ; Johan Theodore, 
June 8, 1884 ; Olga T., Oct. 4, 1887 ; Clara H., Dec. 26, 1891 ; Clarence Helmer, 
June 22, 1895 ; Clara J., May 24, 1897, and Melvin B., Aug. 10, 1900. Bet- 
tilde Maria married Jens Berge, of Pigeon Falls, and they have three 
children : Ruth, Clarence and Laura. Johan Theodore died in 1886. Olga 
T. and Clara J. reside with their father at Pigeon Falls. Clara H. died Jan. 
5, 1892, and Clarence Helmer July 8, 1896. Melvin B. is residing at home. 
Mrs. Martin Johnson, in addition to the three deceased children above men- 
tioned, has also passed away, her death having occurred Nov. 15, 1912. The 
surviving members of the family belong to the United Norwegian Lutheran 
Church of America. 

Peter KronschnabI, proprietor of the Arcadia Brewing Company, was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, June 29, 1870, son of Joseph and Magdalena 
(Gaschler) KronschnabI. Both his parents were natives of Bavaria, Ger- 
many. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer. From the age of 
7 to that of 14 he attended the public schools and then took a special course 
of one year, being mentioned for high honors. Having finished his school- 
ing, he worked on a farm until he was 18, and then began to learn the 
brewer's trade in Regen, a small town in Bavaria. Having learned his 
trade by the time he was 20, he went to Mainz, in North Germany, as brew 
master and remained there until June 25, 1892. From that time until Dec. 
7, 1902, he traveled over Germany, subsequently returning to Mainz and the 
people for whom he had formerly worked. March 23, 1893, a big brewers' 
strike took place and Mr. KronschnabI, with the others, left his position, he 
going to Zwiesel. The strike lasted for several months, and ended in defeat 
for the employees. Remaining in Zwiesel until Oct. 8, 1894, Mr. Kron- 
schnabI then went to Traxelsried, Bavaria, where he superintended the con- 
struction of a large brewery. In the fall he went to Munich and attended 
a brewing school there, after which he accepted a position with the Webber 
Bros., of Waedensweil, Switzerland, working for them as brewer until June 
12, 1896. In the fall of that year he came to America, landing in New York 



720 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in the month of September. Making no stay in the East, he proceeded 
directly to Appleton, Wis., where for a short time he was in the employ of 
the Munich Brewing Company. From there he went to Milwaukee, where 
he worked for different brewing concerns and also attended a brewing 
school, taking No. 4 course. May 26, 1900, Mr. Kronschnabl left Milwaukee 
for Waukesha and spent some time in working for different companies in 
order to gain a more extended experience. Feb. 1, 1901, he was sent to 
Bay City, Mich., to superintend the construction of a brewery. After this 
work was done he returned to Milwaukee, and spent a year with the Milwau- 
kee Brewing Company, going from there in 1905 to Alpena, Mich., where he 
remained one and one-half years, then returned to Milwaukee, going from 
there to Appleton, Minn., to superintend the building of a plant. Then 
returning to Alpena, Mich., he remained in that city until June, 1908, when 
he came to Arcadia as brew master and manager of the Arcadia Brewing 
Company. In May, 1909, he leased the plant and still operates it under the 
lease. Mr. Kronschnabl was married June 25, 1898, to Anna Schoenberger, 
daughter of Frank and Anna (Krause) Schoenberger, and a native of 
Bavaria, who came to America alone in 1898. This marriage was the cul- 
mination of an acquaintance begun in the old country. After landing in 
New York Miss Schoenberger proceeded to Waukesha, Wis., where they 
were married. Of this union the children born are : Anna, April 23, 1899 ; 
Violet, Aug. 15. 1900 ; Mary, Aug. 6, 1902 ; Peter Paul, born March 29, 1904, 
who died Aug. 22, 1911, while accompanying his mother on a visit to 
Bavaria, and was buried in that country; Catherine, born Jan. 21, 1906; 
Theresa, June 25, 1912, and Peter Joseph, March 13, 1915. All except 
Peter Paul are living at home. Mr. Kronschnabl is independent in politics 
and has held no public office. He belongs to the Eagles, the Catholic For- 
esters, the Bonneventura and for the past 10 years has been a member of the 
German verein. 

George Haines, who is conducting a prosperous farming business in 
section 8, Arcadia Township, was born in Scranton, Pa., Oct. 26, 1867. His 
parents, John B. and Elizabeth (Kuntz) Haines, were both born in Germany, 
the mother coming with her parents to the United States in 1853. They 
were married in Utica, N. Y., in 1853, and came by train from that city to La 
Crosse, Wis., in July, 1868, and then by ox team from La Crosse to Arcadia 
Township, Trempealeau County. On arriving here they located on what 
is now the Louis Remlinger farm in section 1, where they remained until the 
following year. In 1869 they bought 40 acres and homesteaded 160 acres 
in Myers Valley, section 8, Arcadia Township, and here Mr. Haines built a 
small house and began to make a home. His efforts were successful and he 
continued to work the farm for many years, and to make improvements, 
when he sold it to his son George in 1890. He died Nov. 18, 1908. His 
wife is still living in her own home in Arcadia Village, her daughter Eliza- 
beth, who is unmarried, residing with her. Their children were: Chris- 
tiana, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Anton, Margaret, William and George, all of 
whom are living. Mary and Ehzabeth reside in Arcadia Village, Margaret 
in Pennsylvania, Anton at Rice Lake, Wis., and John and William are with 
the Massuere Company, general merchants in Arcadia. George Haines 



\ HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 721 

had limited opportunities as a boy for acquiring an education, but made the 
best of those he had. He lived with his parents until 23 years old, at 
which time he bought the old homestead, where he has since resided, and 
which he is cultivating with profitable results. He is also a stockholder in 
the Bank of Arcadia. Jan. 26, 1897, he was married to Mary, daughter of 
John and Pauline Kostner, of Arcadia Village. He and his wife have a 
family of eight children: Clotilda, born Sept. 26, 1898, who resides at 
home ; Cyrill, born Nov. 4, 1899, residing at home ; Marcellus, born April 29, 
1902, who is a student in St. John's University at Collegeville, Minn. ; Or- 
lando, born Oct. 9, 1904 ; Thelma, born Jan. 15, 1906 ; Eldred, born May 10, 
1909 ; Dolores, born Sept. 19, 1911 ; Everett, born Aug. 8, 1914, and Brun- 
etta, born Sept. 24, 1917. Mr. Haines is a Democrat in politics and has 
served as supervisor one term. Since 1897 he has belonged to the Catholic 
Foresters and to the Knights of Columbus since 1914. He and his family 
are members of the Catholic church. 

Edward Haines has lived in Arcadia Township since early childhood, his 
parents having brought him here in 1865. Growing up with the county, he 
has taken his part in its development, and is now one of the solid and sub- 
stantial men of the community. He was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., 
March 12, 1858, son of Christian and Margaret Haines. The parents were 
born in Germany, located in New York State as young people, there married 
and lived there until coming to Wisconsin. Edward had attended school a 
short time in New York State, and continued his studies in the school of 
district 6, Arcadia Township, until about 14 years of age. He was reared 
to farm pursuits and remained with his parents until his marriage in 1882, 
when he took his bride to a rented farm in Bill's Valley, now known as the 
Michael English place. In 1883 he rented the Scholidon farm on the 
Fountain City Ridge. Misfortune overtook him, and he lost nearly every- 
thing that he possessed. But in August, 1884, he acquired 180 acres of 
partly improved land in Meyers Valley, two and a half miles south of 
Arcadia Village. Moving into a log house covered with boards, which 
stood on the place, he and his good wife set to work to establish their for- 
tunes. Gradually they added to their possessions until the farm now con- 
sists of 488 acres, and in addition to this they own several residences in 
Arcadia Village. The log cabin has been replaced with a sightly set of 
buildings, including a two-story, 11-room modern brick house; a frame 
barn, 34 by 80 feet with full basement ; three poultry houses ; a machine 
shed, 18 by 40 feet ; a stone milk house, a garage and other buildings. The 
place is devoted to general farming and dairying, a good herd of Durham 
and Holstein cattle being maintained. The equipment, tools, machinery 
and implements are adequate and ample. Mr. Haines' business holdings 
include stock in the Arcadia Co-Operative Creamery Company, the Bank of 
Arcadia, the Farmers' Bank, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company 
and other organizations. A Democrat in politics, he has served as super- 
visor of Arcadia Township two years and has been a member of the school 
board of district 6 for three years. Mr. Haines was married Oct. 23, 1882, 
to Julia Woutchik, daughter of Jacob and Ehzabeth Woutchik. Mrs. Haines 
came to America at the age of 17 years, following a sister who had come 



722 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

several years before. She and her husband have had 15 children: Mar- 
garet, born Oct. 3, 1883, died April 6, 1890 ; Frank, born Sept. 20, 1884, died 
Feb. 24, 1913; Elizabeth, born Jan. 14, 1885, is now Mrs. Isadore Meyers; 
Michael, born July 15, 1887, is now on the Casper Meyers farm, owned by 
his father ; Catherine, born March 20, 1889, is the wife of Henry Fernholz, 
of Arcadia Village; Edward T., born Aug. 22, 1890, lives at home; Mary, 
born Nov. 18, 1891, is a clerk in Arcadia Village ; Anna, born April 9, 1893, is 
in the Convent of Notre Dame, at Milwaukee ; Rose, born Sept. 28, 1894, 
lives at home; Agnes, born Feb. 26, 1896, died in infancy; Agnes (second), 
born April 11, 1897, is in the Convent of Notre Dame at Milwaukee; Flor- 
ence, born Sept. 19, 1898, lives at home ; Raymond, born Sept. 3, 1900, died 
in infancy; Lenora, born Feb. 28, 1902, is a student in the Arcadia High 
School ; Fiorina was born Feb. 4, 1905, and lives at home. The family faith 
is that of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia Village, 
of which Mr. Haines was a member of the building committee when the 
parochial school was erected. 

Andrew Gleason, who is engaged in farming 125 acres of productive 
land in sections 20, 29 and 30, Arcadia Township, was born in Bill's Valley, 
this township, June 2, 1866, son of Michael and Mary (Cashel) Gleason. 
His parents were both natives of Ireland, the father coming to America 
about 1861, and locating in Buffalo County, Wis. After residing there 
about five years, Michael Gleason, who had come to this country with some 
means, purchased 250 acres in Buffalo County. Of this latter farm he 
subsequently sold 130 acres, and then moved to Bill's Valley, Arcadia Town- 
ship, Trempealeau County, being one of the first settlers in the valley. 
The remainder of his Buffalo County farm he retained until 1882, when he 
sold it. In Bill's Valley he homesteaded 40 acres, and bought 165 acres 
adjoining the Christ Haines farm. The land was wild and there were no 
improvements, but he set to work and grubbed and cleared it, having six 
yoke of oxen, which he had brought with him. The frame house that he 
built is still standing on the farm. The lumber for it and other buildings 
that he constructed was hauled from Merrillan, 50 miles, by ox-team. 
Among these buildings was a good barn, the timber for which he cut and 
hewed in Tamarack. Here Michael Gleason resided until 1893, and then 
moved to Arcadia Village, where he purchased a house in which he lived 
until his death in 1911. His wife died in Arcadia Village March 25, 1915. 
They had been married in Buffalo County, Wis., in 1858, and had enjoyed a 
happy married life together of 53 years until death separated them for a 
while. Their children were : Maggie, now Mrs. J. D. Stevens, of Beecher, 
111. ; Mary Ann, who died in infancy ; Julia, now Mrs. S. R. Hunter, of Arcadia 
Village; Andrew, the direct subject of this sketch; Christian, who is a 
farmer in Buffalo County, Wis.; Katherine, who is an invalid; Elizabeth, 
unmarried, who is now living in the village home of her parents, which she 
inherited at their death ; May, wife of J. J. Enwright, of Plymouth, Wis. ; 
John L., residing in Gymon, Okla., and Anna, wife of L. F. Messman, of 
Enid, Okla. Michael Gleason was a staunch Democrat in politics, but 
never aspired to public office. Andrew Gleason was brought up on his 
parents' farm, on which he began to make himself useful at an early age. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 723 

gradually acquiring a competent knowledge of agriculture. He was mar- 
ried April 14, 1896, to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Scholidon) Kost- 
ner, of Arcadia Township, and for two years subsequently he and his wife 
resided on his father's "Bill's Valley" farm. In 1898 he moved to a rented 
farm at Glencoe, Buffalo County, where he lived until 1902, in which year 
he purchased 200 acres of land in the same neighborhood. After keeping 
the latter farm one year he sold it and bought 125 acres of improved land 
in sections 20, 29 and 30, Arcadia Township, which constitutes his present 
farm. In 1917 he remodelled the brick house and frame barn. The barn 
was struck by lightning and destroyed the same year. It was replaced by 
another barn, which in turn was struck by lightning and destroyed Sept. 6, 
1916. It was rebuilt the same fall, on the same foundation. The entire 
acreage of the farm is now under the plow. Mr. Gleason carries on general 
farming and dairying, keeping from 10 to 12 grade Shorthorn cows. He 
is well supplied with all equipment for a modern farm and is doing a 
prosperous business. His property lies about a mile and a half northwest 
of Arcadia Village, the land being very rolling, like all in this vicinity, but 
fertile and capable of producing excellent crops. In poUtics Mr. Gleason 
is a Republican, and has served as a member of the district school board and 
as chairman of the township board. He and his wife have had five children : 
Gladys, born Oct. 18, 1897, who graduated from the Arcadia High School 
and is now teaching in Trempealeau County ; Clifford J., born Sept. 19, 1900, 
who is a student in Arcadia High School ; Kenneth, born July 31, 1910, who 
died in 1912 ; Gerald, born Sept. 27, 1911, and Melvin L., born July 20, 1912, 
who reside with their parents. Mr. Gleason and family belong to the 
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia. He is a member of the 
Knights of Columbus. 

Morris Anderson is a native of Hale Township, this county, and was 
brought to his present farm by his parents in 1883. He now owns 170 
acres in section 1, Chimney Rock Township, and carries on general farming, 
making a specialty of Durham cattle, Poland-China swine and Rhode Island 
Red chickens. Mr. Anderson was born July 16, 1877, and with the excep- 
tion of six years spent as a traveling salesman he has devoted his life to 
farming. He was married in Minneapolis, Dec. 31, 1913, to Cornelia Carl- 
son, of Chimney Rock Township, daughter of Carl and Anna (Hendrickson) 
Carlson, and they have one son, Eldridge Rudel, born July 25, 1914; they 
have also adopted a bright girl, Margaret Meachin, born July 2, 1905. The 
family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. Mrs. 
Anderson's parents came to America from Varmland, Sweden, in 1887, 
settling in Chimney Rock Township. Her father died in 1897, and her 
mother is still living on the old homestead. Five children were born to 
them : Charles, Emma, Beda, Cornelia and Julia, all living. 

Andrew Anderson came to Trempealeau County in 1873, and lived in 
Hale Township until 1883, when he moved to Chimney Rock Township and 
purchased 170 acres in section 1, which in 1911 was purchased by his son, 
Morris. Andrew Anderson was born in Varmland, Sweden, May 20, 1841, 
and upon coming to America in 1866 located in La Crosse until settling in 
this county. He died Feb. 3, 1911. His wife, Olivia Jacobson, whom he 



724 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

married in Chimney Rock Township, was born in Sweden, March 6, 1838, 
and died Dec. 3, 1911. In the family there were three children: Morris 
has been mentioned. Amanda is the wife of Die Storberg, of Albion Town- 
ship, this county. One is dead. 

F. Carl Zeller came to Trempealeau County in 1857, took his part in the 
pioneer endeavors of this region, and here lived until his death, Nov. 26, 
1898, a period of over 40 years. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 
11, 1831, and at the age of 23, in 1854 came to America, landing in New 
York, and finding his way directly to Prairie du Sac, Wis., where he lived 
until coming to Trempealeau County. Here, with his brother, Frank J., he 
bought 240 acres at the head of Meyers Valley, in section 17, Arcadia Town- 
ship, the brothers having saved a little money during their residence in 
Sauk County. In 1861 the partnership was dissolved, F. Carl marrying 
and moving to what is now the George Haines farm in Meyers Valley, sec- 
tion 8, Arcadia Township. There he and his family lived until 1869, when 
he purchased the 240 acres of wild land adjoining on the west, which has 
since remained the homestead. He set at work with a will, grubbed and 
broke the land, erected a frame house and barn, and gradually achieved 
success and prosperity. A Democrat in poUtics, he did not seek public office, 
but consented to serve as school treasurer, a position he occupied for many 
years. He was a devout member of the German Catholic church, and was 
an important factor in the progress of that faith in this community. He 
was one of the first members in this vicinity, the early masses being said 
in a log residence on the Nick Myers farm in section 7, adjoining the Zeller 
place. Later he assisted in building the church at Hartman's Corners, 
three-quarters of a mile north of the old home. He did not live to see this 
pioneer structure replaced by the magnificent Church of Our Lady of Per- 
petual Help, in which the congregation now worships at Arcadia. Mr. 
Zeller was married in 1861 to Margaret Frederick, the daughter of Adam 
Frederick. She still lives on the home place with a daughter, Elizabeth, 
and four sons, Adam, John M., Charles W. and William. Barbara died at 
the age of 12, and another Elizabeth died in infancy. Anton farms near 
Bismarck, N. D. 

Adam Zeller has spent his life on the farm where he now lives in section 
7, Arcadia Township. He was born March 23, 1865, son of F. Carl and 
Margaret (Frederick) Zeller, attended the district school, and was reared 
to farm pursuits by his father. In 1896 he took charge of the home farm, 
which he now operates. He has made many improvements thereon, includ- 
ing a sightly barn, 52 by 102 feet, with full basement, cement floors, James 
stanchions and other modei-n equipment. At the time of his father's death 
he succeeded him as treasurer of the school district, in which position he 
is doing most excellent service. In connection with the marketing of his 
dairy products and stock, he has acquired an interest in the Farmers' Co- 
operative Creamery at Arcadia, and in the Farmers' Shipping Association 
of Arcadia. Like his father before him, he is a Democrat in politics, and 
his faith is that of the Catholic church. 

James Hopkins, for many years a leading citizen of Trempealeau 
County, came to this region as a youth with the earhest settlers, grew up 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 725 

with the country, and became an integral part of its life and progress. Born 
in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, Oct. 5, 1839, he was but 8 years of age when 
his parents, John and Mary Hopkins, came to America and took up their 
home in Troy, Walworth County, this State. In 1855 they came to Trem- 
pealeau County and located on the north bank of the Trempealeau River, in 
the western part of Preston Township. In this primitive spot they erected 
a sod home and later a log cabin, and started to develop the fertile tract 
which has since been known as the Hopkins farm. Comforts and con- 
veniences were lacking, farm and domestic equipment was of the crudest, 
marketing and trading facilities were of the poorest, the nearest point at 
which provisions could be secured being Galesville, far away and over the 
rugged bluffs. Often, while a mere boy, James Hopkins went to the mill at 
Galesville and brought back flour and other provisions on his back, or in the 
winter on a hand sled, trudging his way over the rough and sometimes dan- 
gerous trail. With the passing of the years and the growth of the county, 
conditions changed, and the farm became a beautiful estate in the midst 
of a thickly-settled community. Here the parents spent the remainder 
of their years, the father dying Jan. 9, 1888, and the mother Feb. 27, 1875. 
James Hopkins continued to hve on the home farm improving and develop- 
ing it, and successfully carrying on general farming. He was an important 
factor both in public service and in the business life of the region in which 
he hved. As a farmer he was the staunch friend and the earnest advocate 
of the agricultural interests of the county. A thorough believer in co- 
operative effort among farmers, he was active in the Preston Creamery 
Company and the Farmers' Trading Association, both at Blair, and served 
for a time as president of each. At the annual meetings of the Trempealeau 
County Agricultural and Driving Association, held at Whitehall, in years 
past, he was always a prominent figure. He did good service as chairman 
of his township, and as treasurer and clerk of his school district, also doing 
excellent work several different terms as deputy sheriff. He was faithful 
to every pubhc trust committed to his cafe. He held the conscientious 
discharge of every pubhc duty above personal or private consideration. He 
was a firm believer in Prohibition and strove earnestly and persistently to 
bring it about. His was a positive nature, whatever he beheved, he be- 
lieved with all his might, and he had the courage to avow his convictions, 
as well as the ability to assert them, yet he was a just man, able to see the 
other side of public questions as well as his own, and demanding of himself 
an even stricter standard than he expected of others. In a few words, he 
had common sense, an honest heart and tireless energy. About a year 
before his death Mr. Hopkins, accompanied by his wife, went to Seattle, 
Wash., intending to remain there with their sons. While there he was 
stricken with paralysis. Realizing that he had not long to hve, and desiring 
to see his old friends again, he returned to Whitehall. Thus it was his good 
fortune when the end came, April 17, 1913, to be under his own roof, sur- 
rounded by family and friends so near and dear to him. Through his illness 
he was uniformly cheei-ful and bright, and bore his sufferings, which were 
at times intense, with remarkable patience. The faithful wife, son and 
daughter were with him to administer to every want, and to extend him 



726 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

that sympathy which one's own alone can give. He lies buried in Lincoln 
Cemetery, at Whitehall, in and near which village he had spent the greater 
part of his life. Mr. Hopkins was married to Angelina Van Sickle, and their 
union was blessed with five children. 

Florison D. Hopkins, county treasurer, and president of the Auto Sales 
Co. of Whitehall, was born on the Hopkins homestead in Preston Town- 
ship, July 12, 1861, son of James and Angelina (Van Sickle) Hopkins. He 
attended the district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young 
man, he purchased a tract of 160 acres adjoining the homestead, and set 
about developing it, erecting a home, barns and other buildings, and build- 
ing up a splendid farm. For a time he also rented the homestead. Reared in 
the home of prominent and influential people, it was natural that his atten- 
tion should early turn to public affairs. In the old Convention days, he 
was delegate to many a convention that has helped to make political history 
in the county and state. For eight years he was chairman of the township, 
and for one term he was treasurer. His excellent service on the school board 
extended over a period of fifteen years. Upon the solicitation of his friends 
he ran for county treasurer in the fall of 1916, and was elected by a comfort- 
able majority. His work in this important office has met with general 
approval, his wide acquaintance, his knowledge of the county and its people, 
his genial disposition, and his clear-cut business methods all being factors 
in favor with which he is held. In 1913 Mr. Hopkins sold his farm and 
took up his residence in the village. In Whitehall he purchased an interest 
in the Auto Sales Co. and is now its president. Reared as he was on the 
farm, he has continued his interest in outdoor life. He is an enthusiastic 
motorist, and takes especial delight in fishing, seeking both health and 
recreation at this pastime. Mr. Hopkins was married Aug. 26, 1885, to 
NeUie Shephard, the daughter of Henry and Phelina Shephard, pioneers of 
Preston township. This union has been blessed with four children : Goldie, 
Deva, Margaret and Harley J. Goldie is the wife of E. A. Guyton, M. D., of 
Eau Claire, Wis. ; Deva is the wife of Sidney Jacquist, of Blair, Wis. ; Mar- 
garet is the wife of Oscar Dahle, of Whitehall, Wis.; and Harley J. is a 
corporal in the Marine Service, having previously been a student in the 
University of Wisconsin. 

John Maurer, a pioneer of Buffalo County, and one of the founders of 
Arcadia, is an excellent and typical example of the sturdy Swiss, who though 
few in number, have had so important a part in the upbuilding of America. 
Energetic, capable, versatile and generous, he was for many years an active 
leader among his fellow men, and though modest and unostentatious, his 
influence has been tremendous. As agriculturist, as hotel keeper, as pioneer 
postmaster and as merchant, he was the same quiet, genial personality, a 
pleasant companion, a loyal friend and a good citizen. But his supreme 
joy has been in his home, he reared his children with the affection and 
care characteristic of his race, and now in the afternoon of hfe, as he looks 
back over a well-spent life, his greatest pride is in the substantial positions 
in life which each of his children has attained. Born in Oberstammheim, 
Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, July 27, 1832, he was there educated and 
reared. Upon attaining his majority, he determined to broaden his oppor- 




F. D. HOPKINS 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 727 

tunities by transferring his scene of activities to the new world. Accord- 
ingly, having saved his slender earnings, he was enabled to realize his 
ambitions by setting sail for America in 1855, reaching Fountain City, in 
Buffalo County, this state, in June of that year. The next March he home- 
steaded a farm in Waumandee Township, in the same county. There he 
remained until 1864, when he sold out to Fred. Schoepp, and moved to 
Fountain City, where he became landlord of the Eagle Hotel, and for a 
time served as postmaster. Ten years later, in 1874, he sold out his 
interests in Buffalo County, and came to Arcadia, where he erected one of 
the first stores in the village, and whose destinies he had an important 
part in shaping. From the date of his arrival until 1900 he successfully 
conducted the general mercantile business, building up a good trade, and 
winning a high regard in the esteem of his fellow men for his honest deal- 
ing. Since 1900 he has led a retired life, still, however, looking after his 
various interests. Mr. Maurer was married at Milwaukee on July 5, 1855, 
to Katherine Moos, born in Wihlen, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, April 1, 
1833. This union has been blessed with four children : Catherine, now Mrs. 
John Durisch, of Arcadia; Albert A., a physician, of La Crosse; Emil, 
banker, of Arcadia, and Edward R., professor of Applied Mechanics at the 
State University of Wisconsin. 

Emil Maurer, president of the Bank of Arcadia, financier and man-of- 
affairs, has been a leading factor in the life of Arcadia for many years, and 
the civic movements in which he has not had an active part are few indeed. 
Coming here as a boy of twelve, he has grown up with the village and has 
had a share in its growth, having been one of the original supporters of 
several of the ventures which have contributed most largely to its develop- 
ment and progress. In spite of his substantial success in life, Mr. Maurer 
is democratic and approachable by nature, a sincere friend to every inhab- 
itant of the village and countryside, and ever willing to give his time, voice 
and support in behalf of every good and worthy progress. At the prime of 
his activities he finds himself in an enviable position of respect and honor, 
satisfied in his work, and happy in his wide circle of friendships. He was 
born in Waumandee, this state, July 7, 1862, son of John and Katherine 
(Moos) Maurer, the pioneers, spent his boyhood in Fountain City and 
Arcadia, and was educated in the schools of Buffalo and Trempealeau 
Counties. At the age of 17 he entered the employ of G. G. Oppliger at 
Fountain City where he remained for eighteen months. With this expe- 
rience, he returned to Arcadia in 1884, and purchased the drug business 
of James Pierson & Son. This concern he developed into one of the most 
important commercial ventures in the village, erecting for its occupancy 
in 1893, the handsome building which now houses the establishment of his 
successor, and in the upper story of which he still makes his home. While 
conducting the drug store he became interested in the Bank of Arcadia, and 
in 1901 he sold out his drug business to become president and active man- 
ager of the bank. His personality, integrity, standing, and wide friend- 
ships have been the important elements in the success of the institution. 
He is also one of the moving spirits in the Western Wisconsin Telephone 
Co., which he helped to organize and of which he has been the only secretary. 



728 HISTORY OF tre:mpealeau county 

The Trempealeau County Bankers' Development Association has likewise 
found in him a valued member and an efficient secretary. In public life he 
has been president and member of the village council, and member of 
the board of education and of the library board. When he was president 
of the council, some of the village's best improvements were undertaken, and 
the present library was built when he was a member of its board. In the 
Masonic order he has served in all the chairs of the Blue Lodge and Chapter. 
His Elk affiliation is with the lodge at La Crosse. He is also a member of 
the Independent Foresters at Arcadia. Mr. Maurer was married June 13, 
1885, to Magdelina Danuser, born in Buffalo County, this state. May 22, 
1861, daughter of Jacob Danuser, the pioneer. This union has been blessed 
with four children: Erna E., Nettie E., Mae Alice and Merrill E. Erna E. 
graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and is now a teacher. Nettie 
E. graduated from the Winona State Normal School, taught school for a 
while, married Oscar A. Erickson, a merchant of Kasson. Minn., and has 
one son, William. Mae Alice is a graduate of the Stout Institute at Menom- 
onie. Wis., and is now teaching domestic science at Evansville, Wis. Mer- 
rill E. has been a student at the Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., and 
is now a student of the State Normal School at La Crosse. 

Knudt Leofson Strand, the lirst settler in Norway Cooley, Arcadia 
Township, where he is still an honored and respected citizen, is one of the 
very few men in this county who are still living on homesteads which they 
selected before the close of the Civil War. He has been an industrious, hard- 
working man and a good citizen and has had his share in the progress which 
has changed this region from an unsettled wilderness into one of the best 
farming countries in western Wisconsin. The second of the six children of 
Leof Sorenson and Anna Knutsen Aaakre, substantial and God-fearing 
farming people, he was born in Strand, Telemarken, Norway, Feb. 8, 1834, 
and was there reared, receiving his education by studying two months 
each year under a traveling schoolmaster, and spending his youth in assist- 
ing his father at farming and lumbering. At the age of seventeen he left 
home and for several years continued to be employed as a farmer and 
lumberman. During the latter part of this period he devoted most of his 
time to hauling timber from great forests, sometimes as a day laborer and 
sometimes by contract. July 13, 1859, he married Anna, the daughter of 
Hoover and Margaret Hooverson, and began farming in a modest way in 
his native parish. Here was born the oldest son, Leof K., now a pros- 
perous Arcadia farmer. But the ambitions of the young man were stirred 
to seek wider opportunities in the New World, so on April 4, 1861, with his 
wife and child, he set sail for America. After a tedious trip of ten weeks 
aboard a sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec, and from there found their 
way to Detroit, Chicago, and La Crosse, then the terminal of the railroad. 
Locating in Vernon County he secured such emploj-ment as he could at 
from fifty cents to $1.00 a day, and the following year pre-empted 40 acres 
of farm land. Trempealeau County was at that time attracting numerous 
settlers, and with a friend, John Gunderson, Mr. Strand determined to look 
over the land with a view to settling here. Selecting a pleasant location in 
Holcomb Cooley, the two men started cutting hay in the summer of 1863, 



HISTORY OF TRKMPEALEAU COUNTY 729 

with a view of making their permanent home there, but hearing of land to 
the northward, he and Ole Guttormson started out one day on a further trip 
of exploration. After a weary march, they reached the mouth of one of 
the most beautiful cooleys they had ever seen. Here, on the gentle slope, 
lay rich land, ready to be broken for crops, while water was pure and 
abundant. No settlers had yet erected cabins in its virgin expanse, and 
here Mr. Strand determined his future home was to be located. Hasten- 
ing back to La Crosse he found that the land was still open and imme- 
diately filed on 160 acres in Sections 23 and 14. His preparations for mov- 
ing were made during the winter, and as soon as travel was opened in the 
spring he came up and built a pole hut in which he took up his residence. 
The hut had the trodden earth for a floor and was thatched with hay. A 
small window with one pane of glass admitted the light, while a crude 
door on leather hinges furnished the entrance. Another pole and hay 
structure fui'nished a shelter for the yoke of oxen, two yearling steers, and 
two sheep which he had brought with him from Vernon County. Thus, 
with but a dollar in his pocket, began the first settler in Norway Cooley. 
In June he brought his family, and his happiness was complete. Few people 
of modern times can realize the difficulties with which the early settlers 
contended. The nearest neighbor on the east was the George Vernon 
family five miles away. The nearest on the west was Tolef Bergeson, four 
miles west. Indians thronged the cooley, and though friendly and harm- 
less, kept Mrs. Strand in a constant state of apprehension by their savage 
ways. The nearest road was five and one-half miles away. Bishop's 
settlement, now Arcadia, was six miles away. Trempealeau was 
fourteen miles away, the trail leading through Dodge Township and 
over Whistler's Pass. The Big Tamarack Swamp was at that time impas- 
sable. Grain had to be hauled over hills and through swamps, the unshod 
oxen picking their way as best they could. In the winter grain was some- 
times taken as far as the mill at Pickwick, in Minnesota. Such a trip was 
long and cold and filled with dangers. At times the ice on the river and 
marshes was so smooth and glaring that a trail of hay had to be made 
to prevent the oxen from falling and breaking their legs. There were no 
physicians nearer than Trempealeau and Galesville. Life on the Strand 
homestead was filled with work. By Christmas, 1864, the pole hut had 
been replaced with a substantial log structure, 14 by 16 feet, one and a 
half stories high, and well protected against the winter storms. It is 
interesting to note that the present home was built of hewn logs in the 
middle seventies. It is 16 by 30 feet, two stories high, with a full base- 
ment. In recent years the house has been veneered with lumber, thus 
making a thick-walled, comfortable home of solid proportions, fully plas- 
tered. The original farm has been increased to 280 acres, well divided into 
cultivated land, timber and pasture. Here, hale and hearty in his old age, 
Mr. Strand, with his good wife, is spending the afternoon of life, well con- 
tent with what the years have brought him. Mr. Strand is a man of 
intense patriotism, a devout church member, and a believer in education 
and good roads. When the need of men to fight the Civil War was the 
greatest he was drafted, and walked to La Crosse to enter his command. 



730 HISTORY OF TRE:\IPEALEAU COUNTY 

but upon reaching that city he found that he was physically disqualified 
owing to the after-effects of an attack of pneumonia which he had expe- 
rienced some years previous. He assisted in organizing the first school 
district in Tamarack, a district which has since been divided into several 
more districts. He laid out the first road over the hill to Arcadia, and gave 
liberally of his time and money to further the cause of good roads through- 
out this region. He was one of the founders of the Norway Cooley Lutheran 
Congregation, of which he and all his family are members. He was on the 
building committee when the present edifice was erected, he was a trustee 
for many years, and has been one of its liberal contributors since its organi- 
zation. All in all, he has been one of the county's most useful citizens, and 
justly deserves the high esteem in which he is held. Mr. and Mrs. Strand 
have been the parents of the following children : Leof K., born in Strand, 
Norway, March 10, 1860, now a well-known farmer of Arcadia Township; 
Hoover, born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, December 23, 1861, who resides 
at Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Anna, born in Holcomb Coulie, who died Jan. 

18, 1867 ; Margaret, born in Norway Cooley, Jan. 6, 1866, who is the wife 
of Ludwig Johnson, of Ossian, Iowa; Sam, born in Norway Cooley, Nov. 
8, 1867, who is a farmer there at the present time; Anna (2d), born in 
Norway Cooley, June 22, 1869, who is now Mrs. John Kasse, of Dane County, 
Wisconsin; Ellen, born in Norway Cooley, April 23, 1871, who is the wife 
of A. Emmerson, of Ettrick; Knudt L., Jr., born in Norway Cooley, Jan. 5, 
1873, who died May 8, 1911, and Birgit, born in Norway Cooley April 19, 
1877, now Mrs. Sam M. Swenson, of Tamarack. 

Leof K. Strand, a successful farmer and business man residing in 
Section 22, Arcadia Township, was born in Strand, Norway, March 10, 
1860, son of Knudt and Anna (Hooverson) Strand. He was one year old, 
when, in 1861, he came to America with his parents, pioneers of Norway 
Cooley, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. There he attended the district 
school organized by his father, which was the first school in that section, 
and grew to manhood, assisting his father on the latter's farm. On Dec. 

19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Amelia Amundsen, daughter of 
Andrew and Agnes (Olsen) Amundsen, of Norway Cooley, and who had 
been a schoolmate of his. For ten years after his marriage he remained 
on his parents' farm and then removed to a separate location, buying from 
his father 40 acres in Section 22, which tract lay in the vicinity of the old 
home. Here he erected his present residence, a two-story house consist- 
ing of upright and two wings, into which he and his wife moved the year 
he took the farm. He also built a frame barn, 28 by 46 by 16 feet, on full 
stone basement. Here he has since followed general farming and dairying 
with good success. His farm is well watered by springs and is provided 
with a full equipment of teams, tools and machinery. Mr. Strand in 1885 
became interested in the first farmers' co-operative creamery in Trempea- 
leau County, known as the Ettrick Farmers' Creamery Association, of 
which he became a stockholder. In this enterprise he took a very active 
part, working up the cream routes and hauling two routes himself for ten 
years, daily in summers and four days a week in winters. In 1896 he with- 
drew from the association, selling his stock. In company with Peter Larson, 




MR. AND MRS. LEOF K. STRAND 
MR. AND MRS. KNUDT L. STRAND 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 731 

Mr. Strand in 1891 bought the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter 
of Section 27 in Tamarack. Later Mr. Larson sold his interest to Ole A. 
Olson and Mr. Strand, but afterwards bought back an interest. Later 
Strand, Olson and Larson built the main part of what is now the Tamarack 
store at the head of Norway Cooley, which they rented to Levi Henderson, 
of Ettrick, who put in the stock. After remaining one year, Mr. Hender- 
son sold his stock to Tver C. Myhre, who conducted the business to 1898. 
He then sold out to C. L. Boleng, who now operates the store. Mr. Boleng 
rented the building from the company until February, 1902, when he 
bought it. Mr. Strand is a stockholder in the Farmers' Shipping Associa- 
tion of Arcadia, the Arcadia Farmers' State Bank, the Tamarack Telephone 
Company, of which he has been president for the last twelve years. In this 
enterprise he has ever taken an active part to perfect its service and equip- 
ment. In politics he has always been a Republican and was chairman of his 
township board for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Strand are the parents of ten 
children, all of whom are living, their record in brief being as follows: 
Annetta, born Nov. 20, 1886, is now Mrs. A. 0. Severson, of Norway Cooley. 
Clara, born March 18, 1888, is unmarried and resides at home. Hilda, born 
Dec. 12, 1898, is now Mrs. C. W. Peterson, of Buffalo, S. D. Elmer, born 
Dec. 26, 1891, is operating a homestead farm in Lavinia, Mont. Clarence, 
born Jan. 25, 1894, is residing at home unmarried. Margaret, born Oct. 
7, 1896, is now Mrs. A. M. Olson, of Thompson Valley, Arcadia Township. 
Laura, born Sept. 17, 1898. Henry, born Dec. 3, 1900 ; Milton, born March 
19, 1903, and Mildred, born May 4, 1905, are all hving at home. Mr. Strand 
and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Norway 
Cooley, which he helps to support. Through enterprise and industry, 
backed by inteUigence, he has gained a position among the prosperous 
and respected citizens of his township and has never forfeited their good 
opinion. 

John Durisch, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Arcadia 
Village, now living retired after a long and active career, was born in 
Switzerland, June 21, 1846. With his parents, Thomas and Anna Durisch, 
also natives of Switzerland, he came to America in 1852, landing at New 
York. From that city the family came west to Prairie Du Sac, Wis., where 
they lived until 1856. They then migrated to Buffalo County, making the 
trip overland by ox team and driving before them twenty-one head of 
cattle. Arriving after a twelve-days' journey, they settled in Danuser's 
Valley, Montana Township, where Thomas Durisch bought 160 acres of 
new land from the government. With the aid of his son, John, he grubbed 
and cleared the land, building of tamarack a comfortable log house, 16 by 
20 feet, hewn inside and out, which was the pride of all that region. Mr. 
Durisch continued to cultivate and improve his farm until his sudden 
death while plowing in the field in 1861. The mother, Anna Durisch, was 
born Sept. 4, 1810, and died at the home of her son in Arcadia at the age 
of 100 years. John Durisch was six years old when he accompanied his 
parents from Switzerland. He had attended the common and parochial 
schools in his native land and had but little further education after coming 
to America. At his father's death he was sixteen years of age and he 



732 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

subsequently operated the farm for his widowed mother up to 1869, break- 
ing about forty acres more of the land. His father had built a substantial 
log barn, 20 by 24 feet, which added to the value of the property. In 1872 
Mrs. Durisch rented the farm and with her family moved to Fountain City. 
The family included, in addition to the subject of this sketch, a daughter, 
Agnes, who was born in Switzerland, and who married Christ Mauele, a 
farmer of Montana Township. She died at Arcadia in 1893. The subject 
of this sketch and his mother resided in Fountain City up to 1874. He mar- 
ried Lucy, daughter of Christ and Ehzabeth Kindschy, pioneer settlers of 
Buffalo County, in 1870. In the spring of 1874 he arrived in Arcadia Village 
with his wife. Building a small house on what is now Deer Park Street, 
he entered into the teaming and livery business, and was thus occupied until 
1898. He then traded the business for an improved farm of 160 acres in 
Lewis Valley, Arcadia Township, but remained in town and rented the 
farm. In 1876 the big flood came and wrecked Mr. Durisch's house in 
Arcadia. He then built his present brick veneer residence on Main Street, 
a nice-appearing and comfortable dwelling. His first wife died in 1893. They 
had one son, Thomas C, who was born February 10, 1872, died in 1884. Mr. 
Durisch remained a widower for a short time and then, in 1895, married 
Katherine, daughter of John and Katherine Maurer, of Arcadia. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he was elected sheriff in 1894, and served one term, retain- 
ing his residence in Arcadia, and having a deputy, N. L. Fredrickson, in 
charge at Whitehall. For many years he served as village marshal, a 
member of the village board and as street commissioner. In 1914 he 
retired from active business life and in the same year sold his Lewis 
Valley farm. A number of years ago he invested in lands in the state 
of Montana, his interest in which he still retains. He is also a stockholder 
in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. Among his earUer activities 
may be mentioned the fact that, with J. I. Dewey, Charles Miller and 
James Gaveney (father of John C. Gaveney), he made the first canvass of 
Arcadia Township for 500 cows to stock the first creamery in this section, 
which creamery was built at Arcadia, west of the Trempealeau River. For 
a number of years Mr. Durisch hauled cream and butter from this creamery, 
often taking as many as sixty 60-pound tubs at one load. Mr. Durisch was 
reared in the faith of the German Evangelical Church and is an active 
member of St. John's Church of that denomination at Arcadia, of which 
with A. F. Hensel, Herman Cloug and Jacob Schneller, he was one of the 
founders. He was treasurer of the church for twenty-two years and for 
a number of years superintendent of the Sunday School. He and his wife 
are members of the best society in the village. 

Collins Bishop was a type of the noblest ideal of the American pioneer. 
Lofty of purpose, keen of mind, kindly of heart, rugged of body, strong 
of personality, resourceful of disposition, he represented those noble tradi- 
tions which are infused into the very soul of our national life, and in defense 
of which so many a noble patriot has given his all. His contemporaries 
whom he met in the stress and toil of every-day life delighted to do him 
reverence and honor, they regarded him as the possessor of every moral 
and manly excellence, with character and life that were well nigh flawless. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 733 

The spirit of the whole community which took his name, also took on 
something of the aspect of his high worth, and his excellencies and influence 
were woven into the very warp and woof of the community's gi'owth. 
Citizen, friend, patriot, pioneer, soldier, farmer, official, husband and father, 
in every capacity of life he did his highest duty, and nobly fulfilled his 
loftiest destinies. The halo and heritage of honor which he left has been 
passed on not only to his family, but also to the entire population of that 
prosperous county in whose founding he had so important a part. Collins 
Bishop was born in Nelson Township, Portage County, Ohio, January 9, 
1822, one of a family of four sons and three daughters born to Ebenezer 
and Annie Bishop, all of whom lived to adult years, and all but two of 
whom became residents of the Trempealeau Valley. He was reared in his 
native state, and as a young man came to Wisconsin and located in Dodge 
County. From there, in 1855, accompanied by James Broughton, George 
Shelley and George Dewey, he came up the river from La Crosse to Foun- 
tain City, and found his way over the ridge to the present site of Old 
Arcadia, where he founded the colony long known as Bishop's Settlement. 
Thus located, he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, living upon the 
same place for some fifty-five years. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he 
assisted in the raising of Co. C, 30th Wis. Vol. Inf., that famous company 
commanded by Captain Alex. A. Arnold, and recruited from the flower of 
fearless and heroic young manhood of Trempealeau County. Owing to dis- 
ability, Mr. Bishop was soon transferred to Co. A, Veteran Reserve Corps, 
but he was as lion hearted in his patriotism and fealty to the Union as 
though baptized in fire like his comrades in the gallant Company C. As 
the years passed he was blessed with prosperity and success. He changed 
a wild tract of land into a rich, fertile, modern farm, he passed through 
the strenuous endeavor and hardships of pioneer life and lived to see his 
little settlement the metropolis of a great county. After a long and useful 
life he died Jan. 19, 1911, surrounded by the love and care of his large 
family. At that time it was said of him: "He died as he lived, with a 
clear mind, a clean conscience and without a fear of going into the Great 
Mystery. In his death his children lost a worthy parent, his friends lost 
a genial, kind-hearted and companionable fellow, his community and county 
lost an upright citizen and a soldier-patriot. His character and repute may 
be commended as most worthy of emulation. The virtue and excellence of 
such a man deserve to be recorded in the archives of history. Mr. 
Bishop was married July 24, 1844, at Cherry Valley, Ohio, to Emily A., 
daughter of Obed and Delight Warren, and this union was blessed with 
eight children: Florence, Rose, Emily, Blanche, May, Hiram, Howard W., 
and Winfred E. Florence married George W. Webb, and is now deceased. 
Rose married Arthur A. Markham, of Independence. Emily died in infancy. 
Blanche is the v/idow of Martin Woodhull. May is the wife of Frank 
Warren, of Black River Falls, Wis. Hiram died in 1868. Howard W. 
lives in Whitehall. Winfred E. lives in Arcadia. A book might be written 
of the life of Collins Bishop, and it would be replete with interest from 
cover to cover. A few stories of his experiences are still preserved in the 
traditions of the county. In the early days there were no physicians in 



734 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the vicinity. A new family moved into the adjoining towTi of Glencoe. Soon 
after that a visit of the stork was expected. Having received a medical 
education through a two years' course in a medical college in the East, Mr. 
Bishop had acquired, through pioneer necessity, considerable skill and repu- 
tation as an obstetrician. On this occasion, after a hard day's work on the 
farm, he walked several miles to the sick woman's house, performed his 
duties as an obstetrician, and cared for the mother and child until the next 
day, when he was relieved by a neighbor woman. He never asked nor took 
pay for such errands of mercy. His resourcefulness in the most trying 
circumstances is shown in the story of his dead ox. One hot summer day 
he was on his way to obtain provisions at Fountain City, twenty or more 
miles away, with an empty wagon drawn by a pair of oxen. Over on the 
ridge, four or iive miles from Fountain City, one of the oxen became over- 
heated. Mr. Bishop unyoked him and went down in the valley afoot and 
brought a pail of water. But on his return the ox was dead. So Mr. Bishop 
rolled him aside and gave the water to the other ox. By means of ropes 
and chains he harnessed up this remaining ox so that he could pull the 
wagon to town, while Mr. Bishop himself put his own head through the 
other bow, and thus held up the yoke as he walked beside the ox and con- 
tinued his journey. 

Winfred E. Bishop, one of the leading agriculturists and seed-corn 
growers of this county, is known far and wide for his character as a man, 
his usefulness as a citizen, and his worthy efforts in the cause of rural 
betterment. The son of the county's most distinguished pioneer, he lives 
on Arcadia's pioneer farm, and is worthily following the high traditions 
of his family, combining an intensely modern spirit of progress with the 
stability of the foundation upon which his career is based. Born on the 
historic place where he now lives, Jan. 25, 1869, the son of Collins and Emily 
Bishop, he was reared in an atmosphere of piety and culture, and received 
his education in the district, graded and High schools of Arcadia, supple- 
menting this with a course in the Lambert Business College at Winona. 
Trained throughout his boyhood as an agriculturist, he became his father's 
partner at the age of 20, and this arrangement continued until his father's 
death, when he bought the interests of the other heirs and became sole 
owner and proprietor of the farm which he had assisted so materially in 
developing and improving. This development and improvement has since 
continued. The character of this farm, and the care with which it has 
been conserved during the sixty years that it has borne crops, is shown by 
the fact that it contains the first piece of land broken in Arcadia, which 
bore its first crop in 1857, and in 1917 yielded 85 bushels of oats to the 
acre. The two houses on the place are surrounded with a beautiful wooded 
lawn, the barns and outbuildings are commodious and modern, the farm is 
well fenced, and the tools and equipment are in every way adequate to 
the demands made upon them. Mr. Bishop makes a specialty of raising 
seed corn of the Golden Glow Yellow Dent Wisconsin No. 12 variety, with 
which he has won many prizes at the county and state exhibitions, and 
for which the demand is so great that it is only by refusing many orders 
that Mr. Bishop is able to keep enough for his own use. The industry was 



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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 735 

inaugurated several years ago on a small scale, when Mr. Bishop started 
the preparation of his first seed by drying and ripening it by the fire. Now 
he has a hot-air fan system, and raises some twenty acres each year, six- 
teen acres being for seed purposes exclusively. The pride of the neighbor- 
hood is Mr. Bishop's fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle, all high grade. 
While not the largest herd in the county, these creatures are acknowledged 
to be the sleekest and best cared for in every particular. Farming, as he 
does along such modern lines, it is natural that Mr. Bishop should take an 
active part in the work of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Associa- 
tion, and that he should have been chosen to his present position as presi- 
dent of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia. He has not cared 
for public office, but has listened to the call of duty and for two terms has 
done most excellent service as town treasurer. His fraternal relations are 
with the Masonic and Independent Forester orders. Mr. Bishop was mar- 
ried Jan. 25, 1890, to Hattie E. Wheeler, who died in March, 1891, leaving 
one son, Glenn, who is now a telegraph operator for the Northwestern 
Railroad in South Dakota. Nov. 30, 1893, Mr. Bishop married Ruth Weeks, 
and they have one child, Florence M., who is soon to graduate from the 
Arcadia High School. The family faith is that of the Christian Science 
Church. 

John F. Brom, one of the successful farmers of Dodge Township, resid- 
ing in Section 6, was born in Pine Creek Valley, this township, May 23, 
1875, a son of Frank and Katherine (Pribyl) Brom. Both parents were 
born in Bohemia, the father in 1850. Frank Brom came to America in 
1861 or 1862, with his parents, they settling first in Winona, Minn., but 
soon the father of Frank homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Section 
6, Range 9, Township 19 (Dodge), and Frank was brought up on this farm, 
having abundant opportunities to make acquaintance with hard work. In 
course of time he succeeded to the property. He cleared and developed the 
land, adding 49 acres to the farm, which increased its size to 209 acres. 
He also built a two-story frame house, two large barns, a granary, machine- 
shed and poultry house. All the buildings are painted and in good shape, 
while of the land, 125 acres are under the plow, the balance being in pasture 
and timber land. Frank Brom was engaged in general farming and dairy- 
ing, keeping grade cows and selling cream at Arcadia and later at Dodge. 
He died at Winona, Minn., in 1911. His wife died in Pine Creek Valley, 
Dodge Township, in 1887, and is buried at Winona. John F. Brom remained 
on the farm with his father until his marriage, his education having been 
acquired in the district and parochial schools. January 24, 1899, he was 
married to Frances, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Weir) Brizinski, and 
took his wife to his father's home, where they resided until the fall of 
that year. They then moved to the Pribyl farm, adjoining the Brom home- 
stead on the northeast, which farm had been bought by Frank Brom, who 
gave it to his son. On this place the present residence had been built in 
the summer of 1899. The house is a two-story upright with two wings and 
is modern in its furnishings, having bath, hot and cold water and every- 
thing desirable except electric lights. The barn is a frame building with 
hip roof, 36 by 60 by 20 feet ; the granary is 20 by 28 feet, with a lean-to, 



736 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

20 by 28 feet ; the other buildings being a wood shed, 14 by 20 ; buggy shed, 
14 by 24, with shop lean-to, 10 by 20; poultry house, 12 by 24; machine 
shed, 24 by 60, and a cement block silo, 12 by 26 feet, all painted and in good 
condition. Mr. Brom has 120 acres of land under the plow, the balance of 
242 acres being in pasture and timber land. In 1912 he bought the old home- 
stead of 120 acres from his brother, Martin, who had inherited it at the 
father's death. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping 
18 grade Shorthorn cows, 25 grade Duroc Jersey hogs and 160 Shropshire 
sheep. He also has a small orchard of three acres. His farm is 16 miles 
from Winona, 15 from Galesville and 9 from Arcadia. In politics Mr. Brom 
is a Democrat. He has taken part in the government of his township, 
having served as supervisor two terms, being chairman of the board one 
term, and clerk of School District No. 2 for nine years. Aside from his 
farming interests, he is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Dodge, in 
the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and in the Dodge Shipping 
Association. He and his wife have had eight children: Benjamin, born 
March 24, 1900, who is assisting his father on the farm ; Theodore, born 
August 24, 1902, who died October 15, 1908; Richard, born September 2, 
1906; Florence, August 7, 1908; Cyril, May 25, 1910; Clarence, April 14, 
1912 ; Alvin, January 23, 1914, and Isadore, October 17, 1915. Mr. Brom, 
with his wife and family, are members of the Catholic Church, attending 
Sacred Heart Church at Pine Creek. 

Edward B. McWeeny, town chairman of Arcadia, prominent member 
of the county board, and enthusiastic road builder, is one of the leading 
citizens of the county. Coming of a family of which several members 
have gained national prominence, he has preferred to devote his life to this 
vicinity, and his work has been productive of much good. His voice on the 
county board has ever been raised in behalf of those things which he 
beheves to be for progress and betterment consistent with consideration 
for the tax payer, and his work in behalf of good roads is widely known. 
He successfully farms on Section 29, Arcadia Township, and has a pleasant 
and attractive place. Edward B. McWeeny was born at Glencoe, Buffalo 
County, this state, March 28, 1874, son of James and Catherine (Scanlon) 
McWeeny, thrifty farmers. James McWeeny is now dead, having passed 
away in 1900, but his wife is still living. They had a family of eight 
children: John, who resides in Chicago, 111.; Nellie, unmarried, who is a 
trained nurse at South Bend, Ind. ; Mary, wife of Adam Ziegweid, of Beach, 
N. D. ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Joseph Boyle and resides in Chicago ; 
Patrick, of Chicago; James, who is a foreman in the Illinois Steel Com- 
pany's plant at South Chicago; Edward B., subject of this memoir, and 
Frank, a cattle buyer, who resides in Arcadia. Edward B. McWeeny 
acquired his education in the district school, which he attended from the 
age of eight years to that of 17. He remained on the McWeeny farm at 
Glencoe until he was 27, except for one summer which he spent in North 
Dakota. April 8, 1902, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Engelhart 
and Elizabeth (Bills) Doelle, of Cross Township, Buffalo County. Previous 
to this event he had purchased a 200-acre farm on Independence Road, two 
miles north of Arcadia Village, and here he and his wife began housekeep- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 737 

ing in the two-story frame house on the property. Since then he has erected 
a good frame barn, 36 by 84 feet, with half basement. He does general 
farming, having at present 125 acres under the plow. He has an ample 
equipment of teams, wagons and tools for the profitable cultivation of his 
land, and his property presents a neat and thriving appearance. Aside 
from these interests, he is a stockholder in the Arcadia Shipping Associa- 
tion and the Farmers Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia. A Democrat in 
politics, Mr. McWeeny has been chairman of the town board for four 
years. He and his wife have had eight children: James, Leo, Lenore, 
Bernard, Albin, Henry, Eleva, and Elizabeth, of whom the last mentioned 
is now deceased. All were born on the farm. The family are members of 
the Catholic Church at Arcadia, and Mr. McWeeny has been a member of 
the Catholic Order of Foresters for the past twenty years, and of the 
Knights of Columbus since 1913. 

Lorenzo D. and Frank Tubbs, livestock dealers and real estate agents, 
constitute the firm of Tubbs Brothers, for many years intimately con- 
nected with the business life of Independence. They came to Burnside 
Township from Hixton, this state, in 1874, with other members of the 
family, and engaged in farm pursuits on the home farm. Later they engaged 
in the livestock business. In this connection Lorenzo D. had charge of the 
Dakota interests of the firm. For a while they engaged in the implement 
business in Independence, but later sold out to R. Warner Brothers. The 
Messrs. Tubbs now handle considerable real estate, and deal extensively in 
livestock, making a specialty of buying and selling horses. The parents of 
these gentlemen were Lorenzo and Mary Jane (Colwell) Tubbs, both now 
deceased. After the death in 1856 of the father, who was an Ohio farmer, the 
care of the family devolved upon the mother, who in 1872 brought them to 
Hixton, this state, and in 1874 to Burnside. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Tubbs had 
nine children: James, Mary L., Elma, Elizabeth, Frank, Adelle, Lorenzo D., 
Sarah Jane, and Alice. James, Mary L. and Elma are dead. Elizabeth is 
the widow of Lee Hutchins, of Independence. Frank is in the real estate 
and livestock business. Adelle is the wife of Robert Watson, a farmer of 
Buena Vista, Colo. Lorenzo D. was born Oct. 18, 1852, was educated in the 
district schools and in Gale College, was married in October, 1894, to Lydia 
L. Grout, is engaged in the real estate and livestock business and has been 
a member of the village council of Independence since 1910. Sarah Jane is 
the widow of George Walker and lives in Detroit, Mich. Alice is the wife 
of J. M. Hall of Detroit, Mich. 

John Schmidt was one of the early settlers of Buflfalo County, this 
state, and by developing a good farm took a part in its progress and growth. 
He was born in Langwies Canton, Graubuen, Switzerland, in 1817, there 
grew to sturdy manhood and married Mary Roth. She died in her native 
land, leaving four children — George, Dorothy, Nicholas and Ursula — and 
in 1867 Mr. Schmidt with his children set out for the United States, 
embarking at Hamburg on the steamship "Saxonia." Landing at New 
York after a voyage of nine days, they came directly from that city by 
train to La Crosse, Wis., and then by boat up the Mississippi River to 
Fountain City, where they landed May 29, 1867. Mr. Schmidt lost no time 



738 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in getting settled, as he immediately took up 180 acres of partially improved 
land in Cross Township, Buflfalo County, and set to work to develop it. 
There was much hard work to do, but he persevered, and in time his efforts 
were rewarded, and he found himself the owner of a good farm with sub- 
stantial buildings. This place was his home until 1883, in which year 
he went to North Dakota, where he spent ten years, dying in Cass County 
in that state in 1893. 

George Schmidt, educator, agriculturist and public official, is doing 
most efficient service as assessor of incomes for Wisconsin District No. 28, 
comprising Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau Counties, and has to his 
credit a long term of office as superintendent of schools in Buffalo County, 
as well as considerable other public work. Born in Langwies Canton, 
Graubuen, Switzerland, June 26, 1857, the son of John and Mary (Roth) 
Schmidt, he was brought to Buffalo County by his father in 1867, and 
remained on the paternal farm until he had grown to manhood. He first 
prepared himself in the district schools of Cross Township and in the 
Fountain City graded school, after which he attended Gale University (now 
Gale College) for one year. When he was 18 years old he began teaching 
school in District No. 1, Buffalo Township and County, and taught subse- 
quently for 11 years in different schools of the county. That he made 
a good record may be inferred from the fact that in the fall of 1886 he 
was elected to the office of superintendent of schools in Buffalo County, 
commencing his duties Jan. 1, 1887, at Alma, the county seat. He remained 
superintendent of the Buffalo County schools for eight years, maintaining 
a high standard of efficiency. Then, in the fall of 1895, he moved to 
Trempealeau County, locating on the Hiram Tracy farm of 276 acres, 
which he had previously purchased. He later increased the acreage of the 
farm by additional land purchases until it now contains 440 acres, having 
two sets of commodious buildings. In 1905 Mr. Schmidt purchased the 
Henry Dewey farm of 63 acres, situated one mile east of the village of 
Arcadia, the location being known as East Arcadia. The first store in 
Arcadia was built on this place in 1857, but after the Green Bay Railroad 
was constructed in 1873 the population moved into the valley, thus changing 
the location of the village. Mr. Schmidt removed to the Dewey farm in 
the spring of 1906, preferring this place for a residence in order that his 
childi-en might enjoy the advantage of attending the Arcadia high school, 
and here he has since made his home. He was married May 14, 1888, to 
Lina, daughter of John and Louisa (Waelty) Ochsner of Waumandee, 
Buffalo County, Wis., and he and his wife are the parents of six children : 
Erwin R., Walter E., Oscar J., George A., Louisa M. (first) and Louisa M. 
(second), whose record in brief is as follows: Erwin R., born Dec. 26, 
1889, in Alma, Wis., graduated from the Arcadia high school in 1913, and 
from Washington University at St. Louis, Mo., in 1915, receiving the degree 
of M. D. He is now an interne at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. Walter E., 
born at Alma, Wis., April 2, 1891, is a graduate of the Arcadia high school 
and of the Wisconsin University (agricultural department), in the class 
of 1913, and is now engaged in farming at Spring Grove, Va. Oscar J., 
born at Alma, Wis., June 5, 1895, is a graduate of the Arcadia high school 



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GEORGE SCHMIDT 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 739 

and also took a two years' course in agriculture at the Wisconsin University. 
He is now residing at home. George A., born at Arcadia, Wis., Dec. 7, 
1896, graduated from the Arcadia high school and is now a student at the 
Wisconsin University. Louisa M. (first), born in Arcadia Township in 
1898, was accidentally drowned at the age of 18 months while playing on 
the farm. Louisa M., the second of the name, was born in Arcadia Town- 
ship, May 30, 1903, and is now living at home and attending the Arcadia 
schools. Mr. Schmidt is a Republican in politics. In addition to his service 
as school superintendent, already mentioned, he served two terms as clerk 
of Cross Township, Buffalo County, was alderman for several terms at 
Alma, Wis., treasurer of Arcadia Township two terms, superintendent of 
assessment of Trempealeau County for six years, and is now serving his 
second term as district assessor of incomes. Aside from his personal farm- 
ing interests and public employment he is a stockholder in the Bank of 
Arcadia, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Farmers 
Co-operative Creamery at Arcadia. He and his family are Protestants, 
though not aflSliated with any particular church. 

Ellis G. Bigham, manager and secretary of the Farmers Co-operative 
Creamery of Arcadia, was born Nov. 11, 1878, in Arcadia Township, son 
of John and Grace (Gardner) Bigham, his parents being farmers in that 
township. He was educated in the graded school and high school of 
Arcadia Village, graduating from the latter in June, 1898. During the 
following winter he taught district school in the Smith district, Arcadia 
Township. In the fall of 1899 he began teaching in the Galesville school, 
having charge of the seventh and eighth grades and also taught for a 
while in the Galesville high school. The next summer, 1900, he went back 
to his father's farm and remained there for ten years. While living on 
the farm, in 1904, he was made manager and secretary Of the Farmers 
Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia, but remained on the farm until the 
fall of 1913, when, with his family, he moved into the village, and has since 
given his undivided attention to the creamery. Under his management 
the business has steadily increased until in 1916 a new and larger plant 
became necessary, and accordingly a new building, with full modern equip- 
ment, was put up on a site adjoining the old one. Mr. Bigham is a stock- 
holder in the creamery and also in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Com- 
pany. He is one of the enterprising young business men of the village, 
and is a member of the village board, though he has held no other public 
offices. In politics he is independent. Mr. Bigham was married Oct. 18, 
1902, to Alice, the daughter of George and Katherine Kindchy of Montana 
Township, Buifalo County, Wis., and he and his wife have three children: 
Katherine, born Nov. 10, 1903; Mona, born Feb. 28, 1907, and Margaret, 
born July 27, 1911. All the children were born on the Bigham farm and 
all are attending school. Mr. Bigham was reared in the faith of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife in that of the German Evan- 
gelical church. In 1908 he joined the Masonic order, in which he has 
advanced as far as the Chapter, and in 1916 was junior deacon of the 
lodge. Since 1901 he has belonged to the Independent Orders of Foresters, 
and since 1906 to the Beavers. 



740 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

John Busby, a well known and successful farmer of Arcadia Town- 
ship, was born in Waukegan, Lake County, 111., Sept. 27, 1857, son of 
Thomas and Mary (Knight) Busby. His parents were born and married 
in England and came to America in 1854, later settling on a farm 
one mile north of Arcadia Village, on the east side of Trempealeau River. 
They are now living retired at Wakefield, Neb., their unmarried daughter, 
Florence, keeping house for them. Thomas Busby was 89 years old Aug. 
24, 1917, and his wife 80 years Jan. 1, 1917. John Busby was less than 
a year old when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He was brought 
up on the home farm and remained with his father until he was 30 years 
old. At the age of 22 he bought a threshing outfit with which he threshed 
for the neighboring farmers every fall. In 1888 he bought a farm in 
Korpal Valley, six miles north of Arcadia and four south of Independence. 
It consisted of 120 acres and was partly improved, having a small house 
but no barn. That same year he was married to Gertrude Lewis, daughter 
of John D. and Charlotte (Maybury) Lewis of Lewis Valley, Arcadia 
Township, and they settled on the Korpal Valley farm, where they resided 
until 1903. Mr. Busby then traded his farm for the Lewis homestead of 
240 acres, a well improved piece of property, with frame house, a full base- 
ment barn, 30 by 66 feet and 16 feet above basement. He has since built 
a granary, machine shed and garage building and has put every part of 
the property into excellent condition. One hundred and seventy-five acres 
of his land is under the plow. Mr. Busby carries on general farming and 
dairying, keeping 25 grade "Red Poll" cattle, all young cows. He has a 
full equipment of machinery, teams and everything necessary to carry 
on a modern farm. The land in this valley is extremely fertile and is 
among the best farming sections in the county. Mr. Busby is a stock- 
holder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia Village. In poli- 
tics he is independent, voting for the man rather than for the party. He 
has served for a number of years as treasurer and clerk of the school dis- 
trict. He and his wife have two children — Benjamin and Irene. Benjamin, 
born Feb. 2, 1890, who is unmarried and hves at home, was graduated 
from the district school and the Arcadia high school, and attended for one 
year the department of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin. 
Irene, born March 24, 1897, resides at home with her parents. Mr. Busby 
has had four sisters and six brothers : Emma, Thomas, Florence, Charles 
Andrew, Oliver, Mary, Lilly, Mark and William. Of these Emma, Andrew, 
Lilly and Mark are deceased. 

Andrew Losinski, Sr., an early pioneer, was born in West Prussia, 
Poland, Nov. 13, 1832, and was there reared. He came to America in 1861 
and found his way to Winona, where several of his countrymen had pre- 
ceded him. For a time he worked at what he could find to do in the vicinity 
of RoUingstone and St. Charles, in Winona County, and for one or two 
seasons was employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River. He also 
worked for Andrew Hamilton, proprietor of a lumber yard at Winona, 
being employed both in the lumber yard and about his residence. Mr. 
Hamilton had but one horse at that time, which he used both as a carriage 
horse and for delivering lumber, so that Mr. Losinski's work in looking 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 741 

after the stable was not arduous. In 1865 Andrew Losinski came to Dodge 
Township, Trempealeau County, and bought the Wright farm of 133 acres 
in section 19. Only two acres of the farm had been cleared, and there 
was neither house nor barn. One of the first things he did, therefore, 
was to erect a log house and a log barn and then he set to work to clear 
and improve the land. He resided there until 1899 and then moved to a 
farm of 180 acres situated a little east of the old home in the same section, 
which is the farm now owned by his son, Andrew, Jr. It was not until 
1892, however, that he purchased the property. Here he resided until his 
death, July 29, 1911, when he was 78 years old. During his active years 
he improved the property, erecting a two-story brick house, with upright 
and wing, and a barn 24 by 84 by 14 feet. A man of sincere religious con- 
victions, Mr. Losinski helped to build the first Catholic church in Pine 
Creek and was for many years a trustee in that congregation. He and his 
wife were hard workers and in the early years endured many privations 
and hardships, but succeeded in acquiring a competency for their old age. 
For a number of years previous to his death the farm was operated by 
his son, Andrew, Jr. His wife is still living and resides with her son 
Andrew, enjoying remarkably good health for one of her years. She was 
born in West Prussia, Poland, in 1847, and came to America as a child 
about 1860. Andrew Losinski, Sr., and his wife had nine children : Stan- 
ley, born in Dodge Township in 1867; Lorenz, born in 1869, who died in 
1883 as the result of blood poisoning from a gunshot wound; Phela, born 
in 1871, wife of Joseph Poehler, a farmer of Arcadia Township; Vincent, 
born in 1873 and now living on the old homestead ; Andrew, Jr., proprietor 
of the homestead ; Frances, born in 1878, and now Mrs. Vincent Bambenek, 
living near Dodge Village ; Mary, born in 1880, now the wife of Tony Walski, 
a farmer of Trempeleau Township; Jacob, born in 1882, now a farmer of 
Arcadia Township, and Frank, born in 1885, who is proprietor of a gen- 
eral store at St. Phihp, Mont., and also postmaster. 

Andrew Losinski, Jr., who is engaged in farming in section 19, Dodge 
Township, was born on the place where he still lives, Sept. 7, 1875, son of 
Andrew and Anna (Rudink) Losinski. He was reared on the home farm, 
and under his father's instruction gained a good knowledge of agricul- 
tural methods. As his father grew old the management of the farm 
feU more and more into his hands until at last he had the entire man- 
agement of it. Three years before his father's death, or in 1908, he 
bought the property, since which time he has built a new barn and a silo 
of good capacity, besides a tool shed. His education was obtained in the 
district and parochial schools. Like his father before him he is a mem- 
ber of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at Pine Creek. In politics he is 
a Democrat. 

Emil F. Rotering, county highway commissioner, is leaving a per- 
manent record of his work in the magnificent system of public roads which 
the county is developing under his able supervision. As a contractor he 
was the pioneer builder of macadamized roads in Buffalo and Trempealeau 
County, and he is thus familiar with the technical details of road building 
in all its departments. In his present position his experience, his diplomacy 



742 HISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

and his ability to inspire others with his enthusiasm are all finding their 
reflection in the work which he is accomphshing. Thoroughly democratic 
by nature, he is of genial and pleasant temperament, and being still a 
young man. and having already worthily achieved much of merit, his friends 
predict for him a brilliant future of wide influence. He was born in 
Glencoe Township. Butt'alo County. Oct. 4, 1886. son of Henry and I\Iary 
Rotering. Henry Rotering was born in Germany, came to the United 
States in 1878, married Mary, a native of Buffalo County, this state, 
farmed in that county for a number of years, and later operated a livery 
business in Arcadia. Emil F. Rotering acquired a district school educa- 
tion, and also took a course in the Arcadia high school. He farmed at 
home until attaining his majority, and then became a rural mail carrier 
on Route 2, out of Arcadia. Wis. Five years later he associated himself 
with his father in the livery business. It was thus that he became inter- 
ested in the good roads movement, and in 1911, the State Road-Aid Law 
having been passed, he engaged in the road contracting business. In this 
capacity he built the first macadamized roads in Buffalo and Trempealeau 
Counties, and also did considerable road grading, receiving practically all 
the important contracts that were let under the State Aid Law while he 
was in business. So highly did his work in this capacity commend itself 
to the people of the county that in 1915 he was appointed to his present 
position as county commissioner of highways. Taking hold of his new 
work with a vim. he has followed a consistent plan of improvement, and 
in spite of the difficulties of road building in Trempealeau County, owing to 
the inequahties of the surface and the scarcity of good road material, he 
has evolved a splendid system and accomplished good results. After taking 
office he disposed of his livery and traded his road-building outfit for a 
fertile tract of 200 acres near Osseo. which he still owns and which he 
has fenced and improved in various ways. He also owns a pleasant home 
in Arcadia, and considerable other real estate, and his business holdings 
include stock in the Trempealeau Lime Products Company of Trempealeau, 
the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Independence, and the Ettrick 
& Northern Railroad at Ettrick. His fraternal relations are %vith the 
Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World and the Red Men. Mr. 
Rotering is one of the most active and wideawake young men in the 
county, and he is always willing to give his time and Influence in behalf 
of every movement which he believes to be for the best interests of the 
county and its people. He is an out-of-door man, an able motorist and an 
enthusiastic hunter. Mr. Rotering was married Dec. 30. 1913. to Isa 
Faulds, daughter of John and Margaret Faulds and five years postmistress 
of Arcadia. John Faulds was born in BaiUieston, Scotland, and came to 
America with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. James Faulds, in 1847. They 
settled in Hazelton. Pa., and in the spring of 1855 came to Glencoe, Wis., 
they being one of the pioneer settlers of that place. He enUsted 
in Company F. Seventh West Virginia Cavalry. Nov. 4. 1864, and served 
to Aug. 1. 1865. when he received his honorable discharge. In 1871 he was 
married to Margaret Wright of Tollcross, Glasgow, Scotland, making their 
home on the farm in Glencoe until 1880, afterwards mo\ing to Arcadia, 




EMIL F. EOTEEING 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 743 

where they resided until they died. Margaret Faulds died Jan. 15, 1907 ; 
John Faulds died Sept. 6, 1908. 

John D. Lewis, the first permanent settler in Lewis Valley, Arcadia 
Township, and now one of the oldest and most esteemed residents in the 
township, was born at Syracuse, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1828, son of Morgan 
and Lydia (Comstock) Lewis. The father was born in DeRuyter, a small 
village in Madison County, New York, June 29, 1805, and died in the same 
place July 1, 1855. His wife survived him over 40 years, dying at the home 
of her son, the subject of this sketch, in Arcadia Township, June 14, 1896, 
at the age of 90. She was buried in Arcadia Village. The Lewis family is 
of Welsh origin. John D. Lewis was brought up in his native state, where 
he learned the carpenter's trade. At. the age of 23 years, Aug. 5, 1851, 
he married Charlotte Maybury. Three years later, in 1854, he set out for 
the great Northwest, reaching Winona, Minn., July 8, that year. Here he 
found work at his trade, and on September 5 was joined by his wife, his 
son Kossuth and daughter Inez. The family resided in Winona until Jan. 
1, 1855, Mr. Lewis working as carpenter for Mr. Sowner, who was then 
postmaster of Winona. On the date last mentioned he moved with his 
family to Fountain City, Wis., where he continued to follow his trade. 
While residing here his little son Kossuth was accidentally drowned, July 
8, 1857, which calamity came as a sudden shock and caused great grief in 
the family, but in October of the same year another son was born, and 
the name of his dead brother was bestowed on him. On the breaking 
out of the great Civil war, in April, 1861, Mr. Lewis enlisted promptly in 
the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and obtained the rank of heutenant in Com- 
pany H. Going south with the regiment, he remained in the service until 
Dec. 22, 1861, when he was discharged and returned home. March 29, 
1865, he re-enlisted as captain, but this time served only one month, when 
the war ended with the surrender of General Lee. Early in 1866, a Mr. 
Davis, a surveyor and a friend of Mr. Lewis, told the latter of the value 
of the land in section 8, Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, especially 
in what was then called Niffin Valley. He and his wife decided that this 
was a good opportunity for them to acquire a homestead, and accordingly. 
May 26, 1866, Mr. Lewis bought a piece of land in the valley and he and 
his family moved onto it. Lewis Niffin, who had been a resident there for 
awhile, had moved away, and the valley now took the name of Lewis 
Valley, which it bears to this day. Mr. Lewis was very poor when he 
began farming, and had many difficulties to struggle with. Provisions had 
to be brought overland from Fountain City, 22 miles away, and there was 
an immense amount of work to be done on the farm. Mr. Lewis hastily 
erected the most necessary buildings and began the cultivation of the land. 
His children were all young and could be of little assistance, so the burden 
of toil for the first few years fell upon himself and wife. As fast as he was 
able he increased his improvements on his property, in time erecting a 
frame house and barn and adding to the number of acres under cultivation, 
5n the meanwhile practicing habits of strenuous industry and economy. 
Prosperity came gradually but surely. Occasionally there were hard times, 
as in the years of financial depression, but general conditions continued 



744 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to improve ; other settlers came in, farm machinery was introduced more 
extensively, lightening the fai-mer's burdens and increasing the size of his 
crops; better roads were constructed, and with the general rise of prices 
the value of Mr. Lewis's farm increased. His children grew up, the boys 
helping their father on the farm and the girls their mother in the work of 
the household, until some of them married and moved away. In the mean- 
while Mr. Lewis has become prominent in the community, and well known 
not only in his own neighborhood, but also throughout the county. Elected 
to the office of county clerk, he served in it efficiently for five years, and 
was also a member and chairman of the county board three terms. He 
was also a justice of the peace for many years, and for 25 years was school 
director, also serving for years as clerk of the district. In 1903 Mr. Lewis, 
then 75 years old, sold his farm to John Busby, a son-in-law, who has since 
operated it, and with whom, and his daughter, Mrs. Busby, he now resides. 
Although 89 years old, he retains his faculties in a remarkable degree, 
being quite active for one of his age, and is quietly enjoying his declining 
years. His wife died April 1, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had a large family, 
of whom the following is a brief record: Kossuth (1), born in New York 
state, Feb. 4, 1852, died from drowning at Fountain City, Wis., July 8, 
1857 ; Inez, born in New York state Aug. 7, 1853, who is now Mrs. John Burt 
of Myers Falls, Wash. ; Charles, born in Winona, Minn., Dec. 24, 1854, who 
died in infancy; Kossuth (2), born at Fountain City, Oct. 4, 1857, who is 
now living in Topeka, Kans. ; Blanche, born Dec. 1, 1860, who married 
Frank Ducker of Green Bay, Wis., and died in 1913; Gertrude, born at 
Fountain City, Jan. 1, 1863, who is now the wife of John Busby, owner 
of the Lewis homestead; Clive, born at Fountain City, Dec. 9, 1864, and 
now living at Beach, N. D. ; Delos, born in Arcadia Township, Jan. 4, 1867, 
who resides at Glendive, Mont.; Adelbert A., born in Arcadia Township, 
June 28, 1869, who resides in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Archie, born in Arcadia 
Township, who died at Fridley, Mont., in 1914, and Hugh, born in Arcadia 
Township, Oct. 6, 1876, who is now living in Korpal Valley, this township. 
Mr. Lewis, though reared a Baptist, has never united with any church. He 
is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Trempealeau 
County and has attained his present position in life through honest indus- 
,try, fulfilhng his obligations to all men and doing whatever he could to 
advance the interests of the general community. His surviving children 
are also prosperous and respected. 

Stephen Richmond was born in St. Lawrence County in the state of 
New York in the year 1848. His father, John Richmond, was an English- 
man, and his mother, Margaret Hoy, was of Irish nativity. He i-eceived 
his education in the common schools of his native village, Louisville, and 
in the Lawrence Academy and Potsdam State Normal school. After com- 
pleting his academic schooling he taught school for several years in the state 
of New York with marked success. About the year 1870 the "call of the 
West" reached him and bent his course toward the Badger state, and set- 
tling in Trempealeau County he became one of the pioneer schoolmasters. 
He was a strict disciplinarian, yet withal possessed of infinite kindness of 
heart — not that kind which finds its only expression in a sentimental 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 745 

demonstration, but rather of that character which looks to final results 
and the building up of better citizenship. The motto of his life, and the 
one that he sought to impress upon his pupils was, "Hew to' the line, let 
the chips fall where they may." For five years he was principal of the 
schools of Galesville, during which time he carefully instructed and became 
an important factor in moulding and forming the characters of many who 
today are among Galesville's best citizens, people who justly attribute 
much of their success and happiness to his untiring vigilance during those 
all but forgotten school days. In 1878 Mr. Richmond, feeling that he could 
be of greater use to his fellows in a new and untried field, moved to Arcadia, 
the village that was thenceforward to become his permanent home. Here 
for some years longer he pursued the noble profession of instructor, devot- 
ing all his moments of leisure to the study of the law, to such good pur- 
pose that in the following year he was duly admitted to practice that honor- 
able profession. At about the same time, recognizing his unusual talent 
and ability as an instructor and organizer of schools the people of Trem- 
pealeau County elected him to the office of County Superintendent of 
Schools, which office he honorably filled for some time. Mr. Richmond 
married Ida Merwin of Centerville in 1871, and seven children were born 
to them, two daughters who died in infancy and two daughters now liv- 
ing, Gertrude and Lulu, and three sons, Frank C, Ben F. and William M. 
The two sons, Frank C. and Ben F., following in the footsteps of the father, 
pursued the study of the law, were admitted to the bar and became mem- 
bers of the law firm of Richmond & Richmond. Frank C. Richmond is also 
a graduate physician. Ben Richmond enlisted in the Spanish-American 
war and died soon after being mustered out from disease contracted in 
the army. The unusual brilliancy of this son was the source of continual 
pride to the father, and the shock of his untimely death was almost more 
than the fond parents could endure. This crushing blow seemed to affect 
the health of the father and marked an apparent decline in his previous 
robust health. It shattered his great hopes for the future of the firm 
he had so carefully launched; but with his usual undaunted courage he 
buried his sorrow in his great heart and manfully took up the added 
burden. As a lawyer he was deeply, conscious of his duties to his client, 
making the sorrows and passions of his client his own so that all enemies 
of his client were his enemies during the time he was engaged. These 
cares and duties were with him both day and night. To have put them 
aside during his hours of rest and diversion would have been to him a 
grave wrong to his cUent — an unforgivable sin. Mr. Richmond was a man 
of true friends, men of worth and character, who were drawn to him by 
the depth and sincerity of his nature, who loved the man for what he was — 
a friend not in prosperity alone, but as well in the dark day of adversity. 
In the course of nature a well rounded life, rich in those achievements which 
distinguish one from his fellows, reached its close, Sept. 4, 1912; the dis- 
tinguished and respected citizen, the loved and loving father and husband, 
with every earthly obligation fulfilled, lay down to his last sleep. Mr. 
Richmond was deeply interested in historical matters, especially in the 
history of pioneer times in Western Wisconsin. It was his aspiration to 



74(i HISTORY OF TRP:]\IPEALEAU COUNTY 

prepare a History of Trempealeau County. He died before his task was 
completed, but he left behind many valuable manuscripts, which have 
been used as the base of much of the material in this present history. 

Frank R. Paine, a prosperous business man of Arcadia Village, deal- 
ing in farm loans, was born at Cascade, Sheboygan County, Wis., Oct. 29, 
1862, son of Rensselaer C. and Laura (Bigelow) Paine. The father was 
a native of Vermont, who came west and married Laura Bigelow at Cas- 
cade, Wis., in 1860. They settled near Winona, Minn., where in the spring 
of 1862 he was killed by a kick from a horse. After her husband's death 
Mrs. Paine returned to Cascade, and there the subject of this sketch was 
born in the following fall. In 1865 Mrs. Paine contracted a second mar- 
riage with H. T. Miller of Cascade, and she and her husband resided there 
until her son Frank was nine years old. Then, in 1871, the family moved 
to Sheboygan Falls, Wis. In the fall of 1874 they came to Arcadia, Trem- 
pealeau County, and here Mr. Miller bought a half interest in the flour 
mill of Broughton & Thomas, Mr. Broughton withdrawing from the firm, 
which then became Miller & Thomas. Soon after this Jacob R. Bear bought 
out the interest of Mr. Thomas, and the style of the firm was changed to 
Miller & Bear. In the meanwhile Frank R. Paine had grown to manhood. 
He had been educated in the common schools of Cascade, Sheboygan Falls 
and Arcadia, and at the age of 18 became clerk on a Mississippi River 
steamboat. Some time after the firm of Miller & Bear was formed, having 
now some means, he bought a half interest in the flour mill and was con- 
cerned in its operation until 1886 or 1887. In 1890 the entire property, 
including the mill dam, was destroyed by a great flood, but in the same 
year Mr. Paine organized a stock company and rebuilt the mill and prop- 
erty, managing it subsequently until 1910. Since then he has been engaged 
in selling farm loans. These have not been his entire activities, however, 
as in 1883, with Mr. Bear and his brother Fred he opened a general store 
at Durand, Wis. Mr. Bear died the same winter at Durand and Frank R. 
and Fred Paine continued the business up to 1886, when they sold out and 
Frank went to La Crosse, Wis., where he conducted a grocery store for 
about a year. In 1887 his health failed and for three years he was an 
invalid. May 22, 1885, Frank R. Paine married Kate A., daughter of 
Albert R. and Adeline Rathbone of Arcadia, the ceremony being presided 
over at the bride's home by Rev. T. G. Owen. Of this union two children have 
been born, Ina L., May 29, 1886, who is now Mrs. Ralph W. Danuser, her hus- 
band being a druggist in Arcadia, and Adehne, born Jan. 17, 1888, who died 
March 20, 1889. Mr. Paine is an independent in politics and has served as 
president of the village board of Arcadia two terms, having been a mem- 
ber of the board for a longer period. He is a member of the Masonic order, 
having belonged to the Blue Lodge at Arcadia since 1886, to the Chapter 
at Arcadia since 1887 and to the Eastern Star. He has belonged to the 
Modern Woodmen of America for many years, being a charter member 
of his lodge; also to the Independent Order of Foresters, of which lodge 
he is also a charter member, and to the Elk Lodge at La Crosse, of which 
he has been a member since 1904. Mr. Paine has a brother, Fred, who was 
born at Winona, Minn., in August, 1861, and who is now hving in Arcadia ; 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 747 

also a half sister and a half brother. The half sister, Laura, born in 1872, 
is now Mrs. G. O. Banting of Chippewa Falls, Wis. ; the half brother, Charles 
Miller, born in 1866, resides at Stoughton, Wis., where he is superintendent 
of the electric department of the Mandt Wagon Works. Mr. Paine's mother 
is still living and resides at Chippewa Falls, with her daughter Laura, whose 
husband, G. 0. Banting, is superintendent of city schools. 

Christian G. Wenger, who is now living retired in Arcadia Village, 
after a successful career as an agriculturist, was born in Ohio, Aug. 18, 
1852, son of Christian and Magdalena Wenger. When a boy he accom- 
panied his parents to Buffalo County, Wisconsin, they settling on a farm 
in Cross Township. There he was reared, acquiring his education in the 
district school, and also becoming familiar with farm work on the home- 
stead. On April 29, 1884, he was united in marriage with Bertha Wolfe, 
daughter of Phillip and Catherine (Rudeiger) Wolfe, who lived on a neigh- 
boring farm. Mr. Wenger and his wife had known each other from child- 
hood, having attended the same school. In the spring in which they were 
married they took a rented farm in Cross Township, near the old home, and 
in the following year Mr. Wenger purchased the farm. After operating it 
until 1890 he was attacked by rheumatism, which compelled him to give up 
farming for awhile, so he rented out the place and took up his residence in 
Fountain City, where he made his home for a year and a half. He had 
recovered from his rheumatism, however, at the end of a year, and during 
his last six months in Fountain City he was engaged in a brick yard. In 
the fall of 1892 Mr. Wenger went back to his Buffalo County farm and 
resumed agricultural operations. It contained 160 acres, mostly improved, 
and he operated it for ten years longer. Then in 1902 he sold it and pur- 
chased the Meili farm, two miles north of Arcadia on Independence road. 
This also was a farm of 160 acres, well improved. In 1908 Mr. Wenger 
bought the Winkel farm of 113 acres, all improved with good buildings, 
and situated one mile north of Arcadia on Independence road. These two 
farms he operated until the summer of 1917, when he retired and, building 
a beautiful residence in Arcadia Village, has since resided here in the enjoy- 
ment of an ample competency gained through his own efforts as a general 
farmer and dairyman, in which branch of industry he achieved a marked 
success. He has rented his farms to his two sons, Alvin operating the 
Meili farm and Walter the Winkel farm. Mr. Wenger is a Republican in 
politics. He served one term as a member of the township board and was 
for a number of years a member of the district school board. For many 
years also he has belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, being 
a member of Camp No. 769 of Arcadia. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are the 
parents of four children: Oscar C, Alvin E., Olivia Ida and Walter H. 
Oscar C, born in Cross Township, Buffalo County, Nov. 29, 1886, is resid- 
ing in Arcadia and is a rural mail carrier. He married Lena Ulbrecht of 
Courtland, Wis. Alvin E., born Feb. 25, 1889, in Cross Township, is a 
farmer, as mentioned above. He married Marie Shunk of Union Grove, 
Wis. Olivia Ida, born May 14, 1891, was graduated at the Arcadia high 
school and for some time was a teacher. She is now the wife of Rev. C. H. 
Kolander, pastor of the Evangelical church at Madison, Wis. Walter H., 



748 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

born Nov. 22, 1894, in Cross Township, is unmarried, and, as already men- 
tioned, is operating the Winkel farm, residing with his brother Oscar 
and wife. The family are members of the Evangelical Association, being 
active in its good work and aiding in its support. They are good repre- 
sentatives of the best agricultural class in this part of Trempealeau 
County. 

Leonard E. Danuser, well-known merchant of Arcadia, was born in 
Sauk County, Wisconsin, April 18, 1849, son of Florian and Celia (Buehler) 
Danuser, the pioneers. Florian Danuser was born in Canton Grisons, 
Switzerland, came to America in 1848, lived for some years in Sauk County, 
Wisconsin, and in 1855 came with other members of the family to Buffalo 
County, where they settled in the ravine that has since been known as the 
Danuser Valley. Leonard E. Danuser was reared to farm pursuits, and 
early turned his attention to merchandising. In 1877 he engaged in the 
hardware business in Independence, and thus continued until he came to 
Arcadia and purchased the business of Emil Maurer. The store is con- 
ducted under the name of L. E. Danuser & Son, and the son Ralph W. is 
the active manager. The company occupies a sightly brick building on 
Main street, compounds prescriptions, conducts a soda water fountain 
and deals in drugs, cigars, stationery, toilet articles, rubber goods, china, 
cut glass, jewelry and silverware. Mr. Danuser was married Dec. 6, 1877, 
to Hannah E. Lehman of Naperville, 111., daughter of Henry M. and Sarah 
(Huber) Lehman. Mr. and Mrs. Danuser have four children: Ralph W., 
his father's partner ; Sadie, wife of O. B. Strouse, cashier of the State Bank 
of Arcadia, and Lulu, who died at the age of seven years; Lillian, who is 
at present clerking in the store. 

Ralph W. Danuser, licensed pharmacist and active manager of the 
store of L. E. Danuser & Son, Arcadia, was born in Independence May 14, 
1880, passed through the graded schools and graduated from the Indepen- 
dence high school in 1896 and the Arcadia high school in 1898. Then he 
took a course in pharmacy and chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, 
with the degree of Ph. G. Since then he has been connected with his 
present concern. Fraternally Mr. Danuser is a member of the Masonic 
order, the Elks and the Independent Foresters. Mr. Danuser was married 
May 22, 1909, to Ina L. Paine of Arcadia, daughter of Frank R. and Kate A. 
(Rathbone) Paine, and this union has been blessed with four children: 
Donald, born April 12, 1900; Eileen, Aug. 12, 1911; Adeline, Nov. 13, 1914, 
and Bruce, May 26, 1917. 

William H. Selck, manager of the electric light plant at Whitehall, Wis., 
and proprietor of the W. H. Selck Electric Company, was born in Arcadia, 
Trempealeau County, 1877, son of Timothy and Anna (Ehlers) Selck. 
Timothy Selck, who was born in Germany, came to America in 1860, resid- 
ing for a few years in Winona, Minn., and Trempealeau, Wis. He then 
moved to Arcadia, where for over 30 years he followed the tailor's trade, 
dying in 1894 at the age of 52. His wife Anna, whom he married in Winona, 
now lives in Fargo, N. D., with her daughter Cora, who is the wife of 
Thomas Sullivan, a newspaper man. There were three elder children in 
the family, which numbered four in all, namely: Lena, wife of John 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 749 

Danuser, an electrician living in Arcadia ; Lydia, wife of Henry Schroeder, 
a barber of Arcadia, and William H., of Whitehall. WiUiam H. Selck, after 
acquiring his elementary education, attended the Arcadia high school, and 
subsequently the University of Wisconsin. He then found employment 
as a bookkeeper, first at Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained one year, and 
later in St. Paul, Minn., of which city he was a resident for two years. 
Returning to Arcadia he entered the employ of the Arcadia Telephone 
Company, and was with them for one year, during which time he helped 
to install the electric light plant at Independence, which he operated for 
one year subsequently. In 1903 Mr. Selck assumed the duties of his present 
position and has been thus employed up to the present time. In February, 
1915, he bought from the village of Whitehall the electrical supply busi- 
ness which he is now operating under the name of the W. H. Selck Electrical 
Company, doing all kinds of electrical construction work. This business 
and his official duties as manager of the local light plant keep him busily 
employed in remunerative work. He is a member of the German Lutheran 
church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. May 12, 1902, Mr. 
Selck married Ellen Michaels, daughter of John Michaels, a liveryman 
of Ackley, Iowa. He and his wife have had six children : Harold, who died 
at the age of 12 days ; Miles, who died at the age of four years ; Rolland, 
Norman and Warren, who are living, and one other who died at birth. 

Daniel Scholz, who for many years was one of the best known and 
most respected citizens of Lincoln Township, was born in Schlesan, Ger- 
many, May 4, 1863, son of Gottlieb and Annie (Reuter) Scholz. The 
parents, both of whom are now deceased, came to America with their chil- 
dren in 1874, locating in section 7, Lincoln Township, this county, from 
wJiich place they removed subsequently to a homestead in section 11. On 
this latter farm they spent the rest of their lives. Daniel Scholz was eleven 
years old when the family settled in Trempealeau County. At an early 
age he assisted his father in the work on the farm, and after the death 
of his parents came into possession of the homestead, where he followed 
farming until his own death from drowning, March 24, 1913. His sudden 
removal while in the prime of life was a great grief to his family and a 
shock to the whole community. He had served as school clerk for nine 
years, and was a member and for most of his life had been an official of 
the German Lutheran church. Daniel Scholz was married Oct. 5, 1886, to 
Augusta Strege, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, Nov. 27, 1861, 
daughter of Herman and Caroline Strege, and who came to America in 
1885. Mr. and Mrs. Scholz had nine children: Carl F. C, who manages 
the farm for his mother ; Bertha, the wife of Henry Underwood, who assists 
Carl on the farm; Annie, who married Carl Woychik, a carpenter living 
near the Scholz farm, and has two children, Raymond and Adeline; Ella, 
wife of Albert Fromm, also living in the neighborhood, who has one child, 
Evelyn ; Emma, a graduate of the La Crosse normal school, who has been 
teaching for four years in Hale Township ; Clara, Rudolph, Paul and Otto, 
all of whom reside at home. 

Martin Gunderson, Jr., who owns and operates the old Gunderson 
farm in Hale Township, was born April 1, 1882, son of Martin, Sr., and 



750 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Olea (Olson) Gunderson. The father was born in Soler, Norway, in 1834, 
and came to the United States in 1862, settling in Blair, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., where he remained two years. In 1864 he homesteaded a 
farm in section 6, range 8 west, township 22 north, Hale Township, and 
devoted the rest of his active period to its cultivation, his death taking 
place in October, 1881. His wife Olea, who was born in Soler, Norway, in 
1842, after her husband's death contracted a second marriage with Brede 
Ramstad of section 1, Chimney Rock Township. She died Jan. 8, 1906, 
her second husband surviving her and being still a resident of his farm 
in Chimney Rock. Martin Gunderson, Sr., was an industrious, capable 
man and during his career as an agriculturist in Hale Township did much 
to improve his farm. He is still remembered by the older residents of 
the township, among whom he had many friends. Martin Gunderson, Jr., 
who was the youngest of eight children, acquired a good knowledge of 
agriculture and on the death of his mother purchased the old homestead, 
which he has since carried on with profitable results, doing general farming. 
His two-story frame residence, having seven rooms and basement, was 
erected in 1910 and is a neat and substantial dwelling. In 1915 he built 
a frame barn, with basement of cement blocks, 36 by 70 by 16 feet above 
basement, the latter having cement floors. It is equipped with steel 
stanchions and other necessary or useful appliances, furnishing ample 
accommodations for his stock. Dec. 25, 1908, Martin Gunderson, Jr., was 
united in marriage with Amelia Anderson, who was born in Whitehall, 
Wis., Feb. 20, 1872, being the eldest of the 12 children of Gilbert and Mary 
(Matson) Anderson. Her father, who was born in Norway in 1849, came 
to this country in 1860 and engaged in farming in Rosko's Coolie, Hale 
Township. He died March 8, 1911. Her mother, born in Soler, Norway, 
Jan. 19, 1854, is now a resident of Eleva, this county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gunderson have no children of their own, but are rearing a son of 
Mrs. Gunderson's brother, Otto, Roy Anderson, who was born Nov. 20, 
1903. 

Olof C. Olson. Among the model farms of Unity Township is that of 
Olof C. Olson in section 19, containing 200 acres, and which is one of the 
old established farms of the township, its development having occupied 
a period of over 40 years. It was settled in 1873 by Christ Olson Poajakka, 
father of the subject of this sketch, who, born in Norway in 1834, emigrated 
to the United States in 1872, first locating in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. 
There, however, he remained only a year, at the end of that time coming to 
Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where he bought from the railroad 
company the land which now constitutes the above mentioned farm, and 
which is now known as Beef River Valley Stock Farm. Here Christ Olson 
Poajakka resided subsequently until his death in 1894, actively engaged in 
the development and improvement of his property, in which enterprise he 
made considerable pi'ogress. His wife, whose maiden name was Marie 
Flatten, is still living and resides with her son Olof C, the present pro- 
prietor of the farm, being now 76 years old. Olof C. Olson was born on 
the farm he now owns, July 21, 1873, soon after his parents had moved onto 
it, and here he has passed all his subsequent years. Until March, 1901, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 751 

he worked for his parents, and then purchased the farm, since which time 
he has made some important additional improvements on it. In 1912 he 
built a barn, 36 by 100 by 16 feet above the basement, which is constructed 
of cement blocks, having cement floors, steel stalls, stanchions and man- 
gers, cement water troughs and steel calf pens, with room for 75 head of 
cattle. He has also a side barn, 16 by 48 by 8 feet, and another, 16 by 24 by 
9 feet ; two stave silos, 14 by 32 and 14 by 30 feet, and a hog house, 20 by 30 
feet, with cement floor. His residence is a good substantial frame house 
of six rooms. The farm is well fenced with woven wire fencing. Mr. Olson 
keeps and raises pure-bred Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 50 head, all 
registered, the head of his cattle herd being the five-year-old bull Roan Duke, 
weighing 2,250 pounds. His hogs are of the large type Poland-China breed, 
all full-blooded, registered animals, of which he has 200 head, selling 150 
head in the season of 1916. The heads of the hog herd are King Jumbo, 
two years old and weighing 850 pounds, and Big Type Jim, which weighed 
as a pig in March, 1916, 250 pounds, and has won several prizes at various 
important fairs. Mr. Olson also raises Percheron horses, having two stal- 
Uons, has a flock of 60 pure-bred Mammoth Bronze turkeys and flocks of 
Toulouse geese and Black Minorca chickens. June 6, 1899, Mr. Olson was 
united in marriage with Paulina Thomasgaard, who was born in Unity 
Township, Sept. 16, 1872, daughter of Ole and Marie (Kleven) Thomas- 
gaard, of whom a memoir appears elsewhere in this work. He and his 
wife have five children: Colonel, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Juha. The 
family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr. 
Olson belongs also to the Order of Beavers. He is a stockholder in the 
Unity Co-operative Creamery at Strum. His present prosperity aff'ords 
a strong contrast to the conditions which prevailed when his parents first 
settled on this farm, as the house in which he was born was a dug-out in 
the hill, roofed over with marsh hay, and with a dirt floor and sod walls. 
In his boyhood days luxuries were unknown except that game was more 
often seen on the table than it is today, but often had to be eaten when 
other food would have been more palatable. As the son of early settlers, 
and himself a native of Unity Township, he is widely acquainted through- 
out this and neighboring townships, and he and his family stand high in 
public esteem. 

Louis N. Larson, M. D. C, who is engaged in veterinary practice in 
Whitehall, Wis., was born in Norway, Aug. 30, 1874, son of Bernt and 
Johanna (Nelson) Larson. The father, also a native of Norway, came 
to America with his family in 1880, settling in Berton, S. D., where 
he foflowed farming until 1909. He then removed to Pearson, 
Wash., which is his present place of residence. At the age of 
62 he retired from farming. His wife Johanna died in 1889 at the age 
or 39 years. Louis N. Larson, after acquiring his elementary education, 
spent two years in the high school of Spring Valley, Minn., and afterwards 
one year at Minneapolis Academy. He then entered the Chicago Veterinary 
College, from which he was graduated in 1905. Locating in Whitehall in 
the spring of the same year, he has since followed his profession here suc- 
cessfully. He has made special studies in bacteriology and histology, espe- 



752 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

cially as applied to veterinary science, and is rapidly becoming recognized 
as an expei't in his line. He is a member of several medical associations, the 
Society of Graduate Veterinarians of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Veter- 
inary Medical Association. One of the stockholders of the Peoples State 
Bank of Whitehall he takes an interest in the success of that institution. 
His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Independent Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. 
In politics he is a Republican. Dr. Larson was married May 23, 1906, to 
Tina Gusk of Preston Township, who was born in that township Nov. 23, 
1881, daughter of Bernt and Jonena (Strate) Gusk. Her father, who still 
lives on the Gusk homestead, was born in Norway and came to America 
in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Larson have a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances in and around Whitehall. 

Clarence J. Van Tassel, county surveyor of Trempealeau County, was 
born in Hale Township, this county, July 5, 1879, son of James and Clara 
(Wegner) Van Tassel. The father, who was born in Kenosha, Wis., came 
to Trempealeau County with his parents in 1863. They located in Hale 
Township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1898 at the age of 
40 years. His wife Clara, to whom he was married in Whitehall, is living 
at the age of 62 years. Clarence J. Van Tassel after acquiring an educa- 
tion took up the occupation of school teacher in 1895 and was thus engaged 
four years. Then, having learned the trade of photographer, he followed 
it in Whitehall till January, 1916, when he sold out. In the meanwhile he 
studied civil engineering at home, devoting a part of his time to it from 
1907 to 1912, since which time he has followed it exclusively. He was 
elected county surveyor in the fall of 1910 and re-elected in the fall of 1914, 
having held the position continuously up to the present time. He also 
does engineering work for the Ettrick & Northern Railroad from Ettrick 
to Blair. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Van Tassel was 
married Nov. 1, 1899; to Anna Stanley of Onalaska, who was a public 
school teacher, daughter of Lyman and Diana Stanley. Her mother is 
now a resident of North Yakima, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel have 
been the parents of five children : Wilma, who died at the age of six months ; 
Thurman, Howard, Gerald and Olive. The family reside in Whitehall, 
where they have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 

Edward Torgerson, popular and efficient sheriff of Trempealeau County, 
from Jan. 1, 1915, to Jan. 1, 1917, is a native of this county, having been 
born in Independence July 2, 1885, second of the eight children born to 
Christ and Martha (Bidney) Torgerson, the former of whom is a hard- 
ware merchant in Independence. He passed through the public schools, 
and as a boy began work in his father's general store at Whitehall. There 
he remained until his father sold out in 1912. In the fall of 1914 he was 
elected sheriff. As sheriff he did excellent work and won the admiration 
of all the people of the county. Mr. Torgerson's fraternal affiliations are 
with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen. He was married April 
28, 1911, to Stella Torson, daughter of Ole and Anna (Skogen) Torson, the 
former of whom is a meat dealer in Whitehall. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 753 

Frank L. Koepke, who is engaged in business in Whiteiiall as horse 
trainer, and as manufacturer and distributor of the Koepke controller 
bridles and the Koepke leading and subduing bridle, was born in Pommern, 
Germany, July 14, 1868. His parents, William H. and Albertina (Geffe) 
came to the United States with their family in 1869, settling in south- 
eastern Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in railroad work. In 
1885 they came to Wisconsin, and for two years resided in La Crosse. Then 
coming to Trempealeau County, William H. Koepke took a farm in Burn- 
side Township, which he operated five years. Subsequently buying a farm 
in Hale Township he made that place his residence for the rest of his life, 
dying in 1911 at the age of 76 years. His wife died in 1913 at the age of 78. 
Frank L. Koepke was employed in railroad work for two years in early 
manhood. He then worked on his father's farm until 1898, in which year 
he took up the business of horse breaking, in which he has become an expert, 
having handled successfully all kinds of vicious horses. For some time 
he worked on horse ranches in Western Nebraska, handling as many as 
83 horses for one ranch. He was employed on the Spade ranch, the largest 
ranch in Nebraska, and also on the Ostrander ranch at the same place. 
In 1906 he came back to Whitehall and in 1911, in company with his brother 
Carl, he conducted his father's farm, afterwards operating part of it for 
himself until 1914, since which time he has lived in Whitehall. Mr. Koepke 
was married Nov. 2, 1910, to Frances Gibson of Whitehall, a daughter 
of James and Alice (Bateman) Gibson, and who for some 12 years before 
her marriage was engaged in teaching. Mrs. Koepke's father, who was a 
pioneer settler in this region, died in Whitehall in 1902 at an advanced age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Koepke have three children: William James, born Oct. 26, 
1913; Fern Majorie, born Jan. 16, 1912, and Donald Richard, born June 
13, 1916. 

Theodore B. Olson, proprietor of the Whitehall Cement Block Factory, 
at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Moe Cooley, Pigeon Township, Dec. 25, 1884, 
son of Brede and Tina (Peterson) Olson. The father was born in Norway 
in 1829 and came to America in 1871, buying a farm in Pigeon Township, 
this county, where he remained until his death in September, 1912. His 
wife, to whom he was married in Norway, was born there in February, 
1841. She is still living and resides with her son Brede in Pigeon Town- 
ship. Their living children are four sons and one daughter : Johanna, who 
is now Mrs. B. P. Moe of Pigeon Township ; Ole, a retired farmer living in 
Whitehall; Brede B., a farmer of Pigeon Township; Martin, a farmer in 
Sumner Township, and Theodore B. of Whitehall. Theodore B. Olson was 
the youngest member of his parent's family, which numbered in all 11 
children. He remained at home until he was 20 years old, working during 
the last four years of that time for his brother Brede. In 1907 he began 
leai-ning the carpenter's trade, and worked at it subsequently in various 
places until August, 1912. Then taking up his residence in Whitehall, he 
entered the employ of A. E. Wood, a contractor, for whom he worked until 
December, 1915, at which time he bought an interest in the Whitehall 
Cement Block Factory, of which he is now the proprietor. The business is 
carried on in a one-story frame building, 36 by 90 feet, which is equipped 



754 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

with one press machine for making ell-blocks, a tamping machine for 
8-inch blocks and a brick machine. The factory has a capacity of 500 blocks 
a day, and employs three men, having a ready sale for all the product they 
can turn out. Mr. Olson at first bought a one-third interest in the busi- 
ness, but purchased the remaining two-thirds May 4, 1916. He is a member 
of the Norwegian Lutheran church. 

George N, Hidershide, M. D., dean of the medical profession in Trem- 
pealeau County, pioneer physician, retired army officer, useful citizen, and 
man-of-affairs, came to Arcadia in 1875, less than eighteen months after 
the railroad was opened, and his experiences were typical of that heroic 
band of medical practitioners who had so important a part in the develop- 
ment of the Noi'thwest. The story of his career presents him as working 
out the destinies of pioneer life hand in hand with the other forces for 
the common good. He was an integral part of the pioneer social fabric. 
As such he shared the aims and ambitions of his companions. Only rough 
outlines can be given of the heroic and adventurous side of his long and 
honored life. The imagination cannot, unaided by facts, picture the primi- 
tive conditions with which he had to contend. Long and dreary rides 
by day and night, in summer's heat and winter's cold, through flood and 
drought, through snow and mud, through rain and hail, were his common 
lot. Often he went for a week without being out of his clothes, and some- 
times he went days without sleep. He trusted himself to the wilderness, 
crossed unbridged streams, made his way over untrodden ridges, and 
traveled the roadless wilderness. What few roads there were, were in the 
worst of condition. Often he took routes which showed not a single trace 
of human travel. Some roads consisted merely of parallel wheel tracks, 
from which the rain had washed the earth, leaving ruts whose stones 
made travel a constant succession of jolts. The present generation cannot 
realize the difficulties of a physician's travels in those days. Oftentimes 
the traveler had to make a temporary bridge across the swollen streams 
with planks or logs or poles. Sometimes in a dangerous place the horses 
had to be unhitched and led for a distance and tied, and then the vehicle 
hauled over the same route by the driver. Sometimes the patient was in 
a cabin so inaccessible that the physician had to leave his horse in a shel- 
tered nook and find his way to the cabin on foot. But Dr. Hidershide was 
not unaccustomed to pioneer life and conditions. He had settled in Mt. 
Vernon Township, in Winona County, when that township was a wilder- 
ness ; he was not only in active sympathy with pioneer life, but was pre- 
pared by his own experiences to cope with its conditions. It was indeed 
particularly fortunate for the pioneers of Trempealeau County that a 
man of Dr. Hidershide's type was the one who should have cast his des- 
tinies in this county at the time he did. There was much sickness and 
much suffering. The people were poorly nourished and poorly housed. 
Sanitary conditions were of the worst. No quarantine restrictions were 
observed. Contagion was carried from family to family, and within the 
families there was no opportunity for isolation. To lay four or five con- 
tagion-stricken children in a single grave under the prairie sod was no 
uncommon experience. Physicians were few. The resources of the best 




X ,/K M,'.^,^^^!:^^ M. h 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 755 

physicians were limited. The doctors were without any of the modern 
equipment for fighting disease. The doctors at Black River Falls, Merrillan, 
Whitehall, Fountain City, Galesville, Trempealeau, Arcadia and Winona, 
who served this entire district, were greatly overworked. They were with- 
out our present means of physical diagnosis, without our laboratories and 
experiments, our medical journals, our chemistry, our bacteriology, our 
Roentgen rays, our experimental pharmacology and our antitoxin serums ; 
abdominal surgery was considered almost an impossibility, the Dr. McDowell 
case in Kentucky being the only one on record at that time. Many dis- 
eases which now yield to treatment were considered fatal. But Dr. Hiders- 
hide had his eyes, his ears, his fingers, his native vigor and resourcefulness, 
his kindliness of heart, and his adaptability. He learned much for him- 
self, he kept pace with modern discovery, he readily adjusted himself to 
changing conditions, he put his heart and sympathies into every case. Up 
to the time of his serious illness six years ago he never refused a call. 
He always responded to the poor and gave as freely to those who could 
not pay as to those who were able to recompense him. In the early days 
the only income of the farmers came from small grains, and this money 
did not come until late fall. Many a farmer had hardly a single dollar 
during the spring and summer months. Business was done on credit. 
Often without funds himself. Dr. Hidershide year after year worked 
through winter, spring and summer, waiting until fall for the meager pay 
for his faithful services, only to find even then that many of the patients 
were unable to pay, and that he would have to wait until another fall, or 
sometimes forever. The long and exhaustive rides, the exposure to con- 
tagions, the heartaches and discouragements, the patient vigils by bed- 
sides of agony when his own body was exhausted by exposure and racked 
with pain of fatigue, the kindly deeds of charity, the reassuring messages 
to the despondent, the shielding of the innocent, the guarding of secrets, 
the numberless self abnegations of such a man cannot be chronicled. He 
became almost a member of the families to whom he ministered. He was 
the adviser in matters not always purely medical. How welcome was his 
coming in the stormy midnight to a lonely cabin miles from the nearest 
neighbor. Earnest, cheery, capable, confident, his presence lightened the 
burden, shouldered the responsibility and brightened the gloom. From the 
toils and exposures of his professional life the doctor has found surcease 
in his love of the beautiful in nature. Passionately fond of flowers, he has 
laid out his lawns in a profusion of shrubbery and plants, and his estate, 
situated on the slope of land which separates the flats from the table lands 
on the principal street in Arcadia, represents the loving care which he 
has devoted to its arrangement and perfection. George N. Hidershide was 
born in Luxembourg, June 13, 1850, son of Nicholas and Anna M. (Salen- 
ting) Hidershide. They were well established there, but willing to sacrifice 
the comforts of their position and the companionship of their friends that 
their family might escape from the shackles of militarism, they determined 
upon cutting loose from old traditions and estabUshing themselves in the 
new world. Accordingly in 1857, with their four children, Peter, now a 
retired farmer of Mt. Vernon Township, Winona County, Minn.; Mary 



756 HISTOEY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Jane, now of Brown's Valley, Minnesota, widow of John Rodenbour; 
George N., the subject of this sketch ; and Mary A., now the wife of Henry 
D. Stevens of Winona ; (Louisa, who like her husband, Joseph Meyers, is 
now deceased, having been born later in this country), they set sail, and 
reaching Minneiska, Minn., in July of that year, they settled on a farm in Mt. 
Vernon Township, Winona County, in that state. There the father died, 
and in later years the mother moved to Arcadia, where she was given lov- 
ing care and attention by her devoted son, the subject of this sketch. 
George N. grew to sturdy young manhood on the Mt. Vernon farm, attend- 
ing the district schools, and rounding out his preparatory education with 
a course in the Winona State Normal School. In the meantime he had 
spent a year learning English in the home of Dr. George F. Childs, in 
Minneiska, and this had inspired him to adopt medicine as a profession. 
In due time he entered the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Ky., 
and was graduated therefrom in 1875. This education he has supplemented 
by extensive reading and study, and by post-graduate courses in the Rush 
Medical College at Chicago, the Vienna University at Vienna, Austria, 
and in other institutions, so although the whole tenor of medical practice 
has changed since his entering the profession, he has nevei'theless kept 
fully abreast of the latest discoveries and the most modern methods. After 
a short practice in Chicago he was called home by the death of his father, 
and it was while home on the farm that he was induced to cast his destinies 
in Arcadia, with whose history his name has since been inseparably con- 
nected. His professional duties have taken him as far as Tacoma, Wash., 
Davis City, Iowa, and Jamestown, N. D. In Arcadia, where he is deeply 
loved and respected, he has been president of the village, president of the 
board of health, and president of the library board, of which last named 
body he is still the head. He was one of the founders of the Western Wis- 
consin Telephone Company, of which he is vice-president, and installed the 
first telephone in the Trempealeau Valley in this county. His financial 
interests also include stock in the Bank of Arcadia, in which he is a director, 
and whose destinies he has helped to shape. An active Republican in poli- 
tics, he was chairman of the Republican County Committee for two terms, 
and in the old convention days was a delegate to many a political gathering, 
and the center of many a hot contest. For a time he was a member of the 
county board and has also served in other offices. He is a Thirty-second 
degree Mason and also associates fraternally with the Modern Woodmen, 
the United Workmen and the Beavers. He is a member of the American 
Medical Association, the State Medical Association and the Trempealeau. 
Jackson and Buffalo County Medical Association, and was first president 
of the Trempealeau County Medical Association, and at one time pi-esident 
of the Western Wisconsin Medical Society, now superseded by the individual 
county societies. He is also an active member of the Trempealeau County 
Historical Society. As a patriot he has given loyal service to this state 
and country. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he off'ered his 
services to the state, and became assistant surgeon of the First Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of first lieutenant, serving through the 
war and being mustered out with the regiment at the close of the conflict. 



HISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 757 

His kindly services so endeared him to the members of the regiment that 
upon the request of several of them the adjutant general recommended 
him to the governor for reappointment when the National Guard was reor- 
ganized. Accordingly he became assistant surgeon with the rank of first 
lieutenant on the staff of the Third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
being promoted to captain in the same regiment in 1903. In 1912 he 
received his commission as major, and became chief surgeon of the Second 
Regiment. He was retired from military life June 13, 1915. Dr. Hidershide 
was married in September, 1892, to Joseph Agnes, daughter of Michael 
and Margaret (Pfeiffer) Agnes. Michael Agnes, a merchant, was the 
original proprietor of the townsite of Minneiska, Minn. 

Mrs. Sophia Proctor, proprietor of a lumber yard in Arcadia, with a 
branch at Dodge, is an excellent type of a modern business woman. She 
was born in Waumandee Valley, Buffalo County, this state, April 28, 1861, 
daughter of William and Grace (Muir) Robertson. Educated in the village 
schools of Arcadia, she made good progress in her studies and at the age 
of 18 years engaged in teaching. In this occupation she continued for three 
terms in the rural schools and four years in the Arcadia Village schools. 
She made a most proficient teacher, had unusual success in instilling knowl- 
edge, and is still held in loving regard by those who were then her pupils. 
July 19, 1883, when she was 22 years old, she was married to Richard 
Proctor. She entered thoroughly into his life and work, assisted him with 
his books in the lumber and grain business, and in 1896 became his partner. 
Since his lamented death Sept. 3, 1904, she has carried on the lumber busi- 
ness alone. She is the only woman member of the Wisconsin Retail Lum- 
bermen's Association, and the only woman retail lumber dealer in Wis- 
consin. In public, fraternal and church affairs she has taken an active 
interest. For some years she did excellent service as trustee of the Arcadia 
Cemetery Association and as a member of the public library board. In 
Golden Rod Lodge, No. 100, Order of Beavers, she was worthy queen two 
years and secretary five years. In Coral Rebekah Lodge, I. 0. O. F., of 
Whitehall, she is likewise a faithful member. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church has found her a faithful member as treasurer, trustee and steward, 
and for many years she has been a teacher in the Sunday school. Energetic, 
capable and public spirited, Mrs. Proctor enjoys a wide popularity both in 
business and social circles. 

Richard Proctor, for many years a lumber dealer and grain buyer in 
Arcadia, was born in England in 1844, and at the age of nine years was 
brought to this country by his parents, who settled on a farm near Old 
Arcadia. He was there reared, and for a short time attended school, but 
was largely a self-made man. He became interested in the lumber and 
grain business, was grain buyer for the Cargill Company at Arcadia, and 
conducted a lumber yard of his own. He died Sept. 3, 1904. He was- 
married July 19, 1883, to Sophia Robertson, and this union was blessed with 
two children, Lloyd R. and Mabel G. Lloyd R. was born Sept. 21, 1884. 
He passed through the Arcadia schools, graduated from the Arcadia high 
school, attended Morgan Park Academy, a preparatory branch for boys 
of the University of Chicago, and completed in the University of Wis- 



758 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

consin. He is now engaged in the retail grocery and bakery business at 
Grangeville, Idaho. He married Nora Johnson. Mabel G. was born Sept. 6, 
1886, passed through the Arcadia schools, graduated from the Arcadia high 
school, attended Downer College at Milwaukee for two years, and in 1909 
was graduated from the Northwestern University at Evanston, 111. She 
then taught for two years at Biwabik, Minn. She is now the wife of W. C. 
Schaefer, a dentist at Dallas, Ore., and they have one child, a daughter, Jean. 

Christian Haines, a pioneer of Bill's Valley, Arcadia Township, was 
born in Hohenzollern, Germany, Oct. 11, 1835, and in 1856 came to America 
with his parents, who settled at Herkimer, N. Y. Two years later the father 
died, and in 1858 the family moved to Canastota, N. Y., where Christian 
Haines engaged in the mercantile business until the close of the Civil War. 
He was unfortunate in business, however, and lost all he had, so to retrieve 
his fortunes he came west, locating first at Fountain City, Buffalo County, 
this state. A little later he came to Arcadia Township, this county, setthng 
in Bill's Valley on a farm. He was a skilled apiarist, keeping numerous 
colonies of bees, and producing as much as 7,500 pounds of honey in one 
year, also taking first premiums at county and state fairs. A prominent 
citizen of the community in which he lived, he took part in local government, 
sei-ving a number of years on the Arcadia town board. His wife, Margaret 
Bill Haines, to whom he was married at Herkimer, N. Y., in 1856, was born 
in Wilsenrode, Germany, Aug. 22, 1840, and came to America as a child 
with her parents, who settled at Utica, N. Y. She shared all the hardships 
and privations of pioneer life with her husband and also shared in his suc- 
cesses, being a true and worthy helpmeet. She died May 3, 1916. Mr. 
Haines died Dec. 26, 1914. Both were members of the Church of Our Lady 
of Perpetual Help at Arcadia. Of their family of 14 children nine are now 
living. 

Joseph W. Haines, proprietor of the Pleasant View Farm, in section 16, 
Arcadia Township, was born in Herkimer, N. Y., July 7, 1863, the son of 
Christian and Margaret (Bill) Haines, who brought him first to Buffalo 
County and then to Trempealeau County. He resided at home until he was 
21 years old, during which time he had some schooling, though his educa- 
tional opportunities were limited. On attaining his majority he went to 
Utica, N. Y., where he entered the employ of the New York Central &. 
Hudson River Railway, but finding the work too dangerous, he stayed but 
a few months, then returning to Wisconsin. In the winter of 1886 he 
entered the employ of the Goodyear Lumber Company, near Mather, Wis., 
and remained with this firm for three years, in 1889 returning to his 
parents' homestead. In the same year he purchased his present farm. 
Jan. 7, 1890, he was married to Anna K., daughter of Jacob and Mary 
George of Glencoe, Buffalo County. This homestead, where the young 
couple began housekeeping, was a tract of 200 acres, partially improved, 
there being a small frame house on the property. Here Mr. Haines has 
resided ever since, engaged in general farming, and also in honey produc- 
tion, being, like his father, a skilled apiarist and putting up for sale the 
best honey that can be obtained in the market. He has made many improve- 
ments on the farm, including the erection of new buildings. His present 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 759 

residence is a two-story frame house, consisting of upright and wing, and 
piped for both soft and hard running water, the house being heated by fur- 
nace. He has also a full basement, frame barn, measuring 34 by 72 by 14 
above the basement; a granary, machine sheds, double corn crib, and a 
combined ice and milk house, all the buildings being in good condition. 
Aside from his own fai-ming interests Mr. Haines is a stockholder in the 
Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, the Arcadia Shipping Association and 
the Trout Run Farming Company. In politics he is a Democrat, and has 
been director on the Cortland school board for many years. He and his 
wife had a large family of 18 children, whose names are respectively: 
Herman, Elmer C, Leo J., Minnie E., Christian J., Henry E. (deceased), 
Joseph M., Elsie L., Margaret A., Henry E. (second), Norbert, Jerome J., 
Armilla E., Arthur F., Clarence A., Frank N., Alfred M. and Virginia A. 
Their record in brief is as follows: Herman, born Dec. 3, 1891, graduated 
from the Cortland grade schools, from the Alma (Buffalo County) Training 
School for Teachers, and from the Winona Business College. He has been 
in the employ of the Interstate Packing Company of Winona and the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Owatonna, Minn., and is at 
present teller of a bank at Owatonna, Minn. He served as corporal and clerk 
with the Minnesota State Guard on the Texas border during the recent dis- 
turbances in Mexico. Elmer C, born March 1, 1892, graduated from the 
Cortland graded school, taught school for some time, and is now at Amidon, 
N. D., where he is foreman of the Farm Land & Coal Company. Leo J., 
born Aug. 17, 1893, graduated from the Cortland graded school and the 
Alma Training School, and has taught at Amidon, N. D., where he pur- 
chased a quarter section of land. He is now preparing at Ft. Dodge for 
service in the great war, with Battery E, Field Artillery, being kitchen and 
dining room orderly in charge of the food supplies in his barracks. Minnie 
E., born Aug. 20, 1894, graduated from the Cortland graded school, the 
Arcadia high school, and the Alma Training School, and has been a teacher 
for four years. Christian J., born Dec. 31, 1895, is living on the homestead 
with his parents. Henry E., the first of the name, was born April 25, 1896, 
and died July 25, 1899. Joseph M., born Sept. 24, 1898, resides on the 
parental homestead. Elsie L., born Feb. 4, 1900, is a student in the Arcadia 
high school. Margaret A., born July 26, 1901, and Henry E., second, born 
Oct. 7, 1902, are both students, residing at home. The other children living 
at home are: Norbert J., born Jan. 16, 1904 ; Jerome J., born Oct. 30, 1905 ; 
Armilla E., born Dec. 10, 1906; Arthur F., born April 14, 1908; Clarence A., 
born Jan. 31, 1910; Frank N., born Oct. 5, 1911; Alfred M., born Dec. 13, 
1912, and Virginia, born Jan. 25, 1917. Mr. Haines and his family are 
Catholics in rehgion and attend the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 
at Arcadia. He and his wife have been fortunate in rearing their large 
family, as they have lost but one child. Their other children are all well 
trained in I'eligion and morality and give promise of growing to useful 
manhood and womanhood. 

Albert Bautch, a pioneer miller and millwright, was born in Germany, 
was there educated and reared, and became an adept in various lines of 
mechanics and woodworking. In 1854 he and his wife Josephine set out 



760 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

for the United States aboard a sailing vessel, the long and tedious voyage 
taking nearly three months, and entailing many hardships. Landing at 
Quebec, strangers in a strange land, and with their trunk lost, containing 
not only a part of their baggage, but also a letter of directions from their 
cousin Joseph Bautch, who had preceded them, they made their way down 
the lakes to Milwaukee, and thence to Watertown, landing at New Lisbon, 
in Juneau County, this state, Dec. 24, 1854. There Mr. Bautch opened a 
farm, also working as a mechanic, as a broad-axe hewer and as a logger 
on the Wisconsin River. Later he located in Trempealeau County. Here 
in 1862 he helped to build the mill at New City, near what is now Indepen- 
dence. Later he moved to Arcadia. In 1869 he moved to a farm in section 
26, Burnside Township, which has since been the family home. There he 
built a flour mill, which is still in existence, having been owned for some 
fifteen years by a son, Albert J., and now by another son, John L. Mr. 
Bautch was a pioneer in the true sense, a public spirited man, and a most 
estimable and useful citizen. He was a member of the Catholic church and 
one of the organizers of the North Creek Congregation. He and his wife 
both died in Trempealeau. They had a family of eight children: John L., 
Peter, Albert J., Anna, Mary, Julia, Kasper and Thomas, of whom the three 
last mentioned are now deceased. 

Albert J. Bautch, municipal expert, promoter, contractor, geologist 
and linguist, is widely known in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and has extensive 
interests in Canada and Texas. As a well driller and waterworks expert 
he has bored wells along the right of way of the Green Bay & Western from 
Green Bay to Winona, he has installed the extensive waterworks systems 
of Winona, Minn., Independence, Wis., and Spring Valley, Wis., as well as 
in smaller places scattered throughout Western Wisconsin. As a telephone 
promoter he has installed telephones in Western Wisconsin and Eastern 
Minnesota, and founded several leading systems in these regions. As an 
auctioneer he has been successsf ul and popular, and has served more years 
than any other man in the county. As a business man he established 
the first Independence jewelry store. As a man of scholarly attainments he 
is well versed in mathematics, science, geology, general history and the 
classics, and is the master of three languages : English, German and Polish. 
As a lecturer he has addressed audiences in all three of these languages, one 
of his favorite topics being "Natural Experiences." As a musician he has 
a deep appreciation of harmony and has done considerable musical teaching. 
With all of these broad experiences he is genial and approachable, a pleas- 
ant, courteous, deep thinking man in every respect. At the present time, 
though he makes his home in Independence, much of his attenticm is given 
to his holdings in Canada. Albert J. Bautch was born in New Lisbon, 
Juneau County, Wis., Jan. 13, 1859, son of Albert and Josephine Bautch, 
and was brought to this county by his parents. He attended the public 
schools of this county and the Northwestern Business College at Winona, 
and remained for a number of years with his father. For a while he 
operated the mill on his father's place, but in 1895 disposed of it to his 
brother, John L., and bought the mill at Independence. Mr. Bautch was 
married in Winona, Minn., to Paulina Rozek, who is now deceased. They 




<^-<. 



HISTORY OF TKEilPEALEAU COUNTY 761 

became the parents of seven children: Carl F., Thomas, Delia. Albert, 
Esther, Josephine and Sylvester, the last mentioned of whom was drowned. 
All the children were well educated by their father and are well qualified to 
make their own way in the world. 

Eben Douglas Pierce, M. D., physician, historian, poet and nature lover, 
is a native of this county, having been born at Williamsburg, Aug. 13, 1874, 
the son of Henry E. and Mary M. (Morrow) Pierce, the pioneers. He lived 
on the home farm until ten j^ears of age and was then taken to Arcadia, 
where he was reared on a small fruit farm owned by his father. As a 
child he attended the district school of Williamsburg, and then passed 
through the public schools of Arcadia, graduating from the Arcadia high 
school in June, 1895. With this preparation he took a two-year course 
in the University of Michigan, and completed his medical course in the 
University of Oregon in 1899. In the fall of the same year he started prac- 
tice in Pickwick, Minn. In the summer of 1900 he toured Scotland, and 
returned to Winona, Minn., in the fall. In 1901 he moved back to his old 
home in Arcadia, and did journahstic and other literary work until 1904. 
The following two years he practiced his profession at Arcadia in partner- 
ship with Dr. George N. Hidershide. The years 1906-1907 found him prac- 
ticing at Hillsdale, Wis. But for some time he had been impressed with 
the possibilities of the west, and in 1907 he went to Vancouver, Wash., 
where he continued his practice. There, in 1911, he married Hettie M., the 
daughter of G. A. and Samaria (Grant) Carsley, an artist and newspaper 
illusti'ator. Together the young couple settled in a beautiful spot at 
Trempealeau. Both lovers of Nature and of the out of doors, they have 
enhanced the natural charms of the place, and there they are now making 
their home, the Doctor devoting his time to his practice, to his research 
work, and to his literary and historical writings, while Mrs. Pierce, as time 
permits, follows her art career and takes charge of the village library. 
Dr. Pierce is the author of a number of historical papers, which are pre- 
served in the published collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society and 
in the published collections of other societies, as well as in the unpublished 
collections of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. He is the author 
also of numerous poems, and has ready for early publication a book of verse 
called "Wild Flowers and Woodsy Ways." His newspaper and magazine 
contributions are widely known. Dr. Pierce has been honored with mem- 
bership in a number of learned and historical societies and associations. 
He is a member and curator of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and a 
member of the Trempealeau County Historical Society, the Wisconsin 
Archaeological Society, the Mississippi Valley Historical Association and 
the American Historical Association. The people of Trempealeau are 
indebted to him in a measure for the beautiful Trempealeau Mountain Park, 
his enthusiasm having been the basis of the interest which has been taken 
by the donor, John A. Latsch. He has also been interested in a number of 
other projects for the progress of Trempealeau along all civic, commercial 
and patriotic lines, and he has been the moving spirit in several home- 
coming and historical celebrations there. 

Much of this public work has been done as secretary of the Trem- 



762 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

pealeau Commercial Club. The officers of this club are : President, George 
G. Gibbs ; vice-president, C. S. Ford ; secretary, Dr. E. D. Pierce ; chairman 
of the executive committee, L. M. Pittenger ; chairman of the finance com- 
mittee, L. S. Sanders; chairman of the entertainment committee, A. A. 
Holmes. Through the Commercial Club the Farmers' Shipping Association 
was organized, a stock company was organized to take over the Lime 
Products Plant, the village has been supplied with electric service, the 
village library has been started, and a publicity campaign conducted. 

Mrs. Pierce has mothered the public library, carrying the project on 
her own shoulders when there seemed little encouragement, and devoting 
her spare time to its care and growth at considerable personal sacrifice. 
A lady of literary and artistic tastes, and coming of a family that has been 
prominent in this region since the earliest pioneer days, she at once upon 
her taking up her residence here after her marriage, became imbued with 
the idea of establishing a library. Her constant endeavor was to interest 
her friends in the project, and her husband carried her enthusiasm to the 
meetings of the Commercial Club, until the members of that club were 
convinced of its desirability and possibility. The library came into exist- 
ence in the fall of 1914, as a reading room in the little village hall, with a 
few books bought by the Commercial Club and a number of periodicals 
donated by interested residents. In a short time, for greater convenience, 
the books were moved to Dr. Pierce's office, and the Commercial Club had 
shelves made and partially furnished a room. Arrangements were made for 
the securing of boxes from the Traveling Libraries at Madison and White- 
hall. A special effoi't was made to get good children's books. The library 
was well patronized from the first. Jan. 1, 1917, a library board was elected, 
and the village took charge instead of the Commercial Club, making a 
yearly appropriation to furnish new books and to pay the running expenses. 
There are now about 400 books permanently in the library, and about 200 
additional from the traveling libraries. Mrs. Pierce is the librarian, as 
she has been from the first. 

Henry E. Pier.ce, the pioneer, was born in Whitehall, N. Y., March 
3, 1836, and when about six years of age was brought to the present site 
of Milwaukee, in the then territory of Wisconsin, by his parents, who kept 
the Buck Horn Tavern there. He was educated in the pioneer schools 
and as a young man crossed the plains on a gold seeking expedition to Pike's 
Peak. Then he filed a claim on the present site of Denver, and traveled 
over the old Santa Fe trail to New Mexico. While in the West he had many 
interesting adventures, and was accorded the pleasure of meeting Kit 
Carson. He retained in after life vivid memories of the West in the early 
days, and often described his adventures, telling with particular relish of 
the vast herds of buffalo that were then to be seen. At the outbreak of 
the Civil War he went to Cattaraugus County, New York, where his father 
was then living, and there he was married March 26, 1861, to Mary M. 
Morrow, who was born in that county, Aug. 15, 1840, daughter of John D. 
and Harriet (Simmons) Morrow. The young couple came to Wisconsin, 
and after living a time at Sparta, came to Trempealeau County and pre- 
empted a tract of land at Williamsburg, five miles up the Trempealeau 



HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 763 

Valley ±rom the present site of Arcadia. Here he acquired in state and 
other lands 300 acres, and gained the I'eputation of being one of the most 
scientific farmers in Wisconsin. He later moved to a fruit farm at Arcadia. 
He died Feb. 27, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce had four children : Hattie E., 
now Mrs. Moseley, was born at Sparta, Feb. 25, 1862. Etta M. was born 
at Williamsburg, June 30, 1868, and died at the age of five years. Ira Frank 
was born at Williamsburg, June 27, 1872. Eben Douglas was born at 
Wilhamsburg, Aug. 13, 1874. Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Moseley and Ira F. live in 
Vancouver, Wash., while Eben D. practices medicine at Trempealeau, Wis. 
George Asbury Carsley, veteran and pioneer, was born in Springfield, 
Maine, April 21, 1840, and subsequently was taken by his parents to Port- 
land, and then to Westbrook, in the same state. He attended school in all 
three places. He also had the advantages of study in the Westbrook 
Seminary, for though he was not far enough advanced for this institution, 
the friendship of the principal of the institution with his family made possi- 
ble his taking courses there. From Westbrook the family moved to New 
Gloucester, in the same state, where they remained for five years. Then 
they decided to seek their fortunes in the West. Making their way by 
steamboat to Boston they went to Dubuque, Iowa, by way of Chicago, and 
then took a boat up the Mississippi. The scenes along the trip are ones 
never to be forgotten. At Boston they noted the ships of the world's trade 
lying at anchor, and from the Boston Monument a vast expanse of land 
and sea spread before them. In New York state they saw the old Erie 
canal, with its picturesque tow boats. At Niagara they crossed the suspen- 
sion bridge and viewed the falls. It was April when they reached the 
Mississippi, which was then full of floating ice. But the boats were run- 
ning, and, in due time, the family reached Winona County, Minnesota, 
where the father took government land on the ridge three miles directly 
south of Pickwick. George A. helped construct the large log house, and 
assisted his family in meeting the new conditions of pioneer life. Of those 
far distant days he has many an interesting tale to tell. He attended a 
few winter terms of school near Pickwick, and received a teacher's certifi- 
cate, but never cared to take up the teaching pi'of ession. In 1862 he enlisted 
in the Civil War, served through the conflict and was mustered out at the 
close of the war at Ft. Snelling. In 1870 he moved from Pickwick to the 
Big Tamarack Valley in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, where he built 
a mill and remained eight years. Then he built a mill at Pine Creek, in the 
same county, but this was washed out by the high water two years later, 
For a while he was employed in the car shops at Winona, and in 1880 he 
moved to St. Paul, where he became a general contractor and builder, in 
which capacity he was assistant superintendent during the building of the 
old State Capitol. In 1887 he went to Helena, Mont., where he assisted in 
erecting many beautiful residences, and where he lived until about 1900, 
when he moved to Portland, Ore., where he and his wife are still living. 
Mr. Carsley was married Aug. 27, 1865, to Samaria M. Grant of Trem- 
pealeau, and this union was blessed with seven children: Ella A., now 
Mrs. C. W. Clark of Portland, Ore. ; Benjamin F., who died at the age of 
eighteen months ; G. Hollis of Helena, Mont. ; Hettie M., wife of Dr. F. D. 



764 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Pierce, of Trempealeau ; Glen W. of Zion City, 111. ; Myrtle A., wife of George 
Lewis of Hoquiam, Wash., and Ruth S., wife of W. A. Hicks of Portland, 
Ore. Mrs. Carsley was the daughter of G. W. T. Grant, the first settler in 
Pickwick, Minn., coming from Dubuque, Iowa, in 1853, chosing the site for 
the mill, then returning home, and the next year bringing his family and 
building the first house in the village, afterward building the mill with 
Webster Davis. 

.John Brownlee, an enterprising and successful farmer, whose home- 
stead is located in section 30, Arcadia Township, was born at Court Bridge, 
Scotland, May 28, 1841, son of William and Isabella (Cummings) Brownlee. 
He had to aid in supporting himself at the early age of nine years, as his 
parents were people of little means, but he was made of the right stuff and 
got along, so that when he was only 20 years old he found himself able to 
marry, taking as his wife Margaret, daughter of John and Sarah (Lindsay) 
Robertson. By this marriage he had seven children, the first four of whom 
were born in Scotland. These six children were: John, whose where- 
abouts is unknown ; William, residing in Mondovi, Buffalo County, Wis. ; 
Thomas, an attorney who died in Boulder, Colo., in 1907 ; James, a merchant 
living in East Arcadia, who is now clerk of Arcadia Township ; Isabella, who 
was born in Chicago, married Helmer Smart of Hillsdale, Wis., and died 
in 1913, and Robena, born in Arcadia, who was a teacher, but who died in 
1906. In April, 1871, Mr. Brownlee. with his wife and four eldest children, 
left their native land for America. Landing at Philadelphia, they pro- 
ceeded to Chicago, 111., where they had the misfortune to be burned out in 
the great fire of October, 1871, which destroyed the greater part of the city. 
In 1872, having found Chicago too hot a place for them, they came over- 
land in a canvas-covered wagon to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, locat- 
ing on a homestead of 160 acres in Lewis Valley. It was all new land and 
on it Mr. Brownlee built a log house. The fire fiend still pursued him, 
howev^er, as this first residence burned down, but, not discouraged, he 
erected a frame house, together with a small barn and granary, and went 
on with his agricultural operations. Here on this farm his wife died in 
1880, and three years later he sold the property and for the next two years 
rented a farm on the "bottoms." In 188-5 he purchased his present home- 
stead, which then consisted of 308 acres. This property is situated at the 
head of Trout Run Valley and the land is fertile and well adapted to the 
plow. Since buying it Mr. Brownlee has increased its size by adding 40 
more acres. When he bought it it was slightly improved, and he erected on 
it a comfortable log house, hewn inside and out, which is still standing, and 
in which he lived until 1900. He then built his present residence, a two- 
story, 11-room frame house, also erecting a frame barn, 36 by 60 by 16 
feet above full basement, a granary 18 by 26 by 14 feet and a machine 
shed 18 by 24 feet. He is engaged in general farming and for years has 
been a breeder of fine grade horses and cattle. In 1885 he married for his 
second wife Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Harvey Broehead. 
She died' in 1907, having been the mother of six childi'en: Robert, now 
living at Sentinel Butte, N. D. ; Alexander, a resident of the same place; 
Minnie, now Mrs. Frank Hess of Livingston, Mont.; Florence, wife of 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 765 

Edward Hess of American Valley, Arcadia Township ; Margarite, a graduate 
of Arcadia high school, who is unmarried and is keeping house for her 
father; and Raymond, hving at home with his father and working on the 
farm. Mr. Brownlee is independent in politics, voting for the man rather 
than for the party. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Tele- 
phone Company. Religiously he was reared in the faith of the Scottish 
Presbyterian church. His success in life has been well earned and he and 
his family are both widely known and respected. 

Albert C. Kiekhoefer, a well-known agriculturist of Arcadia Town- 
ship, proprietor of a flourishing farm in section 24, is one of the estimable 
men of the county, who by diligently developing his farm is doing his full 
share toward the growth and progress of the community at large. Coming 
of a family widely known in agricultural, religious and educational circles, 
he has added substantially to the high regard in which the family name 
is held. His parents, William and Caroline (Tisch) Kiekhoefer, were born 
in Prussia, Germany, and were there married. In 1857 they bravely set 
out for the new world to establish their home among the broader oppor- 
tunities of America. The voyage across the water aboard an old style 
sailing vessel occupied four months and entailed many hardships. But 
in time they set their feet on land, found their way to Milwaukee, and 
thence came to Trempealeau County, where they homesteaded 160 acres 
of wild land in Trout Run Valley. Here the son, Albert C, the subject of 
this sketch, was born Oct. 29, 1859. Beginning work with an ox team, after 
the fashion of the pioneers, William Kiekhoefer grubbed and cleared his 
land, which had a very rolling surface, and built a log house as his first 
dwelling, subsequently replacing it by a two-story frame residence. After 
continuing his work on the farm until 1879, he died, having previously 
willed it to his son Albert C. Albert C. Kiekhoefer, who had one brother 
and five sisters, remained at home with his mother, assisting the latter on 
the farm until it came into his own possession, at which time he was 30 
years of age. He had in the meanwhile acquired some education in the 
common school of the district, although able to attend only occasionally. 
The frame house built by his father was a building 16 by 30 feet in dimen- 
sions, and he has since added a wing to it, making it into a good ten-room 
house. He has also erected a silo, 14 by 28 feet ; a granary, 18 by 30 ; a 
machine shed, 30 by 50 ; a hog house, 26 by 50, and a corn crib. The barn 
built by his father was 32 by 90 feet. Mr. Kiekhoefer does general farm- 
ing and breeds high grade Holstein cattle, having a herd of 35 head, as well 
as a herd of Hampshire hogs. His farm is well equipped with machinery 
and teams, and presents a thriving appearance, the land being well culti- 
vated and the buildings kept in good shape. Mr. Kiekhoefer usually votes 
the Prohibition ticket, though reserving the right of independent action 
as he sees occasion. Since 1904 he had belonged to the Order of Beavers, 
and since 1891 to the Arcadia Lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. He 
is a stockholder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery, of which he is vice- 
president. March 11, 1890, Mr. Kiekhoefer married Augusta, daughter 
of Robert Lull and Henrietta Sitzman of Germany, her parents being 
natives of Germany. The children of this marriage, 13 in number, are: 



766 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Ralph, born Dec. 24, 1890, now a carpenter, residing at Arcadia ; Leafe, born 
in 1892, who is a professional nurse; Floyd, born in 1893, who lives at home, 
assisting his father on the farm ; Orpha, born in 1894, now a student in the 
Winona Normal School; Alta, born in 1896, who is residing at home; 
Beatrice, born in 1897, who is a public school teacher residing at home; 
Elsie, born in 1898, now a student in the Arcadia high school ; Lillian, born 
in 1900, also a student in the high school ; David, born in 1902, Frederick in 
1903, Wilton in 1905, Doris in 1907 and Albert, Jr., in 1908, all living at 
home. Mr. Kiekhoefer was reared in the faith of the Evangelical church, 
to which he and all the members of his family belong. They are well 
known throughout this part of the county; the older children are success- 
fully making their way in the world and the younger ones are showing that 
application to their studies that will enable them in time to uphold the 
credit of the family name. All have received a sound moral and Christian 
training. x 

E. Scott Hotchkiss, pioneer, business man, agriculturist, former sheriff 
and former United States consul, is one of the most prominent men in the 
county. In commercial life he has assisted in the development of the mer- 
cantile, milling and lumber business since his first arrival in 1859, and he 
has been actively identified not only with rural progress, but also with the 
intimate life of two prosperous villages. In public service, within the 
county, he most efficiently occupied the office of sheriff for a term, he 
was a valued member of the county board for four years, he was a capable 
town clerk for twelve years, he was justice of the peace and court com- 
missioner several terms, and in addition to this has held numerous local 
offices, and has been a member of various committees and delegations. As 
United States consul to two Canadian cities he assisted materially in exploit- 
ing and promoting American trade interests within the Dominion. As a 
Mason he has taken a deep interest in the Ancient Rites, and cherishes a 
number of important mementoes which have been handed down in his 
family from generation to generation. E. Scott Hotchkiss was born at 
Cairo, Green County, N. Y., March 27, 1837, son of Henry E. and Alice 
(Smith) Hotchkiss, and a grandson of Lemuel Hotchkiss, who served from 
Connecticut in the Revolutionary War, was a personal friend of DeWitt 
Clinton, governor of New York, and a prominent leader in Master and Royal 
Arch Masonry. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district 
schools, and has supplemented this training by wide reading and observa- 
tion. He was designed to follow his father's occupation as a cabinet maker, 
but deciding to seek the broader opportunities of the west, he left his old 
home in 1856, and located in Richland County, this state. In 1859 he 
joined a colony, and set out for Osseo, where he homesteaded the south- 
west quarter of section 14, Sumner Township. He broke, improved and 
developed this land, until 1868, when he sold out, and engaged in the 
general mercantile business at Osseo with W. H. Thomas. In 1870 he and 
Mr. Thomas, together with William Fuller, built the Sumner Mill at Osseo, 
now owned by J. N. Lee. Soon after this he traded his interest in the store 
for Mr. Fuller's interest in the mill, and took over its active management. 
In 1872 he and J. L. Linderman built the Linderman Mills, one mile west 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 767 

of Osseo, on the Beef River. The mills were destroyed by fire in 1880, but 
were a once rebuilt, and are still operated by members of the Linderman 
family. In 1876 Mr. Hotchkiss was elected sheriff of Trempealeau County, 
and so excellent was his record in this capacity that he was retained as 
under sheriff under K. K. Hagestad, his successor. In 1880, upon the 
expiration of this service, a favorable business opening presented itself 
at Independence, so, coming here, he purchased a lumber yard in the vil- 
lage, and a farm on the village limits. He still owns the farm, and he and 
his son Frank A. operate it, though both live in the village. The lumber 
yard was sold to John Sprecher and is now operated by the Sprecher Lum- 
ber Company. It was in 1902 that Mr. Hotchkiss received his greatest 
opportunity for public service. In that year, through the influence of 
Senator John C. Spooner, he was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt 
as American consul at Brockville, Ontario, Canada. When that consulate 
was abandoned in 1906 he was sent to establish the consulate at Calgary, 
Alberta, Canada. When he went there American business represented 
but 45 percent of that city's imports. The official records show that owing 
to the work of the consulate during his administration the American busi- 
ness was increased until it represented 90 percent of the imports. In the 
fall of 1913, Mr. Hotchkiss retired, owing to the change of administration. 
In the meantime he had been offered, but had refused, the consulate at 
Hobart, Tasmania. Since then Mr. Hotchkiss has led a retired life at Inde- 
pendence, looking after his numerous holdings and interests. Mr. Hotch- 
kiss' career as a Mason dates from 1872, when he joined the Blue Lodge 
at Augusta, Wis., being raised in March, 1873. He is now a member of the 
Blue Lodge at Whitehall, has served as its senior warden, and has been 
presented with a beautiful token in acknowledgment of his long fidelity in 
the work. He belongs to the Chapter and Commandery at La Crosse, hav- 
ing originally joined the Chapter there and the Commandery at Brock- 
ville, Ontario. Mr. Hotchkiss was married Dec. 16, 1862, to Harriet A. 
Field, a daughter of Robert C. and Mary (Stoddard) Field, intimately 
associated with the early history of Osseo and Sumner. After a long and 
useful life, filled with good deeds and gracious kindliness, she died Nov. 6, 
1915, leaving two children : Alice and Frank A. Alice lives in Milwaukee, 
and is the mother of two children, Claude and Albert Maurer. Frank A. is 
president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Independence. 

James Muir, a pioneer of Buffalo County, was for many years inti- 
mately connected with the life of this region. He was born in Franklin, 
Scotland, July 14, 1833, and was there reared and educated, coming to 
America in May, 1853. For a time he was employed as a miner in Penn- 
sylvania, coming to Buffalo County in 1856, landing at Fountain City, 
April 1, and homesteading a farm, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. He first erected a shack, then improved and developed the land, 
and in time had as good a farm as was to be found in the county. He died 
Sept. 2, 1916. His wife, Martha Faulds, to whom he was married in Glencoe 
Township, Buffalo County, June 2, 1860, died Nov. 5, 1906. 

Frank A. Hotchkiss, banker, public official, farmer, horse fancier and 
man-of-affairs, is well known throughout the county, and his advocacy 



768 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of good roads, during his term of office as chairman of the county board, 
places him in the ranks of the county's most useful and constructive citi- 
zens. With keen business insight he combines a genial temperament, with 
a nature of unbounded enthusiasm in good work he combines a proper con- 
servatism, and with a thorough belief in progress he combines the sincere 
conviction that all progress must be founded upon the firm ground of expe- 
diency and common sense. A native of this county, and connected with 
several of its most prominent pioneer families, he was born in Osseo, this 
county, Oct. 18, 1866, the son of E. Scott and Harriett A. (Field) Hotch- 
kiss. He received a good education in the schools of Osseo, Arcadia and 
Independence, and early in life determined to devote his life to agricultural 
pursuits. As he grew to manhood he devoted his time and attention to 
the improving and developing of his father's farm at Independence, and 
as a hobby became more and more interested in the breeding of pure-blooded 
Percheron and Belgian horses, and developed a string of trotters and pacers 
that won many a prize at fairs and racing meets. Of late years, however, 
his attention has turned more and more to public and commercial life. In 
1916 he with others organized the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of 
which he became president. He is likewise president of the Independence 
Grain & Stock Company. Both of these institutions are important 
factors in the business and financial life of Independence, and under 
his fostering care are constantly growing in size and importance. In 1900 
he became a member of the village council and served for several terms. 
It was in 1904 that he was elected to the county board, of which he was 
chairman in 1914, 1915 and 1916. He has served on numerous committees 
on the board, and his work is acknowledged as having always been for the 
best interests of the people of the county at large. Being of a fraternal 
disposition, he has affiliated himself with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of 
the Masonic order, and he is likewise a popular member of the Independent 
Order of Foresters. Mr. Hotchkiss was married Oct. 18, 1893, to Agnes 
Muir, born in Buffalo County, this state, June 25, 1870, daughter of James 
and Martha (Faulds) Muir. This union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren: Ina A., born May 28, 1896; Eldridge Scott, born April 13, 1906, and 
Robert Addison, born April 7, 1912. 

Philo J. Linderman, in the United States mail service at Osseo, was 
born near Troy, Bradford County, Pa., moved to Rockford, 111., in 1859, and 
there lived until 1868, when he moved with his parents to Eau Claire, Wis., 
where he Hved until 1872, then removing to Osseo, where his father, James 
L. Linderman, built the Linderman Mills in 1872. James L. Linderman died 
in 1905, and since that time Philo J. Linderman has been employed as a 
mail carrier. He married Stella Tracy, who was born in Richland County, 
Wisconsin, in 1855, and they have three childi-en: Glenn 0., a prominent 
attorney of Eau Claire ; Phylancia, who married Dr. F. S. Maxson of Mil- 
waukee, and has one child, Josephine; and Marion, who died at the age of 

six years. 

Glenn O. Linderman, prominent attorney of Eau Claire, is a native 
of Trempealeau County, and was for a number of years actively identified 
with the life and progress of this region. He was born in Osseo, Sept. 29, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 769 

1875, son of Philo J. and Stella (Tracy) Lindei-man. As a youth he attended 
the schools of Osseo. Later he entered the schools of Augusta, in Eau 
Claire County. In that city also he studied law for three years in the 
offices of Attorneys L B. and E. M. Bradford. The education thus obtained 
was rounded out with a summer course in the University of Michigan at 
Ann Arbor. Mr. Linderman was admitted to the bar in 1898, and at once 
opened an office in Osseo. Here he successfully practiced for many years. 
His worth was soon recognized and he was called upon to serve in a number 
of important public positions. For thirteen years he was a member of the 
county board, three years of which time he was its chairman. While serv- 
ing on the Osseo school board he assisted in erecting the sightly building 
which is now the pride of the village. He helped to organize the Osseo 
Telephone Company, which is still successfully operating. He was presi- 
dent of the Citizens State Bank of Osseo during its entire existence. Mr. 
Linderman moved to Eau Claire in the spring of 1916. Deeply interested 
in Masonry, Mr. Linderman has passed through the thirty-two degrees of 
the Scottish rites, and he is also a member of the Commandery and of the 
Shrine. The Knights of Pythias also count him as a valued member. Mr. 
Linderman was married Aug. 6, 1897, to Bertha H. Bradford of Augusta, 
who died June 18, 1902, daughter of Rev. E. and Cynthia Bradford. Sept. 
17, 1907, he married Hilda 0. Halverson, a trained nurse, who was the 
daughter of Gilbert and Ingeborg Halvorson of Sumner Township, and 
died Nov. 2, 1913, leaving two children: Marion Abigail, born June 20, 1910, 
and Glenn Otis, born Aug. 8, 1908. Mr. Linderman was married April 5, 
1916, to Jessie M. Stillman, daughter of Charles Wesley and Bertha Stillman. 
John Bigham, for many years one of the stury farmers who helped to 
develop the agricultural resources of Trempealeau County, but who now 
resides in the village of Arcadia, was born in Putnam County, New York, 
Aug. 27, 1838, son of James and Catherine (McVoy) Bigham. Both his 
parents were born in Ireland, the father being of Scotch descent. He was 
reared in his native state, attending district school there until the age of 
14 years, and subsequently learned the mason's trade. At the age of 19 
he began working away from home, and in June, 1855, he came west alone, 
traveling by rail to Dunleith, 111., and from there by boat to Fountain City, 
Wis. His father was already located in Glencoe, Buffalo County, having 
arrived there in the preceding April. John Bigham remained with his 
father about a month and then went to La Crosse, Wis., where he worked 
in a mill until 1859. While thus employed, however, he was making plans 
for future independence and took the surest way of doing this by investing, 
in 1857, in a small tract of land in Buffalo County. In the following year 
he bought 80 acres in Arcadia Township, two and a half miles south of the 
village. The Buffalo County tract he held for some years. All this land 
was wild and there were plenty of Winnebago Indians in the vicinity. In 
the fall of 1859 Mr. Bigham began breaking his land, using ox teams. Two 
years later he purchased 80 acres more and from time to time added to the 
size of his farm, continually improving it, until it now contains 253 acres 
in a high state of cultivation, and well equipped with good buildings and 
all needed accessories. In 1902 Mr. Bigham quit the farm and moved into 



770 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Arcadia Village, where he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their 
industry and thrift in days gone by. Mr. Bigham was married, Jan. 9, 1867, 
to Grace K., daughter of Henry and Miranda (Shelby) Gardner, who died 
Sept. 8, 1917. Their children, five in number, are: Bertha, born April 16, 
1868, who is the widow of Clifford Baumbach, and is now engaged in teach- 
ing school at Whitehall ; Minnie, born Sept. 9, 1870, now the wife of John 
McKivergin, of Whitehall, Wis. ; Elmer, born March 6, 1873, Hving on the 
old farm ; Ellis G., manager and secretary of the Farmers' Co-Operative 
Creamery in Arcadia Village, and Byrd, born Nov. 27, 1879, who is a drug- 
gist in Chicago, 111. Mr. Bigham is a staunch Republican in politics and 
cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Religiously 
he was brought up in the faith of the Scotch Presbyterian church. 

Peter Myers, one of the elderly residents of Arcadia Village, who may 
justly lay claim to being one of the pioneer settlers of Trempealeau County, 
was born in France, Oct. 8, 1836. When a boy of 10 years he came to 
America with his parents, who settled on a farm eight miles from Syracuse, 
N. Y., and here young Myers was reared and resided until he was 25 years 
old. Then, in 1861, he was married to Lena Kraner, daughter of George 
Kraner, a neighbor. In 1864, with his wife and eldest child, George, he 
came West, journeying by train to La Crosse, Wis., from there by boat to 
Trempealeau, and then by ox team to Arcadia Township. Here he home- 
steaded 160 acres of land in one of the beautiful valleys three miles south of 
Arcadia Village, which took its name from him and his family and is now 
known as Myers Valley. The land on which he settled was wild and there 
were no buildings on it, so his first work was to erect a small log house 
and barn. There were plenty of Indians in the vicinity, but they gave him 
no trouble, and he grubbed and cleared his land without interference. After 
awhile he bought an additional tract of 80 acres, and still later on other 
land until the farm contained 330 acres. He also built a substantial frame 
house, a stone barn, 36 by 60, and a stone granary, 24 by 40 feet in dimen- 
sions. His farming operations were conducted with intelligence and indus- 
try and proved successful, so that in time he became prosperous. Mr. 
Myers resided on this farm until 1888, at which time he retired and moved 
to Arcadia Village, which place has since been his home. He has always 
been a Democrat in politics, but was never politically active and has held 
no public offices. Reared a Catholic, he has been true to his faith and is a 
member of the German Catholic church of Arcadia. Though grown some- 
what feeble with advancing years, he is a man highly respected and his 
neighbors took a warm sympathetic interest in his celebration of his 
eightieth birthday, on Oct. 8, 1916. He is now a widower, his wife having 
passed away in December, 1899. They were the parents of eight children : 
George, Anna, Anton, Agnes, Clara, Rosa, Otto and Isadore. George, who 
was born in New York State, Feb. 14, 1862, remained on the home farm 
when his father moved to the village, and operated it for 15 years. He 
is now on one of the other farms of his father. Anna, now Mrs. John 
Whifller, is residing in Arcadia and keeps house for her father. Anton, 
born in 1867, died in 1915. Agnes, born Jan. 6, 1869, later Sister Wilfreda, 
of Notre Dame, died Jan. 3, 1917. Clara is the wife of Peter Dahm. of 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUiNTY 771 

Arcadia. Otto is living in Arcadia with his father. Isadora, born Sept. 
13, 1881, is living on the old family homestead, where he has been since 1904. 
He married Elizabeth, 'daughter of Edward and Julia Haines, who reside on 
an adjoining farm. His marriage took place Sept. 26, 1905, and he and his 
wife now have six children: Hildegard, Irene, Wilfred, Ethelreda, Evan- 
geline and Aurelia. 

Louis Remlinger, proprietor of a good farm in Arcadia Township, about 
two and a half miles southeast of the village of that name, was born at 
Mauley Station, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1863. His parents were John and Mary 
(Seibert) Remlinger, who were married at Mauley Station about 1851, the 
mother having been born at that place in 1839. The father, John Rem- 
linger, was a native of Germany, born in 1832. In 1865 he came West with 
his wife and family, making the journey by rail to Dunleith, 111 (now East 
Dubuque) , from which place they took boat to Trempealeau Village, where 
they remained about a week. Then they came by ox team to Arcadia Town- 
ship, this last trip taking a day and a half. Here Mr. Remlinger settled on 
160 acres of wild Government land in Meyers Valley, on which he built a 
log shanty, and began improving his land. In 1875, having by this time 
made fair progress on his farm, he put up a more pretentious and com- 
modious log house, together with a barn. Later he sold this property and 
moved to Dodge Township, near Pine Creek, where he spent practically the 
rest of his life, dying at Arcadia in 1894. He was then, and had been for 
some time, a widower, his wife having passed away at Arcadia in 1886. 
They had a family of nine children : John, born in New York State, in 1853, 
who is a resident of Eau Claire, Wis.; Polly, born in New York State, in 
1855, who is now Mrs. Fred Wenzell, of Arcadia Township ; George, born in 
New York State, in 1857, whose present whereabouts is unknown ; Jennie, 
born in 1859, in New York State, who is the wife of John Thompson, of 
Winona, Minn.; Louis, the subject of this sketch; Nicholas, born in 1867, 
in Arcadia Township, where he died in 1892 ; Frank, born in Arcadia Town- 
ship, in 1869-, who is living at St. Mary, Idaho ; Mary, born in Arcadia Town- 
ship, in 1871, who is now Mrs. George Sentz, of Red Wing, Minn.; and 
Joseph, born in Arcadia Township, in 1873, who is living in Winona, Minn. 
Louis Remlinger was educated in the common and parochial schools, but 
never reached advanced studies, as he had to assist his father on the farm 
at an early age. He resided at home until he was 21 years old and then 
worked out five years for others. He was married Sept. 9, 1887, to Eliza, 
daughter of Louie and Eva Fischer, of Arcadia Township. He subsequently 
rented and worked farms in Trempealeau County until 1895, in which year 
he bought 72 acres in section 1, township 20, range 10, situated about two 
and a half miles southeast of Arcadia Village, which place is his present 
home. Here he does general farming and dairying, keeping graded cows, 
and having an ample supply of teams and other equipment. He built his 
present residence, which is a very comfortable one-and-a-half-story brick 
house, consisting of upright and wing. He has also put up good barns, a 
granary, tool sheds and other necessary buildings. His wife, Eliza, died 
July 18, 1911, and on April 12, 1915, he married for his second wife, Barbara, 
daughter of John and Anna Maier, of Arcadia Township. His children, by 



772 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUi\TY 

his first marriage, are : Gertrude, born June 29, 1888, who is the wife of 
Henry W. Werner, a contracting electrician and^ prominent citizen of 
Winona, Minn. ; Frank, born Jan. 8, 1889, who is a farmer in Arcadia Town- 
ship ; William, born March 23, 1891, who resides on the old Remhnger home- 
stead ; Albert, born May 8, 1892, who served with the Wisconsin State militia 
on the Texas border ; Ehzabeth, born Oct. 4, 1895, who is residing at home ; 
Leo, born March 12, 1897, who lives at home and assists his father on the 
farm, and Raymond, born March 28, 1900, who resides at home. Mr. Rem- 
linger is a Democrat in politics, and for one year was a member of the 
township board, but otherwise has not been active in public affairs. He and 
his family are members of the German Catholic church at Arcadia, and he 
belongs also to St. Joseph's Catholic Society at Winona, Minn. 

Ole Gulbrandson Eid, one of the pioneers of Hegge Cooley, spent many 
years of his life in developing a farm in this county, and was numbered 
among the substantial and successful citizens. He was born in Blakjar, 
Norway, and was there reared on a farm. In 1871, hoping to better his 
condition and to seek the broader opportunities of the New World, he 
brought his family to America, and while looking about for a location, estab- 
lished himself in Minnesota for six months. Then he came to Ti'empealeau 
County and purchased 160 acres in Hegge Cooley, Pigeon Township, and 
began his career as an American farmer. He broke and developed a fine 
place, and became one of the representative men of the county. After 
many years of hard work and successful endeavor, he retired, but continued 
to live on the homestead with his son, Gilbert, 0. He died there Aug. 26, 
1904, and his wife passed away Dec. 21, 1893. They were the parents of six 
children : Ole and Marius, who are dead ; Gilbert 0., on the old homestead ; 
Andrew, a merchant at Merrillan, Wis., and Hans and Ole, farmers in North- 
field Township, Jackson County. 

Gilbert O. Eid, of Hegge Cooley, Pigeon Township, has one of the best 
developed farms in this region, and is regarded as one of the most modern 
and progressive agriculturists in this part of the county. Since young 
boyhood, he has devoted his efforts to improving his present place, and the 
results, bearing testimony on every side to thrift, foresight and apprecia- 
tion of.beauty, have fully justified his endeavor. Born in Blakjer, Norway, 
June 14, 1858, son of Ole Gulbrandson Eid and Marte A. (Thoreid) Eid he 
came with them to America in 1871, lived six months in Minnesota, and then 
with them came to Hegge Cooley. He assisted his parents with the farm 
duties, and in 1884 purchased the home place. Previously he had purchased 
two 40-acre tracts adjoining, and later he bought other adjacent property, 
until he now owns 420 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county, 
all being in section 2, except 40 acres in section 3. Upon acquiring owner- 
ship of the homestead, Mr. Eid continued its improvement. He remodeled 
and enlarged the dwelling, barns and other buildings, and in 1900 he erected 
his present sightly home. This is an ideal farmhouse in every way, beauti- 
ful, comfortable and convenient. It is heated with hot air system, equipped 
with modern plumbing, furnishing a continual supply of hot and cold water, 
and is provided with an electric light plant, illuminating both house and 
barns. The other farm buildings are fully in keeping with the residence. 



H 

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 773 

The whole place is beautified with a well-kept lawn, dotted with flowers and 
shrubbery, and sloping in grassy sweeps from the building to the highway. 
The farm is a fertile one and produces the usual crops ; diversified farming 
and stock raising being conducted along the latest approved methods, and a 
specialty being made of a fine dairy herd of Holstein cattle headed by a 
full-blooded sire. In addition to his farm holdings, Mr. Eid is a stockholder 
in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, the People's State Bank, of White- 
hall, and the Whitehall Community Hospital. Mr. Eid was married July 2, 
1882, to Karen Koxlien, who was born in Faaber, Gulbrandsdahlen, Norway, 
on Nov. 25, 1859, and died Sept. 20, 1907. Throughout all her married life 
she proved a faithful wife, a loving mother and a kind and charitable 
woman, and her death was not only a great loss to the family, but a matter 
of sincere grief to the community wherein her worth was known. She left 
seven children : May, Olga Nora, Clara, Ella, Anna, George A. and Orvel. 
May was born May 28, 1883, and is the wife of Charles Borreson, a farmer of 
Rat Cooley. Olga Nora was born May 22, 1885, and is the wife of Albert 
Johnson, who helps operate the Eid farm. Clara was born Sept. 30, 1886, 
and lives at home. Ella was born Feb. 7, 1891, and is now the wife of Ed- 
ward Goplin, of Hale Township. Anna, born Sept. 22, 1892 ; George A., born 
March 12, 1895; and Orvel, born Dec. 25, 1897, are at home. March 27, 
1913, Mr. Eid married Mrs. Amelia (Christopherson) Foss, born Feb. 12, 
1860, daughter of C. Christopherson and Christine (Peterson) Christopher- 
son, and widow of Anders Foss, who died April 26, 1900, leaving four 
children : Anna, now Mrs. Richard Lieske ; Carolina, Mabel and Jose- 
phine. 

Henry R. Trowbridge, a successful farmer of section 20, Trempealeau 
Township, was born on the homestead on which he now resides, Oct. 20, 1877, 
son of Hiram I. and Eliza (Brown) Trowbridge, a memoir of whom appears 
elsewhere in this volume. In his boyhood he attended the district school, 
also spending two seasons in the schools of Winona, Minn. He was trained 
to agriculture from his early years, and has always remained on the home 
farm. Sept. 29, 1902, he was married to Tillie, daughter of Gilbert and 
Auline Gooden, of Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., the marriage 
taking place at the home of the bride's parents and the ceremony being 
performed by the Rev. W. C. Hill, pastor of Galesville Presbyterian church. 
Mr. Trowbridge brought his wife to the farm just before Christmas, 1902. 
Their family circle has since been widened by the birth of two children: 
Grace, born Aug. 2, 1903, and Gerald, born April 2, 1909, both of whom are 
living. Mr. Trowbridge is engaged in general farming and dairying. His farm 
contains 250 acres, of which 140 are plowed land, the balance being in 
pasture and timber. The buildings are in good condition and the farm is 
well stocked. Mr. Trowbridge is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co- 
operative Packing Company, of La Crosse. He is not active in politics, but 
votes the Republican ticket and has served as treasurer of the school 
district. Since 1898 he has been a member of Camp No. 2813, Modern 
Woodmen of America, Trempealeau Village, and he and his wife belong to 
Trempealeau M. E. church, of which he is a steward, Mrs. Trowbridge being 
active in the Ladies' Aid Society. 



774 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Hiram I. Trowbridge, in former years one of the leading citizens of 
Trempealeau Township, and known and respected throughout the county, 
was born in Meadville, Crawford County, Pa., May 15, 1837. Subsequently 
he accompanied his parents to Belvidere, in the northern part of Illinois, and 
just before the Civil War the family came to Trempealeau County, Wis., 
where the father bought a tract of prairie land. Hiram, with two of his 
brothers, Edward and Henry, purchased the farm in Trempealeau Town- 
ship, which included a portion of the old mission grounds. On April 20, 
1875, he was married to Eliza (Brown) Johnson, widow of Samuel A. John- 
son, who had served as a soldier in Company C, Thirtieth Regiment, Wis- 
consin Volunteers. She was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 30, 1848. and 
at the age of 7 years came West with her parents, the journey being made 
by train to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat to La Crosse, Wis. Her 
marriage to Mr. Trowbridge took place on the latter's farm in Trempealeau 
Township, where their son Henry now Hves, and there they began house- 
keeping, Mr. Trowbridge continuing to improve his farm. In this work 
he was successful and in time became not only one of the prominent men 
of his township, but a representative citizen of the county. He and his 
wife had children as follows: Robert D., born March 17, 1876, and now 
living in Trempealeau Township ; Henry R., born Oct. 20, 1877, residing on 
the home farm ; Guy E., born Aug. 14, 1880, who is a resident of Great Falls, 
Mont. ; Irenus, who died in infancy, and Myrtle A., born May 31, 1889, who 
resides with her mother in Winona, Minn. Hiram I. Trowbridge died Nov. 
23, 1900, the news of his death being received with sorrow by a wide circle 
of friends and acquaintances, by whom he was esteemed for his many 
sterling traits of character. 

Julius Hensel, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Jan. 7, 1833, and was 
brought to this country by his parents at the age of 5 years. His wife, 
Sarah E. Simpson, whom he married at Cross Plains, Dane County, Wis., 
was born in England, Dec. 25, 1835, and came to America at the age of 5 
years. In 1856 he came to Buffalo County, in this State, and two years 
later brought his wife here, overland by ox-team. Together they started 
to carve their fortunes in the wilderness. So well and faithfully did they 
labor that their original tract of 160 acres had in 1861 been increased to a 
whole section of land. Loyal to his adopted country, he listened to the call 
of duty in 1862 and enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry. After doing valiant service for about a year he was wounded 
at the battle of Atlanta and as a result was confined in the Alfred Harvey 
Hospital, where, after his partial recovery, he was retained as an assistant 
for a while before his honorable discharge. Upon his release he returned 
to his farm, where he successfully carried on farming operations until the 
summer of 1876, when he retired and moved to Arcadia, where he and his 
wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of 11 
children : Phalana, of Whitehall ; Frederic W., of Hay Creek, Ore. ; Frank 
(deceased); Alfred Harvey (deceased); Hiram E., of Ai-cadia; Leroy 
(deceased) ; Ruth E., the wife of Robert Pedder, of Arcadia: Charles, of 
Sheyenne, N. D. ; Earl F., of Whitehall ; Herman T. (deceased) , and Fannie J. 
(deceased) . 







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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 775 

Rev. Thomas Grafton Owen, clergyman, poet and philosopher, was born 
in Champaign County, Ohio, July 30, 1830, and at the age of 7 years was 
taken to McDonough County, 111., where he received a common school educa- 
tion. At the age of 28 he entered the service of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, being ordained deacon at Hannibal, Mo., in 1858, and elder at Hud- 
son, Mo., in 1860. Mr. Owen took charge of his first cJiurch in Illinois. 
The principal part of his work was in Missouri until the outbreak of the 
Civil War. In that conflict he did volunteer service as a chaplain. As a 
member of the Christian Commission he came North, and spent the re- 
mainder of his life here. In 1870 he left the Methodist church and entered 
the Congregational church. As pastor of that denomination he came to 
Trempealeau. Later he moved to Arcadia, where he resided for many 
years. During his latter years he was a clergyman of the Unitarian faith, 
serving numerous congregations throughout the Trempealeau Valley and 
elsewhere. Much of his time was devoted to philosophical and poetic writ- 
ings, many of which are embodied in his "Drippings from the Eaves," a 
book worthy of a high place in American literature. After a long and use- 
ful life, he died April 26, 1912. He was married in Bushnell, 111., in 1858, 
to Isabell Provine, who died in October, 1873. In 1874 he married Margaret 
Craig, who was born in England in 1839. 

Earl F. Hensel, attorney, journalist and public speaker, former county 
judge and former county attorney, has been prominent in political and 
public affairs in Trempealeau County for many years, and being still a 
young man, his friends predict for him a still more brilliant future. He 
is a native of this State, having first seen the fight of day in Glencoe Town- 
ship, Bufl'alo County, Feb. 2, 1875, son of Julius and Sarah E. (Simpson) 
Hensel, who brought him to Arcadia, in this county, as an infant. As a 
youth he passed through the public schools of Arcadia, and was graduated 
from the high school there with the class of 1892. With this preparation, 
he became a teacher for seven terms, three in Buffalo County, one in 
Trempealeau County, and three in Lamoure County, N. D. In 1897 he 
entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and 
was graduated therefrom. with the class of 1900, receiving the degree of 
LL. B. At Blair he hung out his shingle, and there began his professional 
career. While at Blair he was for a while one of the editors of the Blair 
Press. His practice soon assumed proportions of importance, his legal 
ability commanded attention, and when the death of Robert Christianson in 
July, 1904, left a vacancy in the office of district attorney, he was appointed 
to the position and moved his family to the county seat. So faithfully and 
ably did he serve that he was elected to the office that fall and re-elected in 
the fafi of 1906, serving until the close of 1908. In 1912 he was again 
elected, serving until the close of 1914. In the meantime, July 3, 1909, he 
had been appointed county judge to serve out the term of Robert S. Cowie, 
giving universal satisfaction to the attorneys and to the people. Since 
retiring from county office, Judge Hensel has devoted himself to the practice 
of his profession, as well as to journalism as local editor of the Whitehall 
Times-Banner. In addition to the offices mentioned. Judge Hensel has been 
village attorney of Blair for four years, village attorney of Whitehafi eight 



776 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

years, township attorney of several towns at various times, president of the 
village of Whitehall one term, and member of the county board one term. 
His fi-aternal relations are with the A. F. & A. M. and the B. R. F. F. Of 
commanding physique, compelling voice, brilhant oratory and broad kindli- 
ness. Judge Hensel is a man of marked personality, and it is natural that he 
should be a leader in local and county affairs. His abilities as an orator 
are widely known, and in the dark days of the entrance of the United 
States into the Great War he has been of valuable service on the side of 
loyalty and patriotism. Judge Hensel was married March 19, 1902, to 
Eunice G. Owen, daughter of Rev. T. Grafton Owen. This union has been 
blessed with two children: Alfred Harvey and Margaret C. Alfred Har- 
vey was boi-n Dec. 31, 1902, endeared himself to all of those with whom he 
came in contact during his brief life, and died Dec. 24, 1916. Margaret C. 
was born Dec. 20, 1909. Mrs. Hensel is one of the leading women of the 
community. She is prominent in all society and charitable work, was one 
of the founders of the Ladies Chautauqua Circle, has been very active in 
Red Cross work, and has been an important factor in the daily life of 
Whitehall for many years. 

August Reck, now living retired in Arcadia Village, after a busy life 
devoted to agricultural pursuits, was born in Poland, Aug. 26, 1844, son of 
Matt and Chrestena Reck. In 1870 he came to the United States with his 
parents and other members of the family. Journeying by train to La 
Crosse, Wis., they took boat from that place to Trempealeau, and from there 
the party, consisting of father and mother, August, with three sisters and 
a brother, walked to American Valley, where another brother of our subject. 
Veto Reck, had already settled. On their arrival, August, then 26 years 
old, found that he had but 35 cents left of his pecuniary resources. How- 
ever, the family got together money enough to purchase 80 acres of land in 
American Valley, which they obtained from Dan Dewey. There seems 
to have been no improvements on the place, for Mr. Reck at once built a 
diigout in the side of the hill, with sod roof, for a residence, in which primi- 
tive dwelling the family lived for two years. The work of grubbing and 
clearing followed immediately after and furnished him and his sons with 
sti-enuous work for some time to come. Until they were able to raise a 
crop, August had to carry provisions from Trempealeau, a distance of 17 
miles, on his back. In 1872 August erected a small log house. By 1874 
things were in more promising shape and he began a separate domestic life 
by marrying Mary Ressel, daughter of Martin and Katherine Ressel, of 
Arcadia Township. He purchased the farm in his own name and continued 
to develop it, gradually increasing its value by cultivation and the addition 
of needed improvements, including the building of a stone house to replace 
the old log structure, this more substantial dwelling being inhabited 
up to 1913. In 1905 August Reck sold the farm to his son George, who now 
owns it, and who in 1913 replaced the stone house by a modern two-story, 
square, frame house of nine rooms. At the same time, or in the same year, 
he bought 160 acres in Korpal Valley, to which farm he moved, and 
where he resided until 1915, when he sold it to his son Joseph and took up 
his residence in Arcadia Village, where he is now living retired, with his 



m«TORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 777 

wife and two daughters, being 72 years old, and his wife 68. During his 
active career Mr. Reck was widely recognized as one of the most thrifty 
and prosperous settlers of Polish origin in the county. In company with 
Charles Hess, who came to the valley about the same time that he did, he 
owned and operated one of the very first threshing outfits owned in the town- 
ship. He is a member of St. Stanislaus Congregation of Arcadia ; also of St. 
Stanislaus Society. In politics it has been his custom to vote the Demo- 
cratic ticket, which was the limit of his activities in the political field, as 
he never sought a place in local government, being too busy in developing 
his farm. He and his wife have had eight children : George, born in 1879, 
who is now proprietor of the old family homestead; Paulina, born in 1881, 
now Mrs. J. F. Kokot, of Korpal Valley ; Victoria, born in 1883, wife of Peter 
Gondara, of North Creek, Trempealeau County ; Haittey, born in 1885, who 
resides with her parents in Arcadia Village ; Frances, born in 1887, now the 
wife of Valanty Misch, of Arcadia Village; Estella, born in 1889, who is 
the wife of Valentine Stetmach, of North Creek; Joseph, born in 1891, now 
a farmer in Korpal Valley, and Rosa, born in 1893, who resides with her 
parents in the village. Mr. Reck is a man of good record, whose life and 
labors not only resulted in his own advancement, but added to the sum total 
of the wealth of the community in which he lived, and while he is now indulg- 
ing in well-earned repose, his sons are continuing the good work which he 
began. 

George Reck, a farmer residing in section 1, Arcadia, Township 20, 
range 9, was born in American Valley, this township, Nov. 16, 1879, son of 
Augustus Reck. In the old log house, which was his birthplace, he resided 
until it was replaced by a stone house, helping his father on the farm and 
attending school at intervals until reaching the age of 12 years, when his 
services being needed all the time, he had to lay aside his school books, and 
never resumed them. The farm consisted of 160 acres, and he assisted his 
father in its cultivation until 1905, at which time he purchased it from his 
father. The next year he married Mary Pampuch, daughter of Thomas and 
Mary Pampuch, of Independence, Trempealeau County. In 1913 he tore 
down the old stone house, which was inadequate to his needs, and erected a 
modern, square, two-story, 9-room residence. He has also provided himself 
with a good barn and other out-buildings. He carries on general farming 
and dairying, keeping 35 head of cattle, 20 hogs and six horses, besides hav- 
ing a good supply of tools and farm machinery and keeping an automobile 
for rapid transit purposes. He is a charter member of St. Stanislaus So- 
ciety, having been one of the founders in 1910. For nine years also he has 
been treasurer of St. Stanislaus Congregation, of which he and his family 
are members. In politics Mr. Reck is a Democrat and has been clerk of the 
school district for two years. He is recognized as one of the thrifty and 
prosperous young farmers of the county. He and his wife have five chil- 
dren : Ignatz, born in 1907 ; Tracy, in 1909 ; Mary, in 1911 ; Stanley, in 1913, 
and Elanora, in 1917. 

Wheat Brom. In 1868 a farmer of the dorf or village of 
Todne, near the city of Budweis, in the county of Swegnie. 
Bohemia, Wheat Brom, the father of Mathias and "Big Wenzel" 



778 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

Brom, sold his lands of nearly 100 acres there and with his 
wife and family, married son Frank, unmarried son John and unmarried 
daughter Mary, immigi-ated to America, leaving Bohemia July 21, 1868, and 
arriving at Bremen Haven took passage to New York, where they arrived 
Aug. 7 and immediately left for Winona, Minn., where they arrived Aug. 15, 
1868. Wheat Brom settled in Pine Creek, in Trempealeau County, purchas- 
ing of John Pehler the farm later owned by Joe Eichman, on which farm 
Wheat Brom died, and is buried in the cemetery at Pine Creek. Mrs. Brom 
survived her husband and for many years made her home with her son, 
Frank Brom, and where she died. At the end of the first year in the cooley 
Mr. Brom had about five acres of lands under cultivation, but continued 
to make improvements from year to year, as did his neighbors, until many 
excellent farms are in the cooley. John Brom, the youngest son of Wheat 
Brom, married in Winona, and later than 1868 homesteaded lands in the 
cooley, which he sold in 1881 and went to Kansas, where he still resides. 
Big Wenzel sold his farm in the cooley and moved to Kansas in 1885, where 
he died a few years ago. Frank Brom purchased the farm of Little Wenzel 
in 1904, Wenzel removing to Winona, Minn., where he died in 1908. 

Mathias Brom, for many years a resident of Pine Creek, in Dodge Town- 
ship, was born in September, 1828, in the village of Todne, near the city of 
Budweis, in Swegnie, Bohemia, his father, Wheat Brom, being a farmer in 
that locality. Mat Brom was the oldest child of his father's family, and was 
married in his native village to Elizabeth Marisech prior to his immigrating 
to America in 1861. His brother, Wenzel Brom, known as "Big Wenzel," 
and a cousin, Wenzel Brom, known as "Little Wenzel," immigrated with 
him. They landed in New York and immediately journeyed to Winona, 
Minn., where they had Bohemian acquaintances. Mat Brom settled in 
Winona and for nearly two years worked in a grain warehouse. In the 
latter part of 1862 he purchased 80 acres of land from the United States 
Government at $1.25 an acre, and moved onto these lands in 1863, improving 
and cultivating them. In 1869 he deeded these lands to his son, Frank 
Brom, and purchased 120 acres in section 11, town 19, range 10 west, from 
John Shonat, who had for several years resided upon them and who upon 
a sale of them removed to Decorah Prairie, where he long was a prominent 
and prosperous citizen. This 120 acres, with additions, constituted the Mat 
Brom farm at Pine Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Brom retired from farming and 
for years lived quietly in a small home on a tract of land near the Pine 
Creek church. They reared a family of two daughters — Eva and Mary — 
both of whom married, Eva dying some years ago and three sons — Frank, 
Martin and John. 

Frank Brom came to America with other members of his family, reach- 
ing Winona, Minn., Aug. 15, 1868. The following day Frank Brom and his 
wife, whom he had married in the old Bohemian home early in July, started 
on foot to Pine Creek under the guidance of Mathias Brom, Jr., a son of 
Mathias Brom, to the home of his father, where they arrived and partook of 
dinner, and then on foot crossed the hills into the Tamarack Valley, which 
they crossed and journed to the home of the brother, "Big Wenzel," where 
they made their home during the remainder of the summer, thus their set- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 779 

tlement in Holcomb Cooley dates from the 16th day of August, 1868. Frank 
Brom was born Oct. 27, 1841, at No. 14, Todne, Bohemia, grew to manhood 
there and married EHza Tasick, who immigrated with him as a member of 
the family of Wheat Brom. Frank Brom and his wife lived with Wenzel, 
who in the course of a month aided him in making a homestead claim on 
160 acres of lands on section 26, township 20 north, range 9 west, upon 
which he made final proof and cultivated. Mr. Brom purchased other lands 
from time to time until he owned a few years ago 784 acres in the cooley. 
When Frank Brom and his wife reached Holcomb Cooley they had $3 in 
money, no team and a scant amount of clothing. They were not daunted, 
nor often weary and discouraged, but worked and saved and reared a family 
of five daughters and four sons, so that at the time his wife died, Oct. 30, 
1903, they had a comfortable home, a valuable farm with barns and out- 
buildings. Their first house was a rough unbarked log house with a single 
room, made from the forest about them. For many years Frank Brom has 
enjoyed good health and prosperity, and has always been respected by his 
neighbors and acquaintances as a man of great industry and thrift, of 
integrity and fine neighborly qualities, and he is in good health at 76 years, 
weighing 220 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches in his stocking feet. Mr. 
Brom has been and is a man of good habits, a kind father and was a good 
husband, thoroughly American in his notions. He and his wife had a family 
of 10 children: Katherine, now Mrs. John Kruger, residing in Winona 
County, Minn.; Thomas, who resides in Arcadia Village; John, who also 
lives in Arcadia; Martin, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Estella, 
who is now Mrs. August Tonditzke, of Holcomb Cooley; Rose, the wife of 
Michael Herrick, of Arcadia ; Mary ; and Frank, now deceased. 

Martin Brom, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Trempealeau 
County, whose well-cultivated farm lies in section 26, Arcadia Township, 
was born in Holcomb Valley, this township, Nov. 12, 1884, son of Frank 
and Eliza (Tasick) Brom. In his boyhood he attended the district school 
up to the age of 12 years. He then assisted his father on the farm and 
remained with him subsequently until the latter's retirement, with the 
exception of a short period of four months in 1909, which he passed in 
Jamestown, N. D. In 1913 he purchased the home farm of 260 acres from 
his father, and in the following year, Feb. 17, 1914, he married Mary, 
daughter of Paul and Elizabeth Ressel, of Lewis Valley, Arcadia Township. 
Beginning housekeeping in the old log house on the farm, he and his wife 
lived there until 1916, in which year he built a modern, cement block resi- 
dence, also erecting a frame barn, 30 by 60 by 12 feet in dimensions, with 
full basement. The homestead lies 13 miles southeast of Arcadia Village, 
and the noticeable improvements attract attention and give evidence of 
industry and thrift. Mr. Brom is a Democrat in politics, but has held no 
public office. He and his wife are members of the German Catholic church 
of Arcadia, and have many friends throughout this vicinity. 

Charles J. Gibson, one of the leading citizens of Blair, is widely known 
for his progressive spirit, and the part he is having in every move which has 
for its object the upbuilding of the village and county. He was born in 
Cleveland, Ohio, June 24, 1872, the son of James and Catherine (Kutcher) 



780 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

Gibson, who brought him to Trempealeau County at the age of 9, arriving 
here Jan. 3, 1881. He was reared to farm pursuits and attended the district 
schools, supplementing this later with special courses in embalming. In 
1895 he moved to Blair, where he has a large and successful furniture store, 
and where he is pi'acticing his profession as a licensed embalmer and funeral 
director. He has been president, trustee and treasurer of the village, he 
has been prominent in educational affairs, and has been one of the moving 
spirits of the annual Chautauqua course. Mr. Gibson was married March 
30, 1896, to Mary Elizabeth Ellison, and they have had four children: 
Merle, James (who was drowned at the age of 13), Evelyn and Lertha. 

Rev. A. J. Orke, a clergyman of the Norwegian Lutheran faith, and 
pastor of four congregations with headquarters at Pigeon Falls, is a splendid 
representative of that faithful body of clergy who have made his faith so 
highly honored throughout the civilized world. Fulfilling the old ideal as a 
father of his people, he combines a deep and sympathetic understanding of 
human nature with much scholai'ly ability, and his work has resulted in a 
most decided uplift to the community. Modest as to his personal achieve- 
ments, he places his church and the welfare of his congregations as above 
everything else in his life, and the results he has achieved, with the assist- 
ance of his Divine Master, have been far reaching and permanent. At 
Northfield and at Whitehall churches have been built under his leadership, 
and the spiritual life of all his congregations has been greatly quickened. 
Rev. Orke was born in Skjold, Stavanger, Norway, Sept. 26, 1857, of a 
long line of God-fearing people who had lived on the same place for several 
generations. The father, John Orke, and the mother, Anna Roaldsvik, are 
both dead, the former having died in 1897 and the mother in 1899. They 
were the parents of 11 children. The subject of this sketch, as a youth, 
attended the common schools, and in 1881 was graduated with honors from 
the Koppervik Normal School. In 1882 he came to America and secured 
employment as teacher in a parochial school at Kenyon, Minn., while per- 
fecting himself in the English language. In 1883 he entered the Brecken- 
ridge Institute at Decorah, Iowa. Then in 1884, having decided to devote 
his hfe to the service of the church, he took up his studies at the Augsburg 
College, and in 1886 entered the Theological Seminary. Graduating in 1889, 
he was ordained to the ministry by the Rev. G. Hoyme. His first charge 
was at Chetek, in Barron County, this State, where he had charge of five 
congregations. In 1895 he came to Pigeon Falls, taking charge of the 
congregations at Pigeon Falls and Smithfield, organizing the one at White- 
hall in 1899 and taking charge of the one at Independence in 1913. Of 
these, the one at Pigeon Falls is the largest, having about 800 members. 
Rev. Orke was married May 6, 1891, to Olga Peterson, born in Colfax, Wis., 
daughter of Peter and Olava Peterson. This union has been blessed with 
seven children : Agnes 0., Mildred P., Selma, Hazel R., Hjelmar A.. Beatrice 
S. and Gerhard. 

The Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized in 
1878 by Rev. C. J. Helsem, of Strum, with about 60 members, a number 
which has since increased to about 830. Early services were held in the 
schoolhouse for several years. In 1888 a church edifice was started and 




REV. AND MRS. A. J. ORKE 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 781 

in 1 893 completed. Rev. Helsem served until 1892, then Rev. M. Gulbrand- 
son took charge and moved to Pigeon Falls. He was an energetic and 
successful worker, and the congregation prospered. About this time Our 
Saviour's Congregation was united with it, and it became a strong organ- 
ization. Rev. A. J. Orke took charge in 1895. The congregation has con- 
siderable valuable property. The church and cemetery are valued at $10,000. 
The parsonage, built in 1892 and rebuilt and enlarged in 1907, has a value 
of about $6,000. A Young People's Hall, built in 1896 and rebuilt and 
enlarged in 1914, has a value of about $4,000. There is no indebtedness on 
the property, and the congregation has contributed liberally to missions, 
schools and different charitable institutions. There are two Ladies' Aid 
Societies, a Young Ladies' Aid Society and a large and active Young Peo- 
ple's Society, Sunday school and choir. 

The Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Whitehall was 
organized in 1899 by Rev. A. J. Orke, with a membership of 50, which has 
since been increased to 200. The church, having a value of about $5,000, 
was built in 1901. The congregation has one Ladies' Aid Society, a Sunday 
school and choir. 

The Independence Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized 
in 1879, with a membership of 80, now increased to 150. The church, 
valued at $5,000, was built in 1883. There is also a fine cemetery. The 
congregation has supported missions and schools. The pastors have been : 
Rev. H. A. Meyer, 1879-1884 ; Rev. A. Hauge, 1884-1898 ; Rev. Halbert Ras- 
mussen, 1899-1913 ; Rev. A. J. Orke, 1913. 

The Northfield Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Northfield, in 
Jackson County, was organized in 1889 by Rev. C. J. Helsem, of Strum, with 
a membership of 50, which has since been increased to 370. The original 
officials were : Knut Olson, L. Johnson, Sam. Thompson, trustees ; L. E. 
Larson, secretary; C. A. Severeide, treasurer. The first pastor. Rev. Hel- 
sem, served until 1892, followed by Rev. M. Gulbrandson, who in 1895 was 
succeeded by Rev. A. J. Orke. In 1896, with a membership of only about 
70, a church was built, having a value of $5,000. In 1914 the church was 
struck by lightning and destroyed. In 1915 a larger and modern church was 
built, having a value of $12,000, absolutely without indebtedness. There is 
a Ladies' Aid Society and a Young People's Society, very active. The 
congregation has contributed to missions, schools and different charitable 
institutions. 

John Manning, one of the pioneer farmers of Trempealeau Valley, who 
passed away some 21 years ago, was born at Fedamore, County Limerick, 
Ireland, in 1838. In 1855, when only 17 years of age, he came to the United 
States, landing at New York. The next few years of his life were spent 
in the Eastern States, as in 1859 he removed to Philadelphia and was 
there until 1862, in which year he located in Cleveland, Ohio. It may have 
been here that he heard of the opportunities for self-advancement in the 
Northwestern State of Wisconsin, but however that may be, just three 
days before Christmas, 1864, he made his appearance in La Crosse, Wis., 
where he spent the next six months. June 27, 1865, he arrived in Arcadia, 
riding in the ox-team wagon of J. H. Gleason, who had preceded him to this 



782 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

county by two years, and who furnished him transportation from La Crosse. 
He had been married in Philadelphia Nov. 1, 1859, to Mary McGrath, daugh- 
ter of Michael and Ellen McGrath, and she accompanied him to this new 
country. After looking over the ground, Mr. Manning decided that Trem- 
pealeau Valley possessed advantages of beauty, together with fertility of 
soil, that made it a desirable place for settlement, and he accordingly took up 
160 acres of wild Government land in section 12, township 20, range 9, and 
set to work to develop a farm. Building a small log house and barn, he 
began the arduous work of clearing the land. For years, while primitive 
conditions lasted, he made use of ox teams, oxen being hardier than horses 
and able to survive under conditions impossible for the more noble animal ; 
but in time he had plenty both of horses and cattle, together with a good 
basement barn, and a substantial frame house to replace his primitive 
log dwelling, besides a granary, tool shed and other necessary buildings, 
all of which he erected. When he died, March 19, 1895, he had cleared 
and bi'oken 120 acres of his land. He was survived by his wife, who is 
still living, being cared for by her daughters, Mrs. Michael Crawford and 
Mrs. Manning. She is, however, in feeble health, having suffered a stroke 
of paralysis in 1912 and a second stroke subsequently. Their family con- 
sisted of six children: Cornehus, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 9, 1858, 
who was a railway employee and was killed at New London, Wis., Dec. 9, 
1890 ; Michael J., born at Philadelphia, Pa., July 6, 1861, who died at the 
old home in Arcadia, June 10, 1898 ; James, born in October, 1862, at Phila- 
delphia, who died in that city, July 15, 1864 ; Joseph, born at Arcadia, Wis., 
Sept. 15, 1865, who died Aug. 25, 1871 ; Ellen, born in Arcadia, Wis., Sept. 
27, 1867, who is now the wife of Michael Crawford, and resides on the old 
Manning farm ; and Agnes, born in Arcadia, Aug. 25, 1869, who died Aug. 
15, 1871. In 1893 the daughter Ellen, with her husband, Michael Crawford, 
came from their home in Superior, Wis., so that she might care for her 
mother, her husband taking care of the farm, of which he is now the 
manager. In politics John Manning was a Democrat, but contented him- 
self with casting his vote, never seeking or holding public office. He was a 
member of the Catholic church in Arcadia, to which all the family belong. 
As one of the hardy pioneers of this county his memory deserves per- 
petuating. 

Walentine Pietrek, proprietor of a large and flourishing farm of 560 
acres in section 15, Arcadia Township, was born in Posen, Germany, Feb. 
9, 1863, son of Andrew and Frances (Susa) Pietrek. In 1870 the parents 
came to the United States with their family, locating in section 15, Ai'cadia 
Township, this county, their farm lying about four miles north of the 
village. This property, which was known as the O'Rourke farm, consisted 
of 200 acres and was partially improved. Here Walentine Pietrek was 
brought up and trained to farm work, and here he has resided ever since, 
having added 360 acres to the farm. June 6, 1890, Mr. Pietrek was mar- 
ried to Barbara Sluga of Independence Township, and he and his bride set 
up housekeeping on the Pietrek homestead, Andrew Pietrek and wife mov- 
ing across the railroad to a location east of the old home. The father 
died in 1899 and was buried at North Creek ; his wife survived him and is 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 783 

still living, being now 84 years of age. In 1902 the subject of this sketch 
built a modern, two-story, brick-veneer house of 10 rooms; also a frame 
barn, 38 by 78 feet in dimensions. The latter burned down in 1898, but 
was rebuilt the same summer. Mr. Pietrek has also built a third barn, 
together with woodsheds, hog house, granary and garage, all the buildings 
being substantially constructed and in good shape. He has now 350 acres 
of his farm under cultivation, the balance consisting of post and timber. 
The property is located on Independence road, midway between Indepen- 
dence and Arcadia, just at the foot of Lewis Valley. Aside from general 
farming, he is engaged in dairying, having a fine herd of 18 graded Hol- 
steins, with 45 to 50 head of young cattle. His equipment is all modern 
and in first class condition, and his horses and wagons the best of their 
kind. Mr. Pietrek is a stockholder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery 
Company of Arcadia. Politically he is a Democrat, but has held no public 
office. He and his wife are the parents of ten children : Sophia, now Mrs. 
John Gondora of North Creek, this county; Roman, unmarried, who is 
employed on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway; Theresa, unmarried, 
residing at home, and Paul, Andrew, Joseph, Martha, Mary, Benjamin and 
Anna, all of whom reside with their parents. The family belong to St. 
Michael's (Polish) Catholic church. 

Louis Leterski, for many years a highly esteemed citizen of Trem- 
pealeau Township, but now living retired in Winona, Minn., was born in 
Butuf, Germany, Aug. 19, 1852, son of Joseph and Josephine Leterski. 
When he was six years old his parents emigrated to America, accompanied 
by their four children, the other three being a son, John, and two daughters, 
Alice and Lena. The family landed at Ottawa, Canada, but six months 
later arrived in Milwaukee, Wis., where they remained for one year. In 
1859 they settled in Winona, Minn., where Joseph Leterski found employ- 
ment with R. A. Foster, an egg dealer. Moving to Dodge Township, Trem- 
pealeau County, in 1864, they settled on a partially improved farm in sec- 
tion 18 (then Trempealeau Township) , which Mr. Leterski had previously 
purchased. The buildings consisted of a log cabin and a log shed for a 
barn. Twenty acres of the land were already plowed. Here the family 
remained until the fall of 1889 — a period of 25 years — during which time 
Mr. Leterski made many improvements on the place and increased the 
acreage of tilled land. On this farm were born four more children: Mary, 
Josephine, August and Joseph, who lives on the old homestead. In the 
meanwhile Louis had grown to manhood. He had little chance to obtain 
an advanced education, but acquired a good knowledge of agriculture in 
its various branches. About 1882, when 30 years of age, he began busi- 
ness for himself, buying a farm and in 1889 a store at Dodge. After con- 
ducting the store for about eight years he sold it and bought a farm in 
Clay County, Iowa. In the spring of 1902 he sold that farm and returned 
to Wisconsin, buying the Herman Carey farm of 244 acres of improved 
land in sections 29 and 30, Trempealeau Township, this county. The farm 
included an orchard of seven acres and the ten-room residence now stand- 
ing, and 170 acres of the land were under plow. He also repurchased his 
former store at Dodge, which he sail owns. During the following summer 



1^4 IIISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Mr. Leterski built a frame barn, 32 by 60 feet in size, and in 1911 he erected 
a silo of cement blocks, 12 by 38 feet inside. He continued to develop and 
improve the property and it was in fine condition when, on June 22, 1914, 
a cyclone passed over this region, devastating this farm and two others, 
Mr. Leterski having a granary, corn crib, machine shed, three barns and 
a windmill swept away. The only buildings left standing were the house 
and silo. By the next day Mr. Leterski had a force of 30 men at work 
repairing the damage, and by July 4 new barns had been built on the old 
foundations, the other buildings being speedily restored. In the spring 
of 1914, having decided to retire from active work, he turned over the 
management of his farm and store to his son, Leo H., and took up his resi- 
dence. May 16, at No. 626 East Sanborn street, Winona. He received the 
rent of his farm from his son and is also a shareholder in the telephone 
company. During his active career Mr. Leterski took a more or less active 
part in public affairs. While in Dodge Township he served six terms as 
assessor and five years as township treasurer. He was also chairman of 
the county board two years and constable for one year. A member of the 
Catholic church, he served as secretary of the church for 15 or 16 years. 
Louis Leterski was married Jan. 13, 1880, to Louisa Maraszwski, who was 
born in Winona, Minn., Dec. 9, 1852, daughter of Anton and Veronica 
Maraszwski, her parents being natives of Germany, who came to the United 
States in the fifties and were married in Winona. The father, who was a 
farmer of Trempealeau County, is still living, being now 87 years of age. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Leterski were born eight children, seven sons and one 
daughter: Frank, Leo H., Louis, Jr., Millie, Daniel and Jerome, living, and 
John and Edward, deceased. 

Thomas Truog, Sr., came to America in 1856 and for several years 
worked at the carpenter trade in Iowa, Tennessee, Missouri and other 
southern states. During the Civil War he was employed by the govern- 
ment to help in the construction of bridges in Tennessee and Kentucky. 
In 1866 he located on a tract of land in Buffalo County, this state, in that 
locality which is now called Glencoe. This tract of land, which consisted 
of 120 acres, he grubbed and broke and brought under cultivation, erect- 
ing such buildings as were necessary. In 1881 he moved to the villagi^ 
of Arcadia. Leaving his family there he traveled westward through the 
states of Iowa, Colorado, the Dakotas and Montana, but not being favor- 
ably impressed with the west he returned and bought a tract of land partly 
in section 2, Arcadia Township, and partly in section 25, Lincoln Town- 
ship. To this he has since added until he now has 226 acres. This tract 
of land was but partially improved and the buildings thereon consisted of 
a board shanty and straw shed. He developed it fully, erecting a good 
home and barns. The place is located two miles south of Independence, 
and commands a beautiful veiw of the surrounding hills and valleys. Here 
Mr. Truog continued to reside until his death Sept. 25, 1906. He was born 
in Switzerland in 1834, where he spent the first 22 years of his life. It 
was there that he learned the carpenter trade. His wife, Magdalena 
Keller, was born in Switzerland July 1, 1845, came to America in 1854 and 
was married Sept. 1, 1866. They had ten children, four sons and six 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 785 

daughters. Two sons and two daughters preceded their father in death. 
Thomas, Jr., farms the home place, while the youngest son, Emil, is an 
instructor in the agriculture department of the University of Wisconsin. 

John A. Latsch, philanthropist, public benefactor and leading whole- 
sale grocer, is a native of Trempealeau County, having been born in Latsch 
Valley, Aug. 15, 1860, son of John and Anna (Buol) Latsch, the pioneers. 
He left Trempealeau County with the family in 1867, and has since spent 
his life in Winona. In 1874 he started working for his father in the retail 
grocery business in Winona, and since 1887 he has been connected with 
the large wholesale grocery firm of Latsch & Son, of which he is now the 
head. A lover of the out-of-doors, Mr. Latsch has long dreamed of pre- 
senting to the general public tracts of land for public recreation. Already 
he had presented for public use a strip of land extending from Winona 
nearly to Minneiska, along the Mississippi river, which will be used as a 
game preserve and general recreation tract. He is now planning to present 
Trempealeau Mountain to the state of Wisconsin. The John A. Latsch 
public baths, across the Mississippi River from Winona, are another boon 
to the people from Mr. Latsch's generosity. And his friends declare that 
this is but the beginning of an elaborate pi-oject which he has under way 
for the establishing of reserves, which will be open to the public for all 
time for recreation, health and sport. Trempealeau County has benefited 
directly by his benefactions, and is proud of having given birth to this 
distinguished and generous citizen, whose name will be honored in grati- 
tude for countless generations. As modest as he is big hearted, Mr. Latsch 
shrinks from public expressions of gratitude, and lives an active life of 
quiet modesty, taking his greatest delight in his business through which 
he realizes the money for his gifts, and in spending his time out in the 
open, enjoying those delights which he has now made possible for the 
general public. 

John Latsch, founder of the firm of Latsch & Son, Winona, Minn., and 
the first settler in Latsch Valley, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, was 
born in Wald Canton Zurich, Switzerland, March 18, 1832, and was 
educated in the public schools of his native country. After completing his 
schooling he was employed for about six months in the drug business at 
Frankfort-on-the-Main. Later he was engaged in Paris at the Chocolet 
Menier factory. He remained in Paris three years and then decided to 
emigrate to America. He had heard of the wonderful opportunities in the 
new country, and had planned to cross the mighty Atlantic and cast his 
lot with the great republic whose form of government appealed to the 
hberty-loving native of the free land of lofty mountains. Therefore, in 
1854, he sailed for this country, coming by way of the Great Lakes to Green 
Bay. From there he went south, determined to look the country over before 
making a permanent settlement. The new country thrilled him with its 
prospective enterprise, and the horizon loomed large with undeveloped 
resources, while the atmosphere was vibrant with the spirit of adventure. 
The wanderlust seized the Swiss youth and he went from place to place, 
drinking in the strange sights of the land and seeking an opportunity for 
his brain and muscle in the rich regions of the Gulf states. During his 



786 IIISTOKY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 

first year in America he traveled some ten thousand miles, and at last 
found desirable employment in the cj^prus swamps of Louisiana cutting 
timber for barrel staves. He had been at work but a few months when 
he was taken down with malarial fever and was removed to a hospital in 
New Orleans, where he was confined for some time. When he was con- 
valescent he returned north in 1855 and located in Dakota, Winona County, 
Minn. After remaining there about a year he decided to look over Trem- 
pealeau County, Wisconsin, with a view to locating land, as the new country 
was being rapidly settled by homeseekers from the East, and by people 
from southern Wisconsin. In 1856 he pre-empted government land in 
Trempealeau County, in a valley three miles northeast of Dodge. He set- 
tled near a creek at the mouth of this valley, and purchased some state land 
adjoining his claim, in the same county, as well as some state land in 
Buffalo County. After his marriage in 1859 he continued to improve his 
farm land in Trempealeau County. He also taught a few terms of school 
and served for a while as justice of the peace. Feb. 27, 1864, he enlisted 
in Company C, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, was mustered in at 
La Crosse, and was transferred the following spring to Company E, Twelfth 
Wisconsin Infantry, in which command he participated in Sherman's 
famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out at 
Louisville, Ky., and resumed farming in Trempealeau County. But in 1866 
he met with an accident, which compelled him to abandon agricultural 
pursuits. His foot was badly cut with a breaking plow, and the injury 
left him a cripple for several years. In 1867 he moved his family to Winona 
and there engaged in the retail grocery business, which he conducted until 
1887, when he, T. J. Preece and John A. Latsch established the wholesale 
grocery business of Preece & Latsch Company. This was the beginning 
of the business which is now one of the largest of its kind in the Northwest. 
In 1892 he purchased Mr. Preece's interest and the firm became Latsch & 
Son. Mr. Latsch's activities were not confined to this business, which he 
was instrumental in building up, but extended to other lines. For many 
years and up to the time of his death he was director of the First National 
Bank. He also served a term as alderman of Winona. He revisited his 
native country three times — in 1873, 1882 and in 1900. Mr. Latsch was 
highly esteemed by all in his wide circle of acquaintances and his death 
was sincerely mourned by many. The subject of this sketch was married 
in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in 1859, to Anna Buol. Four children were 
born: John A. Latsch; Nettie, who died in 1887; Emma, who died in 1873, 
and Edward G. Latsch, who died in 1909. Mrs. Anna Latsch died in 1898. 
In October, 1899, Mr. Latsch married Mrs. Ursula Ruedy of Bangor, Wis., 
the wedding taking place in Minneapolis. Mr. Latsch passed away May 21. 
1909. An extract from a former history of Trempealeau County, regarding 
Latsch Valley, is well worthy of preservation in this sketch. The history 
says : From 1865 to 1870 a number of Polish and Hungarian settlers located 
in the main portion of Latsch Valley, and in honor of these Hungarian 
pioneers the valley was called Hungary Valley, from their native land. But 
this long narrow valley that sets back from the Trempealeau River will 
live in history of Latsch Valley, and the Trempealeau County Historical 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 787 

Society is glad to honor the memory of a man whose life history reads like 
a romance — a man who came here and used his energetic brain and capital 
in wresting a part of our fertile territory from the wilderness. The wild 
rough country did not discourage this Swiss youth; he was used to the 
mighty Alps, and could see the great possibilities in agriculture in this 
land of cozy valleys and wooded hills. With the energy characteristic of 
his race he set to work and accomplished things. Others followed, and 
today we can look out upon farms rich with the promise of harvest, and 
if there used to be anything in the saying that a person would get hungry 
wandering through Hungary Valley (on account of its length and meager 
settlement), it is not true today, because there is abundance written on 
every farm in this sequestered glen. 

Perry Heath, proprietor of a good farm of 320 acres in section 16, 
Arcadia Township, was born at Marengo, McHenry County, 111., Oct. 26, 
1843, son of Joel and Margaret (Miller) Heath. His parents, who were 
natives of New York state, migrated to Illinois about 1842, buying 80 
acres of land at Marengo. After residing there until 1853 they moved to 
La Crosse County, Wisconsin, locating not far from where the village of 
Holmen now stands. Here the Heaths began farming on 160 acres of 
land, for which Mr. Heath had traded his Illinois property. In 1856 they 
returned to Illinois and remained three years, coming back to Wisconsin 
in 1859. The father came first, however, in order to get a settlement for 
the La Crosse county farm, for which it seems he had not been fully paid, 
and while here was taken sick and died, his body being returned to Illinois 
for burial. The widowed mother and her family then took up their resi- 
dence on the La Crosse County farm, the subject of this sketch being 
then 16 years old, and here she lived until her death in 1868. There were 
eight children in the family : Lusetta, Oscar, Lydia Ann and Permelia, all 
of whom are now deceased ; Perry, Barnabas, who is now residing at Strum, 
Trempealeau County ; Emmett, deceased ; Matilda, now Mrs. Charles Hil- 
liard of Fargo, N. D. Perry Heath acquired his education in the district 
schools. After his father's death he remained at home with his widowed 
mother until he was 22 years old, at which time he purchased 40 acres 
adjoining the home farm in La Crosse County. Aug. 13, 1865, he married 
Jennie Briggs, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Briggs of La Crosse County, 
and, building a house on his 40-acre farm, took his bride there and began 
housekeeping. After operating his farm for about four years, in 1869 
he bought 160 acres of wild land in Lewis Valley, section 16, Arcadia 
Township, and built a small house on it, to which he moved his family, 
then consisting of his wife and two children, in addition to himself. The 
journey was made overland by horse team. Here Mr. Heath has since 
remained. He has greatly improved his property, the size of which he 
increased by purchasing 160 acres more, making a farm of 320 acres, 200 
of which are under the plow, the balance consisting of timber land and 
pasture. In 1879 he built a comfortable frame house and in 1902 a good 
frame barn. In September, 1888, his first wife died. She had borne him 
eight children: Lusetta, born in 1866, who is now Mrs. John Busby of 
Fridley, Mont. ; Elsie, born in 1869, now Mrs. Henry Smith of Whitehall, 



788 HISTORY (>F TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Wis.; Alonzo, born in 1871, who is now living in Osseo, Trempealeau 
County ; Lela, born in 1874, wife of Fi-ank Horsey of Utica, Minn. ; Alvah, 
born in 1876, who is deceased ; Lester, born in 1878, now living on the old 
farm ; Chauncey, born in 1881, now residing in Arcadia Village, and Pearl, 
born in 1885, who is the wife of Grant Smith of Roundup, Mont. March 27, 
1891, Mr. Heath married for his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Mal- 
colm and Margaret Malles of Fountain City, Wis., and of this marriage 
there has been one child, Ervin, born in 1892, who is living at home. 
Mr. Perry is a Republican in politics and for many years has served as 
school director in his district. Aside from his own farming interests he 
holds stock in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia Village. 
Though reared a Methodist, he is not at present a member of any 
church. 

Francis Asbury Goodhue in former years was one of the leading mer- 
chants of Trempealeau Village, where he was highly esteemed as a man 
and citizen. His father was one of those itinerant preachers of the 
Methodist denomination known as "circuit riders," who had so much to 
do with civilizing the frontier settlements at various stages of this coun- 
try's history. Francis early learned the trades of millwright and cabinet- 
maker. On Oct. 29, 1852, he married Alsina Manning, who was born in 
Russeltown (now Frankfort), Canada, June 23, 1835, daughter of Abram 
and Anna Manning. Abram Manning had died in 1841, when she was six 
years old, and she had then come to the states, going to live with a cousin 
at Moores, Clinton County, New York, which place was her home up to 
the time of her marriage and for two years after that event. Her mother, 
on coming to the states, located in Springfield, 111., later moving to Chicago. 
Francis A. Goodhue and wife resided at Moores until 1854 and then went 
to Jericho, Vt., which was his old home town. In 1856 they joined the tide 
of westward emigration, locating in Trempealeau Village, Trempealeau 
County, Wis., where Mr. Goodhue followed the trades of millwright and 
cabinetmaker until 1862. During that time he built several mills on Black 
River, near La Crosse. After 1862 he confined himself to carpenter and 
cabinet work, and later entered into partnership with A. P. Ford and 
opened a furniture business on Front street, Trempealeau Village. This 
partnership was continued for about four years, at the end of which time 
Mr. Goodhue sold his interest in the business to Mr. Ford. He then opened 
a book and stationery store, and though burned out in the "big fire" he 
reopened the store and continued in the business until 1888, when his 
health failed. On June 29, 1900, he passed away and was buried in the 
family lot in Trempealeau Cemetery. Mr. Goodhue was an active and 
useful member of the Congregational church, which he had joined in his 
youth, serving it as deacon for a number of years and taking a leading 
part in all its affairs. He was also warmly interested in the growth and 
development of the village, which he could remember in its early stages, 
as he had often killed bear and deer immediately in front of where the 
family residence now stands. His aid and influence as a business man and 
well-to-do citizen were always to be depended upon on behalf of any feasible 
project for the public good. His life was unselfish and there were few 




HflfflSUfJIp^ 




LONE MOUND FARM; WILLIAM NICHOLLS, PEOPRIETOE 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 789 

men in.Trempealeau, if any, who were more highly esteemed or whose loss 
was more deeply regretted. Mrs. Goodhue was a member of the Congrega- 
tional church, to which her husband belonged, almost since its organization. 
She and her husband were the parents of six children : Sarah Eunice, who 
died in infancy; Edwin Francis, Elbert Newton, Beard, Alletta D. and a 
babe, unnamed, that died in infancy. Edwin F., who was in the railway 
mail service for a number of years, is now living in Helena, Mont., being 
retired from active work. Elbert N., who was for a tiinc editor of the 
Trempealeau Herald and for 18 years district court stenographer in Winona, 
Wabash and Rochester, Minn., died in Winona, Jan. 10, 1916, and is buried 
in Trempealeau Cemetery. Beard, also deceased, is buried there. Alletta, 
who is editor and proprietor of the Trempealeau Herald, resides at home 
with her mother. 

Alletta Dixon Goodhue, editor and proprietor of the Trempealeau 
Herald, is a native of this village. She received a high school education, 
which was supplemented by instruction in painting and music. After- 
wards she became identified with the business interests of the town in the 
book and stationery line, in which she has since continued. Later she 
entered the field of journalism by purchasing the Herald from her brother. 
While others sought new and, as they thought, more promising fields else- 
where, she has remained in her home town, and now has the satisfaction 
of knowing that she has been fully as successful as most of those who 
have tried other locations. In its infancy the Herald was published under 
a leased roof, as are most of the papers in the county today, but is now 
issued every week from its own building and is operated on a paying basis. 
This happy result has been achieved by devotion to clean journalism and 
close attention to business on the part of its proprietor, who not only edits 
the paper and attends to its business management, but also superintends 
its mechanical production, and, if necessary, can set type and get out the 
paper alone. By reason of her artistic ability she can also illustrate local 
or general events, doing all the work herself. The Herald is Republican 
in politics and is on the high road to prosperity. 

William Nicholls, Sr., a pioneer, was born in Kingsbridge, Devonshire, 
England, June 11, 1824, and was there reared and educated. He came to 
America in 1848, and lived two years in Montreal and Quebec, before locat- 
ing in Whitewater, Wis. From there, in 1851, he came to Trempealeau, 
and homesteaded ,145 acres in section 36, Caledonia township, about one 
mile and a half east of Trempealeau village. There he built a shanty and 
started to develop a farm. As time passed he achieved prosperity, and 
became one of the leading men in the community. For many years he 
did most admirable service as a member of the town board, and he also 
occupied other positions of public honor and private trust. He continued 
in active work until he reached the age of 70 years, when he had the mis- 
fortune to fall and break his hip. J'rom that time he was able to do but 
little work. After a long life filled with worthy endeavor, he died Novem- 
ber 11, 1910. Mr. Nicholls was married July 9, 1863, to Charlotte Dun- 
ham, then of Trempealeau Village, who was born in New Haven, Vermont, 
Feb. 17, 1833, and came to Wisconsin with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. 



790 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Nicholls were the parents of three children: One who died in infancy; 
William, who was born July 18, 1870, and is now a prominent man of 
Trempealeau, and Nellie, who was born Sept. 24, 1874, and is now the 
wife of C. H. Growt of Trempealeau. 

William Nicholls, one of the leading agriculturists of Trempealeau 
County, carries on farming operations in Caledonia Township, not far from 
Trempealeau Village, and has as good a farm as is to be found in this 
region. Bom on the homestead of his parents, William and Charlotte 
(Dunham) Nicholls, July 7. 1870, he has spent his life on the home place, 
and has established for himself an excellent reputation among his fellow 
men. Until 12 years of age he attended the school of district 3, near his 
home, then he entered the Trempealeau schools, and was graduated from 
the high school there at the age of 17 years. During the winter of 1887-88 
he was a student in the agricultural department of the University of 
Wisconsin, at the time when that department was still in its infancy. 
With this preparation he took over the active management of the home 
place, and here he has since remained. This he has improved in every 
way, adding to its value year by year through careful cultivation, build- 
ing operations, fence construction, and the purchase of tools, implements 
and machinery. The original home has been remodelled until it is a large 
commodious structure, modern in many ways, and well furnished through- 
out. Three new barns, 28 by 64 feet, 40 by 72 feet, 20 by 46 feet, a swine 
house, 20 by 46 feet, and many other buildings have been constructed. To 
the original tract he has added 255 acres, and now has a place of 400 acres, 
150 acres of which are under the plow, and 250 acres in pasture, hay and 
woodland. The cattle on the place are Guernseys, his herd containing 
about 60 head. From this herd he secures some 15,000 quarts of cream 
annually, which is shipped to Winona and sold at retail. His cattle are 
widely known and are shipped from coast to coast. In addition to stock 
raising and dairying he specializes in pure blood Chester White swine. He 
likewise successfully carries on general farming. Mr. Nicholls is a public- 
spirited citizen, and while not actively interested in political affairs, has 
consented to serve for several terms as a member of the town and school 
board. He helped to organize the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau, 
and has been its president since 1912. He is a stockholder as well in the 
Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, the Trempealeau Lime Products 
Company, the Galesville Creamery and other organizations. In the Con- 
gregational chuixh, of which he and his family are all members and active 
workers, he is a trustee. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic 
order, the Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen and the Independent For- 
esters, in all of which local lodges he has held office. Mr. Nicholls was 
married June 22, 1893, to Elizabeth Carr, daughter of Thomas and Regina 
Carr, of De Soto, Wis., and born in Winona, March 1, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. 
Nicholls have had three children: Auline, WiUiam Carroll and Charlotte 
Elizabeth. Auline was born March 25, 1895, graduated from the Trem- 
pealeau high school and the La Crosse normal school and is now a teacher. 
William Carroll was born May 13, 1897, gi'aduated from the Trempealeau 
high school, and is at home with his parents, assisting with the work of 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 791 

the farm. Charlotte Elizabeth was born June 12, 1901, and is still attend- 
ing school. 

Peter Johnson, who is successfully farming 160 acres of land in sec- 
tion 15, Gale Township, his place being known as Rolling Prairie Farm, 
was born in Toten, Norway, April 3, 1880. His parents, Johanas and 
Josephena (Christensen) Johnson, natives of Norway, are both living, the 
father being a stone mason by occupation. Peter Johnson was the fourth 
born in a family of eight children. He began to work when he was 12 years 
old and remained in his native land until 1908, when he came to the United 
States, locating in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. He was at this time 
ignorant of the English language, but applied himself to learn it as speedily 
as possible, and with good success. After arriving in the county he found 
employment with Mr. Hardie, with whom he remained about 18 months. 
Then, ambitious to be his own master, and have chances for advancement 
which he could never have working for others, he rented his present farm 
and began agriculture on his own account. Not long afterwards he pur- 
chased the farm, consisting of 160 acres, and is now engaged in operating 
it, doing general farming, including stock raising and dairying. He is 
gradually improving the place and is doing a profitable business. Mr. 
Johnson was married in Norway in 1899 to Hannah Evenson, who was 
born in Vordval, Norway, daughter of Even and Eliza Evenson. Her parents 
came to the United States many years ago, settling near Deer Park, St. 
Croix County, Wis., where they followed farming. Both are now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have five children : John, Alfred, Ingvald, Paul and 
Hannah, all residing at home. With the thrift and energy characteristic 
of most Scandinavian people, Mr. Johnson has made good progress since 
coming to this country, and with good health and prolonged life he can 
hardly fail of further self-advancement. 

Andrew J. Klundby, who is engaged in farming in section 26, Gale 
Township, was born in Biri, Norway, April 24, 1861, son of Jens and 
Martha (Nelson) Klundby, both parents being natives of the same place. 
They came to the United States at some time between 1886 and 1888, 
locating on a farm in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where Jens Klundby died 
about 1904 and his wife in 1914. They had a family of nine childi-en, 
Andrew J. being the fourth born. Andrew J. Klundby acquired his educa- 
tion in his native land, where he resided until he was about 19 years of 
age. Then, in 1880, he came to this country, and from that time until 
his marriage in 1895, he made his home with John Johnson in Gale Town- 
ship. Oct. 31, 1895, he married Bertha Johnson, who was born in Gale 
Township, daughter of Hans and Gulena Johnson, her parents being natives 
of Norway, who came to America in the early seventies. They located 
first on Half Way Creek, in this township, but afterwards moved to Hardie's 
Creek Valley, where Hans Johnson followed farming, and where he still 
resides, though now retired from active work. His wife died in the fall 
of 1916. They had a family of five children. At the time of his marriage 
Mr. Klundby moved onto a farm in Skunk Coolie, near the Grant school 
house, where he was engaged in agriculture for eight years. He then came 
to his present farm, which contains 80 acres of land in one piece, while he 



792 HISTORY (W tre:\ipealeau county 

has 20 acres more across Black River in La Crosse County. His buildings 
are modern and substantial and his farm is equipped with all necessary 
machinery and implements. Mr. Klundby carries on general farming and 
dairying and devotes all his time to his business, having taken no part 
in local politics. He and his wife have had two children : Ella, who resides 
at home, and Nels, who died at the age of 12 years. 

Alexander B. Flemington, who for many years was a leading farmer 
of Trempealeau Township, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, May 31, 
1826, son of James and Mary (Dove) Flemington. He was descended from 
an honorable and worthy ancestry. His parents had but two children, he 
being the younger, and the elder being a sister. In 1842 he came to 
America to establish a home for his family and first located in Rhode 
Island. The following summer he traveled west as far as Michigan and 
finally made a settlement in East Greenwich, R. I. In 1844 the father was 
followed to the new country by his wife and son, with whom he went 
in the following year to Taunton, Mass., where, being an engine driver 
by occupation, he found employment running an engine for a manufactur- 
ing company. The parents came to Trempealeau County to join their son, 
but after remaining one year they returned to Rhode Island, where they 
subsequently remained until their death. Alexander B. Flemington was 
about 18 years of age when he came to America with his parents. He 
worked in the muslin de laine print works at Taunton, Mass., and then 
returned to East Greenwich, R. I., going thence to Southbridge, Mass., 
where also he was employed in the print works. In 1848 he came west 
to Milwaukee, where he remained five years and during that time learned 
the trade of carriage making. He was married in that city Aug. 20, 1851, 
to Mary Taylor and subsequently removed to Walworth County and 
engaged in wagon making. In 1855 he came to Trempealeau County and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here his death occurred in July, 1911. 
For the last eight years of his life he had been a widower, his wife having 
passed away in May, 1903. Their children were : Alexander D., Elizabeth 
F., Jessie, Allen J., Andrew F., Mary and Ada. Alexander D. took a course 
of instruction at the high school of Trempealeau, and also a literary course 
at the Wisconsin State University. He was also for some time teacher 
in the intermediate department of the Ti'empealeau school and went thence 
to Whitehall, where he was principal for one year. He studied law with 
Judge Newman and was graduated from the law department of the State 
University of Wisconsin. In July, 1874, he located in Ellendale, Dakota, 
and was there honored by being chosen a delegate for circuit judge. Eliza- 
beth F. is the widow of Louis Tatro and resides at Thompson Falls, Mont. 
Jessie is now Mrs. George Cummings. Allen J. resides at Finlayson, Minn. 
Andrew J. is deceased. Mary is now Mrs. William Suttie of Trempealeau 
County, Wis. Ada, who is now deceased, was the wife of WiUiam Walker. 

Willis W. Suttie, a well known member of the agricultural community 
in Caledonia Township, whose farm — the old Suttie homestead — is located 
.in section 8, was born on this homestead Nov. 24, 1866, son of William J. 
and Eliza (Weston) Suttie. The birth of William J. Suttie took place near 
Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov. 11, 1834, and eighteen months later, in the 



HISTORY OP" TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 793 

spring of 1838, he accompanied his parents to the United States. Settling 
first in New York state, they remained there until 1841 and then removed 
to a location near Ypsilanti, Mich., which was the home of the family until 
1856. Then, following the stream of western emigration, they continued 
onward until in that year they arrived in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau 
County, Wisconsin, taking land in section 9. Wilham J. was by this time 
22 years old and was of material assistance to his father in the hard pioneer 
work which fell to their lot in this then wild country. About three years 
later, in 1859, he felt prosperous enough to marry and chose for his wife 
Eliza J. Weston, daughter of Jesse and Hester Weston, who resided near 
Ypsilanti, Mich. Of this union were born Charles A., EUiva and Willard 
and Wilhs (twins). Chai'les now lives at Lake Forest, 111.; Willard at 
Glasgow, Wis., near North Bend, and Elliva is the wife of Philip Kribs, 
residing in West Prairie, Ti-empealeau Township, near Centerville. The 
first of the two parents to pass away was the mother, her death occurring 
May 22, 1873. Her husband survived her 13 years, dying in 1886. Willis 
W. Suttie was educated in the district school, which he attended during 
the winters only after he was 14 years old. At 18 he became a pupil in 
the grade school at Galesville, Wis., but attended only one term. On Dec. 
16, 1890, he was married at La Crosse by the Rev. J. W. Winder, pastor 
of the Presbyterian church, to Mary, daughter of Alexander and Mary 
(Taylor) Flemington of Trempealeau Township, and began housekeeping 
on the homestead in Caledonia Township, of which he is now the owner. 
It consists of 100 acres, of which he has 80 acres under the plow and 
20 in pastui-e. His buildings include a two-story house, upright and wing ; 
two good barns, a corn house, a machine shed, a milk house and a silo of 
100 tons capacity, the buildings being all painted and in good condition. 
Mr. Suttie is engaged in general farming and keeps only grade stock. He 
has attended every fair held at Galesville during his life, taking a par- 
ticular interest in everything relating to his business. He and his wife 
have been the parents of six children, whose record in brief is as follows : 
Donald A., born Jan. 5, 1893, is unmarried and is renting a farm near 
Trempealeau Village. Ada F., born April 11, 1894, is a graduate of the 
Galesville high school, class of 1913, and of the La Crosse Normal School, 
class of 1916, and is now engaged in teaching grades three and four in 
the schools of Norwalk, Wis. John A., born Aug. 11, 1898, died in infancy. 
Floyd W., born May 10, 1900, resides on the farm and is assisting his 
father. Lawrence, born Oct. 8, 1901, is helping on the farm. Cedric A., 
born Oct. 1, 1903, is a student living at home. In politics Mr. Suttie is 
independent. He has served one term on the district school board, but has 
not otherwise been politically active. 

George W. Knutson. One of the best and most highly improved farms 
in Lincoln Township is that of George W. Knutson, in section 36, and which 
contains 232 acres of good fertile land. Mr. Knutson was born in West 
Salem, La Crosse County, Wis., May 20, 1873, son of Even Knutson and 
his wife, Mary Anderson Knutson. The father was a native of Norway, 
who came to America in 1870, locating at West Salem, where he farmed 
until 1903, subsequently removing to Holmen, La Crosse County, where 



794 HISTORY OF TKE.AIPEALEAU COUNTY 

he died in 1913 at the age of 68 years. His wife, now 73 years old, is now 
residing in Holmen. George W. Knutson remained on the home farm 
until reaching the age of 16 years. He then went to work on the farm of 
James McEldowney at West Salem and was employed there for 14 years, 
only taking one week off in all that time, which was when he visited the 
World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. At the end of that period he rented 
Mr. McEldowney's farm and operated it on his own account for 15 years 
with profitable results. Being now ready to purchase a farm of his own, 
he selected that which he now owns and operates, and has since resided 
here. The residence is a good frame structure of 10 rooms, with furnace 
heat, bath, electric light and other modern conveniences. Mr. Knutson 
owns his own electric light plant by which his other buildings are simi- 
larly illuminated. In 1915 he rebuilt his barn, which is now a substantial 
frame structure, with cement block basement and cement floor, in size 
32 by 108 by 20 feet. It is provided with Louden stanchions and litter car- 
rier. In the same year he built a cement block silo, 16 by 35 feet. Among 
his other buildings are a good machine shed — a frame building 24 by 80 
feet and an ice house and milk house combined, 15 by 24 by 12 feet. The 
farm includes an orchard of two acres. Mr. Knutson at this time keeps 
about 60 head of Holstein cattle, 20 being registered, and milks 30 cows. 
Of Duroc-Jersey hogs he feeds 200 a year. In his farming operations he 
follows the three years' rotation plan, planting corn and clover. As a 
farmer he has been highly successful, a result due to his thorough training 
in early life and his habits of industry and intelligent application to his 
self-appointed tasks. Mr. Knutson was married Nov. 1, 1900, to Mary 
Anderson of West Salem, who was born in Sweden. He and his wife have 
six children : Raymond, LaVerne, Margaret, Clarence, May and Glen. 

Haines Brothers. — Five miles south of Arcadia Village, in section 15, 
Arcadia Township, lies one of the best farms in Trempealeau County. Its 
proprietors, John and Adam Haines, are sons of Christian C. and Margaret 
Haines, who came to Bill's Valley, Arcadia Township, about the close of 
the Civil War, their former home having been in New York state. Both 
John and Adam Haines were born in Bill's Valley, the former Oct. 26, 1867, 
the latter March 2, 1872. They were early trained in everything pertain- 
ing to agricultural work and dairying, and the farm of 372 acres which 
they bought from their father is a well productive farm. It was partially 
improved since that time; on it stood a small house and a small barn. In 

1895 they entered into a partnership to carry on the farm and since then 
have made numerous valuable improvements, among them a large two- 
story brick house, well supplied with running water and electricity 
throughout the barn and house. They erected in 1901 a full basement 
barn, 34 by 64 by 16 feet, above the basement. They have also built a 
machine shed, 20 by 50 feet, and other necessary buildings. Carrying on 
general fai'ming and dairying, they keep a number of cows and horses. 
Adam Haines was united in matrimony Nov. 5, 1895, to Elizabeth Pam- 
puch, daughter of a prosperous farmer near Arcadia. . They have nine 
children, whose names with dates of birth are: Clarence, born Oct. 15, 

1896 (died in June, 1899) ; Mathilda L., March 17, 1898; Delia I., Dec. 18, 



HlfiTdRV OF TREMPEALEATT COUNTY 795 

1901; Clara A., Dec. 13, 1902; Ervine, Oct. 2, 1904; Gilbert C, Dec. 16, 
1906; Amanda E., Nov. 8, 1908; Benzell, Feb. 7, 1912, and Eugene, Nov. 
30, 1917. All except Clarence are living and are yet in district, parochial 
and high school, but will latter attend higher institutions. John and 
Adam Haines are patriotic American citizens, who are very active in the 
district, the father for some years was a member of the school board. 
They are also stockholders in the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, John 
also holding stock in the Arcadia Bank and Adam Haines owns property 
in town. They were reared as German Catholics and are members of 
the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia. 

Thomas Truog, Jr., is a native of this vicinity, having been born in 
Glencoe, Buffalo County, two miles west of Arcadia Village, Jan. 3, 1872, 
son of Thomas Truog, Sr. He attended school in the neighborhood of his 
home and in Arcadia Village, and as a youth went to Minnesota and worked 
on farms in Lewiston and Kasson. At the age of 21 he went to Devils 
Lake, North Dakota, and there lived a year. Upon returning to Wisconsin 
he and his brother John rented the farm which his parents had acquired 
in section 1, Arcadia Township, and section 25, Lincoln Township. A year 
later he took charge of the farm alone. From 1896 to 1904 he lived in 
Independence, at the end of which period he again returned to the home 
farm, which he rented for several years. In 1915, with his brother Emil, 
a professor in the agricultural department of the University of Wisconsin, 
he purchased the place from the other heirs, and has since continued to 
reside thereon. Here he carries on general farming and dairying along 
the latest approved methods, and makes a specialty of breeding registered 
Guernsey cattle. The buildings are a feature of the place. The home is 
roomy and comfortable, the barn is a large frame structure, 36 by 122 feet, 
with full basement, cement floors. West Bend stanchions, box stalls, and 
all other modern equipment. The tile silo has a capacity of 155 tons, and 
the tile ice house is a valuable adjunct to the dairying activities on the 
place. The farm is unusually well provided with tools, implements, 
machinery and other supplies. The plow land consists of some 180 acres, 
while about fifty acres are in pasture and timber. An experienced, well- 
read farmer himself, Mr. Truog has the advantage of his brother's advice, 
and the farm is one of the model places of the county. A thorough friend 
of the cause of education, Mr. Truog has done good service on the school 
board for the past twelve years. His fraternal afliliation is with the 
Modern Woodmen of America. April 28, 1897, Mr. Truog was married to 
Maggie, the daughter of Paul and Martha Bautch of Wickham Valley, 
Arcadia township, and this union has been blessed with seven children: 
Mabel, born Dec. 26, 1898; Edith, born Oct. 1, 1901; Lloyd, born May 7, 
1904 ; Murel, born Jan. 26, 1907 ; Blanche, born June 29, 1909 ; Laura, born 
Jan. 10, 1911; and Wesley, born Dec. 26, 1913. 

Christ and Edward Halverson, two brothers who own and operate 
a fine farm in Norway Coulie, Arcadia Township, were born in this valley, 
Christ June 13, 1875, and Edward March 22, 1881. They are the sons 
of German and Jennie Halverson, both of whom were born in Norway, the 
father in December, 1842, and the mother in October, 1844. German and 



796 HISTOKV OK TREMPEALEAU COUXTY 

Jennie Halverson came to America in 1864, locating first in Dane County, 
Wisconsin, where they resided one year. Arriving in Trempealeau County 
in 1865, Mr. Halverson homesteaded 160 acres of w-ild land in Norway 
Coulie, Arcadia Township, it being situated in sections 13 and 24. The 
first residence of the family here was a dugout in the side of a hill, and 
it was in this humble dwelling that their first child, Ella, was born. Later 
on Mr. Halverson built a frame house, one and a half stories high, with 
upright and wing, which building is now standing, being occupied as a 
dwelling by the subjects of this sketch. He also built a frame barn, which, 
though delapidated, is still standing. In 1900 the property came into 
possession of Christ and Edward Halvei'son, and nine years later the 
father died. His wife is still living with her two sons, the joint proprietors 
of the farm, but since 1915 has been an invalid. She is now 71 years of 
age. The two brothers have built a frame barn with hip roof, 24 by 67 by 
16 feet, together with machine sheds, granary, hog house and poultry 
house, corn cribs and all necessary buildings, which are kept in first class 
condition. They carry on general farming and dairying, having at this 
time 50 head of cattle, with hogs, horses and poultry. They are stock- 
holders in the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Arcadia Co-operative 
Creamery and the Farmers Telephone Company. Their religious aflilia- 
tions are with Norway Coulie Lutheran church, of which their parents 
were among the founders. Edward Halverson was married June 21, 1913, 
to Carrie, daughter of Ole and Helena Olson of Norway, she coming to 
Amei'ica alone in 1911. They have one child, Josie, now three years of 
age. The brothers and sisters of Christ and Edward Halverson are as 
follows: Ella, born in 1867, who is now Mrs. Carl Haagen of Fosston, 
Minn.; Ole G., born in 1869, who is a farmer at Big Tamarack. Arcadia 
Township; Halvor, born in 1871, and now living at Valley City, N. D. ; 
Maline, born in 1872, now Mrs. Jens Lee of Valley City, N. D. ; Mary, born 
in 1876, now the wife of Carl Lee of Valley City, N. D. ; Minnie, born in 
1878, who is the wife of Louis Nelson of Koba, N. D. ; Julius, born in 1883, 
whose present whereabouts is unknown, and Julia, born in 1885, who is 
now Mrs. Oscar Olson, now of Valley City, N. D. The Halverson farm lies 
in one of the most beautiful coulies of Trempealeau County. The land is 
very rolling but fertile, and the labors of the two brothers, Christ and 
Edward, have greatly increased its value. 

G. C. Nelson, who is successfully engaged in general farming and dairy- 
ing in section 3, Arcadia Township, was born in Norway March 27, 1865, 
a son of Christ B. and Maria Nelson. When he was three years old his 
father came to America, homesteading 160 acres of land in Newcomb 
Valley, Arcadia, this county. A year later the father sent for his family 
to join him, which they did, and for many years thereafter were industrious 
members of the farming community in Arcadia Township. Christ B. 
Nelson is still living, though now much advanced in years. His wife died 
in 1915 at the venerable age of 96. G. C. Nelson resided with his parents 
until he was about 30 years of age. In 1894 he married Anna M. Olsen, 
daughter of Andrew and Caroline Olsen of Arcadia Township. He now 
conducts the Olsen farm, doing general farming and dairying, which Indus- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 797 

tries he carries on successfully. In 1907 he bought 64 acres of land in 
North Dakota, near Sentinel Butte, and removed to that place with his 
family. He returned with them, however, in 1911, though he still owns 
the Dakota property, and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co-opera- 
tive Elevator Company of Sentinel Butte. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had 
four children of their own, and have an adopted daughter. Hazel, born 
Dec. 5, 1906. Their own children were : Aymaar, born July 9, 1895, who 
is a graduate of the Arcadia high school, and is financially interested with 
his father in the North Dakota farm; Ernest D., born March 13, 1897, 
also a graduate of Arcadia high school, who is now a student at Wisconsin 
University at Madison, and Henry and Spencer, born in 1901, who died, 
one when ten months and the other when 11 months old. In politics Mr. 
Nelson is a Democrat. He served as township assessor one term and as 
township treasurer two terms. Since 1904 he has belonged to the Order 
of Beavers at Arcadia. Religiously he was reared a Lutheran. 

William C. Thompson, who owns and operates a farm of 187 acres 
in section 6, Pi'eston Township, was born in this township, Nov. 29, 1869, 
son of William and Laura (Hine) Thompson. He was reared to agricul- 
tural pursuits and worked on the home farm until his marriage Dec. 26, 
1912. to Emma Kremers, daughter of Wilham and Bertha (Joerris) 
Kremers. Her father was a native of Germany, who came to Trem- 
pealeau County in 1881 and was engaged in farming in Preston Township 
until his death, which occurred March 26, 1901. Mrs. Bertha Kremers, 
who was born in Germany May 22, 1839, is now Hving in Whitehall, this 
county. There were three children in the family: Lydia, who graduated 
from the Winona Normal School and is now a teacher; Carl C, now a 
retired farmer, and Emma, wife of William C. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson 
was born in Manitowoc, Wis., Oct. 25, 1873. She acquired a good education, 
graduating from Stevens Point Normal School in 1904. She, however, 
taught school previous to that, as she followed that occupation 15 years 
in all, including five years in the Whitehall schools as teacher in the fifth 
and sixth grades. At the time of his marriage Mr. Thompson rented the 
Kremers farm and operated it until the following year, 1913, when he 
purchased his present farm from his father. He keeps Shorthorn cattle, 
having now 35 head, of which he milks 12 ; he also raises Chester White 
hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. In 1915 he erected his substantial 
frame barn 40 by 80 by 12 feet in dimensions, with basement and concrete 
floor, well provided with modern equipment. As an enterprising and suc- 
cessful farmer he is well known in Preston Township and his family hold a 
respected place in the community. They are affiliated religiously with the 
Presbyterian church. 

William P. Mailer, D. D, S,, who has been engaged in the practice 
of dentistry in Galesville, Wis., for the last 18 years, was born in Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, April 8, 1869, son of John and Joan (Peddle) Mailer. His 
parents were born in the same locality, the father Nov. 26, 1842, and the 
mother Oct. 29, 1843. John Mailer, who was a master mechanic, came to 
the United States with his family in 1871. locating in Buffalo County, 
Wisconsin, where until 1887 he followed the occupation of machinist, 



798 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

working on his own account, though without having a regular estabhsh- 
ment. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern, 
now a part of the "Burlington" system, and continued with that road until 
1893, when he went to Winona. There he was master mechanic for the 
Winona & Western Railway until that road was sold, when he went to 
Scanlon, Minn., and became master mechanic for the Minnesota & North- 
ern. About 1898 he went to Ft. Smith, Ark., where he was master 
mechanic for the Ft. Smith & Western road. In 1907 he retired and took 
up his residence in La Crosse, where he was elected alderman and served 
in other local office. Two years later he moved to Onalaska, Wis., where 
he died July 17, 1913. His wife died in Onalaska, July 13, 1916. WiUiam 
P. Mailer was one of the eldest children in a family of 13. He attended 
school in Buffalo County and in La Crosse County, Wis., and when 14 years 
old was employed on the Chippewa River at logging. One year later he 
taught school in Buffalo County one term, then returned to logging, in 
which occupation he continued until 1887. He then took a course in the 
pharmacy department of the University of Wisconsin, with which prepara- 
tion he obtained a position as drug clerk in La Crosse and was thus 
engaged until 1890. Subsequently entering the American Dental College 
at Chicago he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1892, 
and began the practice of his profession in St. Paul, where he remained 
about four years. From there he went to Durand, Wis., where he continued 
in practice for a while, but on account of an injury to his hand went back to 
the drug business at Pepin, Wis. In 1898 he returned to his profession, 
practicing in Winona, Minn., a short time, and coming to Galesville in 
March, 1899. Here he has since remained, having built up a good clientele 
and become known all over the county as a skillful and reliable dentist. He 
is also a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville and has other interests in 
the village, besides owning his own residence. Dr. Mailer was married 
Sept. 20, 1897, to Sarah A. Perry, who was born in St. Paul, Minn., daughter 
of William Perry, a coal and fuel merchant. Both parents are now 
deceased. Mrs. Sarah A. Mailer died July 9, 1906, leaving no children. 
Dr. Mailer married for his second wife, July 22, 1908, Saidel Lee, who was 
born at Stevens Point, Wis-. Of this marriage there are two children, 
Ann P. and Jean. In politics a Republican, Dr. Mailer has held various 
local offices, and is at present serving as alderman and as secretary of 
the board of education. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. 
The Doctor's fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue lodge of Masons 
at Galesville, of which he is treasurer; the Eastern Star lodge, of which 
he is worthy patron ; the Chapter and Commandery at La Crosse, and the 
Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the county, state and national 
dental associations. He attends the Presbyterian church. 

Adam Smith, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, was 
born in Scotland, Oct. 16, 1842. He came to America with his parents 
in 1855, locating with them in Maryland, where his father worked in the 
coal mines one year. In 1856 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, 
where Adam Smith was married, July 18, 1865, to Jane D. Love. She was 
born in Scotland July 29, 1846, and came to this country with her parents 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 799 

in 1849, they also locating in Maryland, where her father became a fore- 
man in the coal mines. The Love family came to Jackson County in 1864. 
Following agriculture in Jackson County until 1893, Adam Smith then 
came with his family to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm of 120 
acres in section 17, Gale Township. Later he added to this a 20-acre tract 
of timber land, thus enlarging his property to 140 acres. This farm he 
operated until 1908, when he retired, renting it to his son, Edward D., and 
he and his wife taking up their residence in Galesville. They were the 
parents of eight children : John Thomas, a ranchman at Panhandle, Texas ; 
Arthur Love of Keokuk, Iowa; James W., deceased; William James, a 
farmer of Caledonia Township, this county; Margaret Clark, now Mrs. 
Hugh Baird of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, her husband being a contractor ; 
Janet Minus, wife of Milton Butman, a farmer of Gale Township, Trem- 
pealeau County; Edward D., residing on the old farm in Gale Township, 
and Flora Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Twesme of Galesville. 

Edward D. Smith, who is engaged in operating a stock farm of 120 
acres in section 17, Gale Township, was born near Melrose, Jackson County, 
Nov. 1, 1884, son of Adam and Jane D. (Love) Smith. He acquired his 
education in the district schools of Gale Township and his industrial train- 
ing on his father's farm, where he obtained a good knowledge of agricul- 
ture. At the age of 22 years, being still a single man, he rented the home 
farm of 120 acres and has since operated it continuously as a stock farm, 
breeding Jersey cattle, and also keeping a number of high class horses. 
He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the 
Industrial Harvester Company at Piano, 111. Mr. Smith was married 
June 3, 1913, to Bertha Nordstrum, who was born in Jackson County, 
near North Bend, Wis., daughter of Carl and Bertha (Olson) Nordstrum. 
Her parents were married in the United States, the father being a native 
of Sweden and the mother of Norway. Carl Nordstrum learned the car- 
penter's trade early in life and followed it for many years, also devoting 
some time to agriculture. He is still actively engaged in the vicinity of 
North Bend. His wife died 13 years ago. Their daughter Bertha, who 
was the youngest of five children, was educated in Jackson County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one child, Leolah Dorine. Mr. Smith 
is affihated in membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Beavers. He attends the Presbyterian church, though not a member, and 
in politics is independent. He is doing a profitable business in stock rais- 
ing and is well to do. 

Clarence J. Van Tassel, civil engineer, is having an important part in 
the road work which is giving to Trempealeau County its justly-famed 
system of public highways. The new roads over some of the most difficult 
ridges in the county owe their location and grades to his skill, and his 
efficiency is highly praised throughout the state, being in constant demand 
over a wide territory. His work in locating the route of the new Ettrick 
& Northern Railroad has permanently established his record among the 
successful engineers of the state. Mr. Van Tassel is a native of this county, 
having been born in Hale Township, July 5, 1879, son of James and Clara 
(Wegner) Van Tassel. James Van Tassel was born in Kenosha, Wis., came 



800 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

to Trempealeau County with his parents in 1863, married Clara Wegner, 
and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, dying in 
1898, since which time his wife had made her home in a comfortable resi- 
dence in Whitehall. Clarence J. Van Tassel was I'eared to farm pursuits 
and received a solid foundation for an education which he has since sup- 
plemented by wide reading and close observation. For several years he 
was a teacher, after which he was a successful photographer. But he 
was a man of resource and ambition, and determining to become a pro- 
fessional man he took up the study of civil engineering at home, and found 
it not only to be an occupation which he found congenial, but one for which 
he had great natural aptitude. He devoted a part of his time to this 
profession for several years, and in 1912 adopted it as his life work. 
For several terms he has been county surveyor. A popular genial man of 
many friends, Mr. Van Tassel has allied himself with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, in the local lodge of which he has passed through 
all the chaii's. Mr. Van Tassel was married Nov. 1, 1899, to Anna Stanley 
of Onalaska, Wis., daughter of Lyman and Diana Stanley, a former school 
teacher, and a gracious lady of manj^ accomplishments. Their pleasant 
and hospitable home is blessed with the presence of four children: Thur- 
man, Howard, Gerald and Olive. The family has a wide circle of friends 
and is highly regarded and respected. 

Rudolph and Henry Kube, who are prosperously engaged in farming 
in section 17, Arcadia Township, are sons of Gustave and Ernestine Kube, 
and were born, Rudolph in Arcadia Township May 1, 1887, and Henry in 
Arcadia Township Oct. 28, 1893. Their parents came to America from 
Germany in 1883. locating first in West Salem, 111., where they remained 
nine months, and then coming to Arcadia Township, this county, where 
they purchased 80 acres of land from John G. Greiner. There were some 
improvements on it, but none very important, a one-room house with a 
log barn and granary being the only buildings. Water had to be carried 
or hauled for about a mile, but after a few years a 340-foot well and steel 
windmill were put in. Whenever time and money would permit land was 
bought adjoining the 80 acres until the farm now contains 396 acres. A 
quarry of hmestone was also opened and is today one of the finest in the 
county, being operated by steam and drill. The father and mother had 
built a commodious two-story brick upright to the house, a basement 
barn, 36 by 96 feet, and a machine shed and granary. The sons have 
since added a poultry house, 16 by 36 feet, and a silo. Mrs. Kube was 
born May 30, 1850, in Rohrsdorf, Province of Pommern, Germany, and 
, died July 15, 1912, in this township. Mr. Kube was born Sept. 13, 1849, 
in Gebersdorf, Province of Pommern, Germany. They were married Nov. 
28, 1878, in Rohrsdorf, at the Lutheran church, with which church the 
family is affiliated. Nine children were born of this union, namely: Julius, 
Frederick, Martha, Gustave, Rudolph, Ida, William, Henry and Edward, 
the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. All are engaged in farm- 
ing in this township, with the exception of William, who is operating a 
farm at Alma Center, Wis., and Martha, who is now Mrs. Percy T. Veto of 
Sanish, N. D., also living on a claim. Their father sold the old home Dec. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 801 

15, 1913, to the two sons, Rudolph and Henry, who have since operated 
it together in partnership. The father, who became a naturalized Amer- 
ican citizen Oct. 4, 1915, lives with them, and Ida attends to the house- 
keeping, since neither of the sons is married. Rudolph and Henry had 
but little opportunity for schooling, but attended the district school when- 
ever they could and thus picked up the rudiments of knowledge. They 
remained at home with their parents and worked on the farm, acquiring 
in good time a knowledge of agriculture. The subjects of this sketch are 
among the energetic and prosperous young farmers of Trempealeau County 
and are respected both for what they are and for what they have done. 
Robert Van Tassel, an enterprising and successful farmer of Sumner 
Township, having a fertile farm of 185 acres in section 3, was born in 
Adams County, Wisconsin, near Kilbourn, June 18, 1861. He is a son 
of Jacob and Harriet (Bradford) Van Tassel. Jacob Van Tassel was 
born in New York state in September, 1821. Mrs. Harriet (Bradford) 
Van Tassel died in 1863, and three years later Jacob Van Tassel married 
Catherine Costello, who now resides at Madelia, Minn. They came to 
Trempealeau County in 1868, homesteading a farm in Hale Township, 
where Jacob Van Tassel spent the rest of his hfe. Robert Van Tassel was 
the youngest of the six children by his father's first wife. He acquired 
a knowledge of agriculture in his youth and early manhood and after his 
father's death rented the home farm in Hale Township for two years. He 
then went to Verdi, Minn., where he resided until 1888. Subsequently 
returning to Hale Township he rented farms until 1898, in which year he 
bought the old home farm in Hale Township. There he remained until 
1913, after which he sold it and bought his present farm, which is a well 
improved piece of property. The residence is a good two-story frame 
structure, with basement, and containing nine rooms. The barn meas- 
ures 34 by 64 by 20 feet, with cement floors and steel stanchions, and in 
addition there is a stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, and a machine shed, 22 by 40. 
The property was purchased from E. J. Matchett and is well fenced with 
woven wire. Mr. Van Tassel was married March 31, 1889, to Dora Bailey 
of Verdi, Minn., who was born near Melrose, Jackson County, Minn., Jan. 
4, 1871, daughter of Zaccheus W. and Catherine (House) Bailey. Her 
father, born in New York state in 1842, died Sept. 9, 1902; his wife 
Catherine died Dec. 19, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel are the parents 
of seven children : Ethel, born March 17, 1891, who married Elmer Wood, 
railroad agent at Alma Center, and has one child, Muriel; Vern, born 
Aug. 30, 1893 ; Ruth, born March 26, 1897, and now a teacher ; Bessie, born 
Sept. 2, 1899 ; Cecil, born May 30, 1902 ; Alfred, born Dec. 19, 1909 ; and 
Dolores, born Sept. 4, 1914. 



CHAPTER XVI 
BANKS AND BANKING 

There are sixteen State Banks and one National Bank in Trempealeau 
County, as follows : John 0. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall, People's State 
Bank of Whitehall, Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence, State 
Bank of Independence, Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia, Bank of Arcadia, 
Bank of Galesville, Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Galesville, State Bank 
of Osseo, Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, Citizens' State Bank of Trem- 
pealeau. Bank of Eleva, First State Bank of Strum, Bank of Ettrick, Home 
Bank of Blair, First State Bank of Dodge, and the First National Bank of 
Blair. 

The first bank in the county was the Trempealeau County Bank, estab- 
lished at Whitehall, May 10, 1878, by James and Frank C. Allen. June 1. 
1879, it was moved to Arcadia. The oldest bank in the county is the Bank 
of Ai'cadia, which dates from June 6, 1883. The second is the Bank of 
Galesville, established July 30, 1883, the first incorporated bank in the 
county. The next is the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall, estab- 
lished Oct. 28, 1888. The next is the State Bank of Independence, estab- 
lished April 3, 1897. 

The Bank of Arcadia had its beginning as early as 1855, when John 
Gillispie began dealing in notes and loaning money at Arcadia. He estab- 
lished the Bank of Arcadia June 6, ,1883. Associated with him was J. M. 
Higbee. In October, 1898, the bank was purchased by Joseph Ruth, J. M. 
Fertig and Emil Maurer, and Mr. Ruth, who had long been cashier, was 
placed in charge. Aug. 1, 1901, there was a reorganization as a State bank, 
with Emil Maurer as president, Joseph Ruth as cashier, and J. M. Fertig as 
the third member of the board. The capital was increased to $25,000 and 
Mr. Maurer, who for many years had been a leading citizen and prosperous 
business man, entered into active participation in the management of the 
institution. Sept. 4, 1901, John C. Gaveney and G. N. Hidershide became 
stockholders, and other stockholders were admitted the following year. 
Aug. 12. 1907, John C. Gaveney and N. Lehrbach were added to the Hst of 
directors. On April 21, 1908, Mr. Ruth was succeeded as director by G. N. 
Hidershide, and as cashier by 0. B. Strause, a rising young business man 
of Winona, who has since been an active factor in the bank's progress. 
At the same time, J. I. Dewey was added to the directorate. Mr. Fertig 
was succeeded July 25, 1910, by F. C. Richmond. The new bank building, 
started in 1913 and occupied Jan. 1, 1914, is one of the most sightly and 
imposing banking houses in the county. The structure is of brick, and 
a facade of Bedford rock, with Greek Ionic pillars and cap. The interior 
is finished in mahogany, marble and stucco-work and is equipped with all 
the latest equipment for banking sightliness and safety. Aside from the 

802 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 803 

private offices and directors' rooms, there is a consultation and rest room 
for the use of the patrons. The officers are : President, Emil Maurer ; vice- 
president, John C. Gaveney ; cashier, 0. B. Strouse ; directors, Emil Maurer, 
John C. Gaveney, Nicholas Lehrbach, J. I. Dewey, Frank C. Richmond, 
George N. Hidershide. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $25,000.00; 
deposits, $538,595.01; surplus and undivided profits, $12,961.18; loans and 
discounts, $366,777.94; cash and due from banks, $171,870.78. Statement 
June 20, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts, $361,883.40; overdrafts, 
$7,909.20; bonds, $29,000.00; bank building, $8,750.00; furniture and fix- 
tures, $7,665.05 ; due from banks, $113,814.67 ; cash, $14,478.49 ; total, $543,- 
501.81. Liabilities— Capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus fund, $10,000.00; 
undivided profits, $3,333.78; deposits subject to check, $93,350.17; certifi- 
cates of deposit, $353,059.02 ; savings deposits, $57,983.84 ; cashier's checks, 
$775.00; total, $543,501.81. 

The John O. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall has for nearly three decades 
been a leading factor in the financial stability and business and agricultural 
development of the county. Starting as a private bank in 1888, it has 
gradually increased its scope and influence, and has woven its history into 
the warp and woof of Trempealeau County life. In 1887 John O. Melby 
became cashier of the Bank of Galesville, this and the Bank of Arcadia 
then constituting the only two banks in the county. In this relation, he 
came to see the advantages of opening a financial institution in Arcadia, 
the county seat. Accordingly on Oct. 28, 1888, he started business under 
the name of John O. Melby, Banker. Its success was assured from the 
start. With an increased volume of business, Mr. Melby was influenced by 
the tendency of many of the leading bankers of the State to incorporate their 
institutions, and accordingly he decided to associate himself with a number 
of other business men and enlarge the field of the bank by incorporating. 
This step was taken during the summer of 1894, and in the fall the new 
firm received its charter from the State of Wisconsin, the business of Mr. 
Melby being merged in the present corporation on Oct. 1, 1894. The John 
0. Melby & Co. Bank was incorporated Sept. 22, 1894, and started business 
under that name Oct. 1, with a capital of $25,000 and a charter to operate 
for twenty years. The incorporators were John 0. Melby, 0. P. Larson, 
A. W. Newman, Anton 0. Melby, J. B. Beach, H. A. Anderson, David Wood, 
E. N. Trowbridge, C. P. Thompson, J. C. Lamberson and Peter Ekern. The 
first officers and directors were: John 0. Melby (president). 0. P. Larson 
(vice president), Anton 0. Melby, E. N. Trowbridge, O. P. Larson, Anton O. 
Melby and Peder Ekern. July 7, 1896, E. N. Trowbridge was elected 
assistant cashier, and in July, 1897, was made a vice-president, which posi- 
tion he held until his death, Jan. 1, 1900. Feb. 21, 1900, H. A. Anderson 
was elected vice-president to succeed Mr. Trowbridge. July 2, 1901, 0. P. 
Larson became vice-president. July 3, 1906, H. A. Anderson succeeded 
him. April 3, 1909, C. B. Melby was elected as assistant cashier. May 10, 
1909, 0. P. Larson again became vice-president. July 6, 1909, H. A. 
Anderson was elected president to succeed John 0. Melby, deceased. P. H. 
Johnson was elected second vice-president. July 5, 1911, Anton O. Melby 
was elected presWent and C. B. Melby cashier. July 8, 1913, David Wood 



804 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

was elected a vice-president. The composition of the present staff is as 
follows : Anton 0. Melby, president ; P. H. Johnson, vice-president ; David 
Wood, vice-president ; Charles B. Melby, cashier. In 1892 the bank erected a 
two-story brick building, which was destroyed by fire in March, 1894. The 
present structure was started at once and completed the same year, 1894. 
Extensive remodeling was done and a two-story addition built in 1914, which 
provides a commodious room for the bank officials and directors, and which 
is also given over to the use of its customers and the public. This insti- 
tution has ever been conducted along lines of conservatism, safety being the 
watchword from the beginning. Its policy has been to conduct a banking 
business strictly, in a manner that will best serve the needs and require- 
ments of the people of the community, bearing in mind that to do this one 
must be progressive, keeping pace with the changes in methods and service 
which time imposes. Its service, treatment and courtesy extend to all 
uniformly. It has stood for the best that goes to build up any locality and 
has interested itself in all movements and endeavors which have tended to 
better the vicinity in which it operates, whether moral, social or religious. 
The bank's statement issued May 1, 1917, showed the following items: 
Capital, $50,000.00; deposits, $660,618.09; surplus and undivided profits, 
$25,909.18; loans and discounts, $567,478.93; cash and due from banks, 
$159,935.01. The statement showing the condition of the bank at the close 
of business Sept. 11, 1917, is as follows: Resources — Loans and discounts, 
$556,689.87; overdrafts, $472.13; bonds, $34,100.00; banking house, 
$4,000.00; furniture and fixtures, $3,600.00; due from approved reserve 
banks, $131,317.77 ; due from other banks. $10,441.10 ; checks on other banks 
and cash items, $568.83 ; exchanges for clearing house, $10.00 ; cash on hand, 
$9,605.40 ; total, $750,805.10. Liabilities— Capital stock paid in, $50,000.00 ; 
surplus fund, $15,000; undivided profits, $7,572.75; individual deposits sub- 
ject to check, $181,503.28; time certificates of deposit, $394,898.56; savings 
deposits, $94,402.17; cashier's checks outstanding, $4,088.41; reserved for 
taxes, $2,739.93 ; Liberty bond account, $600.00 ; total, $750,805.10. 

The Bank of Galesville was organized and opened for business in July, 
1883, as a private bank by Isaac Clark and Walter C. Brooks, with a capital 
of $10,000.00,of which each partner contributed $5,000.00. For twoyears the 
business was carried on very successfully as a private bank. In 1885 it was 
incorporated under the Wisconsin laws, with a capital of $25,000.00. It was 
the first incorporated bank in Trempealeau County. The stock was dis- 
tributed among the leading business men in Galesville and vicinity. The 
first officers were : Isaac Clark, president ; A. W. Newman vice president ; 
W. C. Brooks, cashier. The first board of directors were Isaac Clark, J. 0. 
Melby, A. W. Newman, Wilson Davis, Tver Pederson, W. C. Brooks and 
Daniel Kennedy. In 1887 W. C. Brooks sold his interest in the bank and 
J. 0. Melby was elected as cashier, which office he held for one year, resign- 
ing so as to organize the bank at Whitehall known as The J. 0. Melby Co. 
Bank. Upon the resignation of Mr. Melby in 1888, C. M. Kellogg was elected 
as cashier and continued as such until July, 1896, when he resigned and Mr. 
J. F. Cance was elected to fill the vacancy. Isaac Clark was president con- 
tinuously from the time of the incorporation of the bank until his death 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 805 

in 1894, when his son, E. F. Clark, was elected to the office, which he has held 
ever since. The present officers of the bank are : E. F. Clark, president ; 
S. C. French, vice-president; Ben W. Davis, vice-president; J. F. Canoe, 
cashier ; R. H. Ashley, assistant cashier ; J. A. Hammer, assistant cashier. 
The present directors of the bank are: E. F. Clark, Ben W. Davis, S. C. 
French, L. N. Hammer, F. A. Kellman, W. S. Wadleigh and J. F. Cance. As 
stated above, Mr. Clark is now president of the bank and has occupied that 
office since 1894. The cashier, J. F. Cance, has been with the bank since 
1889 and has held the office of cashier since July, 1896. He is the active 
managing officer of the institution. The bank owns its building — one of 
the best structures in Galesville. The policy has always been as liberal 
as is consistent with safety. It has always been foremost among the citizens 
of Galesville to promote any worthy enterprise for the benefit of the town. 
Statement May 1, 1917 : Capital, $50,000.00 ; deposits, $683,868.15 ; surplus 
and undivided profits, $26,583.40; loans and discounts, $542,604.23; cash 
and due from banks, $151,929.80. 

The Home Bank of Blair was incorporated March 20, 1903, the incor- 
porators being H. C. Hjerleid, 0. B. Borsheim, W. G. Hyslop, J. B. Ellison, 
K. K. Hagestad, Reier Thompson, John McKivergin, K. S. Knutson, A. 
Anderson, 0. Gulbrandson, P. T. Herreid, Morris Hanson, G. L. Solberg and 
L. L. Grinde. The first officers were H. C. Hjerleid, president ; W. G. Hyslop, 
vice-president, and 0. B. Borsheim, cashier. The directors were H. C. Hjer- 
leid, Reier Thompson, K. K. Hagestad, J. B. Ellison, John McKivergin, W. G. 
Hyslop and 0. B. Borsheim. The bank was opened for business as a private 
institution Oct. 7, 1899. The building was erected in 1901. The present 
officers are: 0. B. Borsheim, president ; G. L. Solberg, vice-president; G. L. 
Hjerleid, cashier. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $30,000.00; deposits, 
$431,651.38 ; surplus and undivided profits, $10,427.13 ; loans and discounts, 
$413,492.66 ; cash and due from banks, $52,305.78. Statement May 7, 1917 : 
Capital, $30,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $12,300.00; deposits, 
$440,000.00 ; loans and discounts, $443,000.00 ; building, furniture and fix- 
tures, $3,500.00 ; cash and exchange, $65,000.00. 

The State Bank of Osseo was estabUshed Jan. 12, 1900, and was incor- 
porated as a State bank May 11, 1903. The officers are : President, F. M. 
Smith; vice-president, A. E. Bradford; cashier, T. J. Thompson; assistant 
cashier, C. Pupikofer; directors, E. Hagen, F. M. Smith, Paul Christopher- 
son. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $30,000.00; deposits, $350,000.00; 
surplus and undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and discounts, $112,000.00; 
cash and due from banks, $36,000.00. 

The Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Galesville was incorpo- 
rated Sept. 17, 1908, by J. A. Berg, A. O. Nelson, H. F. Claussen, John Dick 
and L. M. Gimmestad. Its first officers were: A. 0. Nelson, president; 
H. F. Claussen, vice-president; J. A. Berg, cashier, and G. 0. Sagen, 
assistant cashier. The directors were A. 0. Nelson, H. F. Claussen, J. A. 
Berg, A. T. Twesme, G. H. Lawrence, John Dick and J. M. Benrud. The 
bank opened for business Nov. 9, 1908. It is located in a rented building, 
but the building is controlled by a corporation composed mainly of directors 
and stockholders of the bank, which has been in its present quarters for 



806 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

five years. A. O. Nelson, who was neither an active officer nor a resident 
of Trempealeau County, saw the advisability of resigning, for the best 
interest of the bank, which he did Jan. 13, 1913, and on the same date the 
present president, G. O. Gilbertson, was elected. Mr. Gilbertson is one of 
the oldest business men in the village, having conducted the largest mer- 
cantile store in town for more than 40 years, and is one of Galesville's most 
reliable citizens. The present officers of the bank are: G. 0. Gilbertson. 
president; John Dick, vice-president; J. A. Berg, cashier; G. 0. Sagen, 
assistant cashier. Directors: A. J. Baardseth, J. M. Benrud, John Dick, 
J. 0. Hovre, F. J. Stellpflug, G. 0. Gilbertson, S. D. Grover, C. C. Wason and 
J. A. Berg. Statement March 5, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts, 
$233,467.89 ; overdrafts, $826.25 ; furniture and fixtures, $2,000.00 ; due from 
approved reserve banks, $24,336.79 ; checks on other banks and cash items. 
$491.51; cash on hand, $6,767.80; total, $267,890.24. Liabilities— Capital 
stock paid in, $15,000.00; surplus fund, $6,000.00; undivided profits, 
$2,683.50; dividends unpaid, $8.00; individual deposits subject to check, 
$60,808.58 ; time certificates of deposit, $134,003.79 ; .savings deposits, $49,- 
386.37; total, $267,890.24. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,000.00; 
deposits, $244,712.96; surplus and undivided profits, $9,300.00; loans and 
discounts, $231,770.46; cash and due from banks, $36,660.00. Statement 
Sept. 7, 1917: Total deposits, $265,426; loans and discounts, $230,500; 
cash and due from banks, $57,285. 

The Bank of Ettrick was incorporated Aug. 28, 1911, by H. F. Claussen, 
0. E. Runnestrand, John Raichle, M. T. Pederson and E. E. Runnestrand. 
The first officers were: Iver Pederson, president; E. J. Brovold, vice- 
president; H. F. Claussen, cashier; directors, Iver Pederson, E. J. Brovold, 
H. F. Claussen, J. E. Cance, A. P. Ofsdahl, A. J. Ekern and L. K. Underheim. 
The bank opened for business Dec. 21, 1911. It occupies its own building, 
which was remodeled in 1911. On May 13, 1914, K. A. Knutson was 
elected vice president in place of E. J. Brovold, deceased, and on Oct. 20, the 
same year, H. F. Claussen was elected president in place of Iver Pederson, 
deceased. The present official staff is composed as follows : H. F. Claus- 
sen, president ; K. A. Knutson, vice-president ; H. F. Claussen, cashier; Lucile 
Claussen, assistant cashier; A. M. Pederson, secretary; directors, H. F. 
Claussen, K. A. Knutson, A. M. Pederson, J. E. Cance, A. J. Ekern, L. K. 
Underheim and A. P. Ofsdahl. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,- 
000.00; deposits, $198,539.68; surplus and undivided profits, $3,382.89; 
loans and discounts, $144,140.82; cash and due from banks, $67,011.31. 
Statement Sept. 7, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts, $153,856.05; 
bonds, $4,000.00; banking house, $3,750.00; furniture and fixtures, 
$1,750.00; due from banks, $35,074.40; cash on hand, $2,986;97; overdrafts, 
$466.29 ; total, $201,883.71. Liabilities— Capital stock, $15,000.00 ; surplus, 
$2,500.00; undivided profits, $1,507.02; deposits, $182,876.69; total, 
$201,883.71. 

The Citizens' State Bank of Trempealeau was estabhshed Dec. 6, 1912. 
The officers are : President, William Nicholls ; vice-president, F. W. Graves ; 
cashier, L. S. Sanders ; assistant cashier, Carroll Nichols ; directors, William 
Nichols, F. W. Graves, L. S. Sanders, N. H. Carhart, W. A. Bright. State- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 807 

ment May 1, 1917 : Capital, $10,000.00 ; deposits, $112,000.00 ; surplus and 
undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and discounts, $90,700.00; cash and due 
from banks, $21,000.00. 

The Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia was established Aug. 15, 1913. 
The officers are: President, Dr. J. A. Palmer; vice-president, Robert 
Ashton; cashier, D. G. Wieland ; directors. Dr. J. A. Palmer, Robert 
Ashton, Joseph Danuser, M. N. Lehnerts, A. C. Stielow, H. E. Hensel. 
Statement, May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,000; deposits, $150,000; surplus and 
undivided profits, $800; loans and discounts, $151,000; cash and due from 
banks, $17,000. 

The First State Bank of Dodge was incorporated Oct. 3, 1914, by Frank 
J. Rohn, M. D. Brom, J. B. Literski, M. J. Kulas, S. Losinski, J. K. Rezab and 
J. F. Brom. The first oflficers were : M. J. Kulas, president ; M. D. Brom, 
vice-president; Frank J. Rohn, cashier; directors, M. J. Kulas, M. D. Brom, 
Frank J. Rohn, J. B. Literski, S. Losinski, J. K. Rezab and J. F. Brom. This 
institution opened for business Dec. 4, 1914. On Oct. 2, 1916, Harry J. 
Satka, formerly with the First National Bank of Winona, Minn., was elected 
cashier to succeed Frank J. Rohn, who resigned. The present staff" is as 
follows: M. J. Kulas, president; M. D. Brom, vice-president; Harry J. 
Satka, cashier. The policy of the bank is to treat all its customers alike, 
whether large or small, and give them prompt and courteous treatment. 
Its motto is "Safety, service and courtesy." This bank is a new one and 
has had many difficulties to overcome. There had never been a bank in 
Dodge, and the people naturally tributory to this village have been accus- 
tomed to do their business elsewhere, so that there is strong competition 
on all four sides. Obligations for financial accommodations in time of need 
are not easily forgotten, and there is a reluctance to break long-established 
connections. The establishment of the bank here, however, is a strong 
move toward bringing other business to Dodge, and is proving an important 
factor in increasing Dodge's advantages as a trading center. While prog- 
ress in developing the bank was at first slow, the present cashier has won 
the confidence and esteem of the people, and under his management the 
business has nearly doubled. Statement May 1, 1917 : Capital, $10,000.00 ; 
deposits, $37,978.12; loans and discounts, $41,612.14; cash and due from 
banks, $6,654.70. Statement June 20, 1917: Resources — Loans and dis- 
counts, $43,498.27 ; overdrafts, $142.54 ; furniture and fixtures, $1,624.49 ; 
due from approved reserve banks, $3,351.13; checks on other banks and 
cash items, $22.50 ; cash on hand, $2,586.69 ; total, $51,225.62. Liabilities- 
Capital stock paid in, $10,000.00; surplus fund, $2,000.00; undivided profits, 
$200.75 ; individual deposits subject to check, $9,773.14 ; time certificates of 
deposit. $7,609.25; saving deposits, $18,785.38; cashier's checks outstand- 
ing, $357.10 ; bills payable, $2,500.00 ; total, $51,225.62. 

The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence, with its 
clever slogan, "The Bank That Banks the Farmer," is one of the youngest 
banks in the county, but has some of the oldest citizens of the county as 
its stockholders. The bank was incorporated May 9, 1916, and opened for 
business Nov. 27, 1916, the incorporators being William L. Lambert, Paul 
Sura, A. C. Stielow, Robert S. Cowie, Peter Nelton, J. P. Libowski, William 



808 IILSTORY OF TKEilPEALEAU COUNTY 

H. Meyer, Math Elstad, Ole H. Berg and Peter C. Skroch. The officers and 
directors are : President, Frank A. Hotchkiss ; vice-president, Peter Nelton ; 
cashier, Paul T. Schultze; directors, F. A. Hotchkiss; James N. Hunter, 
P. M. Lambert, Peter Nelton, William H. Meyer, Mike Skroch and F. G. 
Theisen. The institution is doing business in a rented building, but expects 
soon to erect an edifice in keeping with its growing business. Mr. Hotchkiss 
and Mr. Schulze are giving their personal attention to the bank, their motto 
being "To serve, and help build up Independence and the surrounding com- 
munity." Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $20,000.00; deposits, $62,- 
705.43 ; surplus and undivided profits, $2,852.50 ; loans and discounts, $69,- 
936.06; cash and due from banks, $12,782.68. Statement, Sept. 13, 1917: 
Resources — Loans and discounts, $91,820.76; bonds, $1,000; furniture and 
fixtures, $1,583.20; due from reserve banks, $9,031.09; cash on hand, 
$5,669.67; total, $109,104.72. Liabilities— Capital, $20,000.00; undivided 
profits, $2,378.25; bills payable, $3,000.00; deposits, $83,726.47; total, 
$109,104.72. 

The Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo was incorporated May 22, 1916, 
the incorporators being Dr. Oscar Knutson, George Gjuul, C. S. Van Gorden, 
S. H. Van Gorden, B. L. Van Gorden and M. P. Skogstad. The first officers 
were C. 0. Dahl, president; William J. Fisher, vice-president; M. P. Skog- 
stad, cashier; directors, C. 0. Dahl, S. C. Van Gorden, William J. Fischer, 
George Gjuul, William Stubbe, H. M. Olson, Ludvig Person, Oscar Knutson 
and M. P. Skogstad. The bank opened for business July 10, 1916, in the 
Van Gorden Building, in small quarters, and immediately started the erec- 
tion of its handsome bank building on Seventh Street, into which it moved 
in January, 1917. No change in officers has been made. The bank is 
progressing, having total resources of $160,000.00 at the close of the first 
year's business. Its policy is always to help promote the welfare of this 
locality, rendering service to the farmers and business men of northern 
Trempealeau County. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $25,000.00; de- 
posits, $130,000.00; sui-plus and undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and 
discounts, $112,000.00; cash and due from banks, $36,000.00. 

The First State Bank of Strum was incorporated Dec. 2, 1904. by 
Severt Rekstad, H. N. Robbe, William Peterson, J. C. Johnson and J. A. 
Call. The first officers were : H. A. Warner, president ; Wilham Peterson, 
vice-president, and J. A. Nelson, cashier; directors, H. A. Warner, J. A. 
Nelson, Severt Rekstad, J. A. Call, T. J. Johnson, H. N. Robbe and William 
Peterson. The bank, which owns its own building, erected in 1905, opened 
for business on January 24 of that year. The following changes in officers 
have since taken place: H. N. Robbe was elected assistant cashier in 
1906, president in 1912 and cashier in 1916. Severt Rekstad was elected 
vice-president in 1912 and president in 1916. M. P. Skogstad was elected 
cashier in 1911 and resigned in 1916. J. M. Olson was elected vice-presi- 
dent in 1912. The present official staff is composed of Sevei't Rekstad, 
president ; J. M. Olson, vice-president ; H. N. Robbe, cashier. The directors 
are Severt Rekstad, H. N. Robbe, J. M. Olson, J. J. Dahl, 0. H. Dahl, Even 
Holte and J. P. Hanson. The statement of this in.stitution for Sept. 11, 
1917, was as follows: Resources: Loans and discounts, $179,870.99; over- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 809 

drafts, $769.16; bonds, $10,500.00; banking house, $2,000.00; furniture and 
fixtures, $1,600.00; due from resident banks, $42,543.80; checks on other 
banks, and cash items, $1,660.29 ; cash on hand, $2,905.52 ; total, $241,849.76. 
Liabilities: Capital, $20,000.00; surplus, $3,000.00; undivided profits, 
$442.80; individual deposits, $63,168.04; time certificates, $117,041.46; sav- 
ings department, $36,590.91 ; cashier's checks, $1,606.55 ; total, $241,849.76. 

Peoples State Bank, Whitehall. The articles of incorporation of this 
institution were drawn May 13, 1913, the incorporators being Ludwig L. 
Solsrud, E. A. Sorenson, C. Q. Gage, R. H. Holtan, E. F. Hensel, J. E. Wil- 
berg, Anton Void, F. A. Caswell, Geo. Larson and Ludvig Hammerstad. 
The charter was granted Sept. 29, 1913, and the bank opened for business 
on the same day, with the following officers and directors : Officers : Lud- 
wig L. Solsrud, president ; R. H. Holtan, vice-president ; J. E. Wilberg, 
cashier; S. N. Hegge, assistant cashier. Directors: Ludwig L. Solsrud, 
P. K. Risberg, E. F. Hensel, Ludvig Hammerstad, J. E. Wilberg, R. H. 
Holtan and C. A. Adams. At the annual stockholders' meeting held Jan. 
6, 1914, the following directors were elected: Ludwig L. Solsrud, R. H. 
Holtan, C. A. Adams, Ludvig Hammerstad, E. A. Hegge, Claude E. Everson 
and F. W. Lowe. Following this meeting the directors appointed the fol- 
lowing officers : Ludwig L. Solsrud, president ; R. H. Holtan, vice-president, 
and S. N. Hegge, cashier. Examining committee: E. A. Hegge, E. A. 
Sorenson and G. 0. Eid. On June 2, 1914, R. H. Wiezorek was appointed 
an assistant cashier. There have been no further changes in officers or 
directors, those selected Jan. 6, 1914, being in charge at the present time. 
A condensed statement of condition, as reported to the commissioner of 
banking Sept. 11, 1917, shows as follows : Resources : Loans and discounts, 
$235,182.78 ; banking house, $4,527.74 ; due from reserve banks, $25,419.89 ; 
cash on hand, $12,207.10 ; total resources, $277,337.51. Liabilities : Capital 
stock, $15,000.00; surplus, $1,500.00; undivided profits, $2,338.16; deposits, 
$258,499.35; total liabilities, $277,337.51. The pohcy of this institution is 
to aid in every way possible in the growth and development of this com- 
munity, including the introduction into the community of high grade live 
stock and pure bred seeds. The bank has 60 stockholders, all of whom 
are residents of this community. 

The First National Bank of Blair is the only National bank in Trem- 
pealeau County. It was organized in 1914 chiefly through the efforts of 
Albert B. Peterson and his son Ernest A. Peterson, assisted by leading 
business men and farmers. It has grown in importance during its brief 
existence. With a capital stock of $25,000 it has now (July 20, 1917) a 
total of $129,937.78 in deposits, and its surplus and undivided profits amount 
to $5,064.46. The officers are: John Thompson, president; Frank G. 
Richmond, vice-president ; Gabriel Anderson, vice-president ; Basil I. Peter- 
son, cashier, and Omer Houkom, assistant cashier. The board of directors 
consists of A. B. Peterson, E. B. Christopherson, Byron R. Curran, John 
Thompson, Frank C. Richmond, Gabriel Anderson and Thos. Mattison. 
The cashier of the institution, Basil I. Peterson, has the honor of being 
chairman of the Liberty Loan Committee for the county. The membership 
of this bank in the Federal Reserve Bank gives it the necessary machinery 



810 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUXTY 

for securing funds with which to finance legitimate agricultural, commer- 
cial and industrial enterprises, and thus develop the resources of this part 
of the county. 

State Bank of Independence. This institution was started April 1, 
1897, by John Sprecher and Anton Senty, as a private bank, with a capital 
of $10,000, and was carried on under the firm name of Bank of Indepen- 
dence. In 1902 the business was incorporated as a state bank under the 
name of State Bank of Independence, with a capital of $25,000, John 
Sprecher and Anton Senty being the incorporators, the new organization 
taking over the business of the old company June 2, 1902. In January, 
1914, the capital was increased to $50,000.00. The bank owns a good sub- 
stantial brick building, which was erected in 1901, the first story being 
used by the bank, while the second is rented for offices. John Sprecher was 
elected president at the first organization and has served in that capacity 
continuously. Anton Senty was the cashier from its organization to 
January, 1913, at which time he was elected vice-president, in which 
capacity he has served to the present time. O. A. Sprecher was appointed 
assistant cashier in January, 1905, and W. E. Sprecher in January, 1907, 
the latter being appointed cashier in January, 1913. The present officers 
are : John Sprecher, president ; Anton Senty, vice-president ; W. E. 
Sprecher, cashier, and 0. A. Sprecher, assistant cashier. This bank has 
always been conservative, but mindful of the best interests of the com- 
munity and its patrons, and has always tried to assist in the development 
and upbuilding of the surrounding territory. The deposits have steadily 
increased and at this time are $580,577, while the total assets are $645,- 
960.93. 

The Bank of Eleva was organized in 1901 as Larson-Melby Company, 
Bankers, by 0. P. Larson, John 0. Melby and Even Bratberg. It was incor- 
porated as a state bank under the name. Bank of Eleva, June 17. 1903, the 
incorporators being 0. P. Larson, John 0. Melby, Even Bratberg and George 
Esbensen. The first officials were: O. P. Larson, president; J. 0. Melby, 
vice-president ; E. Bratberg, cashier, and George Esbensen, assistant 
cashier. The bank was located in the Larson-Melby Company store until 
its own building was erected in August, 1910. The first change in the 
oflicial staff occurred Aug. 24, 1907, C. P. Larson taking the place of 0. P. 
Larson as president. Even Bratberg, the cashier, died in April, 1910, and 
since that time the offices of president and cashier have both been filled 
by C. P. Larson. The present staff is composed of C. P. Larson, president 
and cashier; Chas. B. Melby, vice-president, and L. Nicholson and H. A. 
Moltzau, assistant cashiers. The bank's statement of Sept. 11, 1917, 
showed its condition as follows : Resources : Loans and discounts, $169.- 
153.19; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $4,947.06; due from banks, 
$22,667.23 ; cash on hand, $6,063.79 ; total, $202,831.27. Liabihties : Capital 
stock, $10,000.00; surplus, $3,500.00; undivided profits, $702.95; deposits, 
$188,628.32; total, $202,831.27. 



CHAPTER XVII 
DAIRY INTERESTS 

The dairy industry is one of great importance in Trempealeau County. 
In 1916 the 14 creameries had an output valued at $1,191,950.33, the two 
cheese factories had an output valued at $10,648.71, and the value placed 
upon butter made on the farms was $118,321.75, thus giving an aggregate 
value of $1,320,920.79 to Trempealeau County butter and cheese, in addition 
to the milk and cream sold, and fed to stock. 

The Eleva Co-Operative Creamery Company is located in Albion Town- 
ship ; the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company in Arcadia Township ; 
the Glencoe Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company at Arcadia Village ; 
the Dodge Valley Creamery Company in Dodge Township; the Ettrick 
Creamery Company in Ettrick Township ; the Arctic Springs Creamery Com- 
pany in Galesville Village ; the Elk Creek Creamery in Hale TownshSip ; the 
Independence Creamery Company in Independence Village ; the Whitehall 
Creamery Association in Lincoln Township ; the H. H. Solie Creamery in 
Osseo Village ; the Williams Creamery Company in Osseo Village ; the P. 
Ekern Company (Pigeon Falls Creamery) in Pigeon Township; the Preston 
Creamery Company in Preston, and the Unity Co-Operative Creamery Com- 
pany in Strum, all manufacturing butter. 

The H. H. Solie Company at Osseo and the Little Elk Cheese Association 
in Chimney Rock each conduct cheese factories. 

Several small cheese factories were started in Trempealeau County in 
the '60s, the most important of which was that of James Gaveney and Noah 
Comstock, located on the Comstock farm south of the present village of 
Arcadia. 

But the making of cheese in the '60s in this county did not reach any 
considerable proportions. 

The production of milk was not regarded with high favor. Wheat was 
the big crop, and while the farmers all had a few cows for the purpose of 
providing milk and meat for family use, stock raising was looked upon 
merely as a side line, and dairying was of not much more importance than 
kitchen gardening. 

Here and there were housewives noted in nearby villages for their 
ability as butter-makers, and their product met with a ready local sale, but 
for the most part the butter made on the farms of the county was of poor 
quality. 

Storekeepers took butter "in trade," and by charging a good price for 
the goods sold "in trade" usually came out even on the transaction, though 
much of the butter which they thus took in was suitable only for lubricating 
purposes, and was in fact often shipped by the merchants to makers of axle 
grease in the larger cities. 

811 



812 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

This condition is not to be wondered at, as the farms had few facilities 
for making butter or for caring for dairy products. On many of the farms 
there was not even a well. Icehouses were almost unknown. The milk was 
left to "set" in shallow pans, the cream skimmed off by hand, and saved until 
a sufficient quantity was collected, when it was put in a wooden keg or earthen 
crock, and beaten into butter with a wooden paddle. The tumbling barrel 
churn did not come until later, and was never in extensive use in this county. 

Corn was raised only in small tracts. Even as late as 1864 there was 
probably not 100 acres of tame grass in the whole county. 

Wheat was the staple, and on this the farmers depended for their living. 
But with the passing of the years, the land refused to repeat its heavy crop of 
wheat. The cynch bugs also came to work their havoc. At first appearing 
only in spots, they gradually increased their ravages. 

In 1878 came an almost total failure of the wheat crop. For three 
days, when the wheat was in milk, there were alternating hours of rain- 
storms and periods of extreme heat, which resulted in baking the kernel 
and stopping further growth. When the wheat was harvested it weighed 
but about 30 pounds to the bushel, instead of the 60 pounds which wheat 
should weigh when fully matured. Only about $3 an acre was realized, and 
great distress followed. 

This failure was almost coincident with the rush to the Dakotas, which 
affected all the Northwestern States, and many farmers left the county. 

It was at this juncture that the people began to turn their attention to 
dairying. 

Not long after, the creameries were established. Those at Galesville 
and Arcadia were started in 1883, and the papers of those villages expressed 
great surprise that butter could actually be made by machinery. In 1885 
K. K. Hagestad, of Ettrick, interested the farmers and business men in 
starting a creamery, and the first co-operative plan creamery in the county 
was the result. 

These three places have since continued to be important creamery 
points. 

Creamery operations in Arcadia, as noted, date back to 1883, when a 
creamery, the old Arcadia Creamery Company, was erected near the 
Arcadia Mineral Spring. After the creamery had been in operation for 
some time the Koenig Brothers started a creamery south of the village. 
The Koenig concern went into bankruptcy and was in time acquired by 
J. M. Fertig. April 9, 1909, it was incorporated as the Arcadia Co-Opera- 
tive Creamery Company and absorbed the Arcadia Creamery Company. 
Later the name was changed to the Arcadia Farmers' Co-Operative Cream- 
ery Company. It had been in operation for several years when the Glencoe 
Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company was organized, and the village 
now supports two creameries. 

The Arcadia Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company is managed 
by Ellis G. Bigham. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was 
as follows: Value of property, $4,200; number of patrons contributory, 
310; number of cows contributory, about 10 per patron; pounds of cream 
received, 1,820,250; pounds of butter made, 441,127; amount of money 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 813 

received for products sold, $119,307.81. This creamery was incorporatetl 
April 23, 1904. 

The Glencoe Co-Operative Creamery Company is managed by J. J. Fern- 
holtz. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows : Value of 
property, $6,000; number of patrons contributory, 170; pounds of butter 
made, 210,755; amount of money received for products sold, $53,038.59. 

Galesville dates its creamery operation from Nov. 1, 1883, when a 
private concern was organized and started operations. Editorial writers 
at that time expressed wonderment that butter could actually be made by 
machinery. The Arctic Springs Creamery was organized as a co-operative 
association May 3, 1899, with G. 0. Gilbertson, M. J. Scarseth, D. D. Chap- 
pell Francis Stellpfling, L. L. Odell, John Bohrnstedt, L. 0. Moe, C. M. 
Kellogg and George Uhl as directors. Isaac Clark was chairman of the 
committee and L. L. Odell secretary. The profits the first year were 
$2,111.87. This company took over the old creamery and as soon as pos- 
sible erected the present building. The present officers are : W. F. Raichle 
(president), John Norgaard (vice-president), 0. S. Bergquist (secretary) 
and J. A. Berg (treasurer). Will Stellpfling, J. R. Barge, F. J. Stellpfling, 
J. M. Bibby and John Dick. The cream is gathered and 13 routes are main- 
tained. 

The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, is as follows : Value of 
property, $5,000; number of patrons contributory, 300; number of cows 
contributory, 2,800; pounds of butter made, 525,1681/2; amount of money 
received for products sold, $158,734.90. 

The Ettrick Creamery Association was organized by farmers and 
business men of the vicinity, and incorporated Oct. 23, 1885, with officers 
as follows: K. K. Hagestad, president; Johannes A. Hogden, vice-presi- 
dent; Iver Knutson, treasurer; C. F. Ringlee, secretary. This association 
served its patrons successfully on a co-operative basis until 1907, when most 
of the stockholders having quit tilling the soil, or moved away, it was 
thought advisable to reorganize, so that its patrons could have an active 
voice in its management. With this in view the Ettrick Creamery Company 
was organized by about 200 stockholders, with a capital stock of $3,000, 
March 25, 1907. This company bought the stock of the old association. 
It is now doing a business amounting to nearly $150,000 yearly. The 
present officers are as follows: A. J. Ekern, president; A. C. Hagestad, 
vice-president; R. J. Cantlon, treasurer; A. P. Ofsdahl, secretary; directors, 
Ed. Quammen, Ole Mustad and M. B. Hilten. The i-eport for the year 
ending April 30, 1916, is as follows: Value of property, $6,500; number 
of patrons contributory, 400; amount of money received for products, 
$119,439.35. 

The Pigeon Falls Creamery is located at Pigeon Falls, in Pigeon Town- 
ship, and is owned by the P. Ekern Company. The report for the year 
ending April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $3,500; number 
of patrons contributory, 210; number of cows contributory, 2,520; pounds 
of butter made, 356,324.8; amount received for products sold, $121,058.52. 

The Pigeon Falls Creamery was established by Peter Ekern, the 
building being erected in the fall of 1885 and operations started Dec. 8, 



814 HISTORY OF tre:mpealeau county 

the same year. Mr. Ekern operated the creamery up to May 1, 1892, at 
which time he sold the institution to a farmers' organization, the Pigeon 
Creamery Association, incorporated April 9, 1892. This association oper- 
ated the creamery until the middle of October, the same year, or for about 
five and a half months, when it burned. It was promptly rebuilt on the 
same premises by P. Ekern and opened again for business Dec. 1, 1892, Mr. 
Ekern conducting the creamery from that date to April 19, 1898, when 
this branch, together with other business interests of P. Ekern, was incor- 
porated as the P. Ekern Company. The present officers are: Andrew 
Ekern, president; Minnie Sletteland, vice-president; B. M. Sletteland, 
secretary, treasurer and manager. The butter-maker is John A. Houkom, 
who has held this position since April 1, 1895. The Holstein and Durham 
cattle are the principal breeds raised by the patrons. For a number of 
years there were two large separators run at the creamery, taking in only 
milk at that time. A skimming station was also run in connection at North- 
field, Jackson County, whence the cream was hauled by the company's own 
teams to the creamery. These separators were removed years ago when 
the individual farm separators took their place. An exchange station is 
still maintained at Northfleld. In 1897 an addition was built and equipped 
for a cheese factory, but was discontinued as such after being operated one 
season. 

The first creamery in Dodge was operated by the Dodge Creamery 
Company. This company was organized in 1902, with M. J. Kulas as 
president, J. K. Rezob as treasurer, and Joseph Jeriski as secretary. This 
company sold out, in 1907, to F. J. Rohn. He was the sole owner, but 
operated the concern under the name of the Rohn & Kulas Creamery Com- 
pany. In the spring of 1909 the wooden building was burned, and Mr. 
Rohn erected the present adequate edifice of solid brick on the old founda- 
tion, resuming operations in August, 1909. On Feb. 14, 1914, W. 0. Berthol 
and B. C. Kreher acquired the creamery under the name of the Dodge 
Valley Creamery and have since successfully conducted it. For the year 
ending April 30, 1917, the company took in $28,120.78, and of this paid the 
patrons $23,646.22. There are 96 patrons, averaging about 20 cows each. 
The favorite breeds are the Polled Durham and the Wisconsin natives. 
The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, is as follows: Value of 
property, $4,000 ; number of patrons contributory, 96 ; number of cows con- 
tributory, 600; pounds of milk received, 1,900,000; pounds of butter made, 
100,000; amount of money received for products sold, $26,000. This 
creamery is a thriving and growing company under excellent management 
and ownership, both of the owners being substantial citizens in every 
respect. 

The Eleva Co-Operative Company is located in Eleva, Samuel Bollinger 
being the manager. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as 
follows: Value of property, $2,800; number of patrons contributory, 190; 
number of cows contributory, 1,312; pounds of cream received, 1,245,454; 
pounds of butter made, 327,4781/2; amount of money received for products 
sold, $87,093.86. 

The Elk Creek Creamery is located in Hale Township, H. H. Solie being 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 815 

the owner. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows : 
Value of property, $2,500 ; number of patrons contributory, 90 ; number of 
cows contributory, 800 ; pounds of milk received, 336,000 ; pounds of butter 
made, 90,720 ; amount of money received for products sold, $26,116. 

The Independence Creamery Company is located at Independence Vil- 
lage, its manager being Jacob Jackson. The report for the year ending 
April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $4,000; number of 
patrons contributory, 200; number of cows contributory, 1,000; pounds of 
milk received, 916,896; pounds of butter made, 224,364; amount of money 
received for products, $58,168.38. This company was incorporated Feb. 
6, 1894. 

The Whitehall Creamery Association is located in the township of 
Lincoln, its manager being N. L. Fredrickson. The report for the year 
ending April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $3,000; number 
of patrons contributory, 450 ; number of cows contributory, 4,050 ; pounds 
of butter made, 397,600 ; amount of money received for products sold, 
$110,000. This creamery was incorporated May 27, 1892. 

The H. H. Solie Creamery is located at Osseo Village and is owned by 
H. H. Solie. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows: 
Value of property, $3,000 ; number of patrons contributory, 82 ; number of 
cows contributory, 800; pounds of milk received, 312,300; pounds of butter 
made, 77,850 ; amount of money received for products sold, $23,356. 

The Williams Creamery Company is located at Osseo Village, and is 
owned by Charles A. Williams. The report for the year ending April 30, 
1916, was as follows : Value of property, $2,390 ; number of patrons con- 
tributory, 100; number of cows contributory, 700; pounds of butter fat 
received, 106,625.28 ; pounds of sweet cream, 40,643.40 ; butter made, 133,- 
793; amount of money received for butter, $37,393.06; for sweet cream, 
$16,306.05. 

The Preston Creamery Company is located at Blair Village, its manager 
being Thomas Mattison. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, 
was as follows : Value of property, $2,800 ; number of patrons contributory, 
300; number of cows contributory, 3,000; pounds of butter made, 423,845; 
amount of money received for products sold, $116,613.62. This company 
was incorporated Jan. 23, 1899. 

The Unity Co-Operative Creamery Company is located in Strum, Unity 
Township, J. P. Hanson being the manager. The report for the year ending 
April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $5,000; number of 
patrons contributory, 325 ; number of cows contributory, 2,000 ; pounds of 
butter made, 438,374; amount of money received for products sold, 
$119,324.19. 

The Little Elk Cheese Association is located in Chimney Rock Town- 
ship, the president being H. Weum. The record for the year ending April 
30, 1916, was as follows : Value of the property, $700. Number of patrons 
contributory, 16 ; number of cows contributory, 250 ; pounds of milk received, 
450,398 ; cheese made, 45,694 ; amount of money received for products sold, 
$6,158.71. 

The H. H. Solie Cheese Factory is located at Osseo Village and is owned 



816 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

by H. H. Solie. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as fol- 
lows: Value of property, $3,000; number of pati'ons contributory, 82; 
number of cows contributory, 800; pounds of milk received, 312,300; cheese 
made, 77,850 ; amount of money received for products sold, $23,356.00. 

The totals for the creameries for the year ending April 30, 1916, are as 
follows: Number, 14; value, $54,690.00; number of patrons contributory. 
3,241 ; number of cows contributory, 26,922 ; number of pounds of butter 
made, 4,176,398 ; amount of money received for products sold, $1,191,950.33. 

The totals for the cheese factories for the year ending April 30, 1916, 
are as follows: Number, 2; value, $1,700.00; number of patrons contribu- 
tory, 42; number of cows contributory, 520; number of pounds of milk 
received, 815,398 ; pounds of cheese made, 79,314 ; amount of money received 
for products, $10,648.71. 

The 450,030 pounds of butter made on farms for the year ending April 
30, 1916, and valued at $118,321.75, were disti'ibuted among the various 
townships as follows: Albion, 22,836 pounds, valued at $6,850; Arcadia, 
16,200 pounds, valued at $3,240; Burnside, 31,800 pounds, valued at $9,483; 
Caledonia, 16,970 pounds, valued at $5,090; Chimney Rock, 21,675 pounds, 
valued at $5,481; Dodge, 16,000 pounds, valued at $4,800; Ettrick, 41,200 
pounds, valued at $12,.360; Gale, 53,580 pounds, valued at $10,805; Hale, 
60,000 pounds, valued at $15,000; Lincoln, 10,305 pounds, valued at $3,000; 
Pigeon, 31,490 pounds, valued at $9,447; Preston, 54,275 pounds, valued at 
$13,568.75; Sumner, 10,000 pounds, valued at $3,000; Trempealeau, 54,270 
pounds, valued at $13,567 ; Unity, 8.729 pounds, valued at $2,435. 

The only village in which butter was made in any considerable quantity 
outside the creameries was Independence, where 700 pounds, valued at $195, 
was made in homes. 

No cheese is made on the farms or in the homes in Trempealeau County, 
with the exception of sour milk cheese made for immediate use. 



CHAPTER XVIII 
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES 

The people of Norwegian blood in Trempealeau County constitute about 
seven-tenths of its population, the German and Polish people constituting 
about one-fifth, and a scattering of nationalities the other tenth. 

These Norwegians are the descendants of that fearless race, the Vik- 
ings, who peopled the coast of Norway, and swept the oceans with their 
swift craft, venturing to Iceland, then to Greenland, and then, it is beUeved, 
even to the Atlantic coast of North America as far south as Long Island. It 
is stated that Bjarni Herjulfson, while driven about in a storm, sighted the 
coast of Labrador in 986. Eric, the Red, was one of the pioneers of Iceland 
and Greenland, and his son, Leif Ericson, or Leif the Lucky, as he was 
called, was early filled with the spirit of adventure. In the year 1000, this 
Leif with a company of 35 men set out for Greenland and started down the 
North American coast, landing on the Island of Newfoundland and on the 
peninsula of Nova Scotia. Continuing their voyage, they reached the 
vicinity of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island, in the fall of the 
year. The wild grapes were hanging heavy on the vines, and Tyrker, a 
German, who accompanied the expedition, called the place Vineland. Nor- 
wegian historians have declared that Leif landed and settled near what is 
now Fall River, Mass. Even to the present day there exists in New England 
a stone believed to have been the work of these Norsemen. 

In 1003, Leif's brother, Thorwald, was killed by the savages while 
leading another expedition in about the same locality. In 1007 came a 
larger expedition, headed by Thorfinn Karlesfin, who had married Gudrid, 
a widow of Thorstein, a brother of Leif. This expedition consisted of 600 
men and possibly some women. They landed near what is now Buzzards 
Bay. Three years later this settlement was abandoned and the party 
sailed back to Greenland with hides and timber. 

Other expeditions followed (see P. DeRoo, History of America Before 
Columbus— Philadelphia and London. 1900^Vol. 88, pp. 174-282). A 
stone has recently been unearthed at Kensington, Minn., bearing what pur- 
ports to be Runic characters, which if genuine, apparently furnishes evi- 
dence that eight Swedes and 22 Norwegians penetrated Wisconsin and 
Minnesota in 1362. 

In 1619, a Norseman, Jens Munk, visited America at the head of a 
Danish expedition, the intention of which was to take possession of a part 
of the country in the name of the King of Denmark. He returned to Nor- 
way in 1620, the only survivor of the attempt. 

In 1633, a Norwegian shipbuilder by the name of Hans Hanson Bergen, 
who had for some time resided in Holland, came to New Amsterdam, as New 

SIT 



818 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

York was then called. It is also believed that there were some 20 other 
Norwegian settlers in that early colony. Claus Vam Sande. the Indian 
interpreter of the New Amsterdam colony, was a Norwegian. 

July 4, 1825, a party of Norwegian Quakers left Stavanger, Noi'way, 
and in due time reached New York. What subsequently became of the 
party has never been positively established. 

In 1839 a large colony came to Wisconsin. The first Norwegians came 
to Trempealeau County in 1854, with a colony that settled over the line in 
Jackson County. There is considerable difference among Scandinavian 
writers and investigators as to the first Scandinavian in Trempealeau 
County. Possibly Gullick Olson, a member of a colony which located over 
the line in Jackson County, settled in this county in 1854. Possibly Sever 
Johnson settled here that year. Both were in the vicinity of what is now 
Blair. In 1855 a considerable colony settled in the same vicinity. 

Rev. H. A. Stub organized the Trempealeau Valley Congregation, over 
the line in Jackson County, in 1857, and this was the parent church of 
many of the churches of the county. Later he organized churches in Beaver 
Creek Valley. 

The history of all the congregations in Trempealeau County, past and 
present, has been gathered by 0. M. Norlie, and is embodied in a work 
called "Norsk Lutherske Menigheder I Amerika, 1843-1915," which is being 
published this year by the Augsburg Publishing House of St. Paul. Dr. 
Norlie's material is here reprinted. 

North Beaver Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. 
(Beaver Creek) Ettrick (six miles east). Independent (Ns.), 1859-61; 
Norwegian Synod, 1861-89. Organized Sept. 11, 1859. Divided 1889 on 
doctrinal grounds. (The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation 
of North Beaver Creek — Ns. ; Beaver Creek — Fk.). Four hundred seventy- 
nine souls in 1875, 654 in 1885. Pastors : H. A. Stub, 1859-60 ; P. L. Larson, 
1860-61 ; J. B. Frich, 1861-66 ; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ; E. Jensen, 1870-73 ; 
A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73; A. L. Lobben, 1875, 78; B. Hovde, 1878-93; S. S. 
Urberg, 1893. Officials in 1859 : Ivar Troblaa, Siver Nilson, Nils 0. Her- 
reid. Nils Haugland, Ole Dale, Tosten Solfest. "Kirketidende," 1891, 455-57 ; 
1892,453-54; 1909, 1,042-47. Church, 1862. Church 2, 1877. (3,386-650.) 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation (Synod) of North 
Beaver Creek. From 1859 to 1889 was part of The Norwegian Evangelical 
Lutheran Congregation of North Beaver Creek, Ettrick. Norwegian Synod, 
1889 (1861). Organized 1889 (Sept. 11, 1859). 161 souls in 1889. 450 in 1914. 
Pastors: H. A. Stub, 1859-60; P. L. Larsen, 1860-61; J. B. Frich, 1862-66; 
0. Waldeland, 1866-69; E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73; A. L. 
Lobben, 1875-78; B. Hovde, 1878-93; S. S. Urberg, 1893. Officials in 1915: 
a, T. T. Odegaard ; b, Gunleik Myrland ; c, Thomas P. Herreid ; d, Arne C. 
Stone, Carl J. Hagestad, Andrew C. Hagestad ; e, T. T. Odegaard, R. Lewis 
Thorkelsen, Hans Anderson ; f , J. S. Hovelsrud ; g, J. E. Hovelsrud. Church 
1, 1862. Church 2, 1877. Church 3, 1891, $5,000. Schoolhouse, 1902, $400. 
Parsonage 1, 1866, $3,000. Parsonage 2, 1902, $5,000. Cemetery, two 
acres, $100. Land, six and a half acres, $500. Ladies' Aid Society. Young 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 819 

Peoples' League. Choir. Pastor's salary, $233 (1914). "Menighetshis- 
torie," 1909, Severin Nelson, K. K. Hagestad, S. S. Urberg ; "Kirketidende," 
1891, 45.5; 1892, 455; 1909, 1,042, S. S. Urberg (1328-651). 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beaver Creek. (From 
1859 to 1889 was part of North Beaver Creek. Ettrick (six miles east). 
Antimissouri, 1889-90 ; United Church, 1890. Organized 1889 (18.59). 432 
souls in 1890, 631 in 1914. Pastors: N. O. Brandt, 1858; H. A. Stub, 
1859-60 ; P. L. Larsen, 1860-61 ; B. J. Frich, 1861-66 ; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ; 
E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-78; A. L. Lobben, 1875-78; B. Hovde, 
1878-88; 0. Waldeland, 1890-95; Ole Gulbrandson, 1895-14; A. J. Boe, 1914. 
Officials in 1915: a, Anton Strand; b, Syver Herreid; c, Lars Underheim; 

d, Jacob Selgstad, John Brovold, Lewis Herreid; e, Anton Strand, Ole 
Sylfest, Mathias Anderson; f, Syver Herreid. Church 1, 1862. Church 2, 
1877. Church 3, 1905, $12,500. "Konstitution," 1864. A. J. Boe (3387- 
652). 

Hardie's Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Et'trick 
(six miles south). Independent (Ns), 1862. Organized 1862. About 60 
souls in 1862, 273 in 1914. Pastors: J. B. Frich, 1862-69; S. Svennungsen, 
1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890- 
1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-01; C. B. Bestul, 1901. Officials in 1862: b, 
Marthinus Scorseth; c, Ole Hemma; e, M. J. Scorseth, 0. Gryhte, Mikkel 
Spedalen ; f , Ole Hemma. In 1915 : b, I. B. Scorseth ; c, C. M. Scorseth ; 

e, Bernt 0. Evenson, Mathias Pederson, Idius Johnson; f, A. Oksnee; g, 
Miss Helen Olsen. Church 1, 1876, $1,000. Church 2, 1915, $10,884. School- 
house, 1894, $600. Cemetery, 13/4 acres, $350. Ladies' Aid Society, 1890, 
$1,707. Young Peoples' League, 1914, $264. Pastor's salary, $100 (1915). 
"Konstitution," 1904. C. B. Bestul (1339-654). 

French Creek Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Ettrick (three miles 
west). Independent (Ns), 1862. Organized 1862. About 35 souls in 
1862, 517 in 1914. Pastors: L. Larson, 1862; J. B. Frich, 1862-66; 0. Wal- 
deland, 1866-69; S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-70; G. A. 
Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-01; C. B. 
Bestul, 1901. Officials: g, 0. J. Engen, 1868-85. In 1915: a, H. B. Nilsen; 
b, O. J. Engen ; c, I. B. Enghagen ; e, H. B. Nilsen ; Carl Breiningen, John 
Holstad, Emil Benrud, Ibert Engelien ; f , A. Oksnee ; g, A. Oksnee. Church 
1, 1878, $4,000. Church 2, 1904, $9,085. Parsonage 1, 1875. Parsonage 2. 
1894. Cemetery, two acres, $50. Land, 38 acres, $1,243. Four Ladies' 
Aid Societies, 1890, $2,600. Young Peoples' League, 1896, $2,500. Mis- 
sionary society, 1910, $.320. Pastor's salary, $242 (1914). "Konstitution," 
1880. C. B. Bestul (1336-653). 

Ettrick Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Ettrick. 
Independent (Ns) 1897. Organized 1897. 90 souls in 1897, 200 in 1914. 
Pastors : S. S. Urberg, 1897. Officials in 1897 : a, Iver Pedersen ; b, H. J. 
Hagestad ; c, 0. E. Runnestrand ; d, Hans Christiansen, C. F. Ringlie, 0. S. 
Folkedal; e, Iver Pedersen; h, 0. S. Folkedal. In 1915: a, A. M. Pedersen; 
b, A. G. Tjofiot ; c, 0. A. Ask ; d, M. T. Pederson, Hans Christiansen ; e, A. M. 
Pederson, Filing E. Runnestrand,- S. W. Swendson. Ladies' Aid Society, 
1898, $2,000. Pastor's salary, $100 ri897), $125 (1914), $1,875 (1897- 



820 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1914). Church, 1898, $7,000. Cemetery, three acres. "Konstitution," 
1898; "Kirketidende," 1898, 664; 1902, 1066. S. S. Urberg (1326-655). 

Tamarack Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. 
Tamarack. Norwegian Synod, 1863. Organized 1863. About 45 souls in 
1863, 198 in 1914. Pastors: J. B. Frich, 1863-66; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69; 
S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90; 
0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. L. Breivik, 1900-1901; C. B. Bestul, 1901. 
Officials in 1915: b, A. 0. Syversen; c, 0. A. Olsen; e, Olaf 0. Syversen, 
Oscar H. Olsen, Halfdan Olsen, Ole "t. Thompson ; f , A. Oksnee ; g. A. Oksnee. 
Church, 1878, $6,500. Cemetery, one and a half acres, $150. Ladies' Aid 
Society, 1889, $3,100. Young Peoples' League, 1897, $1,179. Missionarv 
Society, 1907, $566. Pastor's salary, $100 (1914). "Konstitution," 1867. 
C. B. Bestul (1335-656). 

Tamarack Preaching Place. Tamarack. Conference, 1880-81 (?). 
Started 1880 (?). Discontinued (?). Pastor: E. M. Midtbo, 1880-81 (3399- 
657). 

Fagernes Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (Plum 
Creek Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Plum Creek, 1868-85.) Blair 
(six miles west). Independent (Ns), 1868-1912; Norwegian Synod, 1912. 
Organized in fall of 1868. About 90 souls in 1868, 219 in 1914. Pastors: 
0. Waldeland, 1867-69; S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. O. Sherven, 1874-80; 
G. A. Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-91 ; C. B. 
Bestul, 1901. Officials in 1915 : b, Ole Arnesen ; c, H. C. Fagernes ; e, C. M. 
Larsen, Halvor Hansen, James Hansen; f, Ole Arneson. Pastor's salary, 
$120 (1914). Church 1, 1875, $540. Church 2, 1892, $2,700. Church 3, 
1901, $5,500. Cemetery one and a half acres, $29 ; donated, one aci'e. "Kon- 
stitution," 1907. C. B. Bestul (1337-658). 

Silver Creek Valley Congregation. Frenchville (five miles southeast). 
Norwegian Synod, 1869 (?)-78 (?). Organized 1869 (?). Dissolved 1878 
(?). Sixty souls in 1872, 30 in 1877. Pastors: S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; 
L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80 (3394-659). 

Our Saviour's Congregation. (French Creek.) Ettrick (three miles 
west). Conference, 1875 (?) -90; United Church, 1890-98. Organized 1875 
(?). Dissolved 1898. Forty-seven souls in 1876, 70 in 1897. Pastors: 
E. H. Midtbo, 1873-81; N. Heierman, 1881-84; 0. H. Stenson, 1884-88; 
O. Waldeland, 1890-94; O. Gulbrandson, 1894-98. Church (3393-660). 

Trempealeau Village Congi-egation. Trempealeau. Norwegian Synod, 
1869 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1869 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). Eighteen souls 
in 1873. Pastor: S. S. Svennungsen, 1869-74 (3397-661). 

Trempealeau Congregation. Trempealeau. Conference, 1871 (?)-73 
(?). Organized 1871 (?). Dissolved 1873 (?). Fifty souls in 1871, 96 in 
1872. Pastor: Ole Amundson 1871 (?>-73 (3396-662). 

Kongsberg Congregation. Hamlin (10 miles ?). Norwegian Synod, 
1879 (?). Organized 1879 (?). Dis-solved (?). 157 souls in 1879, 168 in 
1883. Pastors: H. A. Heyer, 1879-84; A. E. Hauge (?), 1884 (?) (3398- 
663). 

Big Creek Congregation. (North of Eleva ?.) Norwegian Synod, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 821 

1872 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1872 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). 85 souls in 
1873. Pastor: L. 0. Sherven, 1871-74 (3400-664). 

Galesville Congregation. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1878 (?)-90 
( ?) . Organized 1878 ( ?) . Dissolved 1890 ( ?) . 30 souls in 1878, 40 in 1886. 
Pastors: L. 0. Sherven, 1871-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90. Church (3392- 
665). 

Eden Congregation. The New Norwegian Lutheran Congregation in 
Galesville and the Community. Galesville. Independent (Kf). 1886-90; 
United Church, 1890. Organized Oct. 9, 1886. 18 souls in 1886 (1 Swede), 
100 in 1914 (1 Swede). Pastors: 0. H. Stenson, 1886-88; Chr. K. Ytrehus, 
1891-99; R. Anderson, 1899-14; 0. C. Myhre, 1915. Officials in 1886: a, 
Theodor Larson ; b, A. J. Quarberg ; c, 0. N. Sagen ; e, L. 0. Moe, Theodor 
Larson, L. W. Hammer; f, Theodor Larson; h, A. J. Quarberg. In 1915: 

b, P. J. Enghagen ; c, D. H. Strand ; d, L. N. Hammer, Nils Rosewald, A. J. 
Quarberg; e, D. H. Strand, S. H. Dale, Iver Herreid; f, A. J. Quarberg; h, 
Alice Feton. Ladies' Aid Society, 1893. Choir. Pastors salary: $100 
(1886), $260 (1914). "Konstitution," 1886. 0. C. Myhre (1049-666). 

Trinity Congregation. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1894. Organ- 
ized 1894. 31 souls in 1894 (four Germans, two Americans), 224 in 1914 
(two Germans, one American). Pastors: L. M. Gimmestad, 1894. Officials 
in 1894: a, Ole Hemma; b, Benjamin Dale; c, Ole Hemma; e, Benjamin 
Dale, P. Sauers, A. J. Scarseth; f, Ole Hemma. In 1915: b, Einar Olson; 

c, A. J. Berg; e, L. Gilbo, Hans Benrud, Chr. Braaten; f, Andreas J. Scar- 
seth; h, Louise Scarseth. Church, 1909, $6,000. Ladies' Aid Society, 1902, 
$2,954. Young Peoples' League, 1905, $400. Pastor's salary: (1894), 
$300 (1914), $1,925 (1894-14). Janitor, etc., $1,100 (1894-1914). Parochial 
school, $970 (1894-1914). Denominational schools, $3,615 (1894-1914). 
Missions, $839 (1894-14). Gale College is connected with this congregation, 
1901. Gimmestads "Menighetshistorie," 1914. L. M. Gimmestad (1136- 
667). 

Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Pigeon 
Falls. Norwegian Synod. 1865-85. Organized Aug. 18, 1866. Divided 1885 
on doctrinal grounds (Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Con- 
gregation — Ns; Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation — Fk). 
40 souls in 1866, 354 in 1885. Pastors : 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ; S. Svennung- 
sen, 1869-71 ; N. E. S. Jensen, 1869-71 ; 0. Sherven, 1871-76 ; Em. Chris- 
tophersen, 1876-1909 ; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909-10 ; E. B. Christophersen, 1910. 
Officials in 1866 : e, Ole Larson, Peder Pederson, Erik Larson ; f , Ole Paul- 
son. Church, 1874 (3407-668). 

Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Pigeon Falls. Con- 
ference, 1878-87. Organized 1878. Dissolved 1887 in order to organize 
a new congregation with Our Saviour's Congregation of the Antimissou- 
rians. Seventy-five souls in 1878, 240 in 1887. Pastors: C. J. Helsem, 
1878-92. Officials in 1878 : b, Hans Karlstad ; c. Nils Nilsen ; d, Peder Ekern, 
Andreas Olsen ; e, Nils Nilsen, Ole Tuff, Soren Thompson ; f , Ole Tuff (3410- 
670). 

Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 
1866 to 1885 was part of Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.) 



822 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Pigeon Falls. Norwegian Synod, 1885 (1866). Organized 1885 (Aug. 18, 
1866. 354 souls in 1889, 395 in 1914. Pastors: O. Waldeland, 1866-69; 
S. Svennungsen, N. E. S. Jensen, 1869-71 ; L. 0. Sherven, 1871-76 ; E. Chris- 
tophersen, 1876-1909; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909-10; E. B. Christophersen, 1910. 
Officials in 1915 : b, Bernt P. Moe ; c, Peter Estensen ; e, Eddie Nelson, Emil 
Nerson, Anton Johnson, Carl Tomte, Christopher Foss ; f , H. Samuelstad, 
John Olson, J. Eilertson, P. P. Dahl, T. Lee; h, Melvin Moe. Church, 1874, 
$4,500. Parsonage 1, 1876, $600. Parsonage 2, 1912, $4,500. Cemetery, 
three acres, $30. Land, 23 acres, $450. Ladies' Aid Society, 1890, $2,900. 
Young Peoples' League, 1895, $3,200. Pastor's salary, $50 (1867), $300 
(1914). Parochial school, $4,400 (1866-1914). Denominational schools, 
$4,200 (1866-1914). Missions, $4,420 (1866-1914). Charitable institutions, 
$2,500 (1866-1914). "Konstitution," 1888; "Kirketidende," 1892, 456-57; 
1910, 822-23. E. B. Christophersen (2261-669). 

Our Saviour's Congregation. Pigeon Falls. Antimissouri, 1885-87. 
Organized 1885. Dissolved 1887 to form a new congregation with Pigeon 
Falls Church of the Conference. (Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Con- 
gregation.) Pastors: P. Stromme, 1885-87; A. E. Hauge, 1885-87; H. C. 
Wik, 1885-87 (3408-671). 

Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (Merger of Our 
Saviour's, 1885-87, and Pigeon Falls, 1878-87.) Pigeon Falls. Independent 
(Kf ) , 1887-89. Organized 1887. Divided 1889 on account of the Conference 
people wishing a Conference pastor and the Antimissourians wishing an 
Antimissouri pastor. 257 souls in 1887, 257 in 1888. Pastor: C. J. Helsem, 
1872-92. Officials in 1888: b,O.Goplem. Church (3409-672). 

Our Saviour's Congregation. (From 1885 to 1887 a part of Our 
Saviour's) ; from 1887 to 1889 a part of Pigeon Falls. Pigeon Falls. Anti- 
missouri, 1889-90; United Church, 1890-91. Organized 1889. Dissolved 
1891 in order to organize a congregation with Pigeon Falls of the United 
Church. 80 souls in 1890, 80 in 1891. Pastors: P. Stromme, 1889-91; A. E. 
Hauge, 1889-91; H. C. Wik, 1889-91 (3411-673). 

Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (From 1878 to 1887 
a part of Pigeon Falls ; from 1887 till 1889 a part of Pigeon Falls.) Pigeon 
Falls. Conference, 1889-90; United Church, 1890-91. Organized 1889. Dis- 
solved 1891 in order to organize a new congregation together with Our 
Saviour's of the United Church. 116 souls in 1890, 220 in 1891. Pastor: 
C. J. Helsem, 1878-92 (3412-674). 

Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (Merger of Pigeon 
Falls, 1889-91, and Our Saviour's, 1889-91.) Pigeon Falls. United Church, 
1891. Organized 1891 ( 1878- 1885). 220 souls in 1892, 820 in 1914. Pas- 
tors: C. J. Helsem, 1878-92; M. Gulbrandson, 1892-95; A. J. Orke, 1895. 
Officials in 1915: b, Even Hegge; c, B. M. Sletteland; d, Ole Paulsrud, Jens 
Vosseteig ; f , Ole Paulsrud. Two Ladies' Aid Societies, 1884, $4,400 ; Young 
Peoples' League, 1892, $5,567 ; Girls' Club, 1914, $30. Choir, 1892. Pastor's 
salary, $50 (1878), $550 (1914), $12,324 (1878-14). Janitor, etc., $15,000 
(1878-14). Parochial school, $7,000 (1878-14). Denominational schools, 
$4,827 (1878-1914). Missions, $3,650 (1878-1914). Charitable institutions, 
$2,500(1878-1914). Church, 1888, $8,350. Parsonage, 1892, $5,000. Hall, 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 823 

1896, $3,500. Cemetery, two acres, $1,000. Land, five acres, $200. "Kon- 
stitution," 1885, 1891. A. J. Orke (894-875). 

Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall 
(one mile). Norwegian Synod, 1870-87. Organized June 14, 1870. Divided 
in 1887 on doctrinal grounds (Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran — Fk; 
Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran — Ns). 20 souls in 1870 (two 
Swedes), 260 in 1886. Pastors: N. E. S. Jensen, 1870-71; L. 0. Sherven, 
1871-76; S. Svennungsen, 1871; Em. Christophersen, 1876. (See below) 
(3404-676). 

Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1870 
to 1887 as above.) Whitehall Norwegian Synod, 1887 (1870-1887) . Organ- 
ized 1887 (June 14, 1870). 246 souls in 1889, 262 in 1914 (12 Swedes). Pas- 
tors: N. E. S. Jensen, 1870-1871; S. Svennungsen, 1871; L. O. Sherven, 
1871-76; E. Christopherson, 1876-1904; O. K. Ramberg, 1904-12^ E. B. 
Christopherson, 1912. Officials in 1915: b, 0. C. Hanson; c, G. F. Steig; e, 
John Iverson, H. Hagen, Albert Bringsosen, P. C. Pederson ; f , H. Samuel- 
stad, John Olson, J. Ellertson, P. P. Dahl ; h, Mrs. Gilbert Rice. Church 1, 
$125. Church 2, 1892, $6,500. Parsonage, $3,500. Cemetery, one acre, 
$20. Three Ladies' Aid Societies, 1896, $32,000. Young Peoples' League, 
1896, $350. Choir, 1904. Pastor's salary, $300 (1914), $9,850 (1870-1914). 
Janitor, etc.. $7,000 (1870-1914). Parochial school, $3,500 (1870-1914). 
Denominational schools, $2,700 (1870-1914). Missions, $3,100 (1870-1914). 
Charitable institutions, $2,400 (1870-1914). "Konstitution," 1888; "Kirke- 
tidende," 1893, 759. E. B. Christopherson (2262-677). 

Hauges Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall (eight miles 
east). Hauges Synod, 1887-93. Organized 1887. Dissolved 1893. 58 soul 
in 1889; 47 in 1891. Pastors: A. 0. Oppegaard, 1887-89; Th. Himle, 1889- 
93 (3406-678). 

Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall. Indepen- 
dent (Fk), 1899-1908; United Church, 1908. Organized 1899. 46 souls in 
1899; 190 in 1914. Pastor: A. J. Orke, 1899. Officials in 1899: b, E. Berg; 
c, Peter Nilsen ; d, John Void ; e, E. B. Guland, John Schansberg ; f , E. Berg. 
In 1915: b, Lewis Schansberg; d, Ludwig Solsrud; e, Olaus Galstad, 
Erik Baalrud, Peter Ekern; h, P. K. Risberg. Church, 1901, 
$5,200. Ladies' Aid Society, 1888, $2,214. Choir, 1907. Pastor's salary, 
$50 (1899), $175 (1914), $1,375 (1899-1914). Janitor, etc., $6,000 (1899- 
1914). Parochial school, $1,100 (1899-1914). Denominational schools, 
$600 (1899-1914). Missions, $800 (1899-1914). Charitable institutions, 
$200 (1899-1914). "Konstitution," 1899. A. J. Orke (892-680). 

Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall (eight 
miles east). Antimissouri, 1887-90. United Church, 1890-91. Organized 
1887. Dissolved 1891. Reorganized 1899 (Immanuel— Fk). Pastor: A. 
Ronnerberg, 1887-90 (3405-679). 

Elk Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Hale. 
Norwegian Synod, 1870. Organized 1870. Divided 1911 on account of the 
Pleasantville people desiring a congregation of their own. (Pleasantville 
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.) 170 souls in 1876, 299 in 
1910. Pastors: E. P. Jensen, 1871-73; Em. Christophersen, 1873-80; 



824 HISTORY OV TREMPEALEAI' COUNTY 

H. Heyer, 1880-99; P. Toft, 1899-1908; S. Folkestad, 1909. Three Ladies' 
Aid Societies. Young Peoples' League. Church 1, 1892. Church 2, 1915, 
$7,000. S. Folkestad (2715-681). 

Pleasantville Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. From 
1870 to 1911 a part of Elk Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congre- 
gation. Whitehall (seven miles north). Independent (Ns), 1911. Organ- 
ized 1911. 84 souls in 1911. Pastors: S. Folkestad, 1911. Officials in 1911 : 
b, C. T. Hulberg; c, C. T. Hulberg; e, Lars Swaim, Chaly Gilbertsen, T. H. 
Hauge ; f , Ole O. Hovre ; h, T. H. Hauge. In 1915 : b, C. T. Hulberg ; c, C. T. 
Hulberg; e, Lars Swaim, Chaly Gilbertsen, William Gjestvang; f, Ole 0. 
Hovre; h, Gilbert Hulberg. Pastor's salary, $50 (1911), $50 (1914), $200 
(1911-14). Church, 1911, $4,000. S. Folkestad (2714-682). 

Elk Creek Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. 
Osseo (three miles south). Hauges Synod, 1872. Organized 1872. 50 
souls in 1872, 140 in 1914. Pastors: P. J. Solberg, 1872-74; S. Berntson, 
1874-78; A. O. Oppegaard, 1878-88; H. Hjertaas, 1888-89; Th. Himle, 
1889-94 ; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-1906 ; J. C. Hjelmervik, 1906. Ofiicials in 1872 : 
a, Andrias Prestegaarden ; b, Anton Larson ; d, Andrias Prestegaarden, 
Anders Larson, Hans Bagstad; e, A. H. Lewis, S. P. Solberg. In 1915: a, 
H. H. Lewis; b, A. N. Freng; c, J. H. Call; d, H. H. Lewis, Sam Gunderson, 
John Prestegaarden ; e, Anton Amundson, John Void, Albert Ihle ; f , H. H. 
Lewis; h, Sam Gunderson. Church, 1892, $1,400. Cemetery, two acres, 
$65. Ladies' Aid Society, 1885. Y^oung Peoples' League, 1895. Girls' 
Club, 1900. Choir, 1895. Pastor's salary, $70 (1872), $200 (1914). J. C. 
Hjelmervik (186-683). 

Mauls Valley Congregation. Osseo (?). Hauges Synod, 1889 (?). 
Organized 1889 (?). Dissolved 1906 (?). 36 souls in 1889, 42 in 1900. 
Pastors: H. Hjertaas, 1885-94; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-06. Church (3413-684). 

Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Osseo. Hauges Synod, 
1893. Organized 1893. 79 souls in 1897, 142 in 1914. Pastors: Th. Himle, 
1893-94 ; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-1906; J. C. Hjelmervik, 1907. Officials in 1893: 
a, H. F. Larson ; b, J. J. Aasgaard ; d, Knudt Robeson, H. F. Larson ; e, 0. 
Blexrud, Knudt Robeson, M. Johnson. In 1915: b, C. L. Ihle; c, 0. Waller; 
d, J. N. Lee, C. H. Larson, A. L. Erikson ; e, J. N. Lee, Even Terpen, Ludvig 
Anderson; f, J. N. Lee; h, John Carson, Torger Stenson. Church, 1894, 
$4,000. Ladies' Aid Society, 1892. Young Peoples' League. Two Girls' 
Clubs. Choir. Avholdsfor. Pastor's salary, $300 (1914). J. C. Hjelmervik 
(187-685). 

West Beef River Congregation. Strum (one and one-half miles east) . 
Norwegian Synod, 1872-87. Organized 1872. Divided in 1887 on doctrinal 
grounds. (Strum Congregation — Am; Strum Congregation — Ns). 368 
souls in 1874, 350 in 1885. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1868-71; E. Jensen, 
1871-73 ; L. 0. Sherven, 1873-76 ; I. L. P. Dietrichson, 1876-79 ; F. A. Moller, 
1880-81; H. A. Hyer, 1881-99. Church, 1885 (3402-686). 

Strum Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1872 
to 1887 a part of West Beef River Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Con- 
gregation.) Strum. Independent (Ns), 1887-1900; Norwegian Synod, 
1900. Organized 1887 (1872). Divided 1887. 329 souls in 1889, 369 in 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 825 

1911. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1868-71; E. P. Jensen, 1871-73; L. O. Sher- 
ven, 1873-76; I. L. P. Dietrichson, 1876-79; F. A. MoUer, 1879-80; H. A. 
Hyer, 1880-99; P. A. Toft, 1899-1908; D. Kvaase, 1908-09; S. Fokestad, 
1909. Officials in 1915 : b, Even Holte ; c, C. 0. Dahl ; f , Lars Moe ; h, Olaf 
DahL Four Ladies' Aid Societies. Young Peoples' League. Girls' Club. 
Church 1, 1885. Church 2, 1915, $15,000. Parsonage, 1908, $2,200. S. 
Folkestad (2716-687). 

Strum Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1872 
to 1887 a part of West Beef River Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.) 
Strum. Antimissouri, 1887-90. Organized 1887. Dissolved 1890 to merge 
with Conference Congregation (St. Paul's). 50 souls in 1887. Pastor: 
A. Ronnerberg, 1887-90 (3403-688). 

St. Paul's Congregation. Strum. Conference, 1877-90. United 
Church, 1890. Organized Feb. 23, 1877. 128 souls in 1877, 714 in 1914 
(eight French-Norwegian). Pastors: G. Hoyme, 1877-78; C. J. Helsem, 
1878-1914; 0. J. Hylland, 1914. Officials in 1877: b, E. Evensen; c, 0. J. 
Romundstad; d, Erik 0. Holden, Berger Semingsen, C. Svendby; e, Ole J. 
Romundstad; E. Evensen, Andrew Call; f, Esten Johnsen. In 1915: b, 
Sivert Rekstad; c, Ole P. Berg; d, Ole Halvorsen, Christ. Amundsen, Otto 
Skaug ; Anders J. Romundstad, Sivert Rekstad ; e, Ole Thomasgaard, Gilbert 
Dahl, Hans E. Hanson, Christian Dahlby, Arne Hageness, Martin Stuberg, 
Daniel Anders, Matias Semingson, Paul Eide; f, Ole Halvorsen. Pastor's 
salary, $100 (1877), $400 (1914), $11,100 (1877-1914). Janitor, $2,060. 
Church, 1915, $4,500. Parsonage 1 (Helsem's). Parsonage 2, congrega- 
tion's). Cemetery, two acres. "Menighetshistorie," (1916, Sivert Rekstad. 
O.J. Hylland (1987-689). 

Bruce Valley Congregation. Whitehall (10 miles northwest). Nor- 
wegian Synod, 1888. Organized 1888. 99 souls in 1888, 99 in 1914. Pas- 
tors: H. A. Hyer, 1888-99; P. A. Toft, 1900-08; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909; 
S. Folkestad, 1909. Officials in 1915: b, Ole Bergsland; c, Erik Hagen; e, 
Ole Bergsland, Knudt Johnsen, Ole Bergersen; f, Ole Bergsland. Church, 
1911, $4,000. Schoolhouse 1, 1870. Schoolhouse 2. 1891. S. Folkestad 
(2713-690). 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1857 to 
1879 was part of Trempealeau Valley.) Blair. Norwegian Synod, 1879-89. 
Organized 1879 (1857). Divided 1889 on doctrinal grounds (Blair — Am; 
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod Ns). 496 souls in 1886, 496 in 
1889. Pastors : H. A. Stub, 1857-60 ; P. L. Larson, 1860-61 ; J. B. Frich, 
1861-66; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69; E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73; 
A. L. Lobben, 1875-78 ; B. Hovde, 1878-93 ; S. S. Urberg, 1893. Officials : a, 
Stener Hansen; b, C. A. Berg; c, Gullik Olson; d, Ole Helgeson, Martin 
Hansen, Anders Wraalstad ; e, Mattis Mattison ; h. Matt. Skyrud. Pas- 
tor's salary, $167 (1879). "Kirketidende," 1877, 587. Church, 1877, $6,000 
(3388-691). 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod Congregation of Blair. 
(From 1857 to 1879 a part of Trempealeau Valley ; from 1879 to 1889 a 
part of The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Blair. Blair. 
Norwegian Synod, 1889 (1857). Organized 1889 (Nov. 3, 1879, 1857). 133 



826 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

souls in 1889, 350 in 1914. Pastors : B. Hovde, 1879-93 ; S. S. Urberg, 1893. 
Officials in 1915: a, Ole Malmin; b, Glaus 0. Mitskogen; c, C. O. Grinde; d, 
Emil Hanson, S. G. Ness, A. M. Mesundstad ; e, Ole Malmin, Otto J. Berg, 
Peder 0. Urlien. Church 1, 1877, $6,000. Church 2, 1895, $2,000. Church 
3, 1899, $12,000. Parsonage 1, 1866. Parsonage 2, 1903, $5,000. Cemetery, 
two acres, $200. Land six and one-half acres, $500. Ladies' Aid Society, 
1895, $2,000. Pastor's salary, $333 (1914). "Konstitution," 1876 ; "Kirke- 
tidende," 1877, 587; 1895, 631; 1900, 617; 1903, 1053. S. S. Urberg (1330- 
692). 

Blair Congregation. (Corness. From 1857 to 1870 a part of Trem- 
pealeau Valley.) Blair. Conference, 1870-90. Organized 1870. Dissolved 
1890 in order to organize a new congregation together with the Antimissou- 
rians of Blair. 141 souls in 1876, 183 in 1887. Pastors: A. Weenaas, 1870- 
73 ; E. H. Midtbo, 1873-81 ; N. Heierman, 1881-84 ; O. H. Stenson, 1884-88. 
Church (3391-693). 

Blair Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1857 to 
1879 a part of Trempealeau Valley ; from 1879 to 1889 a part of The Nor- 
wegian Evangelical Lutheran in Blair.) Blair. Antimissouri, 1889-90. 
Organized 1889. Dissolved 1890 in order to organize a new congregation 
together with Blair of the Conference (Blair — Fk). Pastor: 0. Waldeland, 
1890 (3389-694). 

The Norwegian Evangelical Congregation of Blair. (Merger of Blair 
of the Antimissourians, 1889-90, and Blair of the Conference, 1870-90.) 
Blair. United Church, 1890. Organized 1890 (Jan. 15, 1881). 678 souls 
in 1891, 811 in 1914. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1890-94; 0. Gulbrandson, 
1894-1914; A. J. Boe, 1914. Officials in 1915: a, Peter Overby; b, Edwin 
T. Mattison; c, Peter T. Herreid; e, Ebert Everson, John Pederson, A. 0. 
Dahle. Ladies' Aid Society. Young Peoples' League. Choir. Pastor's 
salary, $375 (1914). "Konstitution," 1881. Church 1, 1877, $6,000. 
Church 2, 1907, $19,000. Parsonage 1, Parsonage 2, 1915, $4,200. Ceme- 
tery, three acres. Land, one acre. A. J. Boe (3390-695). 

Trempealeau River Congregation. Arcadia (?). Norwegian Synod, 
1872 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1872 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). 70 souls in 
1873. Pastor: L. O. Sherven, 1873 (?) 74 (?) (3395-696). 

Independence Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Inde- 
pendence. Indepedent (Ns, Am), 1879-90; United Church, 1890. Organ- 
ized 1879. 80 souls in 1879, 150 in 1914. Pastors: H. A. Hyer, 1879-84; 
A. E. Hauge, 1884-98; H. J. Rasmussen, 1899-1913; A. J. Orke, 1913. 
Officials in 1879 : b, Nathan Anderson ; c, 0. P. Larson ; d, J. A. Johnson, Ole 
Rodningen; e, John C. Leafland, 0. P. Larson, Nathan Anderson. In 1915: 
b, G. B. Anderson ; c, C. Torgerson ; e. Otto K. Lindberg, Christian Stuve, 
James Elstad. Church, 1883, $5,200. Cemetery, two acres, $600. Ladies' 
Aid Society, 1885, $1,600. Pastor's salary, $75 (1879), $180 (1914), $5,260 
(1879-1914). Janitor, etc., $7,500. "Konstitution," 1879. A. J. Orke 
(1267-697). 

Eleva Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Eleva. United Church, 
1893. Organized Feb. 27, 1893. 13 souls in 1893, 314 in 1915. Pastors: 
J. C. Helsem, 1893-1905; John Erikson, 1905-11; A. O. Langehough, 1911. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 827 

Officials in 1893: b, Knute Jenson; c, Tom Olson; d, Martin Olson, Alick 
Toppen ; e, John Volan, A. C. Hollanger, Ole Halvorson ; f , S. H. Anderson. 
In 1915: b, N. I. Gilbert; c, Henry Void; d, Andrew Hagen, A. Finreite, 
Anders Isakson; e, Andrew Gilberg, Knute Steffenson, Magnus Moen; f, 
S. H. Anderson; h, Magnus Moen. Church, 1897, $3,500. Parsonage, 1908, 
$2,500. Cemetery, two acres, $150. Land, one acre. Two Ladies Aid Socie- 
ties, 1893, $4,722 (1896-1916). Young Peoples' League, 1912, $320. Pas- 
tor's salary, $100 (1893), $300 (1914), $4,000 (1893-1914). Janitor, etc., 
$1,025 (1893-14). Denominational schools, $300 (1906-15). Missions, 
$572(1907-15). "Konstitution," 1893. A. 0. Langehough (970-699). 

Chimney Rock Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Chim- 
ney Rock. Norwegian Synod, 1869-88. Antimissouri, 1888-90; United 
Church, 1890. Organized 1869 (1874). 60 souls in 1874, 424 in 1914. Pas- 
tors: L. 0. Sherven, 1874-76; F. A. MoUer, 1876-78; E. Christopherson, 
1878-79; H. A. Hyer, 1879-84; 0. 0. Daehlen, 1884-88; Olaf Guldseth. 
1888-92; M. C. Holseth, 1892-1906; M. C. Stenson, 1906-11; A. 0. Lange- 
hough, 1911. Officials in 1874: b, H. 0. Haagensen; v, Peder Pedersen; d, 
Lars L. Instenes, Ch. Cotholfsen; e, C. 0. Wenberget, T. 0. Holstad, Ch. 
Botholfsen; e, C. 0. Instenes. In 1915. b, Julius M. Lek; c, Ole Paulsen; 

d, Lars L. Instenes, Johan Spangberg ; e, Carsten Paulsen, Adolph Hendrig- 
sen, C. K. Risberg; f, Lars Instenes. Church 1, 1877, $1,200; church 2. 
1908, $8,600. Ladies' Aid Society, 1879, $2,485. Young Peoples' League, 
1907, $1,300. Pastor's salary, $140 (1874), $.300 (1914), $5,400 (1874- 
1914). Janitor, etc., $800. Parochial school, $2,000. Denominational 
schools, $1,400. Missions, $1,100. Charitable institutions, $600. A. 0. 
Langehough (632-698). 

East Bennet Valley Congregation. Eleva (seven miles south). Inde- 
pendent (Ns, Fk), 1890-1909; United Church, 1909. Organized 1890. 120 
souls in 1890, 254 in 1914. Pastors: F. A. MoUer, 1890-1901; M. C. Hol- 
seth, 1901-03; H. C. Wik, 1903. Officials in 1890: b, Johan Langseth; c. 
Halvor Svensen; e, Knut Stevens, Anfin Gray; f, Hans Olsen. In 1915: 
b, Hans Lengseth ; c, G. A. Gundersen ; d, Mons Hefte, Johannes Langseth ; 

e, Andreas Klevgaard, Sylf est Rene, Johannes Langseth ; f , John Hansen. 
Church 1, 1901, $400. Church 2, 1910, $4,000. Cemetery, two acres, $120. 
Ladies' Aid Society, 1890, $1,900. Young Peoples' League, 1910, $300. 
Choir. Pastor's salary, $125 (1914), $1,270 (1901-14). Janitor, etc., $800 
(1890-1914). Denominational schools, $250 (1901-14). Missions, $150. 
H. C. Wik. (586-700). 

East Bennet Valley Congregation. Eleva (seven miles south). Nor- 
wegian Synod, 1901-05 (?). Organized 1890. Dissolved 1905 (?). 120 
souls in 1890, 30 in 1905. Pastor: F. A. Moller, 1890-1905 (3401-701). 

Travis Valley. Independence (two miles). Conference 1875 (?)-84 
(?). Organized 1875 (?). Dissolved (?) 1884 (?). 55 souls in 1877, 82 
in 1884. Pastors: E. H. Midtbo, 1875-77; 0. C. Schonhovd, 1877-79 (4105- 
702). 

Gale College Preaching-place. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1911. 
Started 1901. Leader: L. M. Gimmeatad, 1901 (4119-703). 

The reference letters in the article are as follows: (a) president, (b) 



828 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

secretary, (c) treasurer, (d) deacon, (e) trustees, (f) "klokker," (g) 
teacher, (h) Sunday school superintendent. 

The history of several of these churches is given in greater detail in 
the following articles. In the preparation of this work letters have been 
sent to all the pastors of the county, asking for material, but only a part 
have responded. The histories which follow are, however, to a large extent 
typical of the growth and progress of all the Norwegian churches. 

1 — French Creek, Tamarack, Hardie's Creek Fagernes and South 
Branch Beaver Creek Congregations, by Rev. C. B. Bestul. 

The French Creek Congregation. One of the oldest Lutheran congre- 
gations in Trempealeau County is the French Creek Congregation, located 
in the fertile French Creek Valley in the Towti of Ettrick and comprising 
also Abrahams Coulee in the Town of Gale. Pioneers from the eastern part 
of Norway moved in as early as 1859. Three years later there were at 
least ten families. These early settlers had to travel by ox-team or on foot 
to Trempealeau Valley when they desired to attend religious worship. 
Seven of these early settlers organized the French Creek Congregation in 
March, 1862. These seven were: Ole Gloppestuen Gilbertson, Johannes 
Hodgen (still living), his brother Andreas Anderson Hodgen, Johannes 
Nilson Odegoord, Johannes Christensen Engehen, Peder Anderson, Peder 
Olson. The congregation was organized by the Rev. Dr. Lauritz Larson, 
then residing pastor and president of Luther College, started in Half Way 
Creek, La Crosse County, and moved to Decorah, Iowa, in 186-3. As people 
moved in family after family joined the church. Its growth was rapid. At 
present the congi'egation comprises 140 families of 339 communicant 
members. 

At first the preaching was conducted in the simple log huts of the set- 
tlers, later in a spacious schoolhouse built near the I. P. Enghagen home. 
This schoolhouse served as the meeting house of the congregation for six- 
teen years. A tract of land was bought for cemetery in 1869. A church 
building 60 by 34 feet, with a seating capacity of 400, was erected in 1878, 
which cost when completed $4,000. So rapid was the growth of the settle- 
ment and congi-egation that it was decided to rebuild in 1903. The 
present building was completed two years later at a cost of $8,000, not 
counting the gratuitous work done by members. It was dedicated May 28, 
1905, by Prof. Dr. J. Ylvisaker of Luther Seminary, St. Paul. The con- 
gregation has four Ladies' Aid Societies, three Missionary Aid Societies 
and a Young Peoples' Society divided into three districts. The money raised 
is used for various purposes, a part is given to local church an,d not a little 
to charity. 

Tamarack Congregation. Another old settlement is the Tamarack 
settlement, comprising Norwaj- Coulee, Little Tamarack and Thompson 
Coulee in the Town of Arcadia, and Holcomb Coulee in the Town of Gale. 
The pioneers here came mostly from Telemarken. Norway. The earliest 
settler was Ole Guttormson. He moved in from Vernon County in 1862. 
Within a year the settlement had ten families. The first church service 
was held in 1862 in the home of John Hendrickson. The Rev. J. B. Frich 
from La Crosse County preached the sermon and organized the congrega- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 829 

tion, The Tamarack Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The 
congregation grew fast. The 10 families of 1863 was increased to 48 in 
1869 and to 61 in 1877. 

The settlers met with reverses, however. Poor crops and the ravages 
of the chinch bugs disheartened many. The growth of the settlement was 
not only checked, but original settlers sold out and left for points north in 
this state and Minnesota. Of the 61 families of 1877 probably 50 percent 
moved away. In Holcomb Coulee only a handful remained. The heavy 
emigration had its depressing effect also on church work. The congregation 
which promised to outnumber its sister congregation in French Creek 
gradually fell behind. Today the congregation numbers 56 families with 
108 communicant members. But what is lost in numbers is compensated 
for in quality. A vigorous and intelligent church activity has obtained. 
In 1864 a cemetery was bought. In 1877 a site for a church was purchased. 
A building was erected and so far completed that it could be used in May, 
1878. Though ample in size this building has about outgrown its useful- 
ness. Steps have been taken to replace the old building with a new. The 
young people have taken the initial step. The Ladies' Aid and individuals 
have been boosting the project so that the congregation has a promise of 
$5,000 for a new church. A Missionary Aid Society contributes annuallj' 
liberal donations for charity. The earliest settlers in Tamarack were : Ole 
Guttormsen, Tollef Egilsen, Sigurd Bjorguvsen, Bjorguv Bjorguvsen, John 
Gunderson, Knut Leinfson, Egil Mikkelserf, Trond Osovson, John Hanson, 
John Henricksen, Henrik Oleson, Hans C. Olesen. 

Hardie's Creek Congregation. Still another communitj' of Norwegian- 
Americans that has shown a vigorous and praiseworthy church activity is 
the Hardie's Creek settlement, located mainly in the Town of Gale. Early 
Settlers moved in prior to 1862, mainly from Biri, Norway. They were a 
Godfearing people. The nearest congregation was in Lewis Valley. There 
was a Black River to cross. In the winter the going was good. But when 
spring and summer came it was different. The river was too deep to ford, 
too swift of current to swim and no boats to row. But there was plenty 
of material for raft building. Two logs tied together was all that was 
needed to bring a man and his family across, and all who could footed it 
the rest of the way. Small children were carried the whole way. Finally 
the minister at Halfway was urged to come to this constantly growing settle- 
ment, and he came. His transportation means- were the same as those used 
by the apostles of old. His means of navigation were still more primitive, 
the log raft. The Rev. J. B. Frich organized the Hardie's Creek Congrega- 
tion in December, 1862. The following twelve families constitute the charter 
members: Christian Hoff. Gulbrand Ekei'n, Andreas Ekern, Amund Bjorn- 
stad, Peter Bjornstad, Martinus Scorseth, Ole Semb, J^ars Grythe, his two 
sons Martinus and Ole, Amund Krisselstuen, Mikkel Spedalen. Church 
services were held in the homes, also in the Glasgow schoolhouse. In 1876 
a building was erected, 40 by 24 feet, on land donated by Otto Rindahl. 
This building was in time added to and beautified. In time demands grew 
for a larger and better equipped church. Finally in 1915 the old church was 
taken down and in its place was built a handsome structure that cos; com- 



830 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

pleted $10,000, not reckoning the gratuitous work done by members. This 
church has a seating capacity of 300. The cornerstone to the new church 
was laid Oct. 3, 1915, and the church dedicated the same day by Rt. Rev. 
J. Nordby of La Crosse. The church will, as long as it stands, remain a 
fitting monument to the Christian faith and love of its builders. This com- 
munity has not appreciably suffered from emigration. The second and third 
generations who constitute the present membership of the Hardie's Creek 
Congregation have succeeded in building themselves homes within its 
boundaries, a circumstance that has contributed to the welfare of them- 
selves no less than to that of the parent congregation. The Ladies' Aid and 
the Young Peoples' Society has been very active and contributed gener- 
ously towards the strengthening of church work. 

Fagernes Congregation. The Fagernes congregation was at one time 
called Plumb Creek. Another early designation of this settlement was 
"Storskogen," Big Timber. The reason for this name is obvious. There 
was little or no timber on the surrounding hills, the virgin growth having 
been annually burned off by the Indians. For some reason parts of the 
town of Preston was spared from these destructive fires. When white men 
finally settled sections to the south of this wooded land they would refer 
to it as the Big Timber, where fuel and material for building the simple log 
huts were plentiful. These conditions do not obtain now, there being plenty 
of timber throughout the county north and south. The first settlers came 
to the Fagernes community between the years 1865-1871. It is believed 
that no church service has been held within this settlement prior to 1866. 
People were hungry for the Word of God in those days. The nearest meet- 
ing place was in Trempealeau Valley many miles away, a little too far to 
travel forth and back in one day by ox-team or on foot. Torsten Nerhagen 
was appointed to visit the residing pastor in Trempealeau Valley and make, 
if possible, a more satisfactory arrangement. The outcome was that Rev. 
0. Waldeland agreed to come. The first service was held at the home of 
Even Hanson Sveum in 1866. Finally a congregation was organized after 
a church service held in the home of Lars Stokke in the fall of 1867. The 
growth of the settlement must have been quite rapid. In 1866 the whole 
settlement could come to its first meeting in a little log hut. The whole 
assembly consisted of Levor Olson, Hans Sedal, George Reisel, Ole Fagernes, 
Andreas Larsen and Lars Stokke and their families. When the congrega- 
tion was organized a year later this little band was increased to eighteen 
and in 1874 to thirty-nine. Prior to 1874 the congi-egation had no church 
building, but owned a cemetery lot, donated by Ole and Christian Fagernes 
and Torsten Nerhagen. Shortly after that a small church was built at a 
cost of $540. This building was taken down and replaced by a new one in 
1892 at a cost of $2,700. This building was struck by lightning Aug. 26. 
1901, and burned to the ground within one hour. The 4th of September of 
the same year it was decided to rebuild. So fast did the work progress 
that the building could be used during the winter. It gave slight protection 
against the cold, it is true. One was strongly reminded of what is told 
about the non-heated churches of Siberia: The temperature outside is 
measured by the number of coats worn by the preacher in the pulpit. The 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 831 

janitor did his best to heat the Fagernes church during the winter of 
1901-02, but the heat escaped too freely by way of nuhierous knot-holes 
and cracks in the board wall. The building was completed before May 17 
the following year. On this day it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. H. Hal- 
verson of Westby, Wis. Its length is 60 feet, width 30 feet. Its total cost 
$4,000, besides gratuitous work. The congregation now consists of fifty 
families of 166 communicant members. Its members live in the Towns of 
Preston and Arcadia. 

South Branch Beaver Creek Congregation. This congregation con- 
sists of two distinct settlements separated by a narrow German settle- 
ment. The lower district comprises about 26 families, who originally came 
from Biri, Faaberg or Ringsaker, Norway. The upper district lies in 
Jackson County and comprises about 40 families, the first settlers coming 
fi'om Solor, Norway, and some from Sweden. Prior to 1867 these com- 
munities were united with the congregation of North Branch congrega- 
tion organized in 1859. This was a great disadvantage. Their pastor. 
Rev. Waldeland, residing at Trempealeau Valley, was in time induced to 
hold services also in South Branch. In 1867 a separate congregation was 
organized in this valley. Its official name became South Branch Beaver 
Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The families belonging 
to this congregation from the beginning and residing in Trempealeau 
County, Town of Ettrick, were: Ole Christensen, Gulbrand Nilson, Even 
Swenson, Mathias Swenson, Peder Larson, Christian Syljeberget, Lars 
Osley, Peder Bratstiengen, Ole Brendhangen and Sven Bergum. Some of 
the oldest settlers in the upper district in towns of North Bend and Melrose 
were: Hans Hanson, Nils Johnson, Ole Olson, Bernt Olson, Ole Karlstad, 
P. Smedsturn, Erik Paulson, Ole Lindberg, Peder and Lars Amundsen. Not 
until 1885 was a church built on a site that commands a full view down the 
valley. Its cost was $2,000, fully equipped. The congregation has 66 fami- 
lies, 233 communicant members. 

This brief sketch of the religious activity within the five congrega- 
tions constituting the so-called French Creek charge would be incomplete 
without appending an account of the establishing of this charge and adding 
a few words about its beneficiaries. 

The early immigrants from Norway came to the United States with 
good traditions. Honor, frugality and enlightenment were some of their 
characteristics. They were a religious people, whose spiritual sentiments 
are expressed in these lines so often sung: 

"God's Word is our great heritage, 

And shall be ours forever ; 
To spread its light from age to age 

Shall be our chief endeavor ; 
Through life it guides our way, 
In death it is our stay; 
Lord grant, while worlds endure, 
We keep its teachings pure. 

Throughout all generations." 



832 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

So soon as a settlement was formed a congregation was organized and 
a pastor was called. The pioneer pastors were a highly educated class of 
men, being largely graduates from the University of Christiania before 
entering upon their theological studies. They were eminently qualified to 
bring true culture and high ideals into the communities in which they 
labored. They were men with a will to work and a readiness to share the 
privations of pioneer hfe. The field was extensive. Each pastor had 
charge of twenty and more settlements throughout many counties. It 
meant incessant travel over primitive roads by oxen, horses and very often 
on foot. As the number of pastors increased and the congregations were 
able to support a minister the field was divided. There are circuits now 
served by fifteen to twenty pastors — circuits that for years were served 
by one. 

Thus it was in Trempealeau County. Up to 1866 there was no residing 
pastor in the county. Rev. H. A. Stub organized the first Lutheran con- 
gregation, serving the people of this county in 1857. This was the Trem- 
pealeau Valley Congregation, over the line in Jackson County. He resided 
in Vernon County. He had eighty-five miles to travel. Another congre- 
gation was organized by him within the county, namely, North Branch 
Beaver Creek, in 1859. He is said to have preached in the newly started 
French Creek settlement before 1861. Rev. Stub had a number of congre- 
gations in La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, Monroe and other counties. In 
1861 this vast field was divided. A pastor, Lauritz Larson, was stationed 
in Halfway, La Crosse County. He had charge of all congregations north 
of La Crosse. When Prof. Dr. Larson moved to Iowa in 1862 Rev. J. B. 
Frich took charge of the field. Finally a pastor was stationed in Trem- 
pealeau County. Rev. Ole Waldeland came to Trempealeau Valley in 1866. 
He took charge of all congregations north of the Black River except Hardie's 
Creek, which was served by Rev. Frich until 1869. In the month of July 
of this year a new division was made. French Creek, Tamarack, Fagernes, 
South Branch of Beaver Creek and Hardie's Creek were united to form 
the so-called French Creek charge, and Rev. S. Svennungsen was called. 
He came to French Creek in September, 1869. The following spring 40 
acres of land was bought for a parsonage. In 1874 Rev. Svennungsen was 
called to Winona, Minn. The next pastor was Rev. L. Sherven. He entered 
upon his work July 12 and remained until in the fall of 1880, when he 
accepted a call fi'om South Dakota. In 1875 a new house was built for the 
minister. Rev. G. A. Lunde succeeded Shevren. He came in October, 1880, 
and remained until 1890, when he was called to Nebraska. A call was now 
extended to Rev. O. A. Myhre, who came May 1 of this year. During his 
incumbency the old manse was sold and a more modern building erected. 
In the spring of 1900 Rev. Myhre got leave of absence and went to Norway. 
In his absence Rev. G. I. Breivik had temporary charge of the work. In the 
fall Rev. Myhre resigned and when Breivik left in December the charge 
was vacant until March the following year. Rev. C. B. Bestul was called 
and entered upon his work March 10, 1901. He is still the resident pastor. 

Finally a few words about the religious work done for the young. The 
Lutheran church has always maintained that parochial schools were a 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 833 

necessity. Neglect of the child spells the gradual disintegration of the 
church. The Master knew whereof He spoke when He delivered this man- 
date: "Feed My lambs," and again: "Teach them to observe all things 
whatsoever I have commanded you." In compliance with this demand the 
Lutheran church endeavors to supply the religious training of her children 
through trained teachers besides the pastor. Inestimable good has been 
accomplished by supplementing the secular training received in the com- 
mon school with the systematic, intelligent religious training of the paro- 
chial school. A number of capable men and women have taught in the 
church schools of the various congregations of the French Creek charge. 
Ole J. Engru taught in French Creek and Tamarack 1869 to 1891 with the 
exception of three or four years ; H. G. Saebo, 1891 to 1897 ; A. Oksnee, 1887 
to the present time. In Fagernes 0. T. Arneson taught for many years. 
In Hardie's Creek the first teachers were Ole Skundberg, Lars Orevig, J. E. 
Hovelsrud. In South Branch the first teachers were Christian Syljeberget 
and Mr. Ringstad. In Hardie's Creek and South Branch both the following 
teachers have taught: J. 0. Saeter, J. M. Systad, A. Modal, M. Rund, 
John Ellertsen, Ida Myrstuen, Hilda Anderson, Helen Olson. These names 
deserve a place in history. They are the names of men and women who 
have striven and succeeded to make successive generations good citizens of 
both church and state. 

2 — Whitehall and Pigeon Creek Congregations, by Rev. Einar B. 
Christophersen. 

Whitehall Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 14, 1870. 
Services were held in the homes of the different members and in the school- 
house at Whitehall until the Baptist church was bought in old Whitehall 
in 1874. In 1892 a new church edifice was built in Whitehall on a lot adjoin- 
ing the court house. Oct. 22, 1893, the church was dedicated by H. A. Preus, 
president of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America. The following 
ministers assisted : B. Hovde, I. Waage, T. L. Brevig, Th. Nilson, H. Rosen- 
quist, F. A. Moller, A. Heyer and the local pastor, Em. Christophersen. 

The charter members of the congregation were Hans Bringrosen, Lars 
Skjonsby, Peder Kristianson and Kristian Pederson. The records of the 
congregation do not show who preached the first sermon nor when the con- 
gregation was organized, but very likely it was Rev. E. Jenson from Trem- 
pealeau Valley who helped organize the congregation, and the congregation 
was undoubtedly organized in the home of one of the charter members. 
From 1871 to 1902 the congregation has been affiliated with the Pigeon 
Falls charge. Rev. L. O. Sherven serving from 1871 to 1876, Rev. Em. 
Christophersen 1876 to 1902. In 1902 it organized a separate charge and 
called Rev. 0. K. Ramberg as resident minister. A modern and beautiful 
building was erected on Dewey street to serve as parsonage. In 1912 Rev. 
O. K. Ramberg accepted a call to West Prairie, Wis. Since then the con- 
gregation has been served temporarily by Rev. E. B. Christophersen. In 
1913 a basement with heating plant costing about $2,000 was installed in 
the church. The first baptism performed in the congregation was June 
14, 1870, when Nels, a son of Lars and Ingeborg Skjonsby, and Martin, a 
son of Peder and Maren Kristianson, were baptized. 



834 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

The first wedding recorded was the one of Ole Jacobson and Helene 
Olson, May 19, 1871. The first funeral recorded was May 3, 1874. for one 
Olive Olsdatter, aged 30. 

The Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of 
Pigeon Falls was organized Aug. 18, 1866, by Rev. 0. Waldeland of Trem- 
pealeau Valley. He had been requested by the few early Norwegian 
Lutheran settlers residing in the vicinity of the present Pigeon Falls to 
come and preach for them. He complied with the request. Services were 
usually held in the homes and on week days. The minister could not 
preach for them on Sundays, because his call was so large that he could 
not reach around to them all on Sundays. His call comprised at that time 
a tei-ritory extending from Black River Falls to Galesville. Among the 
early settlers who organized the congregation were : Peder Pederson, Kris- 
tian Kaas, Erick and Lars Larson, Ole Iverson Hofstad, Anton Ekern and 
Anders Kristianson. Services were usually held in Peder Pederson's and 
Erick Larson's homes and in the schoolhouse. In 1867 seven services were 
held. In 1868 eight services were held. 

Rev. 0. Waldeland and his call were affiliated with the Norwegian Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Synod of America. Therefore when the time camq m 
1870 to call a resident minister for Pigeon Creek and affiliated charges in 
its vicinity, it was decided to put the matter of calling a minister in the 
hands of the church council of the Norwegian Synod. Rev. L. Sherven 
was called. He accepted the call and preached his introductory sermon 
Sept. 26, 1871. Up to this time the congregation had been served by the 
pastors of Trempealeau VaUey. 0. Waldeland, E. Jenson. Svennungson 
from French Creek and John Frich from Halfway Creek also preached a 
few times. At the time Rev. L. Sherven was called the field comprised 
Pigeon Creek, Chimney Rock, Bennet Valley, Thompson Valley, Strum, 
South Beef River and Whitehall congregations. Whitehall congregation 
had been organized June 14, 1870. Rev. L. Sherven served these congre- 
gations and did considerable mission work outside of them until 1876. The 
president of the Norwegian Synod, H. A. Preus was then asked to secure 
a minister. There being a scarcity of Norwegian Lutheran ministers in 
the country. Bishop Heuch of Norway had been requested by President H. A. 
Preus to endeavor to induce young ministers from Norway to go to America 
and serve Norwegian Lutheran congregations there. As a result of these 
transactions Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was called. His field was to be 
Pigeon Creek, Whitehall, South Beef River, Elk Creek and Upper Pigeon 
Creek congregations. Upper Pigeon Creek, Jackson County, having been 
formed of a part of Pigeon Creek congregation May 31, 1876, he was intro- 
duced to the Pigeon Creek congregation by Rev. L. Sherven. From that 
time until his death, March 23. 1909, he served continually as pastor of 
this congregation and the other congregations affiliated with it. A piece 
of land, about 23 acres, had been bought about one-half mile noi'th of 
Pigeon Falls, which was to belong to the parsonage. Here a parsonage 
20 by 20 feet was first built late in the fall of 1876. This was later on added 
to in 1887 very extensively. In 1912 a completely new parsonage was built. 

In 1883 the Elk Creek congregation and Strum and other congi-ega- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 835 

tions formed a separate call. In 1902 the Whitehall congregation also 
formed a new call and Rev. 0. K. Ramberg was called as resident pastor. 
From 1909 to 1910 the Pigeon Creek call was served temporarily by 0. K. 
Ramberg. In 1910 Rev. Einar Bjorn Christophersen was called as pastor 
to these congregations. On June 10, 1910, he was ordained a minister in 
the Pigeon Creek Church by Rt. Rev. J. Nordby. 

The present church edifice, which is the original one, was commenced 
in 1871, but not completed and dedicated until several years later. In 1906 
a substantial Young Peoples' Society hall was erected on property belong- 
ing to and adjoining the church. In this hall regular meetings are held 
by the Young Peoples' Society of the congregation, also by the Ladies' Aid, 
and the business meetings of the congregation are held in it. 

The first child baptized in the congregation was Oline, daughter of 
Anders and Randine Kristianson, Sept. 18, 1866. Since that time 1,002 
children have been baptized. 

The first to be married were Anton Hendrickson and Johanne Louise 
Anderson. They were married April 21, 1868. Two hundred and eighteen 
couples have been married in the congregation since. 

The first to be buried in the church cemetery were Agnette Larson, 33 
years old, and an infant, Gustav Anderson, Nov. 14, 1867. Three hundred 
and three have been buried since. The records of the congregation also 
show that 1,026 services have been held up to Sept. 1, 1917. Sept. 17, 1916, 
the congregation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. A great number of 
people took part in the celebration. Rt. Rev. J. Nordby delivered the anni- 
versary sermon. Rev. L. Shurer preached to an overflow meeting in the 
United Lutheran church. The following ministers took part in the cele- 
bration: J. Nordby, E. Jenson, L. Shuren, S. S. Urberg, A. J. Orke, C. B. 
Bestul and E. B. Christophersen. 

In 1885 doctrinal differences which had caused dissension and separa- 
tion in the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America also brought about a 
rupture in the membership of the congregation. A great number severed 
their connections with the original congregation, and as a result of this a 
new congregation, later on known as the United Lutheran Church congrega- 
tion was formed, called thus because it affiliated with the general Lutheran 
body organized in 1891, the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. 

Negotiations looking toward the amalgamation of the two church 
bodies, the Noi'wegian Lutheran Synod of America and the United Norwe- 
gian Lutheran Church of America, and also the Hauges Synod have been 
carried on for several years. The fruit of these negotiations was the gi-eat 
union meeting in St. Paul, Minn., where, June 9, 1917, these three bodies 
were merged into the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Locally 
the two congregations continue as two separate organizations, but the future 
will undoubtedly see them united in one congregation. 



CHAPTER XIX 

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 
(By Rev. Joseph L. Hauck) 

The mind may travel with hghtning speed from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific, from the frozen planes of the North to the sunny plantations of the 
South ; and grasp with keen perception all that this great country symbolizes 
and displays. The intellect may study the principles upon which our laws 
and institutions are founded, and understand the liberty, justice and equal 
rights they guarantee. The heart may love America with a love not only 
warm and ardent, but self-sacrificing and heroic ; and we may well glow with 
righteous pride for our industrial and agricultural achievements. But in 
addition to all this, should not the share Catholics have had in the discovery, 
exploration, and development of America be lifted from obscurity into the 
light of reverent knowledge, and into the forum of due recognition ? There 
are many histories of the United States, each bearing its message of patriot- 
ism. Yet seldom the text of any of these mentions the efforts of the church 
in America. However, her work has become so teUing and pronounced 
_that it is now nigh impossible to obliterate, or pass over it unnoticed. 

Why should the facts be concealed that the men who first touched the 
borders of America — Columbus and Ericson; that the discoverer of the 
Great Lakes — Champlain; that the men who first traversed the broad 
Mississippi Valley and its fertile western plains — Father Hennepin, Du 
Luth, Joliet, Father Marquette and La Salle — were Catholics ! What harm 
could there be in this knowledge? No one will deny the truth, that our 
virgin soil was hallowed by the blood of Catholic missionaries, that the 
Catholic statesmen whose voices rang in the council halls of the land were 
eloquent and efficient, that the Catholic soldiers who bled on its battlefields 
were fearless and patriotic, and that the Sisters of Charity who served as 
army nurses were ministering angels. Let, then, history pay them the 
tribute of recognition they so well deserve. 

Our country is justly proud of the liberty it offers to all its children. 
Though these are diversified in faith and race peculiarities, it places them all 
on equal footing. In recognition of such treatment its children are most 
grateful and are ever ready by heroic deeds, in peace as well as in war, to 
demonstrate their loyalty. Strong common interests unite the citizens, yet 
the strongest bond of unity is inculcated by the church. From the teach- 
ings of the church the moral and religious aspect of patriotism is received. 
Hence we find Catholics loving their country — America — not only because 
its fields are fair and fertile and its mighty hills with bounty stored ; but 
because its gorgeous beauty and countless wealth are the lavish gift of our 
tender, provident Father. We see Catholics loving their rulers and bowing 

836 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 837 

to their laws not only because these are wise, calm, just and true, but 
because they believe that they hold authority to rule from the Almighty 
Father. Loyalty to them, they beUeve, means loyalty to God. Respect 
for them is, they believe, respect for God. Catholics love America's insti- 
tutions not only because they guarantee peace, justice, liberty, and equal 
rights to all, but because they believe the principles upon which these are 
founded are the fundamental laws of God. Where such spirit and faith are 
dominating forces, true and permanent union and unswerving loyalty 
must spring forth. 

It is proper that the history of Trempealeau County should offer its 
readers an exposition of the efforts, struggles, and results of the Catholics 
of the county. It is, however, not the scope of this article to give an exposi- 
tion of the teaching and moral practices of the Catholic church ; books cover- 
ing these subjects are ample and within reach of everyone. Nor is it the 
object to extol the spiritual life of the Cathohcs or to define their standard 
of catholicity, or to compare it with the religious spirit of their fellow- 
citizens of a different faith. To what standard their moral lives have 
climbed the angel of God has recorded in the book of hfe to be brought on 
judgment day to hght and unto everlasting remembrance. It shall be 
merely the object of this article to show what, in a material way, by organ- 
izing parishes and building churches and schools, Catholics have accom- 
plished. 

The early Catholic settlers were immigrants. Trempealeau County's 
fertile fields and salubrious air invited them from Germany, Austria, Ireland, 
Poland, and other European countries in search of new homes. The free 
institutions of this Republic seconded nature's invitation. Modern inven- 
tions narrowed sea and oceans ; and so, during the last half of the nineteenth 
century hundreds of Catholics poured into this district. They were well 
fitted for the work of rehgion amid a new people in a new age. They were 
sons and daughters of races who had suffered martyrdom for their faith ; 
they were inured for every trial and trained to be unbending before the most 
violent storms. Such names as Nic and Casper Meiers, Peter Meyers, 
Frank Zeller, Carl Zeller, Jerome O'Brien, Christ Haines, John B. Haines, 
Paul Liberia, Albert Bautch, Lawrence Bautch, Peter Sura, Con Wiever, 
Anton Sabotta, and Antoine Grignon should be mentioned as among the 
earliest Catholic settlers and as being instrumental in having many others 
follow them to Trempealeau County. 

The Catholics are located mostly in the southern and western parts of 
the county, in the towns of Dodge, Arcadia, Burnside, Gale and Trempealeau. 
They number about 5,000, or one-fifth of the population of the county. 
They are aflfiliated to eight parishes which are hereafter mentioned and 
described in their chronological order. The first settlers, with few excep- 
tions, are now laid to rest, but their work is with us yet. 

Noble pioneers ! Who will tell, as it should be told, the story of your 
labors and sacrifices ? Poor were you in earthly goods ; willing hearts and 
strong arms were, in most cases, your sole possession ; toil and hardship, 
verily the scriptural hewing of wood and the drawing of water were your lot. 
Only through your savings from slender wages or small incomes were you 



S38 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

able to build churches and schools and support your pastors. Oh ! may we 
who are heirs to the rich fruitage of your faith and charity, be ever mindful 
of our debt of reverence and gratitude ! 

Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' Parish, 
Pine Creek, Wisconsin. 

Hedged in on all sides by high hills, which like guarding sentinels are 
ever on their post, on an inviting spot below, stands Sacred Heart and St. 
Wenzeslaus church, wrapped in quiet repose. To enter this delightful spot, 
the traveler mounts with difficulty the steep and rocky hill which lies be- 
tween it and the Dodge Station. As he steps over the crest of that mount, 
at the base of the opposite hills, he beholds the village of Pine Creek, con- 
sisting of the Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' church property, one or 
two business houses and a few dwellings. The view before him 
is a picture of beauty and fascination. Beckoning, it seems to speak: 
"This is the final barrier, cross it and I am yours." It was during the 
winters of 1862 and 1863 that the first settlers arrived at Pine Creek. They 
were mostly Bohemians. On Feb. 7, 1864, they organized the parish and 
called it St. Wenzeslaus', in honor of the Duke and patron of Bohemia. 
Having received as a donation from Paul Liberia a site of ten acres, they 
erected on it a little church, a wooden structure. For many years thi;^ 
little church heard the prayers and witnessed the devotions of the early 
settlers. Their number began to increase rapidly and soon the little struc- 
ture could no longer accommodate them. In 1875, under the direction of 
Rev. A. Singoski, the present church 44x12.5 was erected at a cost of $18,000. 
It is claimed that this church, at that time, was one of the most handsome 
edifices in Wisconsin. While the tendency of late has been to build large, 
lofty and costly structures the church in Pine Creek by no means is obliged 
to take a back seat among them. It was recently frescoed and newly 
furnished and in its new appearance must be classed today as a church of 
the first rank. 

Soon after the organization, the number of Polish families became more 
and more prevalent while that of the Bohemian families remained sta- 
tionary. At present the parish numbers 170 families ; of these only ten are 
Bohemian and three German. For that reason was prefixed to the old title 
of St. Wenzeslaus' that of the Sacred Heart. At times the parish sustained 
heavy losses by fire, thus in 1882 their parsonage was destroyed. The 
present beautiful parsonage was erected in 1906 at a cost of $7,000. It is 
the fourth parsonage the parish has erected. 

In 1891 the schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $3,000. The school 
attendance at that time was less than fifty pupils. In 1909 an addition was 
erected which made room for three further class rooms. The attendance 
now is 200 pupils. With the exception of two short intervals the Sisters of 
St. Francis have always taught the school. The school is well graded and 
maintains a high standard of efficiency. 

On Nov. 16, 1912, the parish celebrated with great solemnity the fiftieth 
anniversary of its foundation. It is claimed that Sacred Heart and St. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 839 

Wenzeslaus' Parish is the third oldest Polish parish in the United States, 
the oldest being in Texas, and the second oldest in Palonia, Wis. The total 
value of the Pine Creek church property amounts to $60,000. 

The following societies have been established and are enjoying a large 
membership, namely: For men, the Sacred Heart Society, St. Joseph's 
Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters ; for boys, St. Stanislaus' Soci- 
ety ; for women. Holy Rosary and Lady Foresters ; for girls, the Children of 
May Sodality ; for school children, the Union of the Infant Jesus. 

The hst of pastors and time of their pastorate is as follows: Until 
1866 neighboring priests attended to the spiritual wants of the early set- 
tlers; Rev. Florintine Zadzioski, 1866-68 (He was the first resident pastor) ; 
Rev. Weglikowski, 1868-71; Rev. T. Musiclewiez, 1871-73; Rev. C. Brat- 
kiewiez, 1873-74; Rev. A. Singoski, 1874-78 (he erected the present church) ; 
Rev. D. Mayer, 1878-84 ; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1884-87 ; Rev. Roman Guzow- 
ski, 1887-89; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1889-90 (this was his second appoint- 
ment) ; Rev. Roman Guzowski, 1890-95 (this was also his second appoint- 
ment) ; Rev. T. Lugowski, 1895-1898 ; Rev. A. W. Gara, 1898-1901 (he was 
brother to the present pastor) ; Rev. J. M. Koresyk, 1901-1904 ; Rev. J. W. 
Gara, 1904. 

Rev. J. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born March 3, 1875, at Jawis- 
jowice, Poland. He attended the following schools: Jawisjowice at his 
birthplace, normal school at Biala, Poland, classical school at Wadowice. In 
1893 he came to America, and at once went to the Polish Seminary at 
Detroit, Mich. In 1894 he entered St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee, 
where he was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 6, 1898. Before coming to 
Pine Creek he was stationed at Rosellville and Junction City, Wis. He has 
made many substantial improvements to the church property at Pine Creek, 
and put the parish on a good financial basis. He is a hard worker and 
enjoys the confidence of his people. The warm spot in their hearts he has 
weH merited by his kind and self-sacrificing labors and clean life ! 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish 
Arcadia 

Running down the vista of time for almost two generations, we find 
amid the twilight of the early settlements the nucleus of "Our Lady of Per- 
petual Help" congregation in 1858-1863. In the year 1858 Nic and Casper 
Meiers came to Arcadia from Roxberry, Wis. Within a few weeks Frank 
and Carl Zeller followed. The trip from Roxberry to Arcadia was made with 
oxen. The land they bought from the Government. Within the next year 

Peter Meyers, Remlinger, John Bill, and Mike Rohn came to Arcadia 

from the State of New York. These settlers were a part of the "Bishop 
Settlement." They went to church in Glencoe, where a little log church 
stood near what is now the Martin Reible Farm. There was no bridge 
across the Trempealeau River and it was difiicult and at times impossible 
to cross the water. Besides the log church being too small to accommodate 
them all the Catholic settlers east of the Trempealeau River obtained per- 
mission from Most Rev. Henni, of Milwaukee, to organize a parish in 



840 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Meyer's Valley. At that time the pioneer priest, Rev. Joerger, residing at 
Fountain City, Wis., occasionally forded the Trempealeau River, down near 
the John and Con Gleason homestead, to administer to the spiritual wants 
of the early settlers scattered south of the present village of Arcadia. A 
church building was an unknown luxury in those days in Trempealeau 
County. Priests, carrying the necessary paraphernalia on their shoulders, 
were compelled to use the home of some good and willing member of their 
scattered flock. Nic Meiers, of sturdy Teutonic blood, gladly offered his 
homestead in this locality. Thus the august sacrifice of mass was offered 
up in his humble home from 1864-1867. This house is still standing as a 
landmark out in Meyer's Valley, owned now by Ed. Haines and family. 

In 1867 an apology of a church, seen for many years on Meyer's 
Valley Cemetery, was built under the direction of the Rev. Florentine 
Zadzioski of Pine Creek. The lumber was hauled with oxen from Merrillan, 
the timber cut from the neighboring forests and sized by hand. Besides 
this some members donated as high as $100 — certainly a larger sum in 
those days than $1,000 today. The names of Peter Meyers, of the brothers 
Nicolaus and Casper Meiers, of Frank Zeller and Jerome O'Brien will ever 
live in memory of that undertaking. From 1867-1884 this humble little 
church witnessed the prayers and devotions sent to heaven by the pious 
and thrifty settlers. It never had a resident pastor, but was attended to 
from neighboring parishes. As in all new places, the changes of pastors 
were frequent. It was served as follows : Rev. L. Lay from Waumandee, 
1870-1876; Rev. P. Schmidt from Glencoe, 1876-1880. (This reverend 
gentleman left this community for that part of the vineyard of the Lord 
known as St. Paul diocese, and being a personal friend of Dr. G. N. Hiders- 
hide visited here quite frequently. We were all sorry to hear that he died 
in the spring of 1917) ; Rev. Flamming from Glencoe, 1880-1881 ; Rev. J. 
Bauer, at present pastor at Prescott, 1881-1882; Rev. W. Hackner from 
Fountain City and Rev. L. Lay from ^aumandee attended from 1882-1883 
at intervals ; Rev. B. Klein, who died at Racine 1916, resided at Glencoe and 
had charge of Meyer's Valley as mission from 1883-1885. 

In the meantime the village of Arcadia had sprung up on the marsh 
of the Trempealeau River and developed into the metropolis of Trem- 
pealeau County. Naturally Catholics of the village could not be expected 
to walk to Meyer's Valley, a distance of one and a half miles. The farmers, 
having outgrown the primitive condition of early settlers, were all well 
supplied with vehicles. The congregation, too, overtaxed the capacity of 
the little country church. Hence the conclusion was imminent that a new 
church must be erected and this in the village. Here ensued a most stub- 
born contest, threatening to disrupt the small flock. The farmers held 
tenaciously to their rustic idea, that every second farm should have a 
church at its door, and the villagers defended the theory that a church 
should be in the village ; that the farmers could drive to church just as well 
as to market. Had the farmers then foreseen that within thirty years 
every one would drive to church and market per automobile, as they do 
today, they would not have been so obstinate. The good sense and judg- 
ment of the villagers finally prevailed, and certainly the community is 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 843 

much to be congratulated thereon. The present site in the village was 
picked and the old site turned into a cemetery, now called Meyer's Valley 
Cemetery, wherein lie the hallowed ashes of the past generation of Catholic 
settlers. It is a most enchanted spot, dotted with stately monuments, and 
graced with fragrant and beautiful evergreens and variegated flowers. 

After the decision to move the church location to the site in the 
village work was begun on the erection of a building. This structure now 
has been remodeled into a residence for the sisters. This church cost the 
parishioners $6,000. On the first of January, 1885, the first services were 
held therein by Rev. B. Klein. By successfully supervising this building 
Rev. B. Klein had established on a solid basis the future of "Our Lady of 
Perpetual Help" congregation, and must therefore be classed as the father 
of the present parish. Starting with this data the record shows the baptism 
of Emil Krumholz, the marriage of Mary Zeller to Charles Wasserburger 
and the burial of Anthony Zeller to be the first extraordinary function per- 
formed in the newly established parish. The parish having now a proper 
beginning, its growth was to be only a matter of time. Rev. J. H. Untraut 
pastorated from 1885 to 1893. Having received charge of the parish he 
at once realized that Arcadia had overtaken Glencoe, and that the future 
of the church must be in the former place, so that instead of Glencoe being 
the parish and Arcadia the mission, Arcadia should be the parish and 
Glencoe the mission. In virtue of this he, June 9, 1888, established his 
residence at Arcadia. The minutes of the parish of July 31, 1888, show 
that the parish was incorporated and that John B. Haines and Nic Meiers , 
were chosen as first trustees according to the acts of incorporation. On 
Dec. 8, 1890, it was decided that the old title of the parish, which was that 
of the Meyer's Valley Church, namely, "St. Peter and Paul," should be 
changed to the title "Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This change was made 
because Rev. Untraut had procured from Rome a copy of the miraculous 
picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This picture has now been placed 
in a splendid shrine in the new church, and on account of its symbolic 
meaning and artistic beauty is highly treasured. Rev. Untraut established, 
in September of 1889, a good parochial school, bringing all kinds of sacrifices 
both in time and money ; in fact he paid a part of the teachers' salary from 
his own penurious income. He is now pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Eau 
Claire, Wis. Rev. A. Birsner was pastor from 1894 to 1896. During his 
pastorate a new school house was built at a cost of $2,800. It is much to 
be regretted that his health failed and he was compelled to resign. He is 
now pastor at St. Henry's Church, Highland, Wis. 'On July 5, 1896, he was 
succeeded by Rev. J. B. Hauck, who remained until Aug. 4, 1907. 

Even in the early nineties it began to be realized that the parish would 
outgrow the dimensions of the church building, and remarks, caUing for 
an addition, began to be heard. In August, 1899, the pastor called a meet- 
ing to consider either an addition or a new church building. Here the 
motion for a new church prevailed with an overwhelming majority. The 
building business was shelved, however, for an entire year on account of 
the ill health of the pastor. The year 1901 was spent in making building 
preparations. On March 10, 1902, the contract was awarded for the present 



842 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 

church, and on May 3, 1903, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James 
Schwebach, D. D., Bishop of La Crosse. The files of the Arcadia papers 
of that week carry a detailed description of the solemnity. There were 
about ten pi'iests present and a large gathering of people filled the church. 
It was estimated that there were 2,000 people present. 

On Aug. 4, 1907, Rev. J. B. Hauck was transferred to Menomonie (at 
present he is pastor of St. Mary's, Wausau, Wis.), and was succeeded by 
his brother. Rev. Joseph L. Hauck from Neillsville. The latter, during his 
pastorate, liquidated the remaining indebtedness on the new church, and 
in the summer of 1909 erected, at a cost of $8,000, the beautiful parsonage. 
In 1912 he had the interior of the church frescoed, bought a new pipe organ 
and a new scagliola high altar, which were a further improvement of 
$7,000. The parish has not had a cent of debt for the last six years. Dur- 
ing the coming year 1918 a new school house and auditorium will be erected 
at an estimated cost of $30,000. A fund of $10,000 has already been col- 
lected and all the plans and specifications are on hand. 

To this historical sketch may well be added a brief description of the 
property. 

The site is a most beautiful one. The grounds comprise two and one- 
half acres and were procured from the early pioneer, James Gaveney. 
It is located three blocks south from the principal business center of the 
village, hence sufficiently removed from the distractions and annoyance 
of busy city life, yet near enough to avoid isolation. The grounds are about 
ten feet higher than the level of the street and surrounding lots, this giving 
it a prominence of sight and a splendid frontage. The sides of the elevation 
are terraced and neatly sloped to the level of the street and the plain of the 
hill is laid out in cement walks, in an extensive lawn and beautiful shade 
trees. 

The church is a structure of stone and brick. The style of architecture 
is modern Romanesque. The floor plan represents a Roman cross and has 
a seating capacity of 800. The facade is flanked by two massive towers, 
the one seventy-five and the other one hundred and thirty feet high. Enter- 
ing the church one is impressed by the mildness of its light, by the fresh- 
ness of its woodwork, by the magnificence of its vaulted ceiling, the beauty 
and boldness of its triumphal arch and the richness of its frescoing. The 
cost of the church was $25,000. Anton Dohman of Milwaukee was the 
architect, and Henry Roetiger of Fountain City was the contractor. The 
congregation at present numbers 150 families. The English language is 
used throughout in sermons and instructions. 

The school is under the able tutorship of the school sisters of Notre 
Dame, and the services of these worthy ladies is certainly much esteemed. 
The school is well graded throughout, consisting of the full eight grades. 
There are besides the regular curriculum, courses in singing, music, needle- 
work and domestic science. For manual training the boys go to the public 
school, which is nearby. The school is frequented by 180 pupils, divided 
into four rooms. Soon, however, two more teachers will be added. The 
proposed school building will be modern and up-to-date in every way, special 
attention has been given to ventilation, heat, light and fire protection. The 




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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 843 

halls and class rooms will be spacious and arranged with individual ward- 
robes and lockers. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 600 and 
the stage will be large enough so that all the pupils can appear at one and 
the same time. 

The parsonage is a beautiful two-story brick building. The interior 
is well arranged into twelve rooms, vestibule, halls and wardrobes. The 
finish throughout is oak and maple, and the walls are stained to match the 
woodwork. < 

The sisters' home is the old church, which was remodeled into a resi- 
dence. While not fancy or showy, the apartments are commodious and 
cheery. The total value of the parish property is estimated at $70,000. 

To the parish are affihated strong societies, such as the Knights of 
Columbus, with a membership of 140; the Catholic Order of Foresters, 
with a membership of 85 ; the Catholic Order of Women Foresters, with a 
membership of 45; St. Anne's Society of women, with a membership of 
90; the Young Ladies' Sodality, with a membership of 75, and the Holy 
Name Society, with a membership of 245. In the parish have grown up 
two priests and fourteen sisters. 

Rev. J. L. Hauck, the present pastor, was born at Cresco, Iowa, in 
1877. After completing the primary school at St. Lucas, at the age of 
fourteen he began his classical course at St. Lawrence College, at Mt. 
Calvary, Wis. Completing this course, he entered the philosophical course 
at Dubuque College, graduating in 1898. Thence he went to St. Francis 
into the theological course and was ordained to the priesthood June 16, 
1901. He was assistant at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Superior, Wis., for 
one year, and in 1902 took charge of St. Mary's Parish, Neillsville, Wis. 
On Aug. 4, 1907, he was transferred to Arcadia. He has made many friends 
and commands the respect of both Catholics and Protestants. Many a 
civic celebration he enhanced by his eloquent and interesting speeches. He 
is an enterprising and public-spirited man. (Note. — This brief biography 
is inserted in Father Hauck's article by the editors. Deference to his mod- 
esty prevents the editors from dwelling more fully on his many activities, 
and upon the great influence which his devoted work and sterling worth 
are having upon the life of the community. This article on the church in 
Trempealeau County is in itself a striking encomium to his scholarship and 
ability.— F. C-W.) 

St. Bridget's Parish, 
Ettrick, Wisconsin. 

The early Catholic settlers in the southeastern part of the county 
were few and widely scattered. Some lived in the town of Ettrick, some 
in the town of Gale and some in the town of Trempealeau. Being widely 
scattered, they never formed strong centers, such as we find in the towns 
of Arcadia, Dodge and Burnside. Having no parochial schools, prospective 
Catholic famiUes who might otherwise have located there hesitated to 
do so. Hence the growth of the church in these three townships was not 
very rapid. Up to this day none of their parishes has sufficient means 
and a membership large enough to support a resident pastor without the 



844 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

assistance of some outside mission. None of them conduct a parochial 
school. For thirty-five years the priests residing at Ettrick had Gales- 
ville, Trempealeau and Roaring Creek as missions. Considering the dis- 
tances from one church to another and the condition of the roads, one can 
easily imagine the hardships endured by the priests in administering to 
their scattered flock. More than one priest imperiled his life. At present 
the condition has been somewhat improved by the fact that Trempealeau 
has a resident pastor with Galesville as a mission, and that the pastor of 
St. Bridget's Parish is only obliged to attend to the mission at Roaring 
Creek. The early settlers in the sixties had no church, but mass was 
offered occasionally in the homes of some of the Catholics by pioneer 
priests from St. Mary's Church, La Crosse, Wis. Among these is espe- 
cially remembered Rev. M. Marcoe. St. Bridget's Parish was organized 
by Rev. C. A. Gerst in 1869 and the first church was erected at a cost of 
$2,000 in 1870. On account of hardships connected with the work at St. 
Bridget's and its remote missions the good spirits of the pastors were put 
to such a test, and their health so greatly impaired, that many had to 
request their bishop for a change after serving but a short time. Thus 
St. Bridget's was blest with frequent changes of pastors. The list of pas- 
tors is as follows: Rev. C. A. Gerst, 1869-1870; Rev. Herman Kamph- 
schroer, 1870-71; Rev. Martin Connolly, 1871-72; Rev. Twohy, 1872-73; 
Rev. Chas. Gunkel, 1873-75; Rev. N. Flammang, 1875-77; Rev. N. White, 
1877-80; Rev. J. B. Conroy, 1880-82; Rev. J. H. Neubrand, S. J., 1882-83; 
Rev. J. Harrier, 1883-84; Rev. J. J. Briene, 1884-89; Rev. Aug. Biersner, 
1889-92; Rev. Daniel McElhaney, 1892-95; Rev. Tehse Bryne, 1896-99; 
Rev. M. P. O'Connor, 1899-1905 ; Rev. M. A. Keegan, 1905-06 ; Rev. B. A. 
Enis, 1906-07; Rev. Jos. Colling, January, 1907- April, 1907; Rev. J. F. 
McGinnity, 1907-08; Rev. M. Morris, 1908-1911; Rev. J. J. Garden, May, 
1911-November, 1911; Rev. Jos. Buschelmann, 1911-14; Rev. Peter Briody, 
1914-17 ; Rev. Henry Engelhardt, 0. M. L, since March, 1917. Among these 
special mention must be given to Rev. White and Rev. Felix Bryne, who 
greatly improved and renovated the dilapidated condition into which, 
through age, the property had sunk. In 1904 Rev. M. Mark O'Connor built 
a church at Galesville, and, for a time, it was thought that the future of 
the church in this section of the county would be in Galesville. Hence 
three pastors who followed Rev. O'Connor established their residence at 
Galesville and St. Bridget's became a mission. This, however, did not 
please the people of Ettrick. Greatly chagrined they took a determined 
stand against such a move. In time it did prove to the ecclesiastical 
authorities that the move to Galesville was impracticable, and in 1907 the 
residence of the pastor was re-established at Ettrick. This served to reunite 
the people of St. Bridget's and filled them with new hope and courage. 
Since then, under the administration of Rev. Briody, they erected a beau- 
tiful new church at a cost of $9,000. This church was completed in June, 
1917. Unfortunately Rev. Briody did not see the full completion of the 
new church. On Feb. 5, 1917, he was found dead in his home. On the 
previous day, which was bitter cold, he attended a sick call twenty miles in 
the country through large snowdrifts. This overtaxing of himself is sup- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 845 

posed to have been directly responsible for his death. By boarding up the 
windows it was possible to conduct his funeral from the new church. His 
remains rest in the cemetery to the left of the church. 

St. Bridget's now counts 75 families or 220 souls. Now that they have 
an inviting church and are united the parish will see a period of great pros- 
perity and healthy growth. 

The present pastor, Rev. Henry Engelhardt, is a native of Germany. 
He was born on Oct. 5, 1886, and ordained on July 9, 1911. He belongs to 
the congregation of Oblate Missionaries and spent five years as missionary 
in India. At the outbreak of the war he was interned by the English, for 
no cause other than that he was a German in an English colony. "Being 
confined for two years in a detention camp, he was released upon the con- 
dition that he would leave English soil. Coming to the United States, he 
was appointed pastor of St. Bridget's Church. He is a man of great experi- 
ences, well versed in many languages, of energetic and courageous disposi- 
tion, yet kind and winning in his ways. He has made many friends in a 
short time and already done much for St. Bridget's Parish. 

St. Michael's Parish, 
North Creek, Wisconsin. 

Five miles northeast of the village of Arcadia, and about 100 yards 
from the highway leading into North Creek Valley, on a seven-acre tract 
is located St. Michael's Parish. In the spring of 1875 the parish was 
organized. Prior to that date the Pohsh settlers attended church at 
Glencoe and Meyer's Valley. The land for a church site they bought from 
Anton Sabotta. Some names of the organizers are: Albert Bautch, 
Laurence Bautch, Peter Sura, Anton Sabotta and Con Wiever. The first 
church was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Most Rev. Heiss, archbishop of 
Milwaukee. The lumber for the church was hauled from Arcadia, and in 
doing so Mr. Sabotta lost his life, being thrown from his wagon into the 
Kamla Mill pond. Considering the means of the early settlers and the 
condition of the times their first church, which still stands and is used, 
was a credit to its members. 

For a time St. Michael's was a mission, attended by the pastors of 
Pine Creek. Rev. H. Klimecki was pastor from 1876-82. Rev. D. Meyer 
1882-85. During the next thirty-two years more than thirty diff'erent 
priests had charge of the pastorate. Among them might be mentioned 
Rev. Tomaszewski, 1885-86; Rev. Guzoski, 1886-87; Rev. Dutkiewicz 
1887-90 ; Rev. A. Kroll, 1890-92 ; Rev. Frydrychowycz, 1893-96 ; Rev. Siwiek, 
1896-99 ; Rev. Rayski and the present pastor. Rev. Micisc. 

In 1910 the parish had about 120 families, a good school and was in 
flourishing condition. But then came a crisis which greatly lessened the 
membership. After the destruction of their school house by fire in the 
spring of 1909 very many members were opposed to the erection of a 
school in North Creek, and in favor of changing the location of the church 
to the village of Arcadia. The families living in the valleys south and 
west of the church claimed that they had just as near, if not nearer, on 



846 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the highway to Arcadia as to North Creek, and knowing the advantages 
of a church pi*operty in a village to retired farmers they were determined 
to have their plan carried out. The families in the immediate vicinity of 
St. Michael's opposed such a move. This led to a division of the parish. 
Some sixty farmers left St. Michael's and started the new St. Stanislaus 
Parish in Arcadia. Being greatly weakened in members the remnant did 
not abandon the future of St. Michael's, bringing great sacrifices, they sus- 
tained the parish. They erected a new school house in 1910, and have 
made since then great improvements on the church. The present church 
is the first one that was erected, but from time to time, as demands 
required, additions were made. In its renovated dress it makes a pleasing 
appearance. 

The present pastor was boi'n in Galicia in 1861. He was ordained in 
Leonberg, Galicia, in 1884. He spent much of his pastoral life in attending 
to city parishes, but finds it more congenial to his declining years in a 
rural district. He has done much good work at North Creek and is well- 
liked by his people. 

St. Peter's and St. Paul's Parish, 
Independence, Wisconsin. 

The most valuable church property in this section of Wisconsin is to 
be found one-fourth mile north of the village of Independence, and is that 
of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Congregation. In the beginning of the last 
half of the nineteenth century quite a number of Catholic families had 
arrived from Poland and formed two neighboring settlements, just as 
they, in the old country, had come out of two neighboring villages. One 
settlement was made in the territory that surrounds what is now known 
as North Creek, the other in the territory that is now known as the district 
surrounding Independence (at that time there was no village of Indepen- 
dence and no train service) . One of the very first thoughts of a Catholic 
settler is, "what about church facilities?" and therefore these settlers at 
once organized themselves into two parishes. For the site of St. Peter's 
and St. Paul's parish a ten-acre tract had been donated by Geo. H. Mark- 
ham. This was in the year 1875. Rev. Klimecki, then pastor of Pine 
Creek, administered to their spiritual wants and also assisted them in 
the building of the first church. At the same time Rev. Klimecki had 
charge of the erection of the church of St. Michael's at North Creek. The 
church at North Creek was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Rt. Rev. M. Heiss, 
and on the following day, October 7, St. Peter's and Paul's Church was 
dedicated. Rev. Klimecki had told the members of these two settlements 
that as soon as a parsonage would be erected in either of these localities a 
resident pastor would be appointed. In the following year on March 8, 
1876, Rev. Klimecki himself moved from Pine Creek to North Creek, that 
settlement being the first to erect a parsonage, and consequently St. Peter's 
and St. Paul's Parish became a mission attached to North Creek. This 
arrangement continued until March 19, 1883, when St. Peter's and St. 
Paul's had erected their own parsonage and Rev. A. Warnagiris became 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 847 

the first i-esident pastor. Rev. Warnagiris was followed in 1885 by Rev. 
Tomaszewski, under whose supervision the first brick school house was 
erected at a cost of $3,000. This building was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Flash, 
September, 1886. In March, 1888, Rev. Tomaszewski was succeeded by 
Rev. R. L. Guzowski. In 1889 the parsonage, which was occupied as a 
priest house until 1915, was erected. After an interregnum of eight months, 
during which A. A. Kroll of North Creek looked after the spiritual affairs 
of the parish. Rev. Babinski took charge of the administration on Sept. 
2, 1890. During his pastorate a new beautiful church, 56 by 131 feet, at a 
cost of $25,000, was erected. The building was begun in 1895 and com- 
pleted in 1896, being dedicated on October 3 by Rt. Rev. J. Schwebach. 
Rev. Babinski remained until 1901, when he was transferred and under- 
took the work of establishing a new Polish parish in Superior, Wis. This 
reverend pastor, who will long be remembered for his affability, zeal and 
efficiency, died some five years ago. His remains are buried in St. Mary's 
Cemetery, Winona, Minn., according to his special request. In September, 
1901, Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, took charge of the parish. 
Under his wise administration the following buildings were erected and 
extensive improvements made: In 1903 a new school house at a cost of 
$11,000. In 1908 a large addition to the church at a cost of $18,000. This 
addition makes St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church the largest in the diocese 
of La Crosse, and gives it a seating capacity of 1,200. In the same year 
the interior of the church was beautifully frescoed at a cost of $2,200. 
Many improvements were made on the exterior of the buildings and on 
other parts of the grounds. In 1915 the new palatial residence was erected 
at a cost of $15,000. The erection of a new parsonage became all the more 
necessary and imperative since, on account of the large amount of work 
due to the size of the parish, room had to be made for an assistant to the 
pastor. April 7, 1917, Rev. James Bercezinski assumed his duties as 
assistant. 

The parish today numbers 425 families or 2,100 souls. The increase 
in membership has been most phenomenal, evidently due to two factors, 
namely : the large number of immigrants and the large size of their families. 
While there has been within the last ten years no further immigration, 
still the parish continues to flourish and increase, which must be explained 
as due to the large number of children in each family. The Polish people 
have as yet not begun to practice race suicide. If the immigrants of other 
nationalities had followed their example we would not find them dying out, 
and we could add one-third to the population of the United States. 

The school is attended by 225 children. This does not, however, repre- 
sent the total number of children. If all the children could be enrolled 
the number would be between six and seven hundred. On account of dis- 
tances many children are obliged to attend the nearby public schools. 
These come to the parochial school at a later period, but then not longer 
than for two years. The school is in charge of one lay teacher, who also 
is the parish organist, and four sisters. The sisters' motherhouse is at 
Stevens Point, Wis., they are designated as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph. 
The societies of the parish are SS. Peter and Paul, Holy Cross, Holy Rosary, 



848 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

St. Augustine and the Children of Mary. All these societies enjoy a large 
and active membership. 

The site of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church is very beautifully located 
on a slight elevation overlooking to the south and west the village and lake 
of Elk Creek, and to the north and east rich and fertile farming districts. 
On the parish grounds are situated not only the church building, but a 
portion is set aside and laid out for cemetery purposes, and the rest is 
converted into a shady park. The church can be seen from a distance, and 
its heaven-ward towering steeple and massive dimensions make an impres- 
sive appearance. The structure is gothic in style. The interior, with its 
vaulted ceiling, rich frescoing and beautiful altars and statutes, makes a 
dignified and pleasing impression. It must certainly be an edifying and 
inspiring scene to see this large edifice on any Sunday morn filled to its 
capacity with people in silent reverence kneeling before their God or with 
blended voices chanting His praises. The people of St. Peter's and St. Paul's 
Parish must be congratulated upon the sacrifices they have made for their 
parish. These sacrifices speak volumes for their faith and generosity, as 
well as for their diligence and thrift. 

Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born in the year 1860 in 
Yawiszowica, Galicia, Austria, where he received his early training. He 
continued his studies at the College Zywice, and the College Wadowice. 
Philosophy and theology he studied at Rome. In 1885 he came to America 
and on June 24, 1886, was ordained at St. Francis' Seminary, St. Francis, 
Wis. For two months he was assistant at Marshfield. Then he became 
pastor of the parish at Paniatowski, Wis. On July 1, 1898, he became 
pastor at Pine Creek, where he made great improvements on the church 
property. Rev. A. W. Gara is a man of great zeal and energy and of much 
ability, of minute exactness and a strong and firm character. His work 
at St. Peter's and St. Paul's alone will ever make him known as a "builder" 
and successful pastor. 

St. Mary's Parish, 
Galesville, Wisconsin. 

The Catholics of the village of Galesville for many years had no serv- 
ices, being obliged to go either to Ettrick or Trempealeau for spiritual 
ministration. From 1890 to 1904 mass was oflfered occasionally by the 
pastor from Ettrick in the Czepull hall. In 1904 Rev. O'Connor, pastor 
from Ettrick, superintended the erection of a beautiful church at a cost 
of $5,000. The site was donated by Capt. A. A. Arnold and is located on 
the east side of Galesville. Rev. Keegan, Rev. Enis and Rev. Colling, dur- 
ing their pastorate of two years, resided at Galesville and attended to 
Ettrick and Trempealeau. The parish of Galesville not owning a priest 
house and not showing any sign of being financially fit to erect one in the 
near future, the ecclesiastical authorities became cognizant of the imprac- 
ticability of maintaining a residence at Galesville, and the coming of Rev. 
McGinnity re-established the pastor's residence at Ettrick. When Rev. 
Buschelmann established his residence at Trempealeau, Galesville became 
a mission of the former place. Galesville now has 44 Catholic families. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 849 

A Court of C. 0. F., to which also members of St. Bartholomew's and of St. 
Bridget's belong, is maintained. The parishes of St. Bartholomew, St. 
Bridget and St. Mary are rather small in number, but they are located in 
the heart of a great and rich agricultural district, and no doubt undei 
prudent, vigilant and consistent supervision will spring up like mush- 
rooms, but unlike mushrooms become strong and firm and a source of pride 
to the community, contributors to moral uplift and powerful factors in 
expelling the miasma of irrehgion and bigotry. Bigotry, we find, thrives 
in localities but sparsely settled by Catholics, because it is there possible 
to misrepresent the church and the lives of her children. 

St. Bartholomew's Parish, 
Trempealeau, Wisconsin. 

On the east bank of the Mississippi, the father of waters, and at the 
foot of the historic Trempealeau mount, twelve blocks west from the busi- 
ness center of the village of Trempealeau, stands St. Bartholomew's Church. 

The early Catholic settlers in this section were few in number. In 
the sixties they received spiritual ministration from the pastors of St. 
Mary's Church, La Crosse. It is related that Rev. Marcoe came twice a 
year carrying the sacred vestments and other paraphernalia, and offered 
the sacrifice of the mass in the house of Antrim Grignon, where all the 
Catholics of the vicinity, having received information of the priest's com- 
ing, gathered. In 1872 fifteen families erected the present church at a 
cost of about $3,000, completing the same in 1873. The site was donated 
by the Grignon family. Since they were too few to support a resident 
priest, St. Bartholomew's Congregation was, until 1914, a mission, attended 
to from Ettrick. On Nov. 1, 1914, Rev. Joseph Buschelmann was trans- 
ferred from Ettrick to Trempealeau as first pastor thereof. The house of 
Mrs. Taylor was bought at a price of $1,400. It is located two blocks east 
of the church and was suitably furnished into a pastor's residence. When 
the church was erected there were but fifteen families, now there are 
fifty-one. On account of the smallness of the parish and its limited revenue 
St. Bartholomew's is not able to insure the pastor's support, hence Rev. 
Buschelmann was given Galesville as a mission, thus affording also assist- 
ance to the latter place. There now being good train service between 
Trempealeau and Galesville the ministration of both places no longer offers 
the hardships of former days, when the distance from Ettrick to Trem- 
pealeau or from Galesville to Trempealeau had to be made by vehicle over 
a poor stretch of road often in most unfavorable weather. The present 
arrangement of having a resident pastor in Trempealeau and one in Ettrick 
seems to have solved the difficulty which confronted the pioneer priests 
and which made work so arduous. St. Bartholomew's has an altar society 
of sixty active members. The parish made great progress since the arrival 
of Rev. Buschelmann, and just at present is enjoying a lively boom. More 
than ten prosperous families came from Iowa and settled in this locality 
and others are following. In view of these features the parish has a bright 
future before it. Rev. Buschelmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb. 



850 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

15, 1884. He finished his classical course of studies in the famous Canisius 
College of Buffalo, N. Y., conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. His seminary 
course he completed at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, N. Y., where 
he was ordained in 1911. His first charge was Ettrick, whence he attended 
to Trempealeau as a mission until in 1914, when he estabhshed his residence 
here. He is a young man of good ability, zealous, active, pubhc spirited and 
of a happy and jovial disposition. He has won the hearts of many, who 
believe that his future career will be bright and fruitful. 

St. Stanislaus' Parish, 
Arcadia, Wisconsin. 

The youngest of Catholic parishes in the county — the Benjamin of 
the family and the second Catholic parish in the village of Arcadia — is 
St. Stanislaus' Congregation. It was organized in the fall of 1910. Prior 
to this date the members belonged mostly to St. Michael's Church at North 
Creek. After fire had destroyed the school house of St. Michael's parish 
in the spring of 1910 about one-half the members favored changing the 
church locality from North Creek to Arcadia Village. Being opposed in 
this move by the other faction at North Creek they seceded and obtained 
permission to organize a separate Polish parish. Instrumental in this 
move and at the same time hard workers for the parish were John Soppa, 
Sr., Mike Sabotta, J. J. Korpal and Andrew Stachowski. The first two 
were also the first trustees. During the summer of 1910 a site was pro- 
cured from the Hon. John C. Gaveney for $700. This site is located on 
the hill one-half mile east from Main street. Plans were made for a church 
by J. G. Schneider. The end of this year saw the completion of the church 
building and on July 4, 1911, it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach, 
bishop of La Crosse. The church cost $18,000. At that time the parish 
did not have a resident priest, and in all their building operations and col- 
lections of funds they proceeded without the advice or assistance of any 
pastor. Yet the Rev. John Rayski, who was pastor of North Creek, attended 
to their spiritual wants and held services after the new church was com- 
pleted every second Sunday. In 1912 they erected the parsonage at a cost 
of $2,500, and Rev. Ignatius Orlig was appointed as first resident pastor. 
In 1914 they erected a school house at a cost of $8,000. This was dedicated 
Oct. 25, 1914. In September Rev. Orlig left and was followed by Rev. 
Francis Barszczak, the present pastor. In September 1915 the school was 
opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph from Stevens Point. 
The present enrollment is about 100 pupils. The present membership of 
the parish numbers about 500 souls or ninety families. The societies of 
the parish are as follows: The Rosary Society, St. Stanislaus' Society and 
the Pohsh Union. The total value of St. Stanislaus' Church is about $30,000. 
The parishioners have brought great sacrifices and showed intense interest 
in the progress of the same. Because they are so strongly united soon this 
will be numbered among the leading parishes of the county. 

The present pastor was born in Galicia, Austria. His early education 
he received in Przemysl, Austria, and his theological course he finished at 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 851 

St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wis., where he was ordained in February, 
1913. His first charge was at Stanley, Wis., whence he was transferred to 
Arcadia. He is a zealous and active man and of good and regular habits. 



The aggregate wealth of the Catholic church property of Trempealeau 
County is approximately $260,000. The work that the Catholics of Trem- 
pealeau County have done for the good of the cause they have espoused 
is not merely evident from the establishment of parishes and schools within 
the county, but the fact that many children of the past generation who have 
received their early training in faith and religion here have moved to the 
western states and have there helped to organize new parishes must not 
be overlooked. The writer is acquainted with five or six parishes whose 
membership consists mostly of former Trempealeau County folks. Also 
the fact that the Catholics of Trempealeau County have made great con- 
tributions to the upbuilding of La Crosse diocesan institutions, e. g., the 
orphan asylum, cathedral and seminary aid, must not be overlooked. At 
present the contributions to outside funds from the Catholics of Trem- 
pealeau County amount to over $2,000 annually. Lastly the number of 
young men who have embraced the priesthood, or who are preparing for 
the same, and the number of young ladies who have joined religious com- 
munities and who are engaged in school work speaks well for the religious 
spirit of our Catholics. There have come forth five priests, eight semi- 
narians and forty-six nuns. The Catholics of this county have also fur- 
nished in 1917 forty-four volunteers to the army and about twenty-five 
or thirty drafted men. A good proof that patriotic spirit runs true and high. 

The children of the noble, self-sacrificing pioneers constitute the pres- 
ent generation, like their forefathers they are physically strong and hardy ; 
socially, industrious, thrifty and neighborly; intellectually, well versed in 
the three Rs, and that not only in their mother tongue, but also in the 
language of the country; morally. God-fearing and law-abiding citizens. 



CHAPTER XX. 
OTHER CHURCHES. 

In addition to the Norwegian Lutheran churches in Trempealeau 
County there are five other Lutheran churches, four German and one 
Swedish. There are also in the county churches of the EvangeUcal Asso- 
ciation, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational and 
Protestant Episcopal faith. There is one independent church. 

An effort has been made to gather the histories of these churches, but 
in many instances the pastors have failed to furnish the desired information. 

German Evangelical Lutheran. 

There are five German Evangelical Lutheran congregations in Trem- 
pealeau, four of which have church edifices. Two are at Arcadia, St. John's 
and St. John's Christ. One is in Hale Township. One is in the Tamarack 
Valley. The congregation at Galesville worships in the Swedish Lutheran 
church. 

Swedish Lutheran. 

There is one Swedish Lutheran church in the county, located at Gales- 
ville. 

Evangelical Association. 

(By Albert Hess.) 

Arcadia Circuit of the Evangelical Association is composed of four 
local organizations located as follows: Independence, Tamarack, Cortland 
and Arcadia. This circuit has been supplied regularly with pastors since 
the early sixties, but the earhest records now in existence date back only 
to 1871, and even some of those since that date are incomplete. In speak- 
ing today with older settlers we are informed that the Rev. Israel Kuder 
was the first pastor who in pioneer days occasionally preached at these 
various settlements in connection with the Buffalo County settlements of 
Fountain City, Montana, Alma and Scotch Prairie, now known as Anchor- 
age. The earlier pastor. Rev. Jacob Seder, probably did not visit Trem- 
pealeau County. The pastors who were stationed here since 1878 follow 
in order. Sometimes the field was supplied with two pastors, an elder and 
a probationer. In this case usually both Trempealeau and Buffalo County 
congregations were served, with the elder living at Montana and the 
younger preacher at Arcadia. Arcadia being the central congregation, it 
follows that the parsonage is located here. The first parsonage was pur- 
chased about the year 1883. In the year 1909a modern parsonage was built 
on the same lot the old one had occupied. The present pastor is B. O. 

852 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 853 

Maschmann, who has served the congregation since May 1, 1914. The 
ministers on the Arcadia circuit wei-e as follows: R. F. Habermann, May 
1, 1878 to 1881; M. C. Werner, 1881 to May, 1885; H. Best, 1885 to 1886; 
H. Clement, 1886 to 1889; H. Brockhaus, 1889 to 1890; F. Ausmann and 
F. G. Hack, 1893 to 1895 ; F. Ausmann and W. Koten, 1895 to 1896 ; J. J. 
Stuempfig and W. J. Hillmann, 1896 to 1897 ; J. J. Stuempfig and H. P. Jor- 
don, 1897 to 1900. 

Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association. — The first church was 
a small edifice erected on River street in Arcadia about the year 1878, 
which was moved in 1883 to a site west of the Trempealeau River, on what 
is now designated as Main street in West Arcadia. A new church was 
erected in the year 1903 at the cost of $6,000, and a new parsonage, at a 
cost of $3,500, was built in the year 1909. Both church and parsonage are 
of modern design and are equipped with electric lighting and hot air heating 
system. The property valuation of the church is $6,500 and the parsonage 
$4,000. The auxiliary organizations of this church are a Sunday .school. 
Young People's Alliance, Junior Alliance and a Woman's Missionary and 
Aid Society. The trustees and officers of this congregation are: Julius 
Senty, president; Albert Hess, secretary; Jacob Hotz, treasurer; J. J, 
Schramm and J. P. Runkel, trustees. The present membership is 94. The 
original members of this congregation when first organized were: A. F. 
Hensel, John Durisch, H. Klug, P. A. Koenig, J. F. Koenig, Leonard Schneller 
and Jacob Hotz. 

Emanuel's Church of the Evangelical Association of the Arcadia Cir- 
cuit is located in section 15, range 9, township 20, and was formerly known 
as the "Home" church, and later named "Cortland." Early services were 
held in the homes of the old settlers at first. Li 1868 a church was built, 
the first members being A. F. Hensel, William Kiekhoefer, William Garbe, 
Martin Joos, August Garbe, Ludwig Hensel, Friederich Kiekhoefer and John 
Miller. The first record we have of the Emanuel's church is dated Novem- 
ber, 1871. The church was remodeled in 1910. Home and Cortland con- 
gregation has always been served by the pastors of the Arcadia circuit. 
The present officers of this congregation are: H. F. Ulbrech, president; 
Walter Kiekhoefer, secretary ; William Miller, treasurer ; William Rohleder 
and Frank Kiekhoefer, trustees. The present membership is 50 ; the prop- 
erty valuation, $2,200. This congregation has a Sunday school as an 
auxiliary organization. 

Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, known as the Tamarack 
church, is located in section 15, range 10, township 19, known as German 
Valley. Services were first held in the residences of the early settlers as 
far back as 1885. A church was erected in 1903. The early members were 
E. Bockenhauer, Charles Klein, Charles Wier, Gottlieb Schultz and William 
Yarchow. A Sunday school is conducted in connection. The property 
valuation is $600; membership, 11. 

Independence Congregation of the Evangelical Association was organ- 
ized about the same time as the Arcadia congregation. Services were held 
in the residences of the members until the year 1880, when a union church 
was built by the members in connection with the members of the Methodist 



854 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Episcopal congregation, both organizations using this edifice alternately 
to the present date. Among the first members of the Independence branch 
were John Sprecher, Emil Graul, Henry Schaefer, William Steiner, John 
Steiner, William Runkel, Jacob Klavadetcher and John Martins. This 
congregation also conducts a Sunday school and has a Junior Alliance. 
The present membership is 35. Officers: John Sprecher, president; Emil 
Graul, secretary; John Steiner, treasurer. 

Congregational. 

There are two Congregational churches in the county, one located at 
Osseo and one at Trempealeau. 

The First Congregational Church of Osseo. At the time of the first 
organized Christian efforts in Osseo, in 1868, at the time of this writing 
(1904) thirty-six years ago, Osseo was a village not incorporated and so 
small that one sti-anger in seeking the place drove to the principal hotel 
and inquired how far it was to Osseo. V. W. Campbell was the proprietor 
and carried the mail between Augusta and Osseo. There was no railroad 
communication in existence for Osseo at that time, nor for about twenty 
years after. In front of the present hotel on the south side of the business 
street was an open square, where the circus held forth, ball games were 
played and the Fourth of July sports were witnessed. The town hall was 
then the school house of one department. It occupied the site of the later 
school building and like the antiquated personage was pushed aside to give 
place to the more pretentious structure. In its belfry hung a cracked bell 
not so melodious as the one which now calls the urchin to his task, but 
serving the purpose for which it swung quite as well. There were no walks 
then in any section of Osseo. In the section west from the depot bridge 
there were no buildings. We can scarcely imagine what this section would 
be without the depot, elevators, lumber yard, the flat and the cottage near. 
In 1882 or 1883 the residences of Frank York, of Dr. E. A. Olson and Mrs. 
Julie Shores were built, also the beginning of the Central House, the large 
store building of Field Bros., which was burned in 1891, and the first portion 
of the school building. The population then numbered about 150. 

Such was Osseo when thirty-six years ago Samuel Thompson came 
here, took for a homestead the land later owned by Bert Wilson and built 
the house later burned. Through his efforts a Congregational congrega- 
tion was organized. Some preferred the Methodists, some the Presbyterian 
and still others the Friends or Quakers, but the Congregationalists were 
in the majority and effected their organization. After a very few years 
this pastor moved away, some members followed his example and some 
died, until none were left to carry on the work. At that time the Congre- 
gational Association was caring for a great territory in Northern and 
Central Wisconsin, for the most part as needy as Osseo, and was in con- 
sequence of this financially embarassed. These facts resulted in Osseo 
having no religious service for some time. Then the Methodists took up 
the work. We have been able to learn of but two pastors of that denomina- 
tion holding service here — a Rev. Massee and later Rev. Conway. This 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 855 

latter denomination was in quite the same circumstances that the first was, 
not having enough ministers to supply their needs, so Osseo was again left 
without spiritual guidance. 

It is now more than a quarter of a century since the Congregational 
Association of the Eau Claire district asked Rev. J. S. Norris, then pastor 
of the Mondovi church, to visit Osseo Village. On reaching our little town 
he says : "I was directed to the home of Samuel and Sarah Cox, as being 
the best Christians in the place." This good brother and sister implored 
Rev. Norris to visit them occasionally and to send them a pastor. Both 
he promised to do. Being acquainted with Rev. M. McPhail of Moline, 111., 
he believed, and rightly, that he was the man for the place. Accordingly 
through the influence of this good man the father of Christian work in 
Osseo came to our needy village. H was minister in every sense of the 
word. He could sing as well as speak the Master's message. He acted 
efficiently as church clerk or convention delegate. He not only superin- 
tended, but took the principal part in the building of the church and par- 
sonage, acting as cai'penter, mason and painter. He was sympathetic. Of 
him it might be said, "He rejoiced with those who did rejoice and wept 
with those who wept." Although at times the burden seemed great, yet 
he was untiring in his efforts to consummate the work God had given him. 

Rev. McPhail arrived in Osseo probably in the early part of 1878. On 
July 16, 1878, the committee appointed by the Chippewa Convention met 
at Osseo and formally organized a church consisting of the following mem- 
bers: Rev. M. McPhail, Samuel Cox, Sarah Cox, John Cox, Rhoda Cox, 
WiUiam Henry, Elizabeth Henry, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., Walter Newell, Sarah 
Shores, Storm Zhee, Maria Zhee, Horatio M. Tracey, Sarah Elsom, Thomas 
Love. Wm. K. Levis, Sr., Mary E. Levis, Joseph W. Jaquish, Geo. Colburn, 
Harriet Colburn and Mary Lovesee. All services were held at that time in 
the school house. A little melodian was the only instrument procurable. 
Mrs. F. N. Thomas was organist. Mrs. S. Field, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., and 
J. W. Jaquish were prominent in the choir. Zoe Shepard, Nettie Tracey, 
Emma Linderman, Lizzie Field, Bert Cox, Mr. Marson and wife. Curt Van 
Housen and Ed Olson were also helpers in this line. Rev. McPhail was the 
janitor, and often he and his son went into the woods near by to gather 
fuel, carrying it in their arms or on their shoulders to the school house. 
This was an added burden to both mind and body. In speaking of burdens 
we are reminded of the burdens borne by the dear wife who by the greatest 
economy made it possible for the family to exist on three hundred dollars 
a year. Had it not been for her sacrifices, her devotion, her unfaltering 
faith even Rev. McPhail could not have carried on this great work. Regular 
services were held in Tracey Valley and in South Valley. 

About March 1, 1879, work on the parsonage was begun. This work 
progressed but slowly, probably because financial matters were not easily 
adjusted, and most of the work being done by the pastor had of necessity 
to be interrupted by pastoral duties. May 1 of the same year the record 
tells of the donation of a communion set from the La Crosse church. The 
pastor's family reached Osseo Aug. 20, 1879, but even then the parsonage 
was not entirely finished, much of the minor work, as painting and plas- 



856 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

tering, being done afterward. May 12, 1879, a lot was bought of S. Field 
for $25, on which to erect a church. 

Nov. 21, 1879, a committee consisting of John Cox, Thomas Newman 
and Wm. Henry was appointed, which succeeded in raising the church 
indebtedness by subscription. Sept. 4, 1880, a church building committee 
was appointed consisting of five members, Rev. McPhail, Wm. Henry, 
F. N. Thomas, Horace Field and Elias Gay. About the same time Messrs. 
Gay, Hyslop, Henry and McPhail were appointed a committee to visit the 
Hixton church for the purpose of devising plans for the new church. The 
foundation wall had been laid in June previous to these arrangements. 
September 14 a bee was made to haul the lumber from Humbird. A great 
many in and around the village helped in this. 

On Sept. 30, 1880, the erection of a house of worship was commenced. 
Much of the work on the edifice was by Rev. McPhail and his son George. 
E. Hyslop was also prominent in the work. In fact nearly every one helped, 
contributing labor or talent unsparingly. 

The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1882, making their first 
financial efforts the donation of paint for the building. Much credit is due 
this society for their help in a financial way, not only paying a good por- 
tion of pastors' salaries, but repairing or refitting parsonage or church 
whenever or however necessity required. 

In April or. May, 1883, the church received $412 from the American 
Congregational Union to finish paying the church debt. This debt being 
removed, June 17, 1883, the finished house was dedicated. 

On Jan. 1. 1893, a bell, which was the gift of the King's Daughters, was 
dedicated. This was purchased by direct effort of this society at a cost of 
$225, the last of the amount being raised by circulating a subscription 
paper. Nearly ten years later in December, 1902, a window to the memory 
of the late Pastor McPhail was placed in the chui'ch. This was purchased 
and placed by a subscription under the direction of Mrs. Mary Fox at an 
entire cost of $72.75. 

The pastors of the church have been: Rev. McPhail, 1880-86; Rev. 
Pinkerton, 1887-88 ; Rev. Sparrow, 1889 ; Rev. W. M. Betts, 1890 ; Rev. W. C. 
Haire, 1891; Rev. D. H. Richie, 1892; Rev. G. H. Marsh, 1894; Rev. John 
DeCow, 1896; Rev. John Evans, 1897-98; Rev. John Evans, 1899; Rev. 
Luther Spears, 1901 ; Rev. Otto J. Scheibe, 1903-04. 

In the years which have passed since the above article was written 
in 1904 many changes have taken place. New streets have been opened, 
many beautiful new residences erected and improvements so numerous 
made in our little village that space will not permit the mention of all. One, 
aside from the church and its properties, should not be omitted, is the erec- 
tion of as fine a new school building as can be found in a long travel. There 
is established a four years' high school course, with excellent equipment 
for domestic science, manual training and gymnasium. Such a school would 
be a credit to a city many times the size of Osseo. The old school building 
has been purchased by the village to be fitted up for city hall, offices and 
library. The public library is also a recent addition to our progress. The 
Osseo Study Club, with a membership of sixteen ladies, established this, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 857 

paying one hundred dollars at its foundation. The village has taken it 
over and at present it contains 900 volumes. In 1916 over 4,000 volumes 
were taken for reading. At present — 1917 — the periodicals on the maga- 
zine table are Review of Reviews, Literary Digest, Musician, Popular 
Mechanics and Good Housekeeping. 

Our church has progressed most perceptibly since 1904. The pastors 
since that date have been : Rev. A. S. Newcomb, 1905-06 ; Rev. Morton, a 
supply for three months ; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1907-09 ; Rev. F. E. Hall, 
1911-12; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1912-14; Rev. Harry Milford, 1914 to the 
present. 

In 1908 the church was remodeled at an approximate cost of 81,500, 
making a greater seating capacity and providing a pastor's study, church 
parlors, kitchen and dining room. In 1916 the parsonage was sold and a 
new modern bungalow erected, a parsonage of which the church is justly 
proud. — (By Harriet Campbell Schultz.) 

The Congregational Church of Independence, not now in existence, 
was organized in June, 1879, at Taylor's Hall, under the direction of the 
Rev. J. H. Pollock, with twelve members. The congregation was long 
since dissolved. 

Presbyterian Churches. 

There are three Presbyterian churches in Trempealeau County, the 
Presbyterian Church of Whitehall, incorporated Feb. 14, 1893 ; the Pres- 
byterian Church of Pleasant Valley, incorporated May 20, 1893, and the 
Presbyterian Church of Galesville, incorporated Feb. 17, 1896. The Pres- 
byterian Church of Independence was incorporated Nov. 20, 1879, but is 
not now in existence. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Galesville was organized with 23 
members, Sept. 17, by D. C. Lyon and Henry Day, from the presbytery of 
Winnebago. The roll of officers and members was as follows : Price Mars 
and John McMillan, Jr. (elders), Franklin Gilbert (elder-elect), Mrs. Julia 
A. Gilbert, Mrs. Gertrude Gale, Mrs. Nancy Young, Mrs. Janet Mars, 
Robert Cance, Mrs. Christian Cance, Mrs. Mary Cance, Mrs. Martha Purves, 
WiUiam Dick, Mrs. Rosina Dick, Mrs. Jane Harris, George W. Stearns, 
Mrs. Maria Stearns, Mrs. Ann McMillan, Andrew Gatherer, Mrs. Sophia 
Gatherer, Mrs. Mary Faulds, John McMillan, Sr., Mrs. Isabella McMillan 
and Mrs. Mary Bibby. On Dec. 10 following Mr. Lyon, of the Committee 
of Presbytery, received by certificate John Cance, Mrs. John Cance, Alex 
Cance and James Hardie, and on profession of their faith Mrs. Maria Mars, 
Wm. Thomas, John Bibby, Richard Bibby and Mrs. Mary Bibby. Since it 
is known that these persons were prevented from joining at the earlier 
date by sickness, delay of their expected letter, or other accident, they are 
given a place among the charter members. 

On Sept. 5, 1859, the Board of Domestic Missions, at Mr. Lyon's request, 
formally commissioner Sheldon Jackson for "La Crescent, Hokah and 
vicinity in Minnesota." Mr. Jackson interpreted "vicinity" to mean as far 
as he could reach. In fact he was already searching out the land. On 



858 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

horseback, and often on foot, he was fording streams, climbing hiDs, pene- 
trating valleys, opening every school house, telling the Gospel story by 
every fireside. Did he find a little group of Presbyterians, he organized 
them into a church and set them to work. He soon had preaching stations 
in 13 counties in Minnesota, and in Chippewa, Eau Claire, Jackson, Trem- 
pealeau and La Crosse Counties in Wisconsin, — a parish of 13,000 square 
miles and a salary of $300 a year. (See Stewart's Life of Sheldon Jackson.) 

There is record to show that Mr. Lyon and Sheldon Jackson supplied 
the Galesville church alternately on the second Sabbath of the month for 
several months, probably till the arrival of the first pastor, the Rev. John 
Frothingham. This young minister was from the presbytery of Albany. 
He had refused flattering calls from eastern congregations and had chosen 
the career of a home missionary in a frontier town under the influence of 
his boyhood friend and neighbor, Sheldon Jackson. GalesviUe was on the 
frontier in 1860. The houses were lighted by tallow candles and the streets 
not at all. There were but three span of horses in the town, and the nearest 
approach to a carriage, excepting the doctor's rig, was one two-seated 
spring wagon ; but said wagon, which was painted red, did free service and 
was even used for a hearse. There was but one mail a week. It went out 
on Friday to La Crosse, the nearest railway point, and came in on Satur- 
day. Everyone worked hard and life was rude, but it was not altogether 
without refining influences. A newspaper had been established by Mr. S. S. 
Luce, and a lyceum organized, while Galesville University — now Gale Col- 
lege — was in its second year. The people were intelligent, some of them 
college-bred, and there were few whose mother tongue was not the English 
language. If all were not godly by profession and in practice they were at 
least God-fearing — respecting God's book, God's day and God's minister. 
The one man in the village who talked infidelity and habitually worked on 
Sunday was regarded with abhorrence by his fellow townsmen. There had 
been a Union Sunday school, but the ©O'er of a library to a Presbyterian 
school and no other led Mr. Frothingham to organize one June 7, 1863. He 
was superintendent of this school till he left the place. It was organized 
in the little old school house, but the church building was already under 
way. At the county fair in October of this year the ladies served dinners 
and earned $75,000 for the building fund. The building moved slowly, how- 
ever, for lack of means, and was not completed and ready for dedication till 
Jan. 1, 1865. It was a very plain structure — that old church — but every 
dollar of the $1,200 that went into it represented hard work and much 
self-sacrifice. It was fitting, therefore, that the minister's corn-crib should 
furnish material for the belfry, as the crowning act of self-denial. The 
pews were rented at first, but the arrangement proved unsatisfactory and 
was abandoned after the second year. In 1866 a church was organized at 
North Bend, and the McMillan, Bibby, Faulds and Gatherer famihes, 12 
members in all, withdrew to cast in their lot there. In 1868 the Froth- 
inghams removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Four months later Mr. Froth- 
ingham was laid to rest in Cedar Rapids. 

Dec. 10, 1868, one month after Mr. Frothingham's removal. Rev. Henry 
R. Wilson became the minister. Mr. Wilson left us in April, 1871, to take a 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 859 

position in the office with his father, who was secretary of the Board of 
Church Erection. The next minister, the Rev. Samuel Brown, came fresh 
from the University of Belfast. 

The next pastor was Rev. J. C. de Bruyn Kops. While he was pastor 
the choir was removed to a platform at the right of the pulpit, and the 
old walnut desk used by Mr. Frothingham was replaced with the pulpit 
now in use, designed and made by Rev. Kops. During this ministery the 
first Woman's Missionary Society was organized and the Sabbath school 
put in a flourishing condition under the leadership of Dr. J. R. Branch. 

The presbytery having accepted the custody of Gale College in 1877, it 
became necessary to have a minister who would do some work in the class- 
room. Accordingly Mr. Kops resigned and the Rev. John Moore was called. 
Mr. Moore came as pastor and as the professor of Belles Lettres in the 
college. He resigned in September, 1880, to accept a call to Ripon, Wis. 
Mr. Moore died in 1888 and his wife followed him two years later. 

Mr. Moore's successor. Rev. J. Irwin Smith, D. D., began his ministry 
here in April, 1881. He became financial agent of the college and entered 
with ardor into the work of gathering funds both before and after the fire ; 
later he became college president and took charge of some classes — all this 
time fining his pulpit regularly and doing much pastoral work. Dr. Smith 
resigned the next year, but no one being found to fill the vacancy he sup- 
plied the pulpit without compensation when his other duties permitted until 
he severed his connection with the college in 1888 and removed to Toledo, 
Iowa. He died in Cedar Rapids, March 16, 1908, at the age of eighty-two. 

It was September, 1889, when the Rev. John L. Gage entered upon his 
ministry here. During the vacancy of nearly two years several leading 
members had removed from the place and the organized work of the church 
had languished. The Y. P. S. C. E. was now reorganized and another 
Woman's Missionary Society was started. Early in 1890 a series of union 
evangehstic meetings was held under the leadership of a "Band" from 
Minneapolis, and the town was stirred from center to circumference. After 
these meetings Mr. Gage received 22 members, the largest number ever 
added to one communion. Dr. Smith had taken in 15 March 21, 1886, and, 
after the Kennedy tent meetings, Mr. Winder received 14, Sept. 16, 1894. 
After a stay of two years Mr. Gage removed to Iowa, where Mr. Gage is 
still in the work, although on the retired list. Mrs. Gage died four years ago. 

The Rev. Joseph M. Winder, who succeeded Mr. Gage, was stated supply 
and pastor from September, 1891, to February, 1897. During this time 
the parsonage was bought and refitted and the new church was built. 

It was May, 1898, more than 14 months after Mr. Winder left us, 
before Rev. T. C. Hill came. The pulpit had been supplied a part of the 
time by the Rev. G. James Jones of the college. Mr. Hill resigned in April, 
1905. The Rev. J. M. McKnight was here for a time, but he felt unequal 
to the work of so extensive a field. The outlook was gloomy until Rev. 
N. F. Chapman was sent. In less than two years the Neillsville church, 
desiring an energetic young man of the evangelistic type, gave Mr. Chap- 
man a call, and he left us in October, 1907. The pulpit was vacant six 
months before our next pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Thomas, was secured. 



860 HISTORY OF TREMPP:ALEAIT COUNTY 

He resigned in October, 1916, and in April, 1917, was succeeded by the 
present pastor, the Rev. Norman K. Tully. 

(Note. — An elaborate booklet, issued Sept. 19-20, 1909, at the time 
of the celebration of the semi-centennial, is a valuable contribution to the 
social and economic, as well as religious, history of an old Wisconsin com- 
munity, and contains many interesting pen pictures of men and events and 
conditions during the fifty years that it covers.) 

Methodist Episcopal. 

There are seven Methodist Episcopal churches in the county, located 
at Whitehall, Independence, Arcadia, Trempealeau, Osseo, Centerville and 
Eleva. The church at Galesville is vacant. The church in Hale Township, 
incorporated March 4, 1892, is no longer in existence. 

Methodist Episcopal Church of Arcadia. The organization of this 
society was perfected in 1857, under the auspic.es of an itinerant minister 
of the Wesleyan faith, with Collins Bishop, Anna Bishop, Narcissa Robert- 
son and Rhoda Shelley as the constituent members. Services were con- 
ducted at the residences of members until an increase in the members of 
the congregation required more extensive quarters, when the school house 
was secured and appropriated to their uses. This was continued until 1876 
when preparation looking to the erection of a house of worship, meanwhile in 
progress, took shape, and resulted in the building of the present edifice, 
which was completed during that year at a cost of $5,000. It is of frame, 
of a quaint Elizabethan order of architecture, handsomely finished, and 
with accommodations for a congregation of 500 persons. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Independence was organized about 
1877, and met in Taylor's Hall at intervals for prayer and worship. In 1880 
a Union church was built with the people of the Evangelical Association 
faith. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau was organized in 
1856 by H. M. Hays, with the Goodhue, Payne and Kribbs families as the 
original members. The first church was built in 1857. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Galesville was organized at an early 
day, and until 1875 the congregation worshiped in the court house and 
school house. In that year a church was built. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitehall. Services of the 
Methodist faith were held at the homes of pioneers as early as 1856. The 
Methodist Society at Whitehall was organized in 1867. For several years 
services were held in the school houses by pastors from the Arcadia charge. 
In 1873, at the time that the G. B. & W. R. R. passed through what is now 
Whitehall Village, then only a grain field, D. W. Wade secured a lot from 
the railroad company for the site of the M. E. church. He drew up a sub- 
scription paper to secure money for building the church, and he succeeded 
in getting $1,000 in money and work. Mr. Wade wrote to the presiding 
elder of the La Crosse district for a pastor. Rev. J. E. Webster was 
obtained, and he took up the work of securing further subscriptions. 
Another $1,000 was subscribed in money and labor. The work was com- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 8C1 

menced early in 1874. Dui'ing that summer the building of the church had 
so far progressed that it was opened for services during the winter of 
1874-1875. It was later completed in the summer of 1875. 

In December, 1874, Mr. Wade and family went east to New York and 
New Jersey, his former home states. While there he visited Methodist 
Episcopal book rooms and purchased a fine pulpit Bible and hymn book. 
The church being a mission church, having raised a small sum of money 
toward purchasing books for the Sunday school library, the committee was 
allowed dollar for dollar and forty per cent off on all books. The committee 
also secured a large Sunday school map of Palestine and a framed motto: 
"God Bless Our Sunday School." The church was dedicated Aug. 29, 1875, 
Rev. J. E. Webster being the first pastor. The Bible and hymn book wei'e 
formally presented at that time, and used in the dedication service. 

During the- pastorate of Rev. F. E. Lewis the church was moved from 
its first location to its present site, and later during the pastorate of the 
Rev. Chalfant, a basement and many other improvements were added. The 
pastors have been: J. E. Webster, J. B. Richardson, William Galloway, 
E. J. Bickle, F. W. Straw, E. T. Briggs, G. D. Brown, A. M. Lumkins, 
H. A. Snyder, G. F. Cowling, G. Limkuhlr, W. H. Cheneweth, J. T. Bryan, 
C. G. Gaman, W. E. Doughty, F. E. Lewis, L. N. Wooley, J. E. Boyer, J. G. 
Haigh, Edwin Tench, William Cook, Harry Philpot, Arthur Chalfant, David 
Levin, E. D. Upson. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Centerville is served by the pastor 
from Trempealeau, services being held every Sunday. 

Baptist. 

There are two Baptist churches in the county one at Whitehall and one 
at Blair. For some years the Baptist Society was active in Arcadia, and 
a frame church edifice was erected. It was afterward used as a Peoples 
church. 

The Baptist Association at Trempealeau was instituted in 1857 by the 
Rev. J. M. Winn, with 23 members. Until 1866 services were conducted in 
the school house and at a hall on Front street. In that year a church was 
erected. The society is not now in existence. 

The Whitehall Baptist Church was first known as the First Baptist 
Church of Preston. It was organized July 4, 1858, and began life with eight 
constituent members. In 1860 the membership was 20. The field covered 
by the membership of this church extended from Hixton in Jackson County 
to Glencoe in Buff'alo County, a distance of 40 miles up and down Trem- 
pealeau Valley. In 1864 the church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley 
Association. Jan. 9, 1866, the name of the church was changed to that 
of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln. The first church building was 
erected at old Whitehall in 1870, at a cost of $1,100, and was sold in 1875 
to the Scandinavian people for $300. The present building was erected the 
same year at a cost of $1,600 and was dedicated Jan. 12, 1876, free of debt. 
At this time the church adopted its present name. The first Baptist min- 
ister to preach in this locality was the Rev. Mr. Bunnell of Trempealeau 
Village. He preached a few sermons in the home of Deacon Alvah Wood 



862 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

in the winter of 1857-85. In 1858 the church was organized and the fol- 
lowing brethren have served as pastors consecutively: Revs. Thomas 
Slade, S. S. Tucker, G. P. Dissmore, Calvin E. Fisher, G. P. Dissmore, E. D. 

Barbour, F. S. Witler, H. G. Carroll, G. P. Dissmore, L. J. Sawyer, 

Catchpole, D. I. Coon, N. L. Sweet, N. K. Larson, A. B. Cannady, C. 0. 
Booth, W. D. Wells, Samuel Batchelor, J. J. Enge, Madison Reynolds and 
G. N. Doody. Says Mrs. Mary Wood: "Pastor Dissmore has been with 
us longest. He has proved his words by an honest, upright hfe, winning 
the respect of the community and the affection of the church, who felt 
the comfort of his presence and counsel. Pastor N. L. Sweet was the 
sower sowing beside all waters, up the coulies, down the valleys, always 
feeling the stress of the work, appreciated by the church, disparaging 
himself, ever reaching out toward more effective service." The present 
parsonage was purchased of N. K. Larson August 1, 1911. • 

Protestant Episcopal. 

There is one church of this denomination in Trempealeau County, 
which is located in Osseo. 

St. Elizabeth's Church and Parish. — The first service of this congre- 
gation was held in the York Inn parlors, Osseo, in the summer of 1911, 
W. F. Hood, Jr., then in deaccm's orders, being the priest in Charge. The 
first baptismal service was held St. John's Day at eight o'clock p. m. in 
Carson's Hall, with the Rev. P. H. Linley of Eau Claire as the priest in 
charge. On May 7, 1912, Bishop Webb of the Milwaukee diocese confirmed 
the following class of thirteen: Mrs. L. H. Field, Mrs. G. I. Thew, Mrs. 
B. F. York, Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, Misses Florence Roberts of Superior, Ruth 
Esbenson, Alice Thew, Myle and Beatrice Gilpin, Doris Jones, Clara Zhe, 
Keith Jones and Silby Gilpin. Mrs. Crane and Mrs. Nettie Jones were 
already communicants of the church. The different priests in charge since 
the beginning of the mission have been Archdeacon W. F. Hood, Rev. 
P. H. Linley and Missionary Priest Rev. W. Wolfe. The first baptism after 
the mission was started was that of Ruth Hanson, the service being held 
in Carson's Hall. The first baptism in the Mission House was that of 
Mary Louise Vincent of St. Paul. The first wedding in the parish was 
that of Ruth I. Jones to H. J. Vincent of St. Paul, W. F. Hood officiating. 
The funerals have been those of Mrs. G. O. Linderman and Mr. and Mrs. 
D. A. Gates, Archdeacon Hood officiating, and Mrs. F. York, with the Rev. 
P. H. Linley of Eau Claire in charge. St. Elizabeth's Guild has held two 
very successful bazaars and given one home talent play. A portion of 
each year they took up the work of the Woman's Auxiliary and pursued a 
mission study course, with the subject of "Japan Advancing," "Social 
Aspect of Foreign Missions," and "Conquest of the Continent," and derived 
much benefit from the work. The officers of the Guild are: Mrs. A. G. 
Cox, president; Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Nettie 
Jones, educational secretary and missionary treasurer; Mrs. Crane, parish 
treasurer. Of those who have officiated in charge of the parish as deacon 
or priest. Archdeacon Hood is now chaplain of the Third Regiment, now 



HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 863 

(Sept. 17, 1917) stationed at Camp Douglas ; Rev. P. H. Linley is chaplain 
of the drafted regiment now in training at Rockford, and Rev. W. Wolfe 
is archdeacon and rector of the chbrch at Lancaster, Wis. — (By Mrs. Net- 
tie F. Jones.) 

Independent. 

The church of God in Christ was incorporated at Eleva, May 5, 1909, 
and holds regular meetings, but has no church edifice. 

Union Service. 

For more than fifty years the school at West Prairie has been used for 
union church and Sunday school purposes. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
BENCH AND BAR, 

When the Indian title to this region was relinquished in 1837, the 
area that is now Trempealeau County was under the jurisdiction of the 
territory of Wisconsin, whose judicial power was vested in a Supreme 
Court, District Courts, Probate Courts and justices of the peace. The 
little settlement at Trempealeau remained under the judicial jurisdiction 
of Crawford County throughout the territorial days and during the early 
years of statehood. 

By the state constitution which went into effect in 1848, Crawford 
County, of which Trempealeau County was a part, was made a pai't of 
the fifth circuit. Mortimer M. Jackson went on the bench Aug. 28, 1848. 
When the sixth circuit was created in 1850, the little settlement at Trem- 
pealeau fell under its jurisdiction, and in that district this county still 
remains. Wm. Knowlton went on the bench Aug. 6, 1850. 

In 1851 the settlement at Trempealeau came under the jurisdiction 
of La Crosse County, and at the first town election held at La Crosse in 
April, 1851, James A. Reed was elected justice of the peace. At the 
county election held in the summer of that year, 'Timothy Burns was 
elected county judge, and William T. Price clerk of the circuit court. In 
the fall of that year George Gale was elected county judge, and Robert 
Loomey clerk of the ciixuit court. 

In February, 1853, the part of Trempealeau County north of the line 
between Townships 18 and 19 was placed in Jackson County, and on July 6 
of the same year that part north of the line between Townships 18 and 19 
and west of the line between Ranges 7 and 8 was placed in Buffalo County. 
This jurisdiction, however, was only nominal, for the settlement at Trem- 
pealeau was still a part of La Crosse County, and few settlers had ven- 
tured north of the line between Townships 18 and 19. 

When Trempealeau County was created, Jan. 27, 1854, a provision was 
made that the county should remain attached to La Crosse County for 
judicial purposes until Jan. 1, 1855, when it was to be fully organized for 
judicial purposes and attached to the sixth circuit. Court was to be held 
at the county seat on the first Monday in March, June, September and 
December of each year. But a few days later court was ordered to be held 
at the county seat of Trempealeau County the fourth Mondays of April 
and October. 

B. F. Heuston was chosen as county judge at an election held in Novem- 
ber, 1854, and in November George H. Smith was elected clerk of the cir- 
cuit court, and Charles Utter, district attorney. 

The first term of circuit court in Trempealeau County was called 
April 28, 1856, with A. M. Brandenburg, sheriff, and Geo. H. Smith, clerk, 

864 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 865 

in attendance, but the judge being absent the first court was held the next 
day in the lower part of the court house at Galesville, then in the process 
of construction by Isaac Noyes and Amasa P. Webb. Hiram Knowlton, 
judge of the sixth district, presided, and the only business transacted was 
the admission to the bar of Romanzo Bunn, who thus became the first 
lawyer in Trempealeau County. July 23 of the same year the court house 
was completed, and on October 28, following. Judge Knowlton held court 
there, with Sheriff Brandenburg and Clerk Smith in attendance. The 
docket contained two cases, one of which was non-suited, and the other 
continued. At the same session John F. Brewin and Christian Schmitz 
were admitted as citizens of the United States. The grand jury list con- 
tained the names of William Lee, D. B. Thomson, John Nicholls, Edward 
Barnard, James Nichols, Byland Parker, HoUister Wright, Bostwick Beards- 
ley, Francis Hoffner, Absolom Cui'ry, David Cook, Richard Collins, Jacob 
Holmes, G. W. Parker, William Dick, L. P. Armstrong and WiUiam Adams. 
Beardsley was chosen foreman. 

The names on the petit jury list were: Charles Holmes, Warren 
Adams, George Batchelder, Richard Grant, Isaac Nash, Joshua Rhodes, 
John Salsman, William Olds, Ale.xander Stevens, Joseph Dale, Douglas 
Hunter, L. F. Niffen, George Olds, William Nichols, Jonathan Ramsden, 
Archibald Grover, Robert F. Farrington, John Pardon, William Bright, 
Frederick Clark, George B. Terry, Jeremiah Finch, B. B. Healy and James 
Reed. 

George Gale held his first court April 13, 1857, William P. Clark being 
the sheriff and George W. Parker the clerk. No business was transacted. 
April 28, 1857, B. F. Heuston was admitted to the bar. 

Nov. 11, 1857, the county commissioners rejected a number of bills 
for charges in sundry criminal cases tried in justice courts. The report 
of the committee stated that much of the expense of older counties arose 
from the cost of useless litigation and declared that everything possible 
should be done thus early in the history of Trempealeau County to dis- 
courage such litigation. One of the suits for which expenses were asked was 
for stealing a pocket knife. Several were for assault and battery in trifling 
neighborhood quarrels. The only serious case was one in which the defend- 
ant was charged with horse stealing. None were sustained. The com- 
mittee recommended that in such cases the justices exercise their powers 
under the statutes and require security from the complainants for costs 
in suits before issuing any papers. Such a course, the committee said, 
would put a stop to much useless and vexatious litigation, which when 
suffered to go on involves often great expense besides provoking much ill 
feeling and discord in whole neighborhoods. The committee also expressed 
the opinion that as a general rule in such small matters where the parties 
were determined to go to law, the civil remedies should be applied. 

In 1861, Isaac E. Messmore contested Judge Gale's seat. Judge Gale 
had been elected for the six years beginning Jan. 1, 1857, as judge of the 
sixth district, then embracing Crawford, Bad Ax, La Crosse, Monroe, 
Jackson, Clark, Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties. But by an act of the 
Legislature (approved March 30, 1861) the counties of Crawford, Bad Ax, 



866 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

La Crosse, Monroe and Jackson were constituted the sixth district, and 
the counties of Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Dunn, Dallas, Chippewa, Clark 
and Eau Claire were constituted the eleventh district. Judge Gale was 
by this act made judge of the eleventh district. The governor on April 
10, 1861, appointed Isaac E. Messmore judge of the sixth district. The 
matter went to the supreme court (14 Wis. 164) and it was determined 
that the Legislature had no authority to assign Gale to the eleventh dis- 
trict, and that the governor had no power to appoint Messmore to the sixth. 
Judge Gale, therefore, remained the judge of the counties which constituted 
his district at the time of his election. In 1862 the Legislature placed 
Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, Buffalo, Trempealeau, Rich- 
land and Vernon in the sixth district. 

Judge Gale served until the end of 1862. When he went on the bench 
the only lawyer in Trempealeau County was Romanzo Bunn. In 1857 F. A. 
Utter located in Trempealeau, and A. A. Arnold and Geo. Y. Freeman in 
Galesville. In 1858 A. W. Newman and John A. Daniels located in Trem- 
pealeau, and not long afterward Lyman Cowdry and C. E. Turner also 
settled there. This constituted the Trempealeau County bar up to the 
outbreak of the Civil War. 

Edwin Flint became judge Jan. 1, 1863, and served six years. 

Romanzo Bunn, the first lawyer in Trempealeau County, went on the 
bench Jan. 1, 1869, and served eight years, retiring to go on the bench 
of the United States federal court for the western district of Wisconsin 
after the October term of the Trempealeau County court in 1877. 

A. W. Newman of Trempealeau, after long service as district attorney, 
succeeded Judge Bunn after the October term of the Trempealeau County 
court in 1876. He served seventeen years and resigned late in 1893 to 
become an associate justice of the supreme court of Madison. 

With the resignation of Judge Newman the judgeship went out of 
Trempealeau County for the first time since Judge Gale moved here in 
1857. Joseph M. Morrow of Sparta, appointed late in 1893, served one year. 

0. B. Wyman of Viroqua went on the bench Jan. 1, 1895, and served 
until his death, Dec. 2, 1900. 

John J. Fruit of La Crosse succeeded Judge Wyman and served until 
his death in 1909. 

Judge Fruit was unable to sit in March, 1909, and postponed the term 
until June, when Judge James O'Neil of Neilsville presided. E. C. Higbee 
of La Crosse, a former Arcadia attorney, was appointed that summer, held 
the fall term of 1909, and has since remained on the bench. 

The present bar consists of the following gentlemen : Whitehall — 
H. A. Anderson (admitted in 1888), Robert S. Cowie (admitted in 1894), 
Earl F. Hensel (admitted in 1900) and Ole J. Eggum (admitted in 1907). 
Galesville — George Gale (admitted in 1868), W. S. Wadleigh (admitted in 
1894) and A. T. Twesme (admitted in 1908). Arcadia — John C. Gaveney 
(admitted in 1888), F. C. Richmond (admitted in 1902) and Elmer E. 
Barlow (admitted in 1910). Independence — John A. Markham (admitted 
in 1901) and John F. Kulig (admitted in ). Trempealeau — J. C. But- 
ton (admitted in 1858). Osseo — J. Reese Jones. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 867 

Among the lawyers who have practiced in Trempealeau County may 
be mentioned: Galesville— C. W. Farrand, M. Mulligan, H. T. Smith, 
E. White Moore, M. F. Hegge, E. W. Freeman, G. R. Freeman, Robert Chris- 
tianson, James M. Pryse and Richard F. Smith. Trempealeau — J. E. Rob- 
inson, Bert E. Clark and Seth W. Button. Arcadia — L. W. Griswold, C. W. 
Farrand, Stephen Richmond, H. R. Day, E. C. Higbee, Peter Phillippe, E. Q. 
Nye, Seth Mills, W. H. Graves, T. J. Connor, H. S. Comstock, C. E. Perkins, 
R. S. Cowie, Ben F. Richmond, J. A. Cashel, Lewis Runkel, Nathan Com- 
stock, Emil Scow and Roy E. Bingham. Whitehall — O. J. Allen, P. A. 
Williams, R. A. Odell, Carroll Atwood, Sam S. Miller, H. Gilliland and H. L. 
Ekern. Independence — M. Mulligan, Nathan Nichols, H. R. Day and W. W. 
Arnold. Osseo — G. 0. Linderman and E. S. Gedney. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF PIGEON. 

(By H. A. Anderson.) 

Preliminary Observations. 

Good men and women make little history. Peaceful communities are 
seldom in the historian's searchlight. 

A thousand trains freighted with human lives may cross the con- 
tinent without receiving a line in history, because their runs were merely 
a part of successful routine ; but the train which, through folly or careless- 
ness, is wrecked, makes an event impressed on history's page forever. 

The principles underlying the above statements impress me as I glance 
backward over the fifty years which have passed since I first became a 
resident of the town of Pigeon. And as I review, one by one, the living 
and the dead who helped in the development of this town, there comes 
to my mind the picture expressed by Gray's beautiful lines : 

"Along the cool sequestered vale of life. 
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way." 

Strictly an agricultural community, splendidly fitted by nature for 
man's oldest and most serviceable occupation, the course of social organi- 
zation and development in this town has been exceedingly tranquil. 

The fact that during the thirty years I have been connected with the 
practice of law I have never had a single lawsuit nor even heard of a law- 
suit between residents of this town, leads me to the conclusion that during 
those thirty years there has not been a suit at law between residents of 
the town of Pigeon, and the suits had during those years by residents of 
this town with people of other localities can be counted on the fingers of 
one hand. Arrests for crime have also been very rare. 

Territorially considered, this town includes now about thirty-nine sec- 
tions of land. 

Topographically it lies almost wholly within the boundaries of a single 
main valley traversed by a stream sufficiently large to afford its inhab- 
itants much useful service, while all the cooleys which radiate from the 
main valley stretch out like arms inviting to their pleasant embrasure 
such as seek the quiet comforts of rural life. One of the attractive features 
of early life in these cooleys were the almost innumerable springs which 
bejeweled nearly every hillside when the rays of the sun were caught and 
refracted by these bubbling wells of nature. 

Show me the place where the pioneer laid his first hearthstone and I 
will find close by a spring, or, at least, the spot where a spring used to be, 
for it is true that a large number of these springs have disappeared. 

868 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 869 

There are many cherished memories from pioneer days, such for 
instance as ridges or points of bluffs mantled with the purple of ripening 
blue berries ; or some strip of prairie where the sod had been broken, crim- 
soned with the sweet wild strawberry. But of all memories concerning 
natural conditions and environments, no recollection is dearer and coupled 
with more unfading gratitude than the memory of our pioneer springs. 
And those who are fortunate enough to possess springs, that promise con- 
tinuing constancy, ought to build around them arboreal shades and places 
for rest, yes, even altars for meditation and worship. 

But if I indulge in sentimental reflections, I am afraid this sketch will 
not merit the appellation "Historical." 

Before I take up the man-made history of this town it may not be out 
of place to present to the reader who may belong to a later generation a 
brief sketch of the prevailing or general physical conditions found by 
the pioneer. 

The town of Pigeon has no elevations or bluffs comparable in height 
with bluffs found in some other parts of our country, but it has many eleva- 
tions from which a large part of the town could have been seen fifty years 
ago. And the view obtainable from any hill by the first settlers was that 
of barrenness. Along the main stream, now known as Pigeon Creek, was a 
strip of level land, generally known as prairie, dotted here and there with 
shrub-Hke burr oaks, while the stream was bordered by alders and willows. 
And the hills were even more barren than the valleys because of the 
frequent fires which kept down all vegetation to a one or two-year growth. 
Exceptions to this rule were found only in a few north hollows where, pro- 
tected by late snows, white oak and black oak, through repeated efforts of 
nature, reached a size sufficient to withstand the occasional onslaughts 
of the fire demon. These prairie fires, as they were called, occurred with 
equal regularity spring and fall for many years. In fact, they were fostered 
by the first settlers for two reasons. First, to furnish better pasture for 
stock which roamed at large ; second, to secure a constant supply of blue- 
berries; for the berries disappeared wherever the brush was allowed to 
get a few years' growth. Pasturage was a necessity, and berries, though 
much cheaper than now, were nevertheless a considerable source of income 
and food supply for the early settlers. Two well authenticated accounts 
will attest the plentifulness of blueberries in those days. 

The William Van Sickle family in one day gathered twenty bushels, 
and one year Mrs. Van Sickle had twelve bushels of dried berries. 

During the early seventies Mads Knudtson lived just east of Pigeon 
Falls, on what is now the Thompson farm. Having a numerous family he 
frequently found it necessary to go out to work with his "Duke and Dime," 
as his oxen were called. Andrew Olson and Hans Johnson had lately 
opened a store at Pigeon Falls and during July and August every summer 
they found themselves almost compelled to take blueberries in exchange 
for goods or let the trade of their neighbors go to Coral City and Sechler- 
ville. When we remember that there were no railroads nearer than 
Sparta and La Crosse nor towns big enough nearby to use the great quan- 
tities of berries gathered and the perishable nature of this product, we 



870 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

will appreciate that buying blueberries in those days was not always 
profitable to the merchant. It was during one of these early years that 
Olson & Johnson, finding themselves almost swamped with this luscious fruit 
from the hills, hired Mads Knudtson to take a load of berries to La Crosse, 
where they had arrangements with a dealer to handle the berries for them. 
Nowadays we would crate them in small boxes. But at that time they were 
dumped into an ordinary wagon box with extra sideboards on. No cover- 
ing of any kind to protect them from sun, rain or dust. 

Thus equipped Knudtson proceeded on a trip which took almost five 
days to make. Before he reached La Crosse a heavy rain came on, and 
after the rain he says there was a trail of purple wine for miles along the 
road he followed. 

But these wild fires, though to a certain extent desired and encour- 
aged, were often a source of great danger to property and sometimes to 
human life. They also destroyed thousands of birds' nests and drove away 
deer and other game useful to man. Of the first settlers who still remain 
there is probably none who cannot recall one or more occasions when for 
hours men, women and children fought as they never had fought before 
to save grain, hay and buildings from destruction. But the memories of 
these unpleasant contests are offset by memories of the beauty and gi'andeur 
of one or more long lines of fire gradually creeping up through the night 
over highland and hill when the element of immediate danger was not 
present. 

The writer remembers several occasions when half a dozen or more 
fires could be seen from the same place, and one of my friends has repeatedly 
told me that, looking from an elevation one night he counted seventeen 
distinct and separate lines of fire. Notwithstanding the destructive effect 
of forest fires on animal Ufe, game was very plentiful for several years 
after the coming of the first settlers. Deer were frequently seen in droves, 
and prairie chickens were sufficiently numerous to furnish every home with 
delicious meat in proper season. 

Elk was seen in Pigeon as late as 1872, and a few years earlier their 
great white horns were found in large numbei's. 

The common black bear was also a frequent visitor. Hares, now rarely, 
or perhaps never, seen here, were very plentiful. 

The late James Hopkins told the writer that he and two of his neigh- 
bors killed seventy hares in an afternoon. Another friend of mine, still 
living, states that he and his family were saved from starvation the first 
winter of his residence in this county by the plentiful supply of hare meat 
which he was able to secure. 

Rats were unknown for several years, but rodents, such as various 
kinds of gophers, were numerous enough to constitute a real pest. 

Snakes were extremely numerous, but as all, except the rattlesnake, 
were harmless, they were only a source of fear to the immigrants, who 
saw in every snake man's first enemy. The rattlesnake, however, was a 
real menace, and at least two persons in the town of Pigeon came near 
losing their lives by reason of their poisonous character. Mrs. Karen 
Iverson Kveseth was one of the victims ; the other a son of Aslak Knudtson. 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 871 

As I am writing from the standpoint of a pioneer of conditions and 
things forever passed away I make no apology for mentioning matters now 
entirely of no importance except as historical curiosities. 

One of these curiosities was the lightning bugs or fireflies. They are 
still with us, but their number has been so reduced that the younger genera- 
tion cannot conceive, even by the use of a vivid imagination, the splendid 
spectacle presented on still, warm summer nights when whole valleys fairly 
blazed with the light shed by these tiny insects. I have seen a new comer 
stand for an hour or more, practically hypnotized, silently admiring and 
wondering, while a white mist changed the scene into a gently undulating 
flaming lake. And if by chance this same newcomer continued his watch 
until dawn, another vision awaited him just as marvelous as that of the 
night. 

For now the valley is filled with the music of wings, while the ground 
is covered with the shadows of innumerable birds which the radiance of 
the rising sun cannot lift. Minute after minute passes. Still, from horizon 
to horizon, the air is filled with this moving mass. Half an hour goes by 
and the watcher's wonder changes into awe as the incredible scene con- 
tinues. And as he is informed that the same condition exists in many of 
the adjoining valleys at the same time he naturally questions, "How can 
the earth support these vast numbers of birds?" And finally he may 
explain, "This must be a plague sent to chastise man for his wickedness." 
The above scene is no exaggeration, but is the result of the personal experi- 
ence of the writer, confirmed by the testimony of many contemporary 
witnesses. Yes, I still wonder whence did they all come, and whither did 
they all go, for it is years since the last Passenger Pigeon was seen in the 
town that, through its name, will help perpetuate the memory of these 
transient impressive visitors. It would not be true to call the Passenger 
Pigeon a plague, though they at times did great damage to newly seeded 
crops. 

The potato bug, first known as Colorado beetle, was here more than 
fifty years ago. When these pests made their first appearance in this 
county the writer has been unable to ascertain. 

A general survey of physical conditions found by the .first settlers in 
the town leads to the conclusion that most of the pioneers, notwithstanding 
some hardships and many privations, were a favored people. The character 
of the country was such that labor was not only necessary but obtainable 
the year round. This, for obvious reasons, ought to be considered one of 
the greatest privileges granted to man. Water was not only plentiful 
everywhere, but of such excellent quality that no better can be found. 
Timber, though scarce in the territory under consideration, was easily had 
nearby, practically without cost except labor. Nutritious grasses for fodder 
were abundant in every little valley. And the surviving pioneer, in dreams 
of memory, recalls with pleasure many a natural meadow or marsh wav- 
ing with Red-top and Blue-joint from four to six feet tall. Land was cheap, 
and most of its soil wonderfully fertile. And as a dessert to these observa- 
tions, which all will relish, I will add that every brook abounded with native 
trout, chubs, bullheads and other edible varieties of fish. 



872 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 

Man-Made History. 

The date when the first white man located in the town of Pigeon has 
not been found, and there is even a slight uncertainty as to who the man 
was, though it is generally believed that this distinction belongs to Edwin 
Cummings, who made his first home on the northwest quarter of Section 
19, Township 22, of Range 7, a little north of the bridge which now spans 
the creek on the road leading into Fly Creek Valley. The date of settle- 
ment was probably 1860, and not later than 1861. Mr. Cummings was 
born in Massachusetts June 13, 1827, and died at his home in the town of 
Pigeon Jan. 20, 1899. In person, Mr. Cummings was tall and spare. His 
presence marked him as genial, easygoing and generous. Left an orphan 
when nine years of age he led a life rich in adventures and toils common 
to pioneers, for he came to Wisconsin in the early forties, crossed and 
recrossed the plains in search of California gold, afterwards settled in Clark 
County, this state, then came to Trempealeau County. He served sixteen 
months in the Civil War, being color sergeant in Company C, Thirty-sixth 
Wisconsin Regiment. The date of his marriage, which occurred before he 
came to this county, I cannot give. His wife's maiden name was Minerva 
Jessup, a resident of Green Lake County at the time of her marriage. At 
his death he was survived by his wife, four daughters and one son, all of 
whom have long since gone west. 

He was also Pigeon's first fiddler, using his left hand in this enter- 
taining exercise. In later years he became a member of the M. E. Church. 
His funeral services were conducted by Rev. Emery Stanford, assisted by 
Revs. Hackman and Dissmore. His dust rests in the Lincoln cemetery. 

In the settlement of this town Mr. Cummings was soon followed by 
his brothers, Israel and Chauncy, and later on by Caleb. All of his brothers 
moved away before his death, and only a part of one branch of the Cum- 
mings family remains in the county, namely, the widow and some of the 
children of Wallace Cummings, who was a son of Israel. 

If it is conceded that Edwin Cummings was the first settler in the 
town it is certain that Joshua D. Southworth was the second. With his 
wife Catherine, daughter Frances and sons Edward and Charles he settled 
on the northeast quarter of the same section first occupied by Edwin 
Cummings, in the summer of 1861. Mr. Southworth was born in Cayuga 
County, New York, March 31, 1820, and died at the home of his daughter, 
Frances Williams, in the t^ity of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Jan. 28, 1909. He 
was one of sixteen children. He was married to Catherine Wheeler, who 
came from a family of twelve children, in Cattaraugus County, New York, 
Sept. 9, 1849, and after various removals came to Trempealeau County in 
1860, living near where Blair is located about a year. He also was a tall, 
spare man, possessed of wonderful health and a restless energy that mani- 
fested itself in manual labor until the accident occurred which caused his 
death. Always temperate in his habits, he lived the life of a clean man, 
ardent in his attachments to the best institutions of our land. His wife 
preceded him in death by several years, and both rest in Lincoln cemetery. 
Mrs. Southworth was one of the most generous and genial-hearted women 



HISTOEY OF TREjVIPEALEAU COUNTY 873 

the writer has ever met. Her face always reflected sunshine and good will. 
The sons are still with us, happily combining in their personahties the 
splendid physical vigor of the father with the sunny temperament of the 
mother. 

In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who at once began the erection of 
a mill, ready for custom in 1864. The mill, as usual, proved to be the 
beginning of a village. Uncle Phin was a very good-natured, likable man, 
and soon attracted other settlers. His brother Benjamin came, followed 
soon by other relatives. In 1868 Uncle Phin platted the land south of the 
mill and called the plat "Coral City." The origin of this name, as given 
by many who lived at Coral City at the time it was adopted, is as follows : 
When the mill dam was being put in Granville IMcFarland superintended 
the work. In the bluff north of the mill some of the workmen, while 
getting material for the dam, found some peculiar looking rock which 
McFarland called coral. Some add that it was only a joke on the part of 
McFarland, but evidently Uncle Phin believed the stuff to be genuine coral. 

After the Civil War the village grew rapidly for two or three years. 
Among the men prominent in business affairs in Coral City may be men- 
tioned the Wright brothers, miUers ; William Harlow, Joshua Southworth, 
Elliot & Egbei't, carpenters ; Christopher Scott, Andrew Olson. Amassa 
Hodgkins and A. Searles, merchants; George W. Follett, A. Englesby, 
Philetus Nott, Joseph Popham, hotel keepers; Merritt Most, James Tull, 
Senecca Johnson and "Peg-leg" Olson, shoemakers ; Wm. Douglas, Geo. W. 
Follett, Mart Allen and Lars Hanson, blacksmiths. 

There were also tanners, wagon makers and other artisans too numer- 
ous to mention. Samuel Sheldon was the only one educationally qualified 
to treat the sick. Wm. Harlow built the first store about 1865. He died 
March 8, 1870, and left his property to his fiancee. Miss Frances South- 
worth. His store was also used for the first postoffice, although George W. 
Follett was the first postmaster. Later on Senecca Johnson was appointed 
postmaster and remained such until the postoffice was discontinued May 
27, 1878. 

The mill built by Wright proved a good venture and remained until 
bodily carried away by the great flood March 10, 1876. The following 
summer it was rebuilt under the name "Centennial Mills," and though the 
old French burrs have for many years been still and silent, A. Jacobson, 
the present owner, is still doing good business at the old stand. 

Trempealeau County's now "Deserted Village" was in its day a very 
lively place. Its decline and fall was not caused by any direct act of Provi- 
dence, but indirectly by Henry Ketchum, D. M. Kelly and others, who 
caused the G. B. & W. R. R. to be built down through Trempealeau Valley 
in 1873. Many memories of this httle village tempt me to finger with 
reminiscences of men, women and events now made sacred by time and 
associations. Of all the happenings in Coral City there was probably none 
that gained a wider notoriety than George W. Follett's tort action against 
Duke Porter. 

The suit was based on the fact that Porter had taken or disposed of 
a few dollars' worth of hay which evidently both parties claimed title to. 



>74 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

After trial judgment was entered against Mr. Porter for the value of the 
hay and costs : Porter refused to pay. Execution against the body was 
issued, and Porter was confined within jail limits at Trempealeau until pay- 
ment of judgment and cost of board for his keeping were paid. Mr. Follett 
was delighted to pay Porter's board so long as he could technically keep 
him in jaU. Mr. Porter was determined to suffer even a curtailment of his 
liberty rather than pay what he considered an unjust judgment. Months, 
years went by. the bill against Porter getting constantly larger, while 
Follett 's abUity to meet this constant drain grew less and less as time roUed 
by. Finally, after seven years. Follett found that he needed all he had to 
support himself and family and gave up this contest, which probably has 
no parallel in this state. In future years some of our debating societies 
may debate the question: '"Which was the ^ictor in this contest. Follett 
or Porter ?" It is only fair to say of Follett that nature had dealt with him 
verj- liberally, and he responded to this liberality by exercising skill and 
ability in many directions, though not always in the interest of the highest 
social welfare. He was blacksmith, carpenter, postmaster, justice of the 
peace, merchant, hotel keeper, legal ad\"iser. and I think the sole dispenser 
of spirits under sanction of law. 

One more incident illustrative of those early days, which is vouched 
for by one of our most worthy citizens present as a juror at time of its 
occurrence. West Daggett and Leonard Kicker was brothers-in-law and 
neighbors, but not always friends. Ricker sued Daggett to recover for 
various items of property, and Daggett counterclaimed. 0. J. AUen was 
Daggett's attorney. Andrews, then located at Taylor, in Jackson County, 
was ilr. Ricker's counsel. Allen was a man possessed of a bulldog tenacity, 
limited ability and very little education. In the conduct of the lawsuit he 
always tried the patience of the opposing counsel fully as much as he tried 
his case. Andrews was a man of education, fair ability and not always the 
master of a red-hot temper. The suit in question dragged on from day 
to day. his honor, A. L. Sherwood, presiding, while six men. good and true, 
acted as jurors. One day in course of the trial, while Allen was displaying his 
usual tactics in objecting to everything on technicalities. Andrews sprang 
to his feet, his face glowing like a furnace, reached across the table and 
grasped AUen by the abundant hair on top of his head and shook him with 
a \iolence almost sufficient to scalp him. But AUen won the suit just the 
same. It may sound strange to the present generation that a petty suit of 
this kind lasted for days, but Hon. M. J. Warner assures me that he attended 
a suit at Coral City that lasted a week. 

Among other settlers who came into the town in 1863 Elder George 
P. Dissmore and Joseph Fitch deserve special mention. Dissmore settled 
on Section 8, Fitch on Section 4. Dissmore was an ordained Baptist 
preacher. For about forty-five years he foUowed his calling as preacher, 
besides teaching school and farming, with a zeal and constancy worthy 
of the highest praise. Night or day. without regard to weather conditions, 
distance or roads, he unhesitatingly obeyed everj- summons where his 
ministry was needed. A grateful appreciation or a "God bless you" was 
often the only reward he sought or received. By the side of his worthy 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COl'XTY 875 

wife. Mary Elizabeth, the mother of his thirteen children, he sleeps in the 
Lincoln cemetery, long to be remembered as one of the best of our pioneer 
preachers. His son. D. R. Dissmore. still hves on the "Dissmore homestead." 

Joseph Fitch Lived only about a year after coming to Pigeon. He also 
rests in the Lincoln Cemetery. His wife Elizabeth was the mother of 
fourteen children. She died at her daughter's home at Greenwood. Clark 
County, and is buried there. The name of this family will be remembered 
as long as "Fitch Cooley" has any inhabitants, though none of the Fitch 
family ever lived in this cooley. 

In 1864 the upper part of Fly Creek was settled by Aslak Knudtson, 
Ole Anderson Aga and Hans Ole Xielson. All had families and made the 
journey with oxen from Dane County. Wisconsin. They were all worthy 
people, Mr. Knudtson being especially mentioned by all who knew him as a 
man of exemplary life and habits. So far as known, these were the first 
Norwegians to settle in this tov^Ti. In the fall of the same year Orson 
Lamberson settled near the lower end of Fly Creek Valley. 

It is well remembered by many of the early residents of Coral City 
that the Uttle valley which lies almost directly north of the mill was first 
settled by a man named Johnson. That he lived on the northwest quarter 
of Sections 18-22-7 ; was married, had no children, and he and his wife 
were comparatively young, good looking and agreeable, is also weU remem- 
bered. But I have found no one who can recall his first name, nor the 
name of his wife. Neither is it known when he came nor when he left, 
but it is safe to state that he did not come there prior to 1865. nor remain 
later than 1867. He hved there long enough, however, to give his neigh- 
bors reason for calling the little valley. Johnson Cooley. Other early set- 
tlers in the valley were Lars Engen, William Farrell, Ole Linrud. 0. J. AUen 
and Peder Thompson. 

The Dissmore Cooley is one of the smallest valleys in the town, and 
this accounts for the fact that Elder Dissmore was for many years the only 
resident in the valley. Ole Iverson Kveseth was the next, settling there 
in 1871. 

The next valley above the Dissmore Cooley is the Daggett Cooley. 
Here West Daggett and his wife Ann were the first settlers. They came 
in 1865. With the Daggetts came Leonard Ricker and family, but they set- 
tled on the south of Pigeon Creek on the Prairie. The Daggetts and Rickers 
came originally from Maine, where Daggett was born in 1809. In 1875, 
his wife died on the farm where they first settled. In 1876 
he sold the farm to C. S. Worth, moved to Whitehall, married Sophronia 
FuUer. widow of Isaac Fuller, who will be mentioned later on. He died 
at ^Miitehall June 26, 1900. In stature. Daggett was of medium height, 
thick-set. and very strong built. He was of a quiet, rather phlegmatic tem- 
perament, firm and upright character. 

The next settlers in this valley were E. H. Chase. Nels Moe. Hans 
Mortenson, Olaus Knudtson. Stener Skillerud and John Moe. 

Passing over the ridge from Daggett Cooley eastward we find Fuller 
Cooley. This valley was first settled by Isaac Fuller, who built a shanty 
there in the fall of 1867. FuUer came from Illinois and verv little is known 



876 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

concerning him except that he had been in the Civil War. He married 
Sophronia, the widow of Wilham Slyter, and was killed in his home March 
14, 1871, by lightning. In person he was rather slender, little above medium 
height and dark. 

The valley that now bears his name is one of the largest and most 
prosperous valleys in the town. At the present, I am told, there are seven- 
teen farms. Among the earliest settlers that followed Fuller may be 
named Christian Stenslie, Ole Engen, Christian Tangen, Hans Tangen, 
Mathias Tangen and Hans A. Fremstad. 

The next valley east is Skaarstad Cooley, which has been unique in 
the fact that it has had no public highway through it until the present 
year, 1917. This valley was first settled by Johan Hammer and wife Eli. 
They came there from La Crosse County in 1867, sold out to Christian 
Anderson Skaarstad in 1869 and moved away. They had no children. 

Christian Skaarstad and wife Eline moved into this valley in 1869, 
with six children. They came from Norway in 1868, stayed for awhile in 
Vernon County, Wisconsin, then came direct to Pigeon. Mr. Skaarstad 
was born May 17, 1819, and died at his home Sept. 2, 1886. His wife was 
born Nov. 18, 1822, and died June 20, 1904. The Skaarstads have always 
been a conservative people, who strictly minded their own business and 
prospered. 

The next settler in this valley was Tomter. 

Going a little further east, we have part of Steig Cooley in this town. 
It was here that Erick Larson Roterud began his pioneer life in 1865, 
together with his good wife Ohne, and two sons, Lars and Ole. In a year 
or two he was followed by Christian Kaas and his wife Pernille. 

The Roterud and Kaas people were by nature very social, and after 
the coming of the Steigs, John Thorson and his wife Ingeborg, in 1868, 
life in the neighborhood took on a new aspect. The Steigs settled in the 
same valley, over the line in the town of Hale, and are mentioned here to 
explain how the valley got its name. 

Of all those jolly first settlers in that neighborhood who have not died 
or moved away, John Thorson is the only one still on the old homestead. 
Erick Roterud, born in Norway in 1826, died on his farm Nov. 15, 1893. 
His wife, born in Norway in 1816, died July 25, 1894. Prior to their com- 
ing to Pigeon they had lived for about six years in La Crosse County. 

The beginnings of the several settlements on the north side of Pigeon 
Creek have now been briefly mentioned. On the south side of the creek, 
opposite Steig Cooley, is a valley traversed by a spring brook known as 
Old's Creek. This valley is nameless until about a mile south of Pigeon 
Creek it divides into two branches known as Big Slough and Tuv Cooley. 
In this sketch we are interested only in Tuv Cooley, because the other 
branch lies in Jackson County. 

Near the lower end of this valley, on Sections 36-23-7, George H. Olds 
settled in the fall of 1864. The next year Isaac Richardson settled just 
east of Olds in the same section. Lemual B. Mann came in 1865 and made 
his home a httle to the southeast of George Olds. James D. Olds came in 
the same fall as his brother George, but settled over the hill to the south- 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 877 

west of George in a little valley by himself. The men just mentioned 
were better equipped, financially and educationally, for pioneer life than 
most of the people who settled in the eastern part of this town. 

The first settlers in Tuv Cooley were Peder Pederson and his wife 
Guro, Lars Larson Roterud and his sister Agnette, who came there in 
June, 1865. These people, together with Erick Roterud, came from La 
Crosse Valley with oxen, and were the first Norwegian settlers in the 
eastern part of the town. In 1866 Mikkel Hagen and Mads Knudtson set- 
tled in this cooley. 

Mathias Johnson Tuv, from whom the valley gets its name, came there 
in the summer of 1869. 

The next valley to claim our attention is Hegge Cooley. The first set- 
tler here was Benjamin Oliver, the father-in-law to George Olds, who, with 
a large family, settled here in August, 1864. Ohver, the olds brothers and 
Mann, all came from the town of Caledonia in this county. Nels Hegge, 
who gave his name to the valley, came there in 1871 with his wife Nicoline. 
The home he bought had formerly been occupied by WiUiam Abbott and 
Andrew Olson. Another early settler in this valley was Ole Gulbranson 
Eid, who bought the Ohver farm. 

West of the Hegge Cooley lies Fitch Cooley. The Fitch family never 
lived in this valley, but for several years they were the only settlers in the 
vicinity. 

Ole Iverson Hoff'stad, his wife Anne, and Anton Ekern, were the first 
home builders in this valley. They came in 1866. Other early settlers 
were John Hovern and wife. His father, Even Hovern, and mother, Anne, 
Olaus Nelson and wife, Iver Hanson Tofte, Emert Brandon, John Ringness, 
Hans Bagstad, Anton Larson and Lars Flikkeshaug. 

Between Fitch Cooley and Fly Creek hes Sjuggerud Cooley. The 
first settler here was Mathias Sjuggerud, who came in 1875. Mr. Sjug- 
gerud, wose name the Cooley bears-, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, 
May 16, 1844; came to the United States in 1867; spent eight years in 
La Crosse, Wis. ; was married first to Agnette Haug, who died in 1877 ; mar- 
ried again to Oline Mathiasdatter Feb. 26, 1880. He died June 10, 1914, 
leaving widow and five children. 

Pigeon Falls. 

This beautiful and prosperous village and its vicinity deserves special 
notice from me, whose fife and career, through a period of more than forty 
years, has to a large extent been moulded and determined by influences 
radiating from the hands and hearts of its inhabitants. 

Kings and war lords, for the display of their great and arbitrary powers, 
have sometimes caused cities and marts of trade to spring up in places 
unfitted for industries and habitation ; but most of the world's centers of 
population and trade have had their origin in harmony with the great 
natural law of supply and demand. 

When Cyrus Hubbard Hine in exploring the stream now known as 



878 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Pigeon Creek, in the summer of 1865, found a place where the waters leaped 
and sang over a rocky bottom, through a narrow channel between high 
banks, from which rich agricultui'al lands stretched far in every direction, 
Reason at once whispered : "Here is a place for a mill and a factory ;" and 
Hine, who was a natural mechanic and had experience in mill construction, 
found the voice of the singing waters a call to him which he gladly followed. 

Mr. Hine, with his wife Catherine and daughters, had been a resident 
of the town of Preston in our county since 1856, but having found what 
he considered a natural fall in the waters of Pigeon Creek he at once began 
the building of a home, feed mill and carding mill, and in the fall of 1865 
became the first inhabitant where the village of Pigeon Falls is located. 

For five years he was practically monarch of all he surveyed, but in 
1870 Andrew Olson and his brother-in-law, Hans Johnson, opened a store 
right across the road from Mr.- Hine's mill. April 8, 1873, a commission 
was issued appointing Hans Johnson postmaster at Pigeon Falls. This I 
believe is the first public and oflicial recognition of the name Pigeon Falls, 
and whether Hine or someone else suggested the name for the new post- 
office is not known. Prior to 1870 and for several years after Pigeon Falls 
was in general parlance spoken of as "The Factory," because of the card- 
ing outfit operated by Mr.'Hine. It would surprise the present generation to 
see from what distant places wool was brought to Mr. Hine's mill. Nearly 
every settler had a few sheep and the wool raised was usually manufactured 
by the industrious pioneers at home into some form of garment. 

Olson & Johnson continued as storekeepers until the fall of 1875, 
when Peder Ekern bought their building and stock of merchandise. 

On June 9, 1880, Peder Ekern bought from Mr. Hine the farm and 
mill and Mr. Hine and family at once moved to Whitehall. 

It is proper at this point to give the reader just a few lines concerning 
the man who laid the foundation for a business center which promises to 
continue as such for centuries to come. A little wizened, wiry man, weigh- 
ing but a little more than a hundred pounds, as independent in his habits 
and actions as he was in thought, Mr. Hine gave but little attention to 
social conventions, religious creeds or even political issues. His world lay 
mostly within the reach of his hands and within these limits he labored 
contantly and cheerfully, never meddling with outside affairs. His integ- 
rity, sobriety and freedom from all social vices were taken for granted, 
because contrary qualities would have been absolutely out of harmony with 
his general character. 

Mr. Hine was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 8, 1819 ; 
came to Illinois in 1843 ; married Catherine Barber at Joliet, 111., 1847, with 
whom he had two children, to-wit: Laura Thompson, who was killed by 
lightning at the home of her husband, William Thompson, in the town of 
Preston, June 17, 1882, and Mrs. Eva S. Bather, who at present lives at 
Spooner, Wis. Mr. Hine died at Whitehall, Wis., Feb. 13, 1884. 

Mrs. Hine was noted for her excellent table and industrious habits. 
She was born May 2, 1830, and died at Whitehall May 6, 1894. She sleeps 
beside her husband in the Whitehall Cemetery. 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 879 

From 1880 forward to the time of his death, Peder Ekern became the 
central figure in the community, not only because he prospered in business, 
but also because of his ability to grasp the larger problems of a rapidly 
growing settlement. Immediately after buying the mill he began to put 
it into condition for making flour, and on September 30 of the same year it 
was ready for custom and on October 28 burned. It was a very severe 
blow to Ekern's financial prospects, as he had no insurance. But the day 
following the fire he climbed into his one-horse buggy, drove to Whitehall 
and other places to get extension of credit from those he owed and the 
promise of further help to build another mill. The force of the man's 
character is illustrated by the fact that by Jan. 1, 1881, he had a mill ready 
for business, better equipped than the one that burned, but the carding 
machinery was never restored. 

In the spring of 1882 F. W. Hinkley from Sheboygan County, Wiscon- 
sin, built a cheese factory near the location of the present business place 
of Ludvig Knutson, which he conducted with varying success for about 
three years. In the fall of 1885 a creamery plant was put up by Mr. Ekern, 
which began operations on the 8th of December, 1885. 

May 1, 1892, Ekern sold his creamery to a farmers' association, which 
operated it until the middle of October, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. 
Ekern at once commenced the building of another creamery, which was 
opened for business on December 1 the same year. 

April 19, 1898, Ekern caused his business to be incorporated under the 
name of "P. Ekern Company." Since that time the P. Ekern Company has 
conducted a general mercantile business, operated a creamery, mill and 
farm. Peder Ekern died June 25, 1899, and since that time the business 
affairs of the P. Ekern Company have been almost wholly managed by 
B. M. Sletteland, a son-in-law of Mr. Ekern, whose unfailing courtesy, com- 
bined with eminent business efficiency, has given him a well deserved promi- 
nence in the community. 

In 190 — , Steig & Jacobson began a general mercantile business, which 
is still in operation, though interrupted by a fire Nov. 3, 1914, which 
destroyed the building and a considerable portion of the stock. The busi- 
ness is now wholly managed by Henry Jacobson. For forty years Pigeon 
Falls has always had a good blacksmith and most of the time a good 
shoemaker. During several years past it has also had a meat shop, which 
is at the present time conducted by Ludvig Knudtson. 

In social activities of the better kind Pigeon Falls and vicinity has 
ranked with the very best communities in our county. As early as 1876 
it had a very active literary and debating society known as the Pigeon 
Falls Sentinels, which continued for many years. During the fall of 1876 
a library association was organized and before the end of the year a cir- 
culating libi'ary was in full operation. 

Singing, both English and Norwegian, has been assiduously cultivated 
since the early eighties. The interest of the people in music is evidenced 
at the present time by an active band of forty pieces. 

Since 1885 the village has had two churches and for many years two 



880 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

resident pastors, and in connection with these churches there have been 
for many years two young people's societies that have their own com- 
modious halls for meetings, where devotional and literary exercises are con- 
ducted and usually followed by a generous lunch, for which the halls are 
specially fitted with kitchen utensils, tables, dishes, etc. As aids to the 
moral upkeep of the community the influence of these societies cannot be 
overestimated. 

A lodge of the Scandinavian American Fraternity Society has for many 
years past been actively supported by the people of Pigeon Falls and 
vicinity. This order has also a hall for its meetings, built several years ago. 

The village has had a graded school with two teachers since 1903. 
The first school taught in the village was begun by the writer, in the main 
part of the school house now used, Dec. 10, 1881. Prior to that time, school 
was held in what was known as the "Olds' school house," about one mile 
southeast of the village. The first school in the district, which was also 
the first in the town, was taught in 1866 by Mary Nott, now Mrs. Zenas 
Wright of City Point, Jackson County, Wis. Her salary was twelve dollars 
a month and board. 

Political History. 

The town of Pigeon, from April 2, 1861, until Jan. 5, 1875, was a part 
of the town of Lincoln. As a separate political unit it held its first meeting 
at Pigeon Falls April 13, 1875. 

The first town officers were as follows : Peder Ekern, chairman ; Caleb 
Cummings and Nels Johnson Moe, supervisors; Hans Johnson, treasurer, 
and George P. Dissmore, clerk. 

Mr. Ekern continued as chairman for six successive years. Other 
chairmen from this town have been James D. Olds, Ole E. Larson, Gilbert 
H. Neperud, Nels Agneberg and Even A. Hegge, the present incumbent. 
Anton E. Brandon, the town's present efficient clerk, has served in that 
capacity for fourteen years. 

Local issues have rarely caused factional divisions in this town, but 
there have now and then been lively rivalries for some particular office. 
On national issues the people have, as a rule, sided largely with the Repub- 
lican party. At one general election Leonard Ricker had the distinction 
of casting the only ballot in favor of the Democratic party. After the great 
panic of 1873 James D. Olds became an earnest advocate of the Gi'eenback 
party. He also helped nurse the Populist party, rocked the cradle of the 
People's party, and followed the hearse of all these parties to their respective 
places of interment. But today, at the age of eighty-seven, down in his 
Florida home, he rejoices in the fact that, though all these parties seemed 
too deeply buried to ever again disturb capitalism and monopohsm, their 
spirits still walk the earth, shaping the policies and destinies of all exist- 
ing parties. 

"Truth crushed to earth shall rise again; 
The eternal years of God are hers." 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 881 

Some General Matters. 

In the foregoing sketch some events and matters pertaining to the 
people generally rather than to any particular portion of the town have 
been omitted. 

The burning of Bear's Mill, April 26, 1880, belongs to this class of 
events because of the discussion which followed and the fact that Bear had 
to sue the company which had insured the mill. The mill was built by 
J. R. Bear in 1879, on the south half of the southeast quarter of Section 
4-22-7. From the beginning, many people thought the building of the mill 
a foolish venture, and after the fire some were unkind enough to say that 
the burning of the mill proved that the owner had also discovered his mis- 
take. However, the result of the lawsuit did not sustain this suspicion, 
for Mr. Bear recovered his insurance. 

The greatest affliction suffered by the people of Pigeon was the loss 
of numerous children from repeated epidemics of diphtheria. So fatal 
was this disease that it usually claimed a victim in every home where it 
entered. From the home of Lauritz Sinrud, in January, 1888, five children 
were taken in a week. 

The most destructive storm which has visited the town since it was 
settled occurred June 24, 1914. A large number of expensive barns and 
sheds were blown down, but fortunately no human lives were lost. 

The division of the Lutheran congregation in 1884, over doctrinal 
differences, was an event of more than ordinary importance, and cause 
for grief among many earnest seekers after truth. Happily, time and a 
now reunited church have healed the wounds caused by that unpleasant 
occurrence. 

The question of a railroad through the valley has agitated the people 
on two occasions. First, prior to the building of the Green Bay & Western. 
A survey then made, it is claimed, showed that the company would have 
saved thousands by building their road through the Pigeon Valley instead 
of the Trempealeau Valley, but did not do so because the promoters got 
larger bonuses in following the latter route. 

In November, 1884, the Freeport & Northern submitted a proposition 
to the town for a sale of its stock in exchange for $6,000 in municipal bonds 
to be issued by the town. Nothing was done except to discuss the matter. 

In 1912 and 1913 a determined effort was made by local people to 
interest capital in the building of a road through the valley to connect 
with the Omaha near Fairchild. This project also went to sleep. But 
some day the dream of T. R. Kittelson and others who sacrificed so much 
time four or five years ago to bring about this object will come true. 

There are many characters and events connected with the history of 
this town worthy of particular mention which have been omitted for want 
of space. May I therefore be permitted to state that I have in course of 
preparation a history of this town in which it is my purpose to describe 
separately every farm and its several occupants, from the beginning to the 
present time, so far as the facts can be ascertained. This history will prob- 
ably ifivpr he Dubhshed by me, but the manuscript, I trust, will always be 



882 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

accessible in the archives of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. 
And when death and time shall have removed all the witnesses of early 
events, may coming generations find this labor of love a source of interest 
and inspiration.— (Dated at Whitehall, Wis., Oct. 24, 1917.) 

Pigeon Township is in nearly every respect a typical western Wisconsin township. 
A geographical unity, lying in the valley of a picturesque river, sui)porting near its head 
a flourishing village without a railroad, flowing past two deserted villages, and having 
its mouth at the county seat, it was first settled by New Englanders, and gradually pos- 
sessed by the Scandinavian element. Hon. Hans A. Anderson, who for some thirty years 
has been gathering historical material regarding the county, has taken a particular interest 
in this township, and the article which is here presented is a splendid example of the 
thoroughness of the material which he is leaving to posterity, as well as a valuable his- 
torical review of a t\T)ical Wisconsin community. It is to be hoped that in the years to 
come Judge Anderson will treat of the other townships in the county with the same 
completeness. — F. C-W. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
MORE HISTORICAL PAPERS. 

Trempealeau Mountain Park. Trempealeau Mountain, the thrilling 
history of which has been told in earlier chapters, is soon to be a state 
park. John A. Latsch of Winona, whise benefactions have given to the 
people of Minnesota a vast reserve lying north of Winona along the Mis- 
sissippi, proposes to make the gift to the state in order that the resi- 
dents of Trempealeau County may enjoy the pleasures to be found in 
romping at play over this unique mountain and the land at its base. These 
are people who live in the county where his father, the late John Latsch, 
lived and was engaged in farming for many years. Latsch Valley, in Trem- 
pealeau County, has carried Mr. Latsch's name through the years. The 
donors will make the mountain a memorial to his father, as he has his 
rich gifts to the city of Winona. The deed that Mr. Latsch will make will 
be to the Wisconsin Historical Society through the conservation body. 

Four years ago residents of Trempealeau County interested themselves 
in the proposition of preserving this rare mountain. They found barriers, 
however, in the effort to purchase the property from the individual owners. 
Finally, after Judge H. A. Anderson, Whitehall ; Attorney F. C. Richmond 
and Attorney E. E. Hensel, both of Arcadia; and Dr. E. D. Pierce, Trem- 
pealeau, had decided that the project was too great and the difficulties too 
serious to make immediate action possible, the proposition was abandoned 
for a while. Dr. Pierce, however, was determined that the plans should be 
carried out. His interest in the matter brought the attention of Mr. Latsch 
to the mountain and the surrounding territory, and in June, 1916, the 
project began to take definite shape. Now Mr. Latsch owns practically 
all of the land on the mountain, in all about 130 acres. He also recently 
purchased the Brady farm across the bay and opposite the mountain. This 
is to be a portion of the park. In this farm tract are over 200 acres. 

Because the mountain is an island and its treasures not easily accessible 
to the "commercial pirates," much of its original growth and peculiarities 
have been retained. Probably nowhere on the upper Mississippi is there a 
more unusual bluff, not only because of its scenic prominence but because 
of its unusual contour and the rare plants that grow upon it. 

There are over 30 varieties of wood on Trempealeau Mountain, among 
them the Chinkopin, southern locust that blossoms and has pods like bean- 
pods. There are thousands of kinds of wild flowers. :«*mong the shrubs there 
is the famous gensing and it was a place where Indians came for years 
to secure "medicine." The rare wild huckleberry grows there. Apart from 
the other bluffs surrounded by water, the mountain has preserved its orig- 
inal flora. It cannot be pastured. That explains why the ladyslipper, the 
painted cup, the quaint showy orchid, the hepaticas, the anemone, the 

883 



884 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

trillum, the blue and yellow violets, and the jack-in-the-pulpit all can be 
found there. 

On the mountain there have been built many of the famous mounds, 
some of them still unexplored. In recent years wonderful discoveries have 
been made. These mounds, it is proposed, will be restored and its timber 
and flora kept intact for the future generations. 

The residents of Trempealeau County have expressed to Mr. Latsch 
a feeling of gratitude for his eagerness to assist in preserving so great a 
treasure. He has won their everlasting thanks for presenting the moun- 
tain. Important and extensive improvements will be made to the mountain 
and the park by the State Society. 

The settlers looked upon Trempealeau Mountain in the earliest day 
as a historic landmark — a guiding hand in the wilderness — and that feeling 
has been handed down so that the people today of this vicinity have a 
friendly interest in the old mountain and regard it as their historic home 
ground. People have heard its traditions told — its singular place in his- 
tory — beheld its beautiful part of the Mississippi River scenery and in 
the evolution of things no wonder that they have come to have a sentiment 
in favor of its preservation in a wild state so that it may be handed down 
to future generations adorned in all the glory of its old-time attire. 

Many citizens of Trempealeau and vicinity have in the past expressed 
a desire to have the mountain preserved as a State park. The Trempealeau 
County and State Historical Societies have been interested in it, but it 
remained for John A. Latsch, of Winona, to offer a solution for the problem 
for acquiring title and turning it over to the State. It is desired to preserve 
the mountain in its natural grandeur, keeping its flora intact and re-estab- 
lishing its despoiled mound, erecting suitable markers and making cozy 
by-ways through its woodlands so that the botanist, the geologist, the bird 
student and whoever else may enjoy the call of the wild, may come and drink 
their fill of outdoor glory. 

Galesville University, I'ecently renamed Gale College, is located at Gales- 
ville. It was founded by the labors of the Hon. George Gale, LL. D., assisted 
by donations of the citizens of Galesville, La Crosse, Winona, and a few 
other friends of education, mostly residents of Wisconsin. The charter was 
obtained from the Legislature of Wisconsin in January, 1854. The board 
of trustees was organized in 1855 ; the college building commenced in 1858 ; 
the prepai'atory department opened for students in May, 1859, and the 
collegiate department in September, 1861, the first college class graduated 
July 13, 1865. 

Judge Gale, the founder, was the first president, though the educational 
and literary management of the institution was under the supervision of 
the Rev. Samuel Fallows, later a Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church, 
Chicago, 111. During the years in which the building was under construc- 
tion the school was conducted in the county court house. 

The first epoch in the history of the school includes the years between 
1859 and 1877. It was deemed desirable to place the institution under the 
control of some church organization, and this was accomplished when, in 
1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church accepted this trust, which remained 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 885 

in its charge until the year 1877. During this period the school board 
labored under great difficulties. A considerable amount of money was re- 
quired to erect the building, and to meet the requirements from time to time, 
and being in the early settlement days, the number of those who were able 
to render pecuniary aid was very small; hence the burden fell heavily on 
these few. The attendance, which had averaged about 50 students per 
term, was greatly decreased by the outbreak of the Civil War. Many of 
the young men in attendance responded to their country's call for soldiers. 
This decrease in attendance added to the difficulty of meeting the financial 
requirements. But, with the firm conviction that the attainment of greater 
educational facilities was worthy of their best efforts, the pioneers willingly 
assisted to the extent of their ability, and the enterprise was not abandoned. 

In 1861 Prof. Fallows resigned his position as principal, and was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Magill, who served in that capacity only a short time, and 
who was in turn succeeded by the Rev. J. L. Farber, of New Yoi'k. Rev. 
Harrison Gilliland was the next president, and he was elected to fill the office 
of president of the Board of Trustees, which had been made vacant by the 
resignation of Judge Gale. 

For a time after President Gilliland took charge the school seems to 
have prospered, the records showing an attendance of more than 100 
students per year. But the financial condition of the institution 'caused 
the officers much anxiety, and application for aid was made to the church. 
The Conference of the M. E. church accordingly passed a resolution to raise 
a sum of $50,000 among its members. An attempt to solicit this money was 
made, but proved futile. 

Pi'esident Gilliland then tendered his resignation, and recommended 
that the institution be placed under the control of some religious denomina- 
tion which was able to render the necessary financial support. Accordingly, 
in 1876, the Chippewa Presbytery then in session in La Crosse was requested 
to appoint a committee to confer with the local board for the transfer of the 
control of Galesville University from the M. E. church to the Presbyterian 
General Assembly. After some reluctance the charge was accepted by that 
body, and a board of trustees was appointed which assembled for the first 
time on May 15, 1877. This body made provision for ascertaining and 
meeting claims against the institution and for procuring pecuniary means 
for the operation of the school. The course of study was readjusted so 
that the schedule, instead of being collegiate grade, was modeled after the 
plan of Philip's Academy. A Normal Course for teachers was also devel- 
oped. A faculty was appointed with R. S. Winans as president. The 
following year John W. McLawry was made president, and Rev. John Moore, 
the resident pastor, also became a member of the faculty. 

At a meeting of the officers in March, 1878, a resolution was made to 
petition the War Department to provide for an instructor in military tactics 
and drill in Galesville University. This petition was granted, and in 1880, 
Lieut. John L. Clem, known in the story of the Civil War as the Drummer 
Boy of Chickamauga, was appointed as such instructor and entered upon 
his duties at once. This arrangement which provided military training 
for the young men at the university was a happy one. The real advan- 



886 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

tages to be derived from such training were appreciated, and a lively interest 
was aroused, which together with the well-deserved popularity of Lieut. 
Clem, combined to attract a large attendance of students. This increase 
entailed the need of more room and the enlargement of the building was 
agreed upon. In 1881, the building, which originally was two stories high, 
was enlarged by the addition of a third story, thus providing space for more 
students and also for drill room in winter. 

Lieut. Clem was succeeded in 1882 by Lieut. G. N. Chase, who served 
in that capacity until 1883, when the military department was discontinued. 
In January, 1884, the main building was destroyed by fire. This was such 
a terrible blow to the institution that for a time its fate seemed dubious. 
But such was the untiring zeal of the friends of the institution at home and 
abroad that in the course of a year a new building was erected on the site 
of the one destroyed. For several years during the early '80s excellent 
work was done at the college. Under the able guidance of such scholarly 
men as Moses Peters and E. O. Hagen, a large number of young men, since 
prominent in their professions, laid the foundations of their education. 
Rev. McLawry, having tendered his resignation. Dr. J. Irwin Smith assumed 
the presidency in the year 1886, and continued in the discharge of the duties 
appertaining to that office for a period of two years. Rev. Smith had pre- 
viously rendered the institution valuable aid in the capacity of financial 
agent. In the early '90s the attendance began to decrease from year to 
year, until the number of students became so small that to maintain the 
institution under those conditions was impossible. Something had to be 
done to give the school a new impetus. 

In March, 1901, the deliberations, which finally resulted in the transfer 
of the control of the institution from the Presbyterian Board of Trustees 
to the Lutheran Synod, were commenced. The La Crosse Conference of the 
Lutheran Synod, then in session in La Crosse, elected a committee to go to 
Galesville for the purpose of examining the property, and to confer with the 
local board to determine the conditions under which the transfer might be 
effected. The committee, after having performed its duty, reported that 
by the payment of $6,500 the transfer could be made. The city of Galesville 
pledged itself to furnish $2,500, and the purchase was made in August, 1901. 

It was deemed necessary to make extensive repairs on the building 
before the school could be opened. A sum of more than $2,000 was con- 
tributed by members of the Lutheran congregations in the district and 
judiciously expended in repairing and improving the building. This work 
was completed in the fall of the year 1901. On the first day of December 
the institution was dedicated, its name being changed from Galesville 
University to Gale College. Prof. H. G. Stub, of Minneapolis, performed the 
ceremony. On the following day the school commenced its work under the 
new administration with Rev. L. M. Grimmestad, who has since remained 
with the school, as president. 

The time during which the school has been under Lutheran supervision 
has been a period of success and constant progress. The old courses have 
been improved, and additional courses have been introduced. In 1908-1909 
a music department was established, which has now become a permanent 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 887 

and prominent feature of the school. During the same year the Classical 
and Scientific Courses were introduced, taking the place of the Academical 
Course. To the Commercial Department was added a Four- Year Course 
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Accounts. All of these courses, as 
well as the Luther College Preparatory and the Normal Parochial Courses, 
have continually been improved and broadened. In addition to the courses 
mentioned above, some work of Collegiate grade has also been carried on. 

Musical and literary organizations have always played an important 
part at Gale College. A band was organized by Prof. A. F. Giere in 1903. 
Several tours were made during the summer months. Perhaps the most 
successful was the tour of 1909, when a distance of 800 miles was covered, 
the route of travel being through Western Wisconsin and Southern and 
Central Minnesota. An orchestra was organized by Prof. H. Onsgard in 
1911. This work is now being successfully carried on by A. M. Fredrickson. 

The Utile Cum Dulci, a literary society organized by students of the 
school 35 years ago, is still in a flourishing condition. All students are 
members. Normannalaget is a Norwegian society based on the same gen- 
eral principles as the Utile Cum Dulci. At this point may be mentioned the 
Gale College Club, organized in 1906, which has for its objects the lending of 
moral and financial support to the institution. All friends of the school are 
kindly requested to become members of this organization. 

Literary activities are being stimulated further by the publishing of 
The Gale Pennant, a student's publication, first issued in 1908. 

The work of the school is facilitated by a good library, the value of 
which was much increased by a careful cataloging in 1912-1913. 

The Boys' Dormitory, built in 1906, furnishes comfortable accommo- 
dations for 55 students. The Ladies' Hall, completed in 1915, is a beautiful 
structure which accommodates about 50 students. This building contains 
also a gymnasium which fills a long-felt need. 

For a church home the students have the Trinity Lutheran church, a 
pleasant and attractive building, erected by the Galesville congregation of 
the Norwegian Lutheran Synod in 1909. — (By L. M. Gimmestad, President.) 

The advantage of a college of this size and order, is the individual atten- 
tion that can be given pupils to develop them in accordance with their 
mental qualifications and ability. In other words it brings out the indi- 
vidual brain strength and character of the pupil, thus enabling action on 
the part of the faculty, along the most beneficial lines, in other words, give 
the students a harmonious education. 

. The faculty comprises the Rev. L. M. Gimmestad, A. B., President, and 
a staff' of five assistants, each well qualified for the work of education. It 
well becomes the character of this work to compUment Rev. Gimmestad on 
the splendid success he is making of the college and in qualifying the 
graduates for the position in life they desire to occupy. He is also entitled 
to the gratitude and unqualified consideration of all those who are interested 
in the college. He has sacrificed his personal ambition in a worldly way, to 
y build up an institution creditable to himself and the denomination he repre- 
sents. He is a scholar of fine attainment, an orator of finished ability, and 



888 HISTORY OF TREMPP:ALEAIT COUNTY 

a man of affairs, who honors Galesville and its people by his association 
therewith. 

Arcadia in 1876. Arcadia Village, succeeding Old Arcadia, was started 
in the winter of 1873 when the railroad came through, and grew in 1874 and 
1875. In the spring of 1876, when the flood came, the flats already con- 
tained a village of considerable size, the business houses being scattered 
along Main Street both sides of the track, and on side streets. 

The depot was located on the present site. Northeast of it was the 
elevator of Elmore & Kelly, and still further along the elevator of Krumdick 
& Muir, who also dealt in agricultural implements. Along the track south- 
west of the depot, and across the street, were the elevator of the W. P. 
Massuere Company and the farm implement warehouse of A. E. Smith & 
Co., on opposite sides of the track from each other, and further southwest, 
and like the Smith Company on the east side of the track, was the elevator of 
Canterbury & Smith. East of Elmore & Kelly was the lumber yard of 
J. W. Hiles, of which Henry Wirtenberger was the manager, and east of 
the Krumdick & Muir elevator was the lumber yard of H. Ketchum, of 
which C. E. Hollenbeck was the agent. 

East of the depot, on the north side of Main Street, was a saloon owned 
by George Hiles and operated by James Hiles. Then came the livery barn of 
Le Vant Johnson. Next was the lumber office of H. Ketchum. Next east 
was the E. J. Gorton general store. Then came a vacant stretch of land. 
Further east there were two buildings, the first being the blacksmith shop 
of Nichols & Pike, and the second being the millinery store of Mrs. Ranee 
Jones. 

The Arcadia Hotel, of which John Eckel was the proprietor, occupied 
the present site of the Wolfe Opera House. South of this on the east side of 
the street, there were thi-ee buildings, the first going south, being the meat 
market of John Nickly, the second being the dry goods and grocei-y store 
of Mutz & Stariha, and the third being the saloon of J. K. Cysewski. 

East of the Arcadia Hotel, on the south side of Main Street came the 
office of Drs. Frank L. Lewis and George N. Hidershide. Next was the 
Burt House, of which John and Richard Burt were the proprietors. Then 
came the general store of W. P Massuere Company. Next, on the corner 
of Washington street was the drug store of I. R. Bryan & Co. 

East of Washington Street on the present site of the W. P. Massuere 
Co. was the hardware store of the Merrill Brothers, L. G. and Benjamin. 
In the upper story of this building the Masonic order met. Considerably 
east of this was the poolroom and saloon of W. W. Barnes. Still further 
to the east was the Shamrock Hotel, of which A. Flynn was the proprietor. 
South of the Merrill Bros, hardware store, and on the east side of Wash- 
ington Street was the Merrill Bros, lumber yard. 

West of the depot on the north side of Main street there was a large 
vacant space. The present site of the Fugina Brothers Fertig Store was a 
swamp. Between the track and Commercial (Grant) Street, north of Main 
street and west of the track there was not a business house except the 
John D. Rainey Commercial Hotel, which stood on its present site. On 
the -west side of Commercial Street, and north of the present site of the 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUXTY 889 

Fugina Brothers Fertig Store, was the livery barn of the Bigham Brothers. 
Next north was the saloon of Matt. Danuser. Next was the tailor shop 
of Tim. Selck. Further along was the store of Bohri Brothers & Hensel. 
Still further was the saloon and restaurant of George Kump. 

There were no business houses on River Street except the shoe and 
repairing shop of Henry Klug, who was on the corner east of Jackson Street 
and south of River Street. 

On the north side of Main Street, west of the present site of the Fugina 
Brothers Fertig Store, was the meat market of Anton Baertsch, Then 
going west came the furniture store of Zeph Dupois (in the upper story were 
the offices of Capt. J. D. Lewis and P. H. Varney), the restaurant of Emile 
Dohlan, the saloon of Gregory Ripply, the tin shop of Thomas E. Murphy, 
and the millinery store of Mrs. F. A. Morgan. Next west, and on the 
corner of Jackson Street was the Fugina Brothers & Fertig store. 

Across Jackson Street to the west, and on the corner, was the furniture 
store which had been built by Herman Tracy and was operated by F. J. Tracy 
and Casper Wohlgenant under the firm name of E. J. Tracy & Co. Further 
to the westward was the building which housed the postoffice and the 
Arcadia Leader, N. D. Comstock being the postmaster, and G. A. Hacston 
the editor of the Leader. 

On the south side of Main Street, west of the track, was a vacant space. 
THen came the feed store of John Maurer. Next west was the general store 
of Gasal Brothers. Then came the harness shop of Richtman & Mallinger. 
Further to the west was the saloon of John Kastner. Next was the wagon 
shop of Joseph Kutz, and on the corner of Jackson Street was the blacksmith 
and machinery shop of Christ Van Wold. Across Jackson Street to the 
west, on the other corner was the harness shop of John Hentges. Still 
further along was the cigar factory of Jacob Schneller. The planing mill 
of Nic. Mueller was on the east side of Jackson Street, some rods south of 
Main Street. (Outlined by John C. Gaveney, after examination of the 
newspaper files and consultation with old settlers.) 

Pioneer Schools. School conditions were materially difl"erent in the 
early days from what they are now. The pioneer schoolhouses had home- 
made desks placed close to the wall. Sometimes as many as twenty pupils 
had to rise to let the classes pass to and from, recitation. In many schools 
there were no recitation seats and the classes had to stand. The desks and 
woodwork were often unpainted, but teacher and pupils were expected to 
keep all as white as soap and sand would make them. Each teacher, with 
the help of her pupils, cleaned her own schoolhouse. Long-handled dippers, 
washbasin, soap, towels, and mirrors came gradually, as did maps, charts 
and other helps. The three R's, with the addition of grammar and spelling, 
were the essentials, and pity the teacher who could not do all the "sums." 

It may be that undue emphasis was placed upon arithmetic, as nothing 
was omitted, even though it had no practical value in itself. But for those 
pupils who had no hope of ever studying the higher mathematics or a foreign 
language, the mental discipline from their arithmetic was invaluable. 

In mental arithmetic drills, and it was mental, the pupil would listen 
attentively while the teacher read a problem once. He would then stand. 



890 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

repeat the problem correctly, give each step in the solution, and the conclu- 
sion, training along many lines. The pupils of early days did not have the 
culture that the pupils of later days have, but they learned how to work, they 
were able to help themselves, and they could spell. 

What a frolic was the old-time spelling school ! How the children did 
work over those spelling lessons ! Books were taken home and hours were 
spent preparing for the next spelling school. Often three or more schools 
met and fought hard, if bloodless, battles for the championship. Yes, it 
was exciting fun, but it also taught spelling. 

The children furnished their own text books, and often there were not 
enough to go around. Nor were the books always suited to the needs of 
the child. Four different kinds of readers or arithmetics were often found 
in one class. 

Out of school the teacher was truly a part of the family with which she 
boarded. She sat with them around the kitchen fire, washed in the family 
basin, used the common family towel, and shared not only a room, but a 
bed with one or two children. The food was plain, but plentiful and whole- 
some, and although the houses were small and often very cold, they were 
real homes. Every one shared the joys and sorrows of the others. — By 
Margaret Anderson. 

The Galesville Fair. The agricultural fair or "cattle show" was a 
tradition brought from the Eastern States, from whence most of the settlers 
came. In 1859 the time seemed ripe for such a venture in Trempealeau 
County. The rich virgin soil had brought forth abundantly. The pioneers 
were boasting of vegetables of great size, of experiments made in raising 
the standard of crops, of excellent results with stock, and of the success in 
solving the many problems incidental to the creation of a rich agricultural 
region from the hills and valleys that had only a few years before been an 
untraversed wilderness. A fair would not only give the widely-scattered 
settlers a chance to compare experiences and results, but would also demon- 
strate the resources of the county and attract immigration. 

Accordingly a call was issued and the Trempealeau County Agricultural 
Society duly organized at the Court House on October 1, 1859. 

"A. Call. — We, the undersigned, desirous of organizing an Agricultural 
Society in the County of Trempealeau, do appoint a meeting for that pur- 
pose, to be held in the Court House at Galesville, on the 1st of October, 1859, 
at 2 o'clock p. m. It is to be hoped and expected that every town in the 
county will be fully represented. The cause is one that should engage the 
attention of everyone. Come, old and young, that we may have two essen- 
tial qualities — experience and fire. — George H. Smith, A. Cary, Isaac Clark, 
George Gale, Alex. A. Arnold, Ryland Parker, Samuel F. Harris, William T. 
Clark. Romanzo Bunn and George Y. Freeman, of Gale, and H. Lake and 
John B. Duning, of Preston." 

The ofiicers chosen were : President, George H. Smith ; vice-presidents, 
Isaac Noyes, Alex. A. Arnold and John B. Duning; secretary, George Y. 
Freeman; treasurer, Isaac Clark; general committee, John C. French, of 
Gale; Cyrus E. Turner, of Trempealeau; Henry Lake, of Preston; Jacob T. 
Holmes, of Caledonia; David Bishop, of Arcadia, and Willard H. Thomas, 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 891 

of Sumner. W. A. Johnson, a few days later, was appointed general super- 
intendent. 

Preparations were at once made for the first fair. Seventy-five men 
contributed $1.00 each, and the people of Galesville turned out with axes 
and grubhoes and cleared the brush from the lower table about where the 
Public Square is now located and surrounded it with a race track, a track 
rough and uneven, but nevertheless one which answered its purpose. The 
fair was duly held October 21 and 22. The entries numbered 168 and the 
competition was keen. All the cash awards were returned by the prize 
winners. On the second day an address was delivered by Prof. Samuel Fal- 
lows. At the 1860 fair the exhibits were increased in number and quality. 
The third fair was held at Trempealeau in 1861, the only fair of the society 
that has been held outside of Galesville. Preparations were being made 
for the Civil War, and a feature of the gathering was a military parade by 
the Galesville Greys and the Trempealeau Guards. 

In the fall of 1862 fair grounds were purchased from Isaac Clark, and 
the fair of that year held at the new location. 

The annual fairs were held on these grounds until 1892, when the 
present grounds were purchased and put in use that fall for the Thirty-third 
Annual Fair. Improvements which were at once inaugurated have con- 
tinued until the grounds and equipment are numbered among the best in 
the State. 

Some 20 years later interest in the fairs seemed to wane. From the 
first the maintenance of the fair had been a financial burden to the people 
of Galesville. and vicinity, and had frequently necessitated contributions of 
considerable size. The unpaid $1,000 due for the property was a constant 
menace to the existence of the organization. 

New life was infused in 1907 when the citizens organized the Galesville 
Park, Fair & Improvement Company and by soliciting subscriptions paid 
the outstanding indebtedness on the property and took over the land which 
it leases to the Agricultural Society free. Since then the fairs have in- 
creased in importance and success, until the year 1916, when rumor of an 
infantile paralysis scourge reduced both the attractions and the attendance. 

The present officers are: President, Carl McKeeth; vice-president, 
Emil Francar ; secretary, Ben W. Davis ; treasurer, J. A. Kellerman. The 
executive committee consists of the officers and of all the living ex-presi- 
dents, of whom there are now two, Capt. D. D. Chappell and N. H. Carhart. 

The Trempealeau Valley Poultry Association, incorporated Feb. 21, 

1913, was organized as the Trempealeau County Poultry & Breeders' Associ- 
ation in October, 1912, by M. F. Risinger, John A. Markham, Walter E. 
Sprecher, L. C. Larson, H. J. Hacker, C. A. Sherwood, C. C. Kremer and Bert 
Thompson. In 1914 Mr. Markham succeeded Mr. Risinger as president. 
Shows have been held as follows: 1912, Whitehall; 1913, Independence; 

1914, Blair ; 1915, Alma Center ; 1916, Arcadia. The 1917 show is scheduled 
to be held at Independence, but probably will not be held on account of war 
conditions. 

Agricultural Development. Agriculture in Trempealeau County had its 
beginning on Decorah Prairie, when the squaws of Decorah's band planted a 



892 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

small corn field. Later Wabasha's band had a small corn field near Trem- 
pealeau. 

The agriculture of the white man originated in this county in 1836, 
when the Rev. Daniel Gavin, the Swiss missionary, and his helper, Louis 
Stram, broke some land near a clear spring, east of Mountain Lake and some 
three miles northwest of the present village, and endeavored to teach the 
Indians farming. The attempt was not a success. John Doville, who 
arrived in 1838, started a garden on the land broken by Stram. Oats and 
peas were the principal crop. The oats were threshed in a primitive way 
with horses driven in a circle. Doville also broke a tract of land in the 
upper part of the present village. In those days the pigeons were a serious 
drawback. 

The history of agriculture in Trempealeau County is the history of 
very many newly settled regions. The early settlers found a land rich in 
the natural resources of a silt loam soil. A land, which, with a minimum of 
labor and the use of the crudest of agricultural implements, yielded large 
crops of wheat, oats and corn. 

For a few years after a piece of land was broken the yields were amaz- 
ing, 45 to 50 bushels of wheat per acre not being unusual. Their machinery 
at that time consisted of a breaking plow, crossing plow, V-shaped drag and 
a scythe, cradle and flail. 

A few years before the Civil War broke out a threshing machine run by 
a tread-power was introduced. This was little besides a cylinder, concave 
and fan. It had no straw stacker and one man stood at the rear with a fork 
and threw the straw back. In a short time a machine run by horse-power 
and tumbling rod, and equipped with a straw-carrier and measuring device 
was invented ; and the settlers would have thought they were pretty well 
fixed, except that every bushel of grain in Trempealeau County had to be 
hauled either to Trempealeau or Fountain City, a round trip of 50 miles or 
more over roads that were barely passable. 

Some little improvement was made on farm machinery during this 
time, but not much. And the threshers were not greatly changed for many 
years. Not long after the war, reapers began to be used; great heavy, 
clumsy machines, very apt to clog in heavy grain and requiring two men to 
operate them. One drove and the other was strapped to a post set in the 
center of the platform and removed the grain with a rake as it was cut. 

Their haying was all done with a scythe, hand-rake and pitchfork. 
They kept only such cows as were needed to supply the family with milk and 
butter, and raised a few hogs for their own use, and sometimes hauled some 
dressed pork to the lumber camps and exchanged for lumber. 

But this method of farming could not continue forever. Grain crops 
gradually dwindled until the yield of wheat was very small. Chinch bugs 
and weeds helped to crowd it out. Wheat was about their only money crop 
and when that failed they were at a loss how to live. At this time many, 
through a ruinous system of usury practised by money lenders who profited 
by the farmers' misfortune, were compelled to gather up their personal 
belongings and journey on toward the West, there to repeat the sad experi- 
ment of trying to take from the land continually without putting anything 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COFXTY 893 

back. But others, strong in the faith which every true farmer must have 
in his "spadeful of earth," hung to their homesteads, and soon after they 
saw a great hght, for Gov. W. D. Hoard came preaching the gospel of corn, 
clover, cows and creameries. 

The land had by this time become so robbed of humus, nitrogen and 
phosphorus that only meager and unprofitable crops could be raised. But 
with the advent of clover and cows, agriculture received a stimulus which 
has had a healthy and prosperous effect upon the county's farming industry 
ever since. 

Farmers, pretty generally, started rotating their crops, keeping cows 
and hogs, thus adding to the fertility of the soil, and also giving them a 
steady income instead of the uncertain one afforded by grain raising. 

About this time better machinery began to come into use and many 
farmers found their labors lightened by the use of combined reapers and 
mowers. These machines were usually drawn by three horses, two abreast 
and one on the lead ridden by a small boy. This was done to avoid injury to 
the unbound gavals which would result from driving three horses abreast. 

The next evolution w^as in the nature of a harvesting machine which 
required three men to opei'ate it. One drove and the other two bound the 
grain as it was elevated to them. This was followed by the self-binder. 

The old horse-power threshers were gradually improved until we now 
have the modern steam thresher with wing feeders, automatic elevators and 
weighers, and wind stackers. Nearly every farmer now uses a cream sepa- 
rator in place of the old gravity system of separating cream. Harrows, 
disks, cultivators, drills and seeders have come into universal use, and the 
land has been brought back to its oi'iginal fertilitj\ 

Silos and leguminous crops have insured the farmer a summer ration 
for his stock all the year round. And Trempealeau County has in this year 
1917 the proud distinction of raising 156,000 bushels of wheat and of being 
the banner winter wheat county of Wisconsin. — By W. E. Bishop. 

The Orchard and Its Advancements. The apple stands at the head of 
the list of all fruits and thrives in more localities than any fruit grown. In 
the early settling of Trempealeau County, along in the '50s, very few trees 
were set, and what were, were an experiment. The first apples in Trempea- 
leau County were harvested in 1858 by George Batchelder. In about 1860 . 
Messrs. Gray and Sparks started a nursery southeast of the village of Trem- 
pealeau, and induced the farmers to set trees. Then came E. Wilcox in 
1862 and at the close of the war bought out Gray and Sparks and started 
to run a nursery on a larger scale. In an article written by E. Wilcox in 
March, 1870, to the Record, he stated that those who had orchards doing 
Avell were E. Barnard, J. Nichols, Amos Whiting, L. D. Ladd, Mr. Burns, 
D. W. Gilfillan, A. Grover, C. Perkins, J. Rhodes, Mr. Bomun, Mr. Gary, Mr. 
Wilbur, S. S. Luce, George Markham, Henry Lake and others. E. Wilcox 
was a strong believer in the idea that apples would succeed in Trempealeau 
County, and had set out an oixhard of 1,500 trees. J. Nichols had three 
orchards of considerable size. These trees were coming into bearing 
nicely when the severe winter of 1872 destroyed most of them, as well as 



894 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

the nursery stock of 60,000 trees. Those that withstood the winter were 
Dutchess, Transcendent and a few other crabs. 

In the fall of 1871 W. A. Jackson, of Galesville, bought 500 trees of 
Wilcox and buried them in the ground over winter. They thus escaped the 
severe winter and were set out the following spring. A few other farmers 
did likewise, only on a smaller scale. These trees did well. Those who 
were not discouraged replaced their orchards with hardier varieties, and in 
the fall of 1882 or 1883 A. J. Scarseth, of Galesville, packed 500 barrels of 
apples. The empty barrels were procured from the cooper shop of Wilson 
Davis, conducted in connection with the flour mill. These apples were sold 
to E. White, of Winona, with the exception of a few barrels which were 
shipped farther west. There were some fine specimens of Snow, Perry 
Russet, Golden Russet, Utter, Seeknofurther, Pound Sweet, Talman Sweet, 
St. Lawrence, Ben Davis and many other varieties. 

We boys, who were then in our teens, never will forget how these 
apples swelled our stomachs; and also the taste of those apple dumplings 
and the boxes of apples stored for winter. I also remember helping father 
load about 500 pounds of hay on the rack, and in the center of the load, on 
top, were placed 20 sacks containing one bushel each, and taking them to 
Winona, selling them for from $1 to $1.25 a bushel. The apples were free 
from worms' or other defects. 

Then came another winter when it seemed that the mercury would 
never stop going down. This was in 1884, the low temperature killing 
nearly all varieties but the Dutchess of Oldenburg, Transcendent and a few 
top-worked varieties on the Transcendent. Those Dutchess and Tran- 
scendents bore well, but there was no market for them. Twenty-five cents 
a bushel was considered a good price for these varieties. Almost everybody 
had a few trees. 

William Kass was another lucky man who had 160 trees buried in the 
ground. The winter of hard frost last mentioned (1884) froze mostly 
Utter's Large. This variety comes into bearing in from five to seven years 
after planting. Mr. Kass was known as "The Apple Man from the Little 
Tamarack," and had everything his own way for 10 years. 

In the spring of 1891 I set out 500 trees. It was a favorable season 
and I did not lose half a dozen. Some of the neighbors laughed at the folly 
of trying to raise apples in Trempealeau County, but I thought I knew my 
own business. Their ridicule served to aggravate me, like when one tries 
to drive a hog bound to go the other way. So the following spring I set 
out 1,000 more trees and later added 300 to that. Then N. Perkins planted 
out 500 trees. Mr. Kass, S. D. Grover, M. S. Grover, John Perkins, William 
Trim and J. Nicholls planted 100 trees each. Many others tried smaller lots. 

In 1895 I planted out in nursery rows 10,000 root grafts. In three or 
four years these trees were sold to the neighbors, George Trim buying 
the largest amount at any one time, something like 650, and Ed Grover was 
another heavy buyer. The tree agents from outside the State got busy and 
sold one-acre orchards. These amounted practically to nothing. The first 
fruit these orchards bore were sold to the grocerymen of Winona. Each 
year these orchards were more productive. In 1902 we began to ship in 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 895 

barrels to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The output of the crops at this time 
was about 3,500 bushels. Mr. Ward, of Winona, came over and bought five 
carloads of late fall and winter apples. These were delivered in bushel 
crates at his cold storage. That same fall two dealers came along from 
Milwaukee. We sold them a car of No. 2 apples, which was shipped to 
the iron mines of Northern Wisconsin. The years 1908 and 1909 were two 
more banner years, with an estimate of 10,000 bushels each year. W. H. 
Craig, of Winona, was a heavy buyer and shipping was general. In 1910 
the spring opened up early and the trees were in full bloom by the 20th of 
April, one month ahead of time. A snow storm and a heavy freeze settled 
the apple crop for that year. This freeze set all of the older trees bearing 
every other year. Then 1911, 1913 and 1915 were our fruit years. There 
are a few exceptions with the younger trees. There has been about 20,000 
bushels raised each fruit year since 1910, and they have been distributed as 
far north as Duluth, Winnipeg, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, 
Nebraska and Illinois. There are many varieties being planted that will 
not withstand our severe winters. When one comes along they will die 
out. In the southern part of Trempealeau County there are about 225 acres 
planted to apples, about half of which are bearing fruit. (By John Grover.) 

First Meeting in Sumner. "At the first town meeting held in the town 
of Sumner, April 6, 1858, the following number of votes were cast for town 
oflficers: William Harman received 13 votes for chairman supervisor; 
James T. King, 13 for supervisor ; Jay H. Chase, 13 for supervisor ; Alvin H. 
Daniels, 13 for town clerk; Austin Ayrs, 13 for treasurer; Henry C. 
Blanchard, 12 for superintendent of schools; Alva H. Daniels, 13 for justice 
of the peace ; George Silkworth, 12 for justice of the peace ; David R. Chase, 
13 for justice of the peace ; James Chase, 13 for justice of the peace ; Austin 
Ayers, 13 for assessor ; John Spalding, 13 for constable ; H. C. Blanchard, 13 
for constable; Russel Bowers, 13 for constable; Albert Taylor, 11 for town 
sealer. Whole number of votes cast, 13. William Harman, James T. King, 
Jay H. Chase, inspectors ; Alva H. Daniels, clerk. 

"We, the undersigned inspectors of election, after comparing all the 
votes, find that the following persons were elected to the following town 
offices in and for the town of Sumner, composed of township No. 24, range 
7, 8 and 9 : 

"William Hartman, chairman of supervisors ; Jay H. Chase and James 
T. King, supervisors ; Alva H. Daniels, town clerk ; Austin Ayrs, treasurer ; 
A. C. Blanchard, superintendent of schools; Alva H. Daniels, George Silk- 
worth, David H. Chase and James Chase, justices of the peace; Austin 
Ayers, assessor ; John Spalding, H. C. Blanchard and Russel Bowers, con- 
stables ; Albert Taylor, town sealer of weights and measures. 

"We further certify the above to be the result of the first town election 
for town officers held at Blanchai'd Tavern on Beef River Station on April 6, 
1858, and that the above report is true and correct. Dated at the town of 
Sumner, this 6th day of April, 1858. William Harman, Jay H. Chase, James 
T. King, Inspectors of Election. 

"I certify the above to be true and correct report of said town election. 
Alva H. Daniels, Clerk of Election." — (Copy of the Records.) 



896 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

Trempealeau Municipal Improvements. Trempealeau Village was 
incorporated in the pioneer days. All records were lost in the fire of 1888. 

The village was reincorporated March 10, 1900, and A. H. Hoberton 
elected president and F. L. Fields, W. Stauge and Thomas Bohen as trustees. 
W. A. Bright is the present president, and C. S. Ford, Ed. Davis, Alfred 
Kutchera and W. A. Graves as trustees. 

The village owns the village hall, which is used for general village pur- 
poses, and the electric light plant. The hall was purchased from the 
W. C. T. U. and had previously been used as a reading room. The electric 
hght service, which is secui-ed by tapping the lines between the Hatfield Dam 
and Winona, was installed July 4, 1915. Before this the streets were lighted 
with kerosene lamps on corner posts. 

The village part was platted for its present purpose when the sur- 
rounding lots were laid out. The band stand therein was erected about 1888 
through the efforts of Dr. C. H. Cutter, and the members of the band here 
at that time. — (By A. A. Gibbs.) 

Independence Municipal Improvements. The waterworks system in 
Independence dates from June 14, 1886, when M. Mulligan, the village 
president, volunteered to ascertain the cost of the waterworks at Galesville 
and report at the next meeting. June 22 of the same year J. C. Taylor, 
Henry Hanson and L. E. Danuser were appointed a committee to ascertain 
the cost of pum.ps to put out fires. Sept. 13, 1886, President M. Mulligan 
was instructed to make arrangements with the Mill Company, and to draw 
up a contract with Goulds & Austin for pumps, pipe and the like. There 
was actually built and constructed that fall, three blocks, about 1,000 linear 
feet, extending from the Mill on Railroad Street and Washington Street, to 
what is now known as Lyga's Corner. This main was laid so shallow that 
the entii'e system froze up solid during the following winter. In the follow- 
ing spring and summer the main was lowered. Sept. 7, 1887, a 200-pound 
bell was purchased for the village hall. Feb. 27, 1888, firemen's caps and belts 
were purchased. Aug. 6, 1894, J. Zimmers, A. Gai'thus and C. H. Short were 
appointed to investigate the waterworks of other places. On petition of 23 
voters, a special election was called for Aug. 25, 1894, to vote on the question 
of issuing bonds of $2,500 for a waterworks system, but owing to certain 
technicalities which were not observed, a second election was called May 30, 
1895, and at this meeting it was decided by a vote of 102 to 2 to issue bonds 
of $3,000 payable in three, four and five years. A. J. Bautch, 0. P. Huff and 
C. H. Short were appointed on the committee to consult with an engineer. 
Plans and specifications were accepted May 6, 1895, and a contract was let 
to J. F. Zilla to build an artesian well, 500 feet deep, on the village lot. A 
lease was secured from Albert J. Bautch for the site for a reservoir on the 
hill just west of the village limits. June 20, 1895, the contract was let to 
install the waterworks for $5,244.34. Aug. 20, 1895, the well was completed 
and Mr. Zilla paid $722.06. That summer the pumphouse and reservoir 
were completed. Sept. 25, 1895, a contract was made with John Dagan to 
lower the old water mains from Third Street to the Mill. Dec. 9, 1896, 
trouble had developed at the pump by reason of sand. The trouble con- 
tinued. By a resolution passed Oct. 11. 1897, a large and shallow well was 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 897 

constructed, arranged to filter water through from the creek. The well 
was in working order early in the summer of 1898. Jan. 24, 1901, it was 
voted to extend the mains on Fifth Street, 640 feet, and on Third Street, 460 
feet, with four new hydrants. 

Sept. 12, 1908, a contract was awarded A. J. Bautch to extend the water 
mains across the lake, and up to the Catholic church, and to install the 
proper hydrants. On June 22, 1909, the citizens by a vote of 65 to 54 
rejected the proposition to bond the village for $3,200 for a sewer system. 
But on March 27, 1911, in accordance with a petition previously presented, 
the village board ordered an election to be held on April 25, 1911, on the 
question of bonding the village $3,500 for waterworks and a like amount for 
a sewer system. On the date set both propositions were carried, the sewer 
vote being 95 to 37 and the water vote being 95 to 35. Jan. 23, 1911, a con- 
tract for the sewer system was let to F. C. Robinson & Co. for $9,200. Oct. 
24, 1911, the village board purchased for $1,000 an acre of land from Jacob 
Jackson, on which to dig wells and erect a pumping house. Oct. 31, 1911, a 
contract was let for about $700 for an addition to the sewer system on Fifth 
Street. April 19, 1912, a contract was let for furnishing an oil engine, 
pumps, pump house, extension of the water mains and completion of the 
entire work, at $4,000, and on May 29, 1912, it was voted to purchase an 
oil tank for the water plant at $470. Oct. 6, 1913, an extension of the sewer 
system was voted, 620 feet, for $690. In October, 1915, sewer and water- 
works extensions were made at a cost of $3,200. 

Independence is noted for its excellent street system. As early as 
May 24, 1886, the village purchased at a cost of $218.50 a road grader, prob- 
ably the first in Trempealeau County. May 31, 1886, John Elstad was 
appointed street commissioner at $2 for each day's work of 10 hours. It 
was also decided that the road grader be let to districts desiring it, the 
grader to be in charge of a man designated by the village board, his wages 
to be paid by the district using it. On Aug. 7, 1899, by a vote of 59 to 3, 
the citizens declared in favor of issuing bonds of $3,000, payable in two, 
three and four years, with interest at 5 per cent, for the purpose of building 
a 150-foot span steel bridge over Elk Creek at the mill. The contract 
was let Sept. 4, 1899, to J. G. Wagner & Co., of Milwaukee, for $5,047. May 
11, 1900, a sidewalk resolution was passed, leading to the construction of 
many miles of cement walks. Aug. 23, 1913, the village board took the 
necessary action to place certain streets of the village on the county system 
of prospective highways, and raised $1,000 to macadam the following year 
the Osseo-Independence highway from the mill to the north limits of the 
village. The work was done in 1914, and $3,000, including county and State 
aid, was expended. Aug. 3, 1914, the board raised $2,000 for 1915 street 
improvements under the State aid plan, so that $6,000 became available. 
May 20, 1915, the board adopted brick laid over a sand cushion as the type 
of pavement for the main streets of the village. In 1915 there was con- 
structed on the main street of the village 7,500 square yards of asphalt 
bound brick pavement at a cost of $11,000, 1,900 square yards of macadam 
pavement costing $1,600, and curb and gutter costing $500. In 1916 there 
was constructed 3,500 yards of brick paving costing $5,500, and 2,000 



898 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY, 

linear feet of curb and gutter costing $1,050. The permanent street im- 
provements for the two years cost the village $25,000, without creating any- 
bonded indebtedness. 

The sightly village hall at Independence has an interesting history. 
June 14, 1886, the board voted to purchase a building from John Sprecher 
for $135. May 17, 1886, it was voted to purchase lot 4, block 10, original 
plan, 60 by 120 feet, for $100. Later lot 5 was purchased. As the years 
passed, there came the necessity for a larger hall. Consequently at an 
election held May 5, 1902, by a vote of 79 to 18, it was decided to issue 
bonds of $8,000, payable in eight instalhnents, the first in two years, and 
then annually thereafter, for the purpose of erecting a village hall and 
electric light plant. C. G. Maybury, of Winona, was secured as architect. 
All the original bids were found to be too high, and so the plans were 
revised to reduce the cost. Aug. 20, 1902, the contract was let to H. and F. 
Roettiger, of Fountain City, for $11,000. At a special election held May 
25, 1903, by a vote of 66 to 20, the voters declared in bonding the village for 
$2,950, payable in six annual installments beginning in 1917, for the 
purpose of erecting an electric light plant. The cyclone came Oct. -3, 1905, 
causing considerable damage and suffering in the village, and partly demol- 
ishing the city hall. A temporary roof was built. July 30, 1906, a con- 
tract was let to C. A. Sweet for completing the hall at $2,812. and the 
heating contract was let to J. V. Cummings for $1,225. The same year 
$200 was expended for stage scenery and $135 for a piano. Aug. 20, 1909, 
it was voted to buy a new boiler for the electric light plant at $1,366. July 
14, 1910, it was voted to buy a clock and bell for the city hall tower at 
$1,000 from the Seth Thomas Clock Company. March 7, 1892 the first 
appropriation was made for a public library. July 22, 1907, $500 was 
appropriated for the purpose of installing a library in the city hall. The 
franchise to the Arcadia Telephone Company was granted July 11, 1896, 
and to the Independence Farmers' Telephone Company on Feb. 4, 1901. — 
(Gathered from the Records by John A. Markham, village president, and 
Jacob Jackson, village clerk.) 

Early Burnside Records. At a meeting of the town of Burnside, held 
at the house of Giles Cripps, April 5, 1864, pursuant to an order issued by 
the County Board of Supervisors, the following were elected officers of the 
meeting: George E. Parsons, H. W. Rumsey and T. Moore, inspectors; 
G. H. Markham and Giles Cripps, clerks. The following named persons 
were duly elected town officers for the year 1864 : G. E. Parsons, chairman, 
9 votes ; T. Moore and A. C. Baker, supervisors, 9 votes ; George H. Mark- 
^ham, clerk, 9 votes ; Giles Cripps, treasurer, 9 votes ; H. D. Rumsey, assessor, 
9 votes; justices of the peace, Charles Lyne, 1 year, 9 votes; G. Parsons, 2 
years, 5 votes ; H. W. Rumsey. 2 years, 9 votes ; Giles Cripps, 1 year, 9 votes ; 
constables, H. D. Rumsey, 9 votes, and L. Bautch, 9 votes. The inspectors 
of elections were G. E. Parsons, Talcott Moore and H. W. Rumsey. The 
poll list consisted of A. C. Baker, sworn ; Charles Lyne, Peter Sura, Lawrence 
Bautch, Talcott Moore, Giles Cripps, George H. Markham, H. P. Rumsey, 
George E. Parsons; total, 9. Cripps was unanimously elected overseer 
of highways, district No. 3 of the town of Burnside. The following acts 



HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 899 

were passed: 1. Hogs not to be allowed free commons under a penalty of 
one-quarter of a dollar for each head. 2. Five dollars ($5) raised for the 
purpose of buying a burial ground. 3. Motion made, seconded and carried 
that the board of supervisors be appointed a committee to confer with 
Giles Cripps and H. W. Whitmore for the purchase of a burial ground. 4. 
Moved, seconded and carried that we hold the next town meeting at the 
schoolhouse. 5. Moved, seconded and carried that this meeting be ad- 
journed at 4 o'clock p. m., Nov. 5, 1864. 

At a meeting of the board of supervisors held at the house of George 
H. Markham, April 9, 1864, it was determined that the town of Burnside 
should compose one road district to be known as road district No. 3. Dated 
April 9, 1864. G. E. Parsons and Talcott Moore, supervisors. At a special 
town meeting held at the schoolhouse, district No. 1 of the town of Burnside, 
on June 20, 1864, a tax of $100 was raised for the purpose of opening a road 
to Beef River; also a tax of $50 for the contingent expenses of said town. 
G. E. Parsons, chairman ; T. Moore and A. C. Baker, inspectors. 

A special meeting was held June 20, 1864, at which it was determined 
that road district No. 3 should hereafter be known and described as road 
district No. 1 of the town of Burnside. By an order of the town board dated 
July 6, 1864, a new school district was established as district No. 2. Nov. 8 
school district No. 3 was established. By an order of the town board dated 
Dec. 10, 1864, these two districts were consolidated as school district No. 2. 
By an order of the town board dated January 23, 1865, two new road 
districts were formed as districts No. 1 and No. 2. 

At a special town meeting held Jan. 23, 1865, held at the schoolhouse in 
district No. 1 of the town of Burnside for the purpose of raising $660 to 
procure volunteers, the proposition was carried unanimously. The proposi- 
tion of raising a tax of $264.69 to pay the indebtedness of the town on the 
back call, was carried by one vote, votes standing 7 for, 6 against. In the 
poll list of this meeting are the names of Michael White, James Reid, J. L. 
Hutchins, T. Bennett and Nephi Nichols for the first time recorded ; total 
votes, 13. 

The financial statement of the town for 1864 and 1865 is : County and 
State tax, $225.17 ; town tax, $155 ; school tax, $270 ; total, $650.17. Amount 
of orders drawn, $426.65 ; amount of orders paid, $339.40 ; deficit of $87.25. 
Dehnquent tax list, $455.31 ; due on orders, $87.25 ; leaving on hand, $360.06. 
Beef River road and county, $270; leaving on hand a surplus of $98.06. 
There was also paid out on what the record calls the Arcadia War Fund 
$76.43. 

There is a record, June 29, of $168.67 paid the town of Arcadia in full 
on this fund at the town meeting April 4. 1865. There were 20 votes cast. 
It was voted that $100 be raised for the contingent fund ; that no money be 
raised for town school purposes ; and that no highway tax be raised for road 
purposes. 

At the town meeting April 3, 1866, the following resolution was 
adopted : "Resolved, That the public money raised for bounty purposes by 
the county of Trempealeau shall be paid only to the soldiers who have been 
honorably discharged from the service of the United States and to the heirs 



900 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

of the soldiers who have died before receiving the county bounty of $50. 
Resolved, that in order that the public money raised for bounty purposes 
may not be paid to other than the soldiers or their heirs, the county board 
of supervisors should take no cognizance of any transfer or assignment of 
bounty, but should adhere to the rule heretofore adopted to allow the bounty 
only on the application of the soldier, accompanied by his certificate of 
honorable discharge from the United States service, and on the application 
of the heirs of deceased soldier upon satisfactory proof of the service and 
death of the soldier and the heirship of the applicants. Resolved, That a 
copy of this resolution be presented to each of the county supervisors." 

The following territory was taken from the town of Burnside and added 
to the town of Lincoln, to take effect April 1, 1867 : The southeast quarter 
of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, section 25 ; the east half 
of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter 
of the northeast half, section 35 and section 36 ; town 22, range 9 west. 

At the election held April 7, 1868, the question of removing the county 
seat from the village of Galesville to the village of Trempealeau, 44 votes 
were cast, 10 for removal and 34 against. 

May 3, 1873, a special election was held for the purpose of voting on the 
proposition to grant bonds to the amount of $20,000 to aid the Green Bay and 
Lake Pepin Railroad (now the G. B. & W). The vote stood 9 for and 93 
against, with one deficient. 

In 1879 the inhabitants of that part of the town that now comprises 
the town of Chimney Rock (township 23) agitated the splitting of the town. 
The question was voted on at the spring election of 1880 with the following 
result: In town 22, for, 38; against, 157; in town 23, for, 110; against, 5. 
The proposition not receiving a majority in both parts of the town, it was 
lost. It was again voted on in the spring of 1881 and carried. — (By James 
N. Hunter.) 

Early Adventures. At the time of the Indian Massacre of 1862, the 
settlers were greatly frightened, and many left. George Hale, who was 
working for the Markhams at Independence, went to Fountain City with 
a team, and obtained a keg of powder and lead. The settlers were deter- 
mined to hold their ground against all comers. The Watson family from 
the town of Hale fled to the Markham house for mutual protection. But 
the Indians did not come. Some time previous to the Massacre the Indians 
borrowed a rifle from Giles Cripps, promising to return it a little later. 
Cripps made sure he had lost his gun and was greatly surprised some weeks 
later when the Indian returned the rifle in good condition. Cripps felt sure 
that the gun had been in use at Mankato in the Indian uprising. 

In the early days, great difficulty was often encountered in obtaining a 
physician. During the second winter or early fall that the Markhams were 
here, Mr. Lyne, the tutor, was taken dangerously ill. George H. Markham 
started on foot for Black River Falls, fording the Trempealeau River and 
other streams. He took supper at Jim Finn's place east of Blair, and 
found Dr. Hutchinson, of Black River Falls, who gave him some medicine 
and promised to follow later. Mr. Markham then ate some food, and set out 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 901 

immediately, reaching home within 24 hours of the time he started, after 
having covered a distance of over 70 miles. 

The Flood of 1876. The great flood of March, 1876, marks an important 
epoch in Trempealeau County life, for while there were no casualties, and 
only a few serious injuries, old pioneers date all the events of the early days 
as happening "before the flood" or "after the flood." 

The flood was ushered in by a severe rain. Soon every river and creek 
was flooded. In the Trempealeau Valley, where the Green Bay had caused 
a number of new villages to spring up, the damage was the worst. Some 
of the millers in order to save their dams, opened their sluice gates, and this 
made the condition in the lower valley all the worse. The villages and ham- 
lets were flooded, the people had to go about in boats. There were a number 
of thrilling rescues, amusing stories are told of people taken from wood 
piles and box cars, and even of one adventurous cow which made its way 
with its calf up a pair of stairs and was found the next morning safe on a 
stair landing, many feet above the raging flood. The flood was followed by 
severe cold, some isolated families had to burn furniture and laths from 
their houses to keep warm. Vast tracts of water froze shortly afterward, 
making the valley one great ice field. 

Many thrilling scenes were also enacted in the Beaver Creek Valley, 
especially at Galesville. 

The saddest affair was at Independence. It began to rain there in the 
forenoon, and continued most of the day. The ground being hard frozen, 
the creeks were soon roaring torrents. Toward evening four boys — Lee 
Fay, Fred Hill and two Schmidt boys — went on the railroad bridge across 
Elk Creek to watch the ice break up. So intent were they in watching 
the ice that they did not observe that the track was covered with water, and 
they were unable to get off" and had to cling to the truss of the bridge all 
night. As they had told no one where they were going, their friends were 
unable to locate them and when found next day they were in a pitiful 
condition. The physicians called concluded that immediate amputation of 
the feet was necessary. The operation was performed by Drs. George N. 
Hidershide and Frank L. Lewis, of Arcadia. 

The experience of Dr. Geo. N. Hidershide in this connection throws an 
interesting light on the life of a physician in the early days. Word reached 
Arcadia of the tragedy at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and Dr. Hidershide, 
crossing the raging river in a skifl", secured a saddle horse from a farmer and 
started on his errand of mercy. At the Two-Mile Bridge he was forced to 
take to the hills. At every valley he had to go nearly to the head of the 
stream, as all were too swollen for crossing. All that terrible chilling night 
he toiled on his way, and it was not until 5 o'clock the next morning that he 
reached his destination at Independence, only nine miles from Arcadia. He 
made the boys as comfortable as he could, and then returned to Arcadia. 
Later he and Dr. Lewis performed the amputating operation. 

Borst Valley. This valley comprises parts of three towns. Its two 
westernmost branches head in Dover, Buffalo County ; the main east branch 
rises near the center of Chimney Rock ; the lower half of the valley lies in 
Burnside, where its general slope is to the southeast. In greatest length 



902 JII.STOKV OF TRE]\IPP]ALEAU COUNTY 

the valley extends about eight miles. Its waters find outlet into Elk Creek 
near the east line of section 11, Burnside. 

The valley never bore the name of its first settler, whose family and 
others called it Little Elk. Afterward by many it was known as Warring 
Valley. Later it sometimes was designated as Borst Valley. Fifteen years 
after the coming of the first settler another name was added — Markham 
Valley, for a man who arrived in 1875. All these names were current at 
the same time. There never was concerted action on the part of the inhab- 
itants to decide upon a single designation, nor rivalry as to choice. The 
valley's present name appears to have been generally adopted about 1892. 

William S. Cramer, a native of Connecticut, was the first settler. His 
wife, Deborah Ann, nee Smith, was a native of Ohio. They emigrated from 
Ohio to Marquette County, Wis., in 1851. A few years later they went to 
Green Lake County, and in 1861 moved to Butler County, Iowa. In October, 
1863, they reached Borst Valley. All these migrations were made by ox 
team, for the Cramers were typical pioneers. They had five boys — George 
F., Elmer, Theodore, Charles and Willie. Mr. Cramer squatted on the north- 
west quarter of section 11, town 22, range 9, a half mile above the valley's 
mouth, and began gathering logs to build a cabin. A few of these were cut 
on his claim, the rest being taken wherever a suitable tree was found. The 
red oak bolts from which he split shakes for the roof Mr. Cramer secured in 
the head of a coolie above George Hale's location in Pleasant Valley, about 
five miles distant. In November the family occupied the cabin, moving in 
before the door was hung or the window fitted. 

After finishing the cabin Mr. Cramer went to La Crosse to make home- 
stead filing and learned the land had been withdrawn from entry pending 
determination of definite limits of a land grant to a railway that afterward 
became the Omaha line. He returned home, built a shed for the oxen, gath- 
ered firewood sufficient for a year or more and laid in a stock of family sup- 
plies. Then on Jan. 13, 1864, he enlisted at La Crosse and became a soldier 
of the Civil War. His son George says Mr. Cramer's enlistment was cred- 
ited to the town of Gale, that he received $450 bounty, was assigned to Com- 
pany G, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry and sent to Tennessee. Mr. 
Cramer died of dysentery in the military hospital at Nashville, Sept. 3, 1864, 
aged about 43. 

Mrs. Cramer continued to occupy the claim, making only such improve- 
ments as would supply the family with corn and the necessary vegetables, 
until the land was restored to entry in 1866, when she sent her son George, 
then about 18 years old, to La Crosse to make homestead entry, instructing 
him to file in her name. Finding this not permissible, George made entry 
for himself as head of the family. In 1869 they sold relinquishment of the 
homestead to Henry B. Fay. 

Wanderlust had a firm hold on Mrs. Cramer, an impulse acquired in 
early life. On leaving Borst Valley she went to Bear Creek, between Mon- 
dovi and Durand. where she married Peter Vroman, who died six months 
later. Notwithstanding the legal change of name, she was known through 
life as Mrs. Cramer by her old acquaintances. In 1876 she moved to Kansas 
and in 1878 returned to Wisconsin. Three years later she emigrated to 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 903' 

Oregon and took a homestead six miles west of The Dalles, where she passed 
a settled life for 25 years. Then seUing her land, Mrs. Cramer went to 
Western Oregon, and in 1911 to San Diego, Cal., where she died July 3, 1912, 
in her 83d year. 

Of the Cramer children, Willie died in the spring of 1864, aged 3 years. 
His was the first death in Borst Valley, and his burial in the plot that after- 
ward became the Cripps Cemetery was the first interment there. Theodore 
and Charles in the early '80s went to Oregon, where the first named died in 
October, 1913. Charles is near Hosier, Ore., and Elmer near Kellogg, Minn. 
George was the last of the family to leave Trempealeau County, going to the 
West in 1887. He hves near Hillsboro, Ore. 



In the fall of 1863 Hamlet D. Warring, native of New York, and Lowell 
Fay, native of Massachusetts, came to view the valley and selected locations. 
Both returned the following spring, and with them came Mrs. Lydia Meigs, 
Warring's housekeeper ; Reuben and Harriet Meigs and James and Angeline 
Hosier. Reuben was Mrs. Meigs' son and Harriet and Angeline were War- 
ring's daughters. They came from Oxford, Marquette County. Mr. War- 
ring located above and adjoining the Cramer claim and Meigs directly west 
and adjoining Cramer's. Hosier squatted on section 3, but in the fall aban- 
doned the claim and returned to Marquette County. Mr. Warring brought 
the first horses and the first reaper to the valley. He lived there until his 
death, Dec. 19, 1888, aged about 75 years. Mrs. Lydia Heigs moved to 
Hinnesota in the late '70s. Reuben Heigs died in Hontana. His widow- 
lives in North Dakota. 

Lowell Fay located at a point where the valley merges into Pleasant 
Valley. With him were his wife and son Lea. In 1865 Hr. Fay was fol- 
lowed by his sons Henry B. and Aaron, both Civil War soldiers. Henry 
settled first in Lincoln, but in 1869 he bought the Cramer relinquishment 
and built the first brick house in Borst Valley. Except Aaron, the Fays 
moved to Hinnesota in the early '80s. Aaron died at the Hilwaukee soldiers' 
home in 1916. 

Samuel Beswick bought land at the mouth of the valley from an Eastern 
owner in 1864. Mr. Beswick was a bachelor. He died in the early '90s and 
his farm passed into possession of Fred Cripps. 

In the fall of 1864 came James Kelly and wife, natives of Ireland, with 
their sons, James, Jr., and John, and daughters, Laura and Marcella. They 
were from Marquette County. Hr. Kelly located on section 4, Burnside. 
James Kelly, Jr., married Cornelia, daughter of Talcott Moore, of Pleasant 
Valley. This was the first marriage of a Borst Valley resident. With the 
exception of James, Jr., who lives in Northern Wisconsin, the Kellys removed 
to Hinnesota in 1869. 

Daniel and Emily Borst, with four children, arrived in the valley in 1865, 
coming from Harquette County. Their homestead was in section 34, 
Chimney Rock. They went to South Dakota in 1870, thence to Washington 
State. Daniel died at Seattle Sept. 12. 1906. Emily died early in 1917. 



904 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

In the fall of 1865 George and Martha Meigs reached the valley, coming 
from Marquette County. George was Reuben Meigs' brother and Martha 
was H. D. Warring's daughter. George was a Civil War soldier, serving in 
a New York regiment. His homestead was Mosier's abandoned claim in 
section 3, Burnside. The first child born in the valley was his son Decatur, 
July 22, 1866. Mrs. Meigs died April 10, 1873. George moved to Minne- 
sota in 1878, and thence to Montana, where he died early in 1917 in the 
soldiers' home at Columbia Falls. 

In 1866 William Nicols, a native of Scotland, purchased from a non- 
resident owner a quarter section adjoining the Cramer claim on the east and 
built a cabin. The next year he broke a few acres. In 1874 he married 
Giles Cripps' daughter Emma. Mr. Nicols died May 17, 1916, aged 80 years. 
Of the earliest settlers he continued longest in possession of a single tract of 
land — 50 years. 

The next settlers were Martin W. and Sarah Ann Borst, from Decorah, 
Iowa, who reached the valley May 12, 1867. They had six children : Virgil, 
Curtis, Henry, Harvey, Mina and Russell. Mr. Borst visited Trempealeau 
County in 1866. He first contemplated erection of a grist mill at the site 
of the present Elk Creek Mill in Pleasant Valley, and made homestead entry 
of the 160 acres near there that afterward became the Christ Gassow farm. 
Negotiation for the millsite and flowage rights failing, Mr. Borst abandoned 
his homestead entry and bought land in Borst Valley. These purchases 
comprised tracts in both Burnside and Chimney Rock. His house was built 
on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, Burnside, 
and in the vicinity he operated for several years the largest farm in that 
region. Mrs. Borst died Nov. 22, 1873. Mr. Borst left the valley in 1878, 
going to South Dakota. He returned to Wisconsin in 1889, and died at 
Mondovi, Dec. 21, 1899, in his 87th year. Of the Borst children, Curtis was 
killed by road agents Nov. 27, 1877, at Frozen Man's Creek, 40 miles west of 
old Fort Pierre, South Dakota; Russell died at Independence Nov. 11, 1888; 
Virgil lives in St. Paul, Minn. ; Henry, Harvey and Mina (Mrs. C. J. Ward) 
are residents of Mondovi. 

Peter Peterson Norman made homestead entry in the upper part of the 
valley in the fall of 1867 and started erection of a log house. The following 
spring he brought his family. With him this time came his brother Sever. 
These men were the first Norwegian settlers in Borst Valley. 



Among those who came in the next four years were the following : 
1867 — Peter and Emma Decker; Mrs. Decker, a widow, and sons 
Stephen and George ; Joseph Mericle and wife and George Mericle. ^11 came 
from Winneshiek County, Iowa. Peter and Emma were the last of the party 
to leave the valley, going to Ellendale, N. D., in 1884. Silas Parker and 
family came from Galesville, remained a year and removed to Hale. 

1868 — Lyman Back, native of Connecticut, came from La Crosse and 
took a homestead in the Chimney Rock section. In the fall he moved on his 



HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 905 

location with his wife, Lucy, and daughter Lydia. Mr. Back was killed by 
lightning Sept. 6, 1875, his being the first violent death in the valley. His 
wife died exactly seven weeks later. George L. Back, son, and George 
Bartlett and Robert Brookins, sons-in-law of Lyman, made homestead 
entries, but did not occupy them until the following March. George L. Back 
is still a resident there. The others left many years ago. George Fisk 
and family and Augustus Huguenin and wife arrived from Iowa. The latter 
soon returned to Iowa. Mr. Fisk in 1872 emigrated to California. William 
Harris and William Barnhart, with their families, came from Dorchester, 
Iowa, and settled in the west branch, the first in the Burnside section, where 
he established the first blacksmith shop in the valley. In 1872 he sold to 
Michael Lee. Mr. Barnhart's location was at the head of the branch. He 
lived in Dover, half his farm lying in that town. He sold to Charles Short. 
Chester Beswick bought land in the lower part of the valley, moving in with 
his family the following February. He now lives near Blair. Al Osgood 
and wife, from Arcadia, and John Sprinkle and wife, from the head of 
Wickham valley, were residents in 1868, remaining but a year. 

1869 — Palmer Back, another son of Lyman Back, arrived from La 
Crosse, bought the Kelly location in section 4, Burnside, and moved thereon. 
In 1871 he sold to William Russell and left the valley. David Barnhart, 
whose wife was a daughter of William Harris, came with a large family 
from Marengo, 111., and settled in the west part of Chimney Rock. He 
moved to Eau Claire County in 1883. Thomas and Elizabeth Burt came 
from Glencoe, Buffalo County, and located in the Burnside section. 

1870 — In March Mrs. Laura Campbell, widow with a large family, ar- 
rived from Grant County, Wis. Soon afterward she married P. H. Varney, 
also from Grant County, and lived at Arcadia, where she died Feb. 18, 1879. 
None of the Campbell family acquired land in the valley. In May William 
Hunter, native of Scotland, his sons, William, Jr., and James N., and 
daughter, Janet, reached the valley, coming from Allegheny County, Pa. 
They settled in the Burnside section. Mr. Hunter, Sr., died in June, 1897, 
aged 74 years. His sons are still living in the valley. With the Hunter 
family came Charles and Mary Short, also natives of Scotland. Mr. Short 
bought the William Barnhart place and lived in Dover. There were eight 
children in the Short family, two of whom are David and Charles Short, of 
Independence. The elder Short died in May, 1907, and his wife in Decem- 
ber, 1914. 

1871 — In the spring of this year William and Christina Russell, natives 
of Scotland, came from Allegheny County, Pa. Mr. Russell bought the Kelly 
Homestead from Palmer Back. The Russells at that time had four chil- 
dren: Alexander, Mary, Isabella and Christina. Mary is the wife of 
Anton Liver, living at Independence. The three others are dead. William 
Russell died April 26, 1887, aged 55 years. Mrs. Russell resides on the old 
homestead. — (By Virgil Borst.) 

The Green Bay & Western Railroad has been one of the principal 
factors in the development of central Trempealeau County. Incorporated 
by special Act of the Wisconsin Legislature, the company was, April 12. 



906 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

1866. chartered as the Green Bay & Lake Pepin Railway Company, with 
Wabasha as its objective western terminal. Four miles were graded in 
1869 and 30 miles in 1870. Track laying was commenced in the fall of 1871, 
and completed 39 miles from Green Bay to New London, Dec. 20, 1871. 
Four days later the first passengers were carried by special train. During 
the summer of 1872, 110 miles between New London and Merrillian Junction, 
in Jackson County, were graded and the tracks laid. The whole work was 
completed at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Dec. 24, 1872. During the sum- 
mer and fall of 1873 the tracks were graded and iron laid from Merrillan 
Junction to Marshland, where connections were made with the old La Crosse, 
Trempealeau & Prescott Raih'oad, now the Madison division of the Chicago 
& North Western. The first regular passenger service between Green Bay 
and Winona was inaugurated Dec. 18, 1873. Sept. 5, 1873, the name was 
changed to the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. At that time it was 
believed that the road would be consolidated with the Winona & St. Peter, 
John L Blair being a large stockholder in both roads. But the Chicago & 
North Western absorbed the Winona & St. Peter, and the Green Bay was 
left to its own devices. The struggle was a severe one. Running through 
209 miles of a new and sparsely settled country, the receipts were not suffi- 
cient to maintain it. January 24, 1878, it went into the hands of a receiver 
and remained in the receiver's hands until sold, Oct. 15. Jan. 20, 1881, it 
was sold to John L Blair, representing the bondholders, and reorganized as 
the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railway Company. Articles of incorpora- 
tion dated May 6, 1881, filed in Wisconsin May 16, 1881. The company 
defaulted on bond interest and the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company was 
appointed Trustee in Possession, the trusteeship continuing from March 23, 
1885, to Oct. 25, 1886. A second default was made on the bond interest 
and the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company again appointed Trustee in Pos- 
session. Trusteeship from Aug. 1, 1890, to June 10, 1896. The property 
was sold under foreclosure May 12, 1896, to Mark T. Cox and others. The 
deed of sale from Mark T. Cox and others to the Green Bay & Western Rail- 
road Company is dated June 5, 1896. 

In 1891 a spur track was completed from Marshland to East Winona, 
and the Winona terminal was established at the Burlington station instead 
of at the North Western station. 

At the time of building the Green Bay & Western Railroad through 
the fertile Trempealeau Valley in 1873, the now prosperous cities of Dodge, 
Arcadia, Whitehall and Blair were but little hamlets. Little was known 
of them for the reason they were so small, one passing through the country 
would not consider a few houses grouped together as of sufficient importance 
to give them a name. 

The railroad crossed the Jackson and Trempealeau County line three 
miles east of the now prosperous city of Blair, which was so named in honor 
of the famous and well-known pioneer railroad builder of the West, Hon. 
John I. Blair, of Blairstown, N. J. He was the first man of great wealth 
who, far in advance of the times, realized the vasrness of the great North- 
west and lavishly advanced his money in building railroads to develop the 
countrv now so fertile. He trusted with unerring judgment to the future 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 907 

to bring returns on his investments, and, thanks to the all-wise Providence, 
his hfe was spared to see his judgment confirmed and his investments in 
several of his railroads, notably the Chicago & North Western Railway, 
bring ample returns, for he lived to the ripe old age of ninety-five years. 

At the time the railroad passed the present location of Blair, there were 
but a few scattering farm houses, and the store of T. I. Gilbert, which was 
at the west limits of the present village. The first store in the village was 
built by C. C. Hanson and T. I. Gilbert in 1874, and was burned in the fire of 
1891. Blair is now a very thriving village of about 700 people, doing a 
lai'ge business in general farm products. 

The next hamlet passed by the railroad on its westerly course was what 
is now known as Whitehall, a beautiful and thriving little city of about 1,000 
souls, on a broad, flat plateau of land between picturesque hills on the north 
and south sides and is the county seat of Trempealeau County, the county 
seat having been moved there from Arcadia in 1878. The first store was 
built by H. E. Getts in 1874 and still stands just noi'th of the John O. Melby 
Bank. At the time of the advent of the railroad there was but one farm 
house to mark the location. Like Blair, it derives its support from the rich 
farming land surrounding it in every direction and from the very fertile 
Pigeon Creek Valley leading to the northeast. 

Independence, the next thriving little city six miles west of Whitehall, 
was a farm owned by Jake Pampuch at the time the railroad was built and 
until it was bought by D. M. Kelley in 1876, and the present village of Inde- 
pendence was platted May 30. There are about 900 people living in this 
village, which is supported by a very rich farming community. 

Arcadia, eight miles to the west, with a population of 1,200, is a very 
prosperous city. At the time of the building of the railroad there was a 
little hamlet about one mile to the southeast of the present business location 
of Arcadia. The first store was built by A. F. Hensel in 1874 and was oper- 
ated as a general store by Bohri Bros. The first elevator was built in 1873 
by Remby, Canterberry & Smith on the site now occupied by the W. P. Mas- 
suere & Co. elevator. The same year Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, Wis., 
built an elevator at Arcadia, they being the first two elevators built along the 
line of the railroad in Trempealeau County. Arcadia was for a time the 
county seat, having been moved there from the village of Galesville, where it 
was located for many years. It is supported by a very large area of very 
productive farming land. 

From Arcadia westward the railroad followed the low land bordering on 
the Trempealeau River, which in the early days got on an annual rampage 
at the opening of the spring and caused very great damage to the railroad, 
notably in the great floods of March, 1876, when the railroad between 
Arcadia and Marshland was nearly obliterated and was out of commission 
for two months. 

Thirteen miles to the west of Arcadia we arrive at the village of Dodge, 
at the west side of Trempealeau County. It was named in honor of William 
E. Dodge, of New York City, a prominent financier for many years. He 
was associated with John I. Blair, Moses Taylor, Joseph H. Scranton, E. F. 
Hatfield and many other well-known financiers of New York in the pioneer 



908 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

railroad building of the West. He was also connected with many philan- 
thropic institutions and at one time was treasurer of Protestant Syrian 
College at Constantinople, Turkey. Unfortunately for the village of Dodge, 
it was located too near the city of Winona, Minn., where the farm products 
were mostly marketed. However, within the last few years conditions 
have changed and the business has improved very much. 

From Dodge the railroad passes into Buffalo County and soon passes 
over the Father of Waters into the beautiful city of Winona, Minn., the 
history of which is well known. — (By F. B. Seymour, Oct. 10, 1917.) 

The Risberg County Accounting System. Paudor K. Risberg, county 
clerk of Trempealeau County, has evolved a system of county accounting 
which is being adopted in many other counties of the Northwest. When 
he became county clerk nine years ago, after a long career as an educator, he 
found that the county accounting system was far from satisfactory. In the 
neighborhood of a hundred different officials had at the time the authority 
to issue orders for money upon the county treasury. The State registrar of 
vital statistics, the asylum trustees, the county highway commissioner, the 
circuit judge, the county judge, clerk of court, district attorney, county 
clerk, sheriff, county assessor and every justice of the peace in the county 
were authorized by law to draw orders upon the county treasury; and in 
addition to this the county treasurer was authorized to pay out all State 
taxes and all school funds, together with certain fees to town and village 
treasurers, without any written order from anybody. 

The danger of two or more officials issuing orders upon the same funds 
is very apparent, for the reason that one official does not know w-hat amount 
of orders the other one has issued, and no one of them knows at any given 
time whether there is sufficient money in the treasury to meet his order. 

When the new state highway law of 1911 went into effect the old 
accounting system was found inadequate, and something had to be done 
to handle the funds of the county in a more modern and businesslike man- 
ner. Plans were drawn up by Mr. Risberg and submitted in part to com- 
mittees, a new system being a vital necessity. In 1915 the work had 
progressed so far that it was submitted to the county board and was unani- 
mously adopted. 

The new system provides that no money shall be paid out of the 
county treasury except upon a written order signed by the county clerk 
and countersigned by the county treasurer ; a voucher must also be on file 
in the office of the county clerk for every order issued. The following 
records are parts of the system : 

Clerk's Combined Journal, Cash Book, Order Book and Ledger. 

Treasurer's Combined Journal, Cash Book, Order Book and Bank 
Ledger. 

Clerk's Record of Taxes Levied and Collected. 

Treasurer's Record of Taxes Levied and Collected. 

Clerk's Tax Sale and Redemption Recoi'd. 

Treasurer's Tax Sale and Redemption Record. 

Clerk's Petition Record for Road and Bridge Aid. 

Clerk's Listing Record of Road and Bridge Orders: 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 909 

Clerk's Listing Record of Asylum Orders. 

Treasurer's Inheritance and Fines Record. 

Under the new system the county clerk has an exact knowledge of all 
the funds in the county treasury at all times. 

These records are prepared by a leading printing house and are in 
the general market. 

Mr. Risberg has also devoted his spare time to systematizing the old 
records in the clerk's office, so that any document from the first organiza- 
tion of the county is easily to be found, and in addition to this he has com- 
piled many statistics from the records which were in the custody of the 
clerks before he took office. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
SOURCES. 

The principal sources of strictly local Trempealeau County History 
are the files of the newspapers, the county and village records, the records 
of various institutions, letters, diaries, and the memories of the pioneers. 
The results of interviews with hundreds of pioneers have been preserved 
in the files of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. The five prin- 
cipal collectors of historical material in the county have been Judge George 
Gale, Judge Benjamin F. Heuston, Judge Hans A. Anderson, Dr. E. D. 
Pierce and Attorney Stephen Richmond. George H. Squier has devoted 
nearly half a century to the study of the geology and archaeology of the 
county. 

Judge B. F. Heuston was the first to enter the field. Coming here 
when Trempealeau was still Reed's Landing, and for many years taking 
an active part in public life, he was the personal friend of all the early 
pioneers, and was closely in touch with pioneer activity in all its phases. 
He spent many years in writing down his own observations, and in travel- 
ing about interviewing the early pioneers and transcribing their remi- 
niscences. Many of his writings are preserved in the newspapers, and he 
assisted in furnishing material for the History of Western Wisconsin, 
published in 1882. Upon his death he left a completed manuscript history 
of the county. The manuscript is in the custody of the Trempealeau 
County Historical Association, but owing to certain conditions regarding 
its use has not been made available for general examination. The work 
of Judge Heuston regarding geology, archaeology, Indian history, explorers, 
fur traders and French settlement days has been superseded by later 
research by others, but his material regarding the pioneer period is of 
considerable value. 

Judge George Gale was the next to enter the field. His book, "The 
Upper Mississippi," embodies much of his general research in this vicinity, 
and the Galesville "Transcript" preserves in its files many, of his articles, 
largely of an archaeological nature. 

Some thirty years ago Judge Hans A. Anderson became interested in 
the subject. His spare time has since then been largely devoted to gather- 
ing material at first hand from the pioneers. He has interviewed hundreds 
of early settlers, he has examined numerous records, he has conducted an 
extensive correspondence with the people in all parts of the countrj', and he 
has made extensive collections of photographs and mementoes. The result 
of his investigations are embodied in numerous personal note books, in 
newspaper articles, and in the collections of the Trempealeau County His- 
torical Society. For nearly a year the newspapers contained a weekly 
series of articles on the place names of the county by Judge Anderson and 

910 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 911 

Dr. Pierce. The article in this book on Pigeon Township shows the thor- 
oughness of his work. Judge Anderson is still conducting his studies, and 
hopes to leave for posterity material for a complete history of pioneer 
times. To Judge Anderson's painstaking research and accurate work, as 
well as to his unfailing courtesy and kindliness, the editors of this work are 
greatly indebted. 

Eben D. Pierce, M. D., has made a hobby of the study of history since 
his earliest boyhood. Sixteen years ago while living at Arcadia, his native 
town, he threw into the work a natural enthusiasm which inspired the 
cooperation of the pioneers whom he interviewed. After collecting during 
the winter of 1901 he prepared a newspaper article which appeared as a 
Historical and Industrial edition of the Arcadian April 24, 1903. This 
attracted the attention of Reuben G. Thwaites, then secretary of the State 
Historical Society of Wisconsin, who invited the budding historian to 
become a member of the State Historical Society. Dr. Pierce gladly 
accepted the invitation and joined the society, offering at the same time 
to do whatever he could toward preserving the history of Trempealeau 
County communities by interviewing pioneers and writing down their recol- 
lections. For the next four years he interviewed old settlers in and about 
Arcadia and Trempealeau, at the same time corresponding with some 
of the daily papers of Wisconsin and Minnesota. This collecting data of 
a historical nature has grown into a habit with Dr. Pierce, and during his 
many years of activity he has contributed a number of valuable historical 
papers to the State and County Historical Societies. He was particularly 
interested in the pioneer epoch, and made especial effort to get the recol- 
lections of the first settler in each community. This resulted in Collins 
Bishop's story of the first settlement of Arcadia, of Grignon's Recollec- 
tions of Early Trempealeau, of Capt. John D. Lewis's account of his Lewis 
Valley Experiences, of Mrs. H. E. Pierce's Memories of Williamsburg and 
of Harold Newcomb's Reminiscences of Pioneering in Newcomb Valley. 
He is the editor of the present work, and the author of several of its chap- 
ters. In this connection he has said: "Our interest has been stirred by 
the thought that the work will arouse a deeper interest in our home country. 
The country belongs to the people and we should be patriotic enough to 
study its past, preserve its present and hope for its welfare in the future. 
We hope the work will awaken a more profound study of our country's 
history, and if we have been instrumental in preserving records that other- 
wise would have fallen into obscurity, and portrayed the pioneer life, and 
rescued phases of it that would have faded into oblivion, then have we 
been repaid for our efforts." 

Stephen Richmond planned to write a history of the county, and at his 
death left a vast amount of manuscript. A completed manuscript, "A 
Panorama of Trempealeau County for Forty-one Years," contains much 
of interest, and many of his uncompleted manuscripts appear in this present 
work. Mr. Richmond worked on his history for several years, paying 
especial attention to the valleys and cooleys of Arcadia Township. Had 
he lived to complete his work the resulting publication would have been one 
of the greatest interest. His entire collection of manuscripts, letters, 



912 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 

observations and the like are in the custody of the Trempealeau County 
Historical Society and are available to the public. 

The Trempealeau County Historical Society was organized in 1910, 
and held its first annual meeting on Nov. 17, 1910. The officers elected 
were: President, Capt. A. A. Arnold; vice-presidents, M. J. Warner, 
James N. Hunter, E. J. Matchett; advisory committee, F. C. Richmond 
and John A. Markham; secretary, H. A. Anderson; treasurer, Herman 
Hoberton. The members present at the first meeting were: Edward J. 
Matchett, H. A. Anderson, John C. Gaveney, W. J. Boyd, Jas. N. Hunter, 
D. H. Neperud, F. A. George, Peter Nelton, E. F. Clark, F. C. Richmond, 
C. Q. Gage, C. 0. Dahl, H. F. Clausen, A. J. Ekern, Herman Hobertson, 
P. J. Skogstad, John Ring, L. L. Grinde, L. K. Strand, A. N. Nelson, J. A. 
Markham, P. H. Johnson, Henry Kopp, John F. Hager, P. K. Risberg, 
F. A. Hotchkiss, T. Grafton Owen, E. F. Hensel, A. A. Markham, Stephen 
Richmond, George Markham, J. O. Dewey, Collins Bishop, Alexander A. 
Arnold, Frank M. Immell, Milo B. Gibson, Knudt Hagestad, John C. Muir. 

From that day the collection of historical material has gone steadily 
forward under the management of the able secretary. Judge H. A. Ander- 
son, until the collections embody hundreds of photographs, hundreds of 
relics, books, newspaper files, and many historical papers, letters, docu- 
ments, records and the like, probably exceeding any county collection in the 
state. The collections are catalogued and are found at Judge Anderson's 
office. All have been placed at the disposal of the editors of the present 
work. 

Dr. Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, the compiler of this work, became inter- 
ested in the field of research in Trempealeau County in the summer of 
1916, after ten years of research in Minnesota, and has devoted over a 
year to the preparation of this work, compiling the material already gath- 
ered, examining all available manuscripts and published material, closely 
studying the records, soliciting manuscript contributions, and interviewing 
leading citizens. He has been ably assisted by people in all parts of the 
county. 

The gentlemen originally appearing on the prospectus were John C. 
Gaveney, Arcadia; George Gale, Galesville; E. E. Barlow, Arcadia; W. E. 
Bishop, Arcadia; Bert A. Gipple, Galesville; E. F. Hensel, Whitehall; Dr. 
A. H. Kulig, Dodge ; N. H. Carhart, Trempealeau Prairie ; B. M. Sletteland, 
Pigeon Falls; William Nicholls, Caledonia; L. M. Pittenger, Trempealeau; 
John A. Markham, Independence; H. F. Claussen, Ettrick; Frank Smith, 
Osseo ; C. 0. Dahl, Osseo ; Clarence P. Larson, Eleva, and Charles J. Gibson, 
Blair. 

For the most part the authors of the contributions are indicated with 
their articles. In addition to these W. E. Bishop is the author of the article 
on the early settlement of Arcadia, Mrs. Ida Gibson Englesby of the article 
on the settlement of Albion, Earl F. Hensel of the article on Blair, Nathan 
H. Carhart of the article on Trempealeau Prairie and Bert A. Gipple of 
the article on the newspapers. Bert A. Gipple, Earl F. Hensel, John C. 
Gaveney, J. P. Larson, Claude Burton, John A. Markham and others have 
assisted in reading manuscripts and proofs. At Whitehall assistance was 



HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 913 

rendered by H. A. Anderson, Paudor K. Risberg, Morris Hanson, Eugene 
F. Kidder, E. E. Barlow, Ed. Erickson, Dan P. Gibson, C. J. Van Tassel, 
Charles B. Melby, Robert S. Cowie, Fred E. Beach, Earl F. Hensel, 0. J. 
Eggum, Peter H. Johnson, Sigvald N. Hegge, Evan Hegge, C. A. Adams, 
David Wood and Miss Francina Chaffee. Mr. Barlow, the efficient district 
attorney, placed his office at the disposal of the compiler, and all the county 
officers assisted with the work on the records. Judge E. C. Higbee also ren- 
dered assistance. At Arcadia help was secured from E. E. Barlow, Emil 
Maurer, Robert Barlow, W. E. Bishop, Daniel Bigham, J. M. Fertig, Jay I. 
Dewey, Frank C. Richmond, George Schmidt, J. C. Muir, William C. Bohrn- 
stedt, Emil F. Rotering, Leof K. Strand, 0. B. Strouse, Dr. G. N. Hidershide, 
Albert Hess, Casper Wohlgenant, Henry Wirtengerger and others. John 
C. Gaveney assisted in gathering all of the Arcadia material and reviewed 
it after it was written. At Independence help was rendered by John A. 
Markham, George H. Markham, James N. Hunter, Mrs. Ada Markham, 

E. Scott Hotchkiss, Dr. C. F. Peterson, Jacob Jackson, Paul T. Schultze, 
Paul Sura, A. Garthus, Frank Hotchkiss, J. F. Kulig and Philip M. and 
William L. Lambert. At Osseo E. J. Matchett, W. S. Gilpin and D. L. 
Remington furnished information.. At Strum J. P. Hanson and Claude 
Burton were the helpers. At Eleva, A. U. Gibson, Mrs. Ida Gibson Englesby 
and others were the helpers. E. K. Edison furnished material about Chim- 
ney Rock Township. Mrs. E. D. Pierce, A. A. Gibbs and George H. Squier 
helped at Trempealeau. At Galesville assistance was rendered by the 
genial mayor and ex-assemblyman, A. T. Twesme; the efficient editor, 
Bert A. Gipple ; the pioneer, George Gale ; the state oil inspector, Charles 

F. Hewitt; the banker and senator, E. F. Clark, and the clergyman and 
college president, L. M. Gimmestad. At Blair information was gathered 
by the editor from Simon Berseng, Henry Thorsgaard and Charles J. 
Gibson, while Judge Hensel gathered his material from the records and 
from personal interviews. Nathan H. Carhart helped with West Prairie 
and Centerville. Bankers, newspaper editors and clergymen have furnished 
information regarding their own institutions. Frank B. Seymour, general 
superintendent of the Green Bay; T. A. Polleys, tax commissioner of the 
Northwestern, and C. A. Leggo, assistant secretary of the Omaha, have 
sent material from their records. 

The chapter on the Early Explorers was reviewed by Dr. Milo M. 
Quaife and Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg of the Wisconsin Historical Society 
and by Dr. Solon J. Buck and Franklin F. Holbrook of the Minnesota His- 
torical Society. Benjamin F. Shambaugh of the Iowa Historical Society 
has furnished information. The secretaries of other historical societies 
have also rendered helpful suggestions. 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



Ackley, Paul 447 

Amotli, George 522 

Aimiiidson, Charles J 623 

Amundson, Christian 459 

Antlerson, Andrew 723 

Anderson, Andrew W 547 

Anderson, Bennett 548 

Anderson, Cornell H 625 

Anderson, Ever B 548 

Anderson, Gilbert 549 

Anderson, Henrv 625 

Anderson, Morris 723 

Anderson, Ole J 454 

Andreson, Charles H 623 

Andriesen, Weib 351 

Arnold, Alexander A 290 

Asylum Trempealeau County 383 

Augustine, Clarence 452 

Augustine, Frank 452 

Augustine, Joseph 452 

Auto Sales Co 547 

Axness, Albert K 691 

Baardscth, Albert J 335 

Baalrud, Gilbert 451 

Babbitt, Marvin T 445 

Barr, Irwin R 348 

Barr, Samuel 347 

Bartholomew, William E 306 

Bartle, William 401 

Bautch, Albert 759 

Bauteh, Albert J 760 

Beach, Charles Grant 295 

Beach, Joseph Barnes 294 

Bcardsley, Bostwiek 350 

Beardslev, Oscar E 351 

Beardsley, Otto 353 

Beck, Andrew A 308 

Beck, John 307 

Beck, Rov E 308 

Becker, Peter V 436 

Beirne, Andrew J 584 

Beirne, James C 523 

Bell, Willis A 439 

Berg, Iver A 538 

Berg, John A 431 

Bergeson, Tolef 318 

BestuI, Rev. Christian Brandt 540 

Beswick, Chester, Jr 609 

Bibbv, John M 361 

Bibbv, Richard 648 

Bilibv, Thomas 360 

Bibbv, Thomas W 360 

Bigham, Daniel 705 

Bigham, Ellis G 739 

Bigham, John 769 

Birchard, Walter 339 

Bishop, Collins 732 

Bishop, Winfred E 734 

Blue, John Jacob 320 

Bohrnstedt, John 434 

Bohrnstedt, William G 688 

Bolcng, Christ L 611 



Borsheim, Ole B 453 

Breitcnfield, Theodore A 559 

Brekke, Andrew A 647 

Brekke, Olav A 647 

Brenengan, Charles L 523 

Brenengen, Christian N 344 

Brenengen, Johanas N 540 

Brenengen, John N 3^7 

Bright, Robert 441 

Bright, William A 440 

Brohelden, Anton P 521 

Broni, Frank 778 

Brom, John F 735 

Brom, Martin 779 

Brom, Mathias 778 

Brom, Wheat 777 

Brophy, Richard 587 

Brovoid, Archie J 347 

Brovold, Sever J 346 

Brownlee, John 764 

Bue, Odell S 323 

Busby, John 740 

Busbv, Oliver 688 

Butman, Ernest H 344 

Butman, Frank Melton 323 

Butman, Stark 524 

Button, J. C 349 

Call, John A 622 

Call, John H 599 

Callahan, Peter J 579 

Cance, James E 486 

Cardinal, Samuel 622 

Carhart, Nathan H 393 

Carlson, Carl T 477 

Carslev, George Asbury 763 

Carson, John 620 

Casey, Maurice 584 

Casey, Maurice, Sr 583 

Central Trading Association 386 

Chappell, Darius D 383 

Christiansen, George, M. D 525 

Christianson, Hans 484 

Christiauson, Malncr P 706 

Christianson, Ole P 706 

Christophersen, Rev. Einar B 715 

Christophersen, Rev. Emanuel 714 

Cillev, Darwin C 653 

Cillev, David C 653 

Clark, Eugene F 288 

Clark, Isaac 289 

Clausscn, Hans F 485 

Comstock, Xoah D 672 

Conrad, William Henry 483 

Corcoran, John B 582 

Cowie, George 287 

Cowie, Robert S 286 

Cox, Albert G 651 

Cox, Henry A 387 

Coy, George A 713 

Cram, Almon Everett 358 

Cripps, Frederick C 703 

Cripps, Giles 702 



915 



916 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



Cripps, Giles E 624 

Crogaii, Peter 482 

Crosen, John H 389 

Crouch, William 290 

Dahl, Christian 596 

Dahl, Lars .1 630 

Dale, Ivan George 497 

Dale, Joseph 703 

Dale, N. E 526 

Dale, Svend H 498 

Danuser, Leonard E 748 

Danuser, Ralph W 748 

Davidson, Anton 448 

Davidson, David L 620 

Davidson, John Y 337 

Davidson, William 400 

Davis, Ben W 301 

Dewey, Daniel C 716 

Dewey, Jay 1 717 

Dick,' William H 500 

Dissmore, David R 518 

Dopp, John C 338 

Durisch, John 731 

Dutton, Isaac Arthur 341 

Duxburv, Herbert 531 

Edison, C. K 593 

Eggum, Ole J 312 

Eid, Ole Gulbrandsoii 772 

Eid, Gilbert 772 

Eide, Lars 459 

Eide, Paul 555 

Eimon, Iver 649 

Ekern, Alexander J 423 

Ekern, Peter 686 

Elkintou, Charles H., M. D 701 

Elland, John 437 

EUiason, Edward Christian 420 

Emerson, Alfred Edward 422 

Enghagen, Bernt 1 428 

Enghagen, Iver P 427 

Enghagen, Nicholas 429 

Enghagen, Peter J 298 

Englesbv, Edward S 640 

English,' Daniel 672 

English, Michael 671 

Erickson, Edward 693 

Erickson, Hans C 319 

Erickson, John 456 

Erickson, John 692 

Erickson, Ole 461 

Evenson, Andrew 474 

Evenson, August 690 

Evenson, Bernt 421 

Evenson, Peter 549 

Everson, Ebert S 659 

Everson, Henry 1 698 

Everson, Syver 659 

Fagerland, Nels S 638 

Field, Chester 1 618 

Field, Robert C 667 

Field, Stoddard 668 

Flemington, Alexander B 792 

Ford, Clif 355 

Ford, Mrs. Lizzie D 356 

Francar, Eniile 453 

Fredrickson, Nels L 704 

Fredrickson, Ole 633 

Freeman, George Young 292 

Fremstad, Albert H 627 



Fremstad, Anton H 438 

French, Edmund C, D. D. S 617 

French, Ernest E., D. D. S 617 

French, Stanley Clark 402 

Freng, Anton N 619 

Gale, George 295 

Gale, George, Jr 297 

Gallawav, E. Jennie 328 

Gallawav, William 325 

Ganrud,' Ole 603 

Garthus, Amund 664 

Gaveney, James 673 

Gaveney, John C 674 

George, Frank A 631 

Getts, Edmond C 313 

Getts, Henrv E 313 

Gibbs, Arthur A 313 

Gibbs, George Grant 315 

Gibbs, Oliver E 317 

Gibson, Arthur A 325 

Gibson, Charles J 779 

Gibson, Dan P 701 

Gibson, William 700 

Gilbertson, Alfred E 331 

Gilbertson, John F 695 

Gilbertson, John 330 

Gilbertson, Ole 616 

Gilpin, William S 616 

Gimmestad, Rev. Lars M 306 

Gipple, Benjamin F 302 

Gipple, Bert A 303 

Giuul, George 614 

Glassford, Arthur 328 

Gleason, Andrew 722 

Goodhue, Alletta Dixon 789 

Goodhue, Francis Asburv 788 

Goplin, August E ' 652 

Goplin, Ludwig 517 

Grant, Duncan 491 

Grant, Robert 503 

Grant, William D 504 

Graul, George W 707 

Graves, Fred Warren 507 

Graves, Warren A 510 

Grover, Archelaus 499 

Grover, John 514 

Growt, Charles Henrv 315 

Gullord, Olaf C ' 613 

Gunderson, Martin, Jr 749 

Gunderson, Samuel 666 

Gunderson, Torger 666 

Hagen, Alfred 613 

Hagen, Edward M 444 

Hagen, Erie 591 

Hagen, Fred 539 

Hagen, Thomas M 446 

Hagestad, Andrew C 604 

Hagestal, Knut K 454 

Haines, Adam 794 

Haines, Christian 758 

Haines, Edward 721 

Haines, George 720 

Haines, John 794 

Haines, Joseph W 758 

Halderson, Albert 376 

Halderson, James 484 

Hallanger, John B 373 

Hallanger, Knut K 373 

Hallanger, Knudt P 371 

Halverson, Christ 795 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



917 



Halverson, Edward 79-j 

Halvorson, Halvor J 641 

Hammer, Ludwig N 302 

Hammer, M. N 359 

Hammond, George 413 

Hankey, E. J 378 

Hansaasen, Lars Mikkleson 423 

Hanson, Edwin C 575 

Hanson, Henry M 463 

Hanson, James 681 

Hanson, Johannes P 656 

Hanson, Lars 684 

Hanson, Morris 545 

Hanson, Odell 362 

Hanson, Ole C 443 

Hanson, Peter 656 

Hanson, Samuel 685 

Hanson, Theodore M 526 

Hardie, La Verd Ernest 369 

Hare, Claud Harrison 576 

Harlow, William E 644 

Harmon, Thomas 368 

Hartman, Frank J 536 

Hass, George M. and Walter R 374 

Haug, Ole 638 

Hange, Thomas H 655 

Heald, Elizabeth 476 

Heath, Perry 787 

Hegge, Eveii A 639 

Hegge, Nels F 639 

Hegge, Sigvald N 517 

Hellekson, Andrew M 416 

Helstad, Ole 374 

Henry, Edward J 611 

Henry, William 611 

Hensel, August F. . . : 681 

Hensel, Augustus W 683 

Hensel, Earl F 775 

Hensel, Iven L., D. D. S 683 

Hensel, Julius 774 

Hermann, Walter 365 

Herreid, Gilbert M 367 

Herreid, Gilbert Olson 366 

Herreid, Ole G 559 

Herreid, Peter T 389 

Herreid, Thomas P 368 

Herreid, Tosten G 417 

Hess, Albert 676 

Hewitt, Charles F 411 

Hewitt, John Charles 714 

Hewitt, Mark R 410 

Hidorshide, George N., M. D 754 

Hogan, Thomas 557 

Hogdeu, Christian J 370 

Hokland, Frederick N 610 

Holmes, Arthur Atwood 376 

Holmes, Charles Francis 375 

Holtan, Hans 558 

Holtan, Richard H 558 

Holte, Even 636 

Hoi)kins, Florison D 726 

Hopkins, James 724 

Hotchkiss, E. Scott 766 

Hotchkiss, Frank A 767 

Hotz, Jacob 679 

Hovre, Ole 624 

Hulberg, Bernhard 662 

Hulberg, Conrad 663 

Huleatt , Clarence F 388 

Huleatt, Thomas P 388 

Hume, Bert L 610 

Hunter, James N 613 



Hunter, John 363 

Hunter, Thomas 529 

Hunter, Thomas R 364 

Hunter, Walter 577 

Hunter, William 613 

Huslegard, Emil 635 

Hutchins, Byron L 642 

Hysloji, William 6 556 

Immell, Elmer L 392 

Immell, Omer F 628 

Instenes, Gustave M 633 

Instenes, Sever 541 

Instenes, Sven 633 

Instenes, John S 542 

Instenes, Lewis 542 

Irvine, James 358 

Irvine, John Quinton 358 

Isom, Alva E 609 

Isom, David 608 

Jacobsen, Amos 554 

Jacobson, Henry A 444 

James, Roy E 536 

Jegi, Henry A 503 

Jegi, Simon 502 

Johnson, Gust G 607 

Johnson, John S 502 

Johnson, Louis 475 

Johnson, Martin 719 

Johnson, Ole T 501 

Johnson, Oscar B 341 

Johnson, Peter 791 

Johnson, Peter H 386 

Johnson, Sanf ord J 527 

Johnson, Thomas 440 

Jones, John W 345 

Jones, J. Reese 606 

Jones, Milo Albert 530 

Kass, Cyrus 304 

Keith, Lincoln S 515 

Kellman, Frank A 512 

Kellman, J. Alfred 513 

Kidder, Eugene J 549 

Kiekhoef er, Albert C 765 

Kittlcson, Carl L 343 

Khindby, Andrew J 791 

Knudtson, Knut A 607 

Knutson, Andres 506 

Knutson, John A 506 

Knutson, Knut S 393 

Knutson, George W 793 

Knutson, Julius 395 

Koei)ke, Frank L 753 

Kolden, Christian 712 

Koldcn, Ole 712 

Konz, John, Jr 606 

Kopp, Henrv 329 

Kopp, William E 326 

Kribs, Philip G 516 

Kronschnabl, Peter 719 

Kube, Henrv 800 

Kube, Rudolph 800 

Ladd, Lorengo D 308 

Ladd, Moses E 385 

Lamberson, Albert J 601 

Lamberson, George W 663 

Lamberson, John C 663 

Larson, Clarence P 642 

Larson, Lars P 425 



918 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



Larson, Louis N., M. D. C 751 

Larson, Ole E 487 

Larson, O. P 299 

Larson, Ray H 644 

Latseh, John 785 

Latsch, John A 785 

Lee, Anton M 323 

Lee, Sim E 606 

Letcrski, Louis 783 

Levis, Clark M 604 

Levis, William K 604 

Lewis, John D 743 

Linderman Glenn 768 

Linderman, James L 652 

Linderman, Philo J 768 

Liver, Anton W 603 

Lomsdahl, Tom 605 

Losinski, Andrew, Sr 740 

Losinski, Andrew, Jr 741 

Ijovlieu, Andrew F 629 

Lovlien, Olnf [ 629 

Lovlien. Ole F 532 

Lowe, Fred W 588 

Lyngdal, Lars M 635 

McCallum, Daniel Levi 300 

MeDonah, James 461 

McKeeth, Carl 304 

McKivergin, James 382 

MeKivergin, John 382 

McWain, Everett 399 

McWeeney, Edward B 736 

Mailer, William P., D. D. S 797 

Maionpv, James 640 

Manning, John 781 

Markham, Arthur A 709 

Markham, George A 585 

Markham, George H 708 

Markham, John 707 

Markham, John A 710 

Marsh, James A 422 

Mattison, Thomas 661 

Mattison, Edwin T [\ 395 

Mattison, Mattis 661 

Mattson, Eichard 595 

Maurer, Emil 707 

Mauer, John 726 

Meier, George 678 

Melhv, Anton 286 

Melby, Charles B 285 

Melby, Jennie L 284 

Melbr, John O [ ' ' 283 

Mikkelson, Gilbert 528 

Mitskogen, Olaus 384 

Moen, Halvor K 670 

Molstad, Smith 396 

Moltzau, Paul H 599 

Mork, Ole, M. D 396 

Mortenson, Hans H ' 643 

Muir, James 767 

Myers, Peter 77O 

Myhers, Jakob T , ,[ 598 

Myhers, Thomas J., D. V. M 597 

Myhre, Anton A 597 

Myhre, Olaf M ,[[ 540 

Nash, John W 543 

Nelsestuen, Thomas P 489 

Nelson, Frederick 704 

Nelson, G. (; 796 

Nelson, Joseph P 556 

Nelson, Peter 555 



Nelton, Peter 669 

Nicholls, William 790 

Nieholls, William, Sr 789 

Nieols, Dell 595 

Nordhus, Paul 488 

Odell, Levi L 363 

Ofsdahl, Andrew P 509 

Olds, George H 295 

Olsen, Axel K., M. D 521 

Olson, Adolph C 569 

Olson, Ever A., M. D 581 

Olson, Jorgen 637 

Olson, Louis Crawford 572 

Olson, Ludwig C 535 

Olson, Marcus 571 

Olson, Olof C 750 

Olson, Theodore B 753 

Olson, Tobias 508 

Olson, Tobias M 594 

Onsrud, Ole 321 

Oppengaard, John 510 

Orke, Be V. A. J 780 

Owen, Rev. Thomas Grafton 775 

Paine, Frank R 746 

Palmer, Judson A., M. D 669 

Pederson, Albert M 380 

Pederson, Bent 657 

Pederson, Iver 379 

Pederson, Gunarius G. Eognrud 647 

Pederson, Jacob 602 

Pederson, Mathias T 490 

Pederson, Nels 493 

Pederson, Peter J 492 

Perkins, John A 397 

Peterson, Ador G 568 

Peterson, Albert B 638 

Peterson, Basil 1 656 

Peterson, Charles F., M. D 580 

Peterson, Ernest A 657 

Peterson, H. George 592 

Peterson, John 718 

Peterson, Peter C 550 

Phillips, Donald M., D. D. S 569 

Pierce, Ebcn Douglas, M. D 761 

Pierce, Henry E...* 762 

Pierson, James Saurin 496 

Pietrck, Walentine 782 

Pinorsky, Mike 494 

Pittenger, Abraham 495 

Pittenger, Luther Melville 495 

Polvlilank, John C 409 

Poss, John P 492 

Proctor, Richard 757 

Proctor, Mrs. Sophia 757 

Quammen, Edward L 406 

Quammen, Lars 406 

Quarne, Edward E 468 

Raichle, Christian 432 

Raichle, John 626 

Raichle, John 433 

Raichle, William F 433 

Raichle, William 433 

Rail, George 513 

Reck, August 776 

Reek, George 777 

Reitzel, George 703 

Rekstad, Sivert 578 

Remington, D. L 589 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



919 



Eemington, Ernest H 586 

Remlinger, Louis 771 

Ehodes, Joshua 408 

Rice, Gilbert S 546 

Eichmond, Stephen 744 

Rindahl, Olof 435 

Eing, John 586 

Einglien, Andrew J 550 

Risberg, Paudor K 552 

Eobbe, Henrv N 591 

Robbe, Nils H 592 

Eognlien, Martin M 590 

Eognlien, Nicholas M 589 

Eogurud, Albert G 646 

Eogurud, Gunarius G. Pederson 647 

Romundstad, Michael J 575 

Rotering, EmU F 741 

Rumpel, John A 582 

Runnestrand, Knudt E 566 

Ruseliug, Henry 699 

Russell, Henrj- 573 

Sagen, Alfred N 470 

Sagen, John M 469 

Sagen, Oscar T 309 

Sanders, Leland S 481 

Sauer, Albert F 694 

Sauer, William 694 

Searseth, Charles M 468 

Searscth, Idius B 470 

Searseth, Marenius M 467 

Schaller, John H 418 

Schansherg, Louis J 570 

Schmidt, George 738 

Schmidt, Joachim 538 

Schmidt, Joachim J 538 

Schmidt, John 737 

Schneider, John J 677 

Scholz, Daniel 749 

Schuman, Fred 475 

Scow, Albert Mark 678 

Scow, Matt 678 

Seiler, C. F. W 665 

Selck, William H 748 

Sentv, Anton 668 

Sesvold, Charles Adolph 411 

Sesvold, Ole 407 

Shephard, Henrv C, Jr 553 

Shonat, George B 415 

Shonat, Warner E 478 

Sielaff, Eheinhold 465 

Skjeic, Martin H 654 

Skogstad, Mattinus J 534 

Skogstad, Mel vin P 580 

Skroch, Peter C 574 

Skroeh, Simon 574 

Skulhus, Peter 632 

Skumlien, Andrew K 519 

Skumlien, Ole C 519 

Skvrud, Madts M 528 

Sletteland, Ben M 687 

Smith, Adam 798 

Smith, Edward D 799 

Smith, Frank M 666 

Smith, Frederick A 577 

Smith, James W 578 

Smith, William A 419 

Solsrud, Ludwig L 381 

Sorenson, David M 562 

Sorenson, Eugene A 380 

Speestra, Seth S 626 

Sprecher, John 696 



Sprecher, Walter E 697 

Squier, George Hull 479 

Squier, Rev. James 480 

Staff, Jens J., Jr 472 

Steig, Frederick C 660 

Steig, Gilbert F 561 

Stellpfiug, Frederick John 473 

Stellpflug, Joseph C 407 

Steudahl, Ole T 690 

Stoner, Parley 412 

Strand, Knudt Leofson 728 

Strand, Leof K 730 

Strum, Paul Olson 466 

Stutlien, Ebert K 402 

Sura, Paul 571 

Sutcliffe, John 414 

Suttie, Willis W 792 

Sveum, Christian E 650 

Swaim, Lars L 352 

Sylfest, Ole 661 

Symonds. Frederick Martin 310 

Tallman, Algernon P 629 

Tappeu, Julius 493 

Tenneson, Tennes 472 

Thomas, C. 568 

Thomas, Cullen A 460 

Thomas, Peter 339 

Thomasgaard, Ole 567 

Thompson, Allen B 564 

Thompson, Bert 614 

Thompson, Carl 569 

Thompson, John 618 

Thompson, Olaus 569 

Thompson, Soren 337 

Thompson, William, Sr 620 

Thompson, William C 797 

Thorsgaard, Henrv 336 

Tjoflat, Amund G.' 553 

Tobe v, Horace N 405 

Tomt'er, Ole 52? 

Toraason, Goodwin, D. D. S 340 

Torgerson, Christ 645 

Torgerson, Edward 752 

Torkelson, Albert 658 

Towner, John C 401 

Towner, William K 404 

Trim, George A 357 

Trim, William 448 

Trowbridge, Henry R 773 

Trowbridge, Hiram 1 774 

Truog, Thomas, Sr 784 

Truog, Thomas, Jr 795 

Tubbs, Frank 737 

Tubbs, Lorenzo D 737 

Tucker, David C 528 

Twcsme, Albert T 457 

Twesme, Nels J 458 

Uhl, Frank A 531 

Uhl, Peter J 504 

Uhl, Philip 505 

TJnderheim, Lars K 354 

Van Gorden, Clyde S 565 

Van Gorden, S." H 566 

Van Sickle, Levi 713 

Van Sickle, William 713 

Van Tassel, Clarence J 799 

Van Tassel, Robert 801 

Void, Anton, D. D. S 520 



920 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES 



Wadleigh, William Samuel 309 

Wagstad, John 563 

"Waller, Lemuel H 535 

Waller, Oliver 564 

Warner, Raymond K 699 

Warner, Euf us C 699 

Webb, William J 551 

Weeks, Edward D 615 

Wenger, Christian G 747 

Weverstad, Lars H 646 

Whalen, Thomas A 426 

White, William 645 

Wilber, Edwin E 332 

Wilber, Elmer Elsworth 333 

Wilber, Francis M 334 

Wilcox, Mrs. Thomas D 429 

Wilcox, Dean G 430 



Williams, Delbert G 563 

Willinger, William 428 

Witt, Ferdinand 560 

Wohlgenant, Caspar 676 

Wolfe, Phillip 710 

Wolfe, William E 711 

Wood, David 551 

Wood, Frank 560 

Wood, Ralph W 643 

Wyman, William A 533 

York, Charles F 530 

Young, Frank W 562 

Young, Walter D 544 

Ystenes, Oscar 507 

Zeller, F. Carl 724 



INDEX TO PORTRAITS 



Amundsen, Mr. and Mrs. Amuud 555 

Anderson, A. W 547 

Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew 723 

Anderson, Eldridge 723 

Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Morris 723 

Andriesen, Wieb, aufj Family 351 

Babbitt, Mr. and Mrs. M. T 445 

Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel 347 

Beach, ,T. B 294 

Bell, William A., and Family 439 

Berg, J. A., and Family ' 431 

Berge, Mr. and Mrs. Jens 719 

Bergeson, Tolef 318 

Bestul, Rev. and Mrs. Christian B 540 

Beswiek, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Chester 609 

Beswick, Jr., Chester 609 

Bibby, John M., and Family 361 

Bibbv, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua 360 

Bishop, Collins 734 

Bishop, W. E 734 

Bohrnstedt, Mr. and Mrs. John 434 

Boleng, C. L., and Family 611 

Borreson, Mr. and Mrs. Hans 650 

Brekke, Mr. and Mrs. O. A 647 

Bright, Mr. and Mrs. Robert 441 

Butman, Mr. and Mrs. Stark 524 

Call, John H., and Familv 599 

Carhart, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan H 393 

Chappell, Mr. and Mrs. D. D 383 

Christophersen, Rev. and Mrs. Einar B. . . 715 

Christophersen, Rev. and Mrs. Emanuel.. 715 

Christophersen, Mr. and Mrs. G. B 497 

Church of Our Ladv of Perpetual Help . . 843 

Cilley, Mr. and Mrs. David C 653 

Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene F 288 

Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Giles 624 

Cowie, Mr. and Mrs. Robert S 286 

Cox, Henvy A., and Family 387 

Crosen, Mr. and Mrs. John H 389 

Dahl, C. 596 

Dale, Mr. and Benjamin 497 

Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 497 

Dale, Ivan G 497 

Davidson, William, and Family 400 

Dissmore, David R., and Family 518 

Dissmore, Rev. and Mrs. George 518 

Dopp, John C, and Family 338 

Dutton, Isaac Arthur, and Family 341 

Edison, C. K., and Family 593 

Eid, Gilbert O., and Familv 772 

Eid, Mr. and Mrs. G. 772 

Eid, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Gulbrandson 772 

Eide, Mr. and Mrs. John 555 

Eide, Paul, and Family 555 

Eimon, Iver 649 

Ekern, A. J., and Family 423 

Ekcrn, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew 423 

921 



Ekern, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 687 

Elkinton, Dr. C. H., and Family 701 

Engen, Mr. and Mrs. O. 427 

Enghagen, Mr. and Mrs. B. 1 427 

Enghagen, Mr. and Mrs. Iver P 427 

Enghagen, Nicholas, and Family 423 

Erickson, Edward 693 

Evenson, Mr. and Mrs. August 690 

Everson, Ebert S., and Family 659 

Francar, Eniile 453 

Fremstad, Mr. and Mrs. Hans A 627 

Fremstad, Albert H., and Family 627 

Field, R. C ' 668 

Field, Stoddard 668 

Fredriekson, Ole, and Family 633 

Fredrickson, Nels L., and Family 704 

French, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 402 

French, Stanley C, and Family 402 

Gale, Sr., George 295 

Gale, Jr., George 295 

Gallaway, E. Jennie 325 

Gallawa.y, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac 325 

Gallaway, William 325 

Garthus, Mr. and Mrs. Amund 664 

Gaveney, John C 674 

Geological Plate No. 1 23 

Geoige, Frank A 631 

Gipple, Bert A 303 

Goplin, August, and Family 652 

Granrud, Mr. and Mrs. Ole 602 

Grant, Duncan, and Family. 491 

Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Robert 503 

Graves, Fred W 507 

Grover, Mr. and Mrs. Archelaus 499 

Gulbrandson, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Eid 772 

Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Sam 666 

Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Torger 666 

Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Tosten 719 

Hagen, Erie 564 

Hagestad, A. C, and Family 604 

Hagestad, Mr. and Mrs. K. K 604 

Haines, Edward, and Family 721 

Halderson, Albert, and Family 376 

Halderson, J. O., and Family 484 

Hallanger, Mr. and Mrs. Knut K 373 

Hammond, George, and Family 413 

Hansaasen, Mr. and Mrs. Lars M 423 

Hanson, Morris 545 

Hanson, J. P., and Family 656 

Hardie, Mr. and Mrs. L. E 369 

Hauck, Rev. .Joseph L 843 

Hauge, T. H., and Family 655 

Hegge, Mr. and Mrs. Even A 639 

Hegge, Mr. and Mrs. Nels F 639 

Hellekson, A. M., and Family 416 

Hensel, Mr. and Mrs. Earl F 775 

Herroid, Gilbert O., and Family 366 

Hes^, Albert, and Family ' 676 

Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. John C 714 

Hidersliide, George X., M. D 754 

Hogan, Thomas, and Family 557 



922 



INDEX TO PORTRAITS 



Holtan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard H., and 

Sons 558 

Hotehkiss, Mr. and Mrs. E. Scott 765 

Homestad, Jacob Pederson, and Family. 602 

Hopkins, F. D 726 

Hotz, Jacob 679 

.Johnson, Martin, and Family 719 

Jones, Mr. and Mrs. J. W., and Grand- 
child 345 

Knudtson, Mr. and Mrs. K. A., and Daugh- 
ter 607 

Koldcn, Christian, and Family 712 

Kolden, 01c, and Family 712 

Kopp, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 329 

Lamberson, Mr. and Mrs. John C 663 

Lamberson, Orson S 663 

Larson, Clarence P 642 

Larson, Lina W. (Mrs. O. P.) 300 

Larson, O. E 487 

Larson, O. P 299 

Lee, A. M., and Family 323 

Lone Mound Farm, William Nichols, Prop. 789 
Lovlien, Mr. ami Mrs. Fred 0., and Chil- 
dren 532 

Lovlien, Olo F., and Family 532 

Lowe, Fred W., and Family 588 

Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Wessel 588 

Lowe, William, and Family 588 

Maloney, Mr. and Mrs. David 640 

Maloney, James, and Family 640 

Markhani Castle, Ronceval 707 

Markham, Mr. and Mrs. George A 708 

Markham, Mr. and Mrs. George H 708 

Melbv, Anton 286 

Melb'v, Charles B 283 

Melbv, Jennie L. (Mrs. John O.) 283 

Melby, John O Frontispiece 

Mikkelson, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert 528 

Nclton, Peter, and Family 669 

Nicholls, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. William 790 

Nieholls, William, and Family 790 

Odcll, Harlan Sumner 363 

Odcll, Mr. and Mrs. L. L 363 

Olson, Dr. E. A., and Family 581 

Olson, Jorgen, and Family 637 

Olson, Ludwig C, and Family 535 

Onsrud, Mr. and Mrs. Ole 321 

Orke, Eev. and Mrs. A. J 780 

Pederson, Mr. and Mrs. Gunarius G. 

Rognrud 647 

Pederson, Jacob (Homestad), and Family 602 
Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. John, and Daugh- 
ter 397 

Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. A. B 658 

Peterson, Basil 1 656 

Peterson, Ernest A 656 

Pierce, Eben D., M. D 761 

Proctor, Mr. and Mrs. Richard 757 

Quamman, Lars, and Family 406 

Eekstad, Sivert, and Family .* 578 

Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua 408 



Rice, Gilbert S., and Family 546 

Risberg, Paudor K., and Family 552 

Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred H 708 

Rognrud, Mr. and Mrs. Gunarius G. Ped- 
erson 647 

Romundsfad, Mr. and Michael J 575 

Romundstad, Mr. and Mrs. Ole J 575 

Ronceval, the Markham Castle 707 

Rotcring, Emil F 741 

Russell, Henry, and Family 573 

Russell, Mr. and Mrs. William 573 

Sanders, L. S 481 

Scarseth, C M., and Family 468 

Scarseth, Idius B., and Family 470 

Scarseth, M. M., and Family 467 

Schansberg, L. J., and Family 570 

Schmidt, George 73S 

Schmidt, Jr., Joachim, and Family 538 

Schmidt, Sr., Mr. and Mr.s. Joachim.... 538 

Schuman, Fred, and Family 475 

Seller, C. F. W., and Family 665- 

Seiler, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick 665 

Senty, Anton, and Family 668 

Shonat, George B., and Family 415- 

Shonat, Mr. and Mrs. W. R 478 

Skumlien, Ole C, and Family 519 

Slcttelaud, Mr. and Mrs. B. M 687 

Smith, W. A., and Family 419 

Soreuson, Eugene A., and Family 380 

Sprechcr, Caroline (Mrs. John) 696 

Sprechcr, John 696 

Sprecher, Walter E 697 

Steig, Frederick C, and Family 660 

Strand, Mr. and Mrs. Knudt L 730 

Strand, Mr. and Mrs. Leof K 730 

Strum, Mr. and Mrs. Paul 466 

Sveum, C. E., and Family 650 

Sylfest, Ole, and Family 661 

Tappen, Julius O., and Family 493 

Thomas, Cullen, and Family 460 

Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 460 

Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Bert 614 

Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. John, and Fam- 

ilV 618 

Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. William 620 

Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. A. P 463 

Tomter, John L., and Family 522 

Tomter, Ole, and Family 522 

Towner, Mr. and Mrs. John C 401 

Trim, William and Family 448 

Twesme, A. T 457 

Underheim, Lars K., and Family 354 

Wadleigh, W. S 309 

Waller, Oliver 564 

Weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Edward D 615' 

Wilber, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R 334 

Wilber, E. E., and Family 333 

Wilber, F. M., and Family 334 

Witt, Ferdinand, and Family 560 

York, Mr. and Mrs. Abel 530 

York, Charles F., and Family 530 

Zimmer, Mr. and Mrs. John .Jacob 624 



H 122 81 



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